CivMin graduate students Tomer Shmaya and Mennatallah Alnahas are recipients of this year’s Professor Barry J. Adams Graduate Fellowship.
First place: Tomer Shmaya
Tomer is a PhD student in Professor David Meyer’s research group at the Centre for Global Engineering (CGEN) in the Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering at the University of Toronto. Tomer is interested in the analysis and optimization of water distribution systems, and his work focuses on the interaction and dependency between water and power network infrastructure.
As water infrastructure is dependent on power for the purposes of pumping and treatment, those two critical infrastructure systems become interdependent – decisions made for one system may affect conditions in the other. This interdependency could be utilized for the development of better operation strategies, designs, and analysis tools, leading to reduced costs, energy consumption and environmental impact.
Second place: Menna Alnahas
Menna is a dedicated PhD candidate in Environmental Engineering, within the Drinking Water Research Group (DWRG) in the Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering at the University of Toronto, with a research focus on tackling critical issues in drinking water treatment. Her work, under the supervision of Professor Ron Hofmann, centres on the monitoring and control of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins, using cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to address harmful algal blooms. As a researcher, Menna is currently working on AI-driven solutions for detecting and predicting harmful algal blooms in drinking water treatment facilities, aligning her research with her broader goal of enhancing water quality and public health.
Beyond the lab, Menna is a strong advocate for inclusivity and diversity in STEM. As the former President of the Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA) Student Chapter and the founder of the IEEE Women in Engineering Chapter in Zewail City, she has built a legacy of empowering future leaders and fostering collaboration within the water community. Recognized with numerous awards, including the CDM Smith Scholarship 2023, Menna is not only a skilled researcher but also a leader committed to shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future in the water industry.
Professor Barry J. Adams Graduate Fellowship
To be awarded each year to a graduate student in the Department of Civil Engineering, having been recommended by the Department’s faculty leadership. This award will be based on academic merit, preferably based on demonstrated performance in hydraulics, hydrology and/or municipal water systems engineering where possible.