A bit about me...

I was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia and had the opportunity to move many times throughout my childhood. I began my studies at Cape Breton University (CBU), taking an Engineering Diploma combined with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. I then moved on to Dalhousie to complete my Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, followed by a Masters in Environmental Studies (chemical engineering project focus), and a PhD in Chemical Engineering. I have been accepted and plan to begin my second PhD, this time in Educational Studies at St.FX in the near future. I am pursuing the second PhD as I wish to better myself as an educator and improve engineering teaching practices. 

I began my research journey only days after graduating high school and have not stopped since. I started with GC-MS work, moved to petroleum, and have since expanded into industry efficiency and waste valorization. I also branched into engineering education-based research, aiming to improve engineering programs at universities, improve my own teaching practices, and bridge the gap between industry and academia. I also began teaching chemistry (general and organic) labs immediately following my graduation from CBU. I taught these labs for a number of summers in between my academic endeavours at DAL and my work in the pulp and paper sector. 

I am fortunate to have worked previously in the pulp and paper mill sector with a focus on secondary treatment waste valorization and eco-industrial park considerations. I maintain a close relationship with industry and am working to broaden my industry connections. I attribute my teaching style and choices to my industry background as without this I would be unable to help students connect the theory seen in textbooks with real-world applications. 

In my early studies at CBU I was a member of their university volleyball and track and field teams - I still play volleyball competitively through leagues and pick-up. 

My Motto - "You can never be overdressed or overeducated." - Oscar Wilde

Education

• Dalhousie University - PhD (Chemical Engineering) 
• Dalhousie University - MES
• Dalhousie University - BEng (Chemical Engineering)  
• Cape Breton University - Combined BSc (Chemistry) and Engineering Diploma for Transfer to DAL (Chemical Engineering) 
   

Professional Designation

Professional Engineer (Licensed under Engineers Nova Scotia)
 

Research Interests

• Industry Efficiency
• Waste Valorization - Symbiotic Relationships
• Petroleum modelling and viscosity reduction
• Engineering Education
• Safety
   

Courses being taught in the
2023/2024 academic year:

• ENGR 128 - Engineering Design and Graphics
• ENGR 211 - Thermo-Fluids I
• ENGR 212 - Thermo-Fluids II
• ENGR 227 - Fundamentals of Process Engineering
   

Recent Student Research

Gabriel Cozzi – 3^rd year engineering student – spring/ summer 2023 - Project: Valorization of Used Tires for Berms in a Flood-Affected Town: A Feasibility Study Supported through NSERC USRA Black Scholar grant

If you're interested in research please reach out to me or come by my office for a chat!
 

Additional Information:

Faculty Head and co-starter of St.FX Women in Engineering Society 

Co-Faculty Advisor for St.FX Women in Science and Engineering Society