Five engineering faculty members elected Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Engineering
Kate Dawson - 23 May 2025
Congratulations to , , , and for being elected into the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE).
The CAE is a national institution through which engineers who have made outstanding contributions to the profession provide strategic advice on issues of importance to Canada and Canadians.
Established in 1987, the CAE is an independent, self-governing and non-profit organization that works in close cooperation with other senior academies in Canada and internationally. It is a founding member of the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) and a member of the International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences (CAETS), which includes 31 national engineering academies around the world. The CAE is also a member of the Partnership Group for Science and Engineering (PAGSE), an association of more than 20 Canadian organizations in science and engineering, whose mandate is to educate and inform federal Parliamentarians, decision makers and other leaders of the importance and significance of Canadian research and innovation to economic development and society as a whole.
Fellows are nominated and elected by their peers in recognition of distinguished achievements and lifelong service. All are committed to ensuring that Canada’s engineering expertise is applied to benefit society.
On May 15, Catherine Karakatsanis, CAE president, welcomed the new class of Fellows:
“I am delighted to welcome the new Fellows to the Academy, whose impressive accomplishments and leadership in their respective fields have significantly advanced engineering in both Canada and around the world. Their outstanding contributions and dedication to excellence serve as an inspiration to us all.”
The Fellows will be formally inducted during a ceremony in Montréal on May 27.
Meet the new Fellows
Rick Chalaturnyk's renowned contributions in subsurface assurance for energy projects focus on well integrity, CO2 storage and risk assessments to support global climate and energy goals. A leader in major international initiatives, his work shapes global best practices in carbon capture and storage (CCS). Chalaturnyk chaired the committee that developed the world's first CO2 storage standard (CSA Z741) and contributed to ß÷ßäÉçÇø's CCS regulatory framework. He is a distinguished researcher, entrepreneur and SPE Distinguished Lecturer, attracting over $25M in research funding and leading the development of innovative GeoInnovation Environments at the U of A.
Abdulhakem Elezzabi has made novel contributions to photonics, particularly in ultrafast optical devices for imaging, sensing and beyond 6G communication. His ground-breaking work on terahertz technology unlocked new possibilities in quantum computing and his innovations in spinplasmonics, smart windows and femtosecond laser nanosurgery have revolutionized many technological fields. He has significantly impacted the engineering profession through technology transfer to Canadian industry — teaching and mentoring, organizing international conferences, leading industry-funded research and founding multiple successful start-ups. His leadership in training future engineers and fostering innovation positions him as a prominent figure in advancing photonics and engineering.
Aminah Robinson Fayek's innovative use of fuzzy logic to model subjective variables and uncertainty enabled the creation of construction management solutions previously thought inaccessible to researchers and practitioners. Credited with developing fuzzy hybrid decision support systems as a new area of study within construction, Fayek's tools and approaches have helped improve the productivity and competitiveness of the Canadian construction industry. As vice president, research and innovation, she substantially increased the university's annual research revenue. Fayek was awarded a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in 2017 and served as an NSERC Industrial Research Chair for 15 years.
Tian Tang is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair and a leading expert in the study of soft materials and interfaces. She has an outstanding record of research and training that has made her an internationally recognized scholar. As an exceptional engineering educator, Tang has led the advancement of equity, diversity and inclusion in STEM. She is the recipient of many awards, including the Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, the Martha Cook Piper Research Prize, Killam Annual Professorship and the University Cup.
Xuehua Zhang is a cutting-edge researcher for bubbles and drops in multicomponent systems. Her scientific contributions have a major impact on the fundamental understanding that has been leveraged to drive innovations worldwide in clean and sustainable technologies. Zhang's invention draws strong interest from industry toward commercialization. Through her exceptional teaching and mentorship, Zhang has made a lasting impact on her trainees' academic and professional development. Zhang demonstrates her commitment to advancing the research field and engaging the international community through her roles as an elected council member of international associations, founding committee member for conferences, editor and grant assessor.
Congratulations to the new Fellows!