Annual Report 1999/2000

Student Achievements Scholarships Future widespread use of ISIS technologies is in the hands of the students. They are one of ISIS Canada's best means of achieving its mandate. As such, it is important to provide opportunities for students to participate in Network activities. In the process, they gain a sense of belonging and ownership. In return for stellar work, students at all levels are encouraged to compete for awards. ISIS Canada's most prestigious awards are two $5,000 scholarships offered annually to female and/or aboriginal students who exemplify excellence in engineering studies. Nadine Ibrahim, a fourth year undergraduate in Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto is one of the two scholarship recipients. Nadine embraced the concept of multidisciplinary studies in her undergraduate thesis which combines structural and environmental engineering, management and architecture. As a result of Nadine's exposure to ISIS Canada technologies, her undergraduate thesis examines the application of life cycle cost analyses to the problem of reinforced concrete infrastructure repairs for the purpose of establishing the demand side of the durability equation. Kellie Brown, a post-graduate student at the University of New Brunswick, is the other scholarship recipient. She holds a Bachelor's degree with Honours in Applied Physics (fibre optic communications option). Her Master of Science in engineering thesis involves characterization of optical fibres for communication and sensing applications. This research has many important industrial applications, given the decreasing costs of fibre optic components and advantages of fibre optic sensors over conventional strain and temperature techniques. Kellie recognizes the vast array of opportunities available in this field of research and is already considering potential spin-off companies. Conference Presentations More students than ever presented papers and competed for awards at the ISIS Canada Annual Conference. Students made their presentations alongside Project Leaders and industry partners. In all cases, the calibre of presentation and research highlighted was exceptional. In a post-conference survey, students indicated how highly they valued the experience. Best Presentation Amir Fam, University of Manitoba, Ph.D. Candidate Innovative Designs and Applications of FRPs Distinguished Presentation Anastasis Georgiades, Dalhousie University, Ph.D. Candidate Smart Reinforcements Honourable Presentation Christine Lacasse, Université de Sherbrooke, M.A.Sc. Candidate Research Program on the Evaluation of CFRP to Strengthen RC Beams Subjected to Alkali-Aggregate Reactions Annual Conference Poster Competition Best Poster Patrice Pouliot, Université de Sherbrooke Thesis Advisors: Dr. Kenneth Neale, Dr. Pierre Labossière Distinguished Poster Raafat El-Hacha, Queen's University Thesis Advisors: Dr. Mark Green, Dr. Gordon Wight Distinguished Poster Karen Callery, Queen's University Thesis Advisor: Dr. Mark Green Honourable Poster Isabelle Lord, Université de Sherbrooke Thesis Advisor: Dr. Brahim Benmokrane Student Committee Eighty students met on May 4, 2000, during the Network's Annual Conference in Montreal, for their first annual meeting of the ISIS Canada Student Committee. Led by Committee Chair, Luke Bisby (Queen's University), the students formulated recommendations for presentation to the assembled Network. A comprehensive report has since been submitted to the Research Management Committee. The following suggestions are being incorporated into future plans for ISIS: Exchange program for 10 to 20 students per year; Placement program for students in industry; Summer research program for undergraduate students; Interdisciplinary student teams specifically organized and incorporated in research projects; Course materials for technologists and technicians; Exchanges with technical colleges; and Continued emphasis on annual Network conference. During my participation in the ISIS program I had the pleasure of attending the 1997 and 1998 conferences in Winnipeg. I participated in the student presentation contest and the experience was very beneficial. I learned valuable communication and networking skills that I have transferred to my present job. I view the time involved with the ISIS program as an asset to my professional development. Albert Michael, M.Sc. Fero Corporation I gained many professional benefits which have helped me in my current employment. Having worked with FRP I feel confident in using it in a design application. I learned that when you are part of a larger team like ISIS Canada your work is important because it impacts the work of others. This is very true in the consulting industry where we work with owners, contractors, suppliers and other consulting engineers to collectively solve a problem. Everyone needs to be an innovator. Kenneth Charleson, M.Sc. Accutech Engineering Ltd. Students who have participated in ISIS Canada have no difficulty in finding employment in their field of choice.

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