TWEAKING MOLECULES Next-Gen science: Concordia emerging as a leader in synthetic biology - Concordia University Magazine
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F A L L 2 0 1 9
TWEAKING
MOLECULES
Next-Gen science:
Concordia emerging
as a leader in
synthetic biology
JAMES TUPPER COMES HOME > STUDYING FAT > THEY SHOOT! THEY SCORE!
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12
GINA CODY SCHOOL
LOOKS FORWARD JAMES TUPPER
Fast-growing engineering COMES HOME
school succeeds with
The Concordia grad who had a role
Next-Gen approach to
in the acclaimed TV drama Big Little
16
burgeoning field.
Lies spoke at Homecoming this fall
By Joseph Leger and also talked about his pride in
being a Canadian in Hollywood.
By Sylvain-Jacques Desjardins
TWEAKING MOLECULES
STUDYING FAT
Concordia researchers’ work in
the emergent field of synthetic Researchers at Concordia’s
biology could someday change PERFORM Centre are changing
36
your life — from improvements the way we look at fat — and
in drug delivery to finding how different people have
26
new fuels that could reduce different problems with it.
environmental damage. By Marta Samuel
By Daniel Bartlett
46
LIVING ON THE AIR
THEY SHOOT! THEY SCORE!
Concordia grads are all over the
airwaves in Canada’s two largest The business of sports is a big one.
cities. Five high-profile hosts talk From executives to managers and
now to the NHL’s first female scout,
41
about their careers — and those
awful early-morning wake-ups. we talk to half a dozen grads who
have accomplished a lot.
By Richard Burnett
By Sean Farrell
10 | WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
By Damon Van Der Linde
22 | URSULA EICKER ON CITIES
By Maeve Haldane
52 | FACULTY SPOTLIGHT:
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES
By Rachel Andren
fall 2019 volume 43 number 2
concordia.ca/magazine
COVER: 2 IN GOOD COMPANY
The cover art shows a conceptual image
of a DNA molecular structure. (Thinkstock) 5 CAMPAIGN FOR CONCORDIA
CORRECTION: 56 ALUMNI NEWS
On Page 55 of the Winter 2019 edition of the
Concordia University Magazine, the caption for
60 HONORARY DEGREES
Photo #8, should have read: “The 1968 Loyola 68 IN MEMORIAM
Warriors football team, including Dominic D’Ermo,
BA 74, and Richard Jones, BA 65, celebrated its 50th 70 WORDS & MUSIC
anniversary at the Loyola Jesuit Hall and Conference
Centre.” The magazine regrets the error. 72 ENOUGH SAID
IN GOOD COMPANY
In Good Company is a series on inspiring grads who work
for corporations and non-profits that hire a large number
Heads-up! of Concordia alumni. To be featured, please contact us at
alumni@concordia.ca or @ConcordiaAlumni on social media.
Concordia grads
driving innovation
Aura Innovation wants to make fleet drivers’ lives easier, safer
SIMONA emergency vehicles. “We lab of Concordia's student followed by an avionics
RABINOVITCH can help them reduce fuel branch of the Institute of engineering specialist job at
costs, reduce insurance Electrical and Electronics TRU Simulation + Training,
A startup by Concordia
grads wants to use
heads-up display (HUD)
premiums, train drivers
more quickly, track them
and send information
Engineers. “The prototype
was very much developed
late at night,” Cool says.
thanks to Concordia’s
Co-op program.
They met when Hercule
technology to improve directly to the windshield.” “We both had jobs, boot- marched into the IEEE
the efficiency, safety and Hercule, 26, explains strapping the startup on the Concordia lab looking for
bottom lines of commercial that “the business prem- side, any time we had was the right collaborators to
vehicle fleets. ise is that we have features devoured by this idea.” get a startup off the ground.
With plans to launch we integrate already and the Hercule, who grew up “There was one guy in the
this winter, their startup, service we offer is to create in Markham, Ont., says room, typing at the computer
Aura Innovation, uses custom HUD features, any- he has always had an wearing slippers,” Hercule
“augmented reality and thing our client desires.” entrepreneurial bent. recalls. “He was like,
the Internet of Things to The duo started devel- As for Cool, he’s into ‘What do you want?’ ”
create a fleet-management oping the concept in 2016 cars and entered the Shortly thereafter, they
service,” explains co- during pizza-fueled work aerospace industry with officially partnered up to
founder and chief technology sessions at the Electronics a CAE internship in 2014, apply for a startup program
officer Tristan Cool, BEng at Concordia’s District 3
(electrical engineering) 17, Innovation Center. They got
who started the company into the program, where, Cool
with chief executive officer says, “they give mentorship,
Gabriel Hercule, BComm help you pitch, speak to in-
(attendee). “We offer clients vestors, approach clients.”
a dashboard-mounted, It was there they first met
heads-up display device that Sujan Soosaithas, BEng
projects a hologram onto the (mech.eng.) 09, MEng 18,
windshield displaying route their assigned mentor, who
information, speed, lane would later come aboard
guidance, braking gauge and as the company’s third co-
a number of features related founder and chief operating
to driving information.” officer (with a focus on
While HUD technology mechanical design, manu-
can be found in luxury con- facturing and supply chain).
Brinc Accelerator Hong Kong
sumer vehicles, says Cool, “We’re using an innovative
a 26-year-old Montrealer, approach for a product that’s
Aura’s product is “not just really disrupting different
an interface, but a working aspects of the automotive
tool.” By targeting commer- industry,” says Soosaithas.
cial vehicles as their client “We’re thinking about
base – think delivery vans, “THIS COULD NOT BE MORE OF A CONCORDIA INVENTION,” SAYS TRISTAN COOL what the future looks like,
(CENTRE), AURA INNOVATION’S CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER. GABRIEL HERCULE
semi trucks, taxi drivers, IS AT LEFT; SUJAN SOOSAITHAS IS AT RIGHT. [about] augmented reality,
2 | fall 2019 concordia university magazine
human-machine interaction. with former professors in the
We’re pushing those Department of Computer and
boundaries and I find that Electrical Engineering.
really fulfilling.” “I encourage Concordia
Things really got roll- developers, engineers and
ing in late 2017, when they business students to take the
were accepted into London, leap while they're young; it’s
England’s Startupbootcamp really not that scary,” says
IoT accelerator program (as Cool. “If you have to change
HUDlog, their company’s
original name). Theirs was
cities, get international as
soon as possible, build the (_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _)
one of nine projects chosen right team and have faith in
BELIEVES
out of 350 for 2017’s IoT your idea. You’ll get ‘no’ 10
accelerator program. The times more than ‘yes,’ but
trio went to London. the yes is always a big win.”
“They invested in us,” Soosaithas also values
Cool says. “We got really
chummy with the London
his Concordia ties. “What
made the difference for me NOTHING
scene, spoke to custom- was the Concordia Institute
ers, developed the product
and built the team.” (Which
of Aerospace Design &
Innovation (CIADI),” says
IS IMPOSSIBLE
now, they say, includes two Soosaithas, who was ac-
interns and several contrac- cepted into its internship
tors, plus the co-founders.) program back when he was
Nominate the entrepreneur
D
Then came a second round a student. This, he adds,
of pre-seed funding as part of helped him land a variety of or executive that you think
Brinc’s Connected Hardware internships “doing all these
accelerator program in Hong different things,” which he deserves to be recognized
Kong, where they were ac- feels made his CV stand out as Person of the Year
cepted into its spring 2018 to Concordia’s District 3 as
program. The trio spent the a possible mentor. “The dif-
summer of 2018 there and ference is seen here; that’s
rcgt.com/awards
visited factories. what attracted [Hercule and
Now, Cool says, they’re in Cool] to considering me as
the process of “de-bugging, a mentor. I’m part of this
doing sales, developing part- project because they consid-
nerships and getting ready ered me good enough to be
for launch.” Hercule says a mentor, which opened the
that now, before seeking door to be a co-founder.”
to raise seed funding, data As for Hercule, he
is another focus. “We want very much connects to
more data than we know what Concordia’s entrepreneur-
to do with, and tweaking, ial spirit. “For me, it was all
tweaking, tweaking, until about building a business
we get it just right.” from day one,” he says.
Aura Innovation's prod- “I dedicated a lot of time
uct (for which they hold at Concordia at District 3.
three pending patents for I would just go there and
hardware, interface and ap- write ideas. And today, most
plication) “could not be more of my friends and the people
of a Concordia invention,” I go to for business advice
says Cool, who keeps in touch are Concordia-based.”
concordia university magazine fall 2019 | 3
VPAA-T20-59701-ADVERTISEMENTS-Person of the Year awards.indd 1 02/10/2019 4:23:05 PM
setting an
example
Award encourages women
to dive into engineering
“I
don’t have any heart-tugging stories Concordia, or now at work, and it has
about growing up and having to walk been great to be able to nurture and
for miles without shoes to get to show my creative side even in the
school, or dreaming about having enough engineering discipline.
money just to buy a tin of corned beef. I decided to set up the Ahema award
That was my father’s story, but, years for a female student in the Gina Cody
later, he and my mother traveled the School of Engineering and Computer
world, raised their four young girls (me Science at Concordia, to support other
included) and put us all through university. girls in pursuing their goals. Female
My parents believe firmly in a good graduates in these industries are the
education. My father was a university women who will be the example and
professor, so he started us out at an early encouragement for the next generation
age practicing mathematical problems at of women interested in entering the
the dinner table. STEM fields. The award, $,000 per
As an international student at Concordia, year for three years, offered to a female
I was incredibly blessed and privileged to student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in
have all my fees paid for by my parents, Engineering and Computer Science, is
while my older sisters took care of also an expression of my gratitude to
my living expenses. While I was those who played a role in my education.
under no obligation to pay Going through the BEng program at
them back, my father always Concordia prepared me for my first job
reiterated the importance of in the HVAC industry with the selection
helping others in return. of coursework and projects I focused on.
At Concordia I was able to After several years in the industry,
challenge myself and my I wanted to help others and I immediately
ambitions through the Building thought, what better place to start than
Engineering program. I am as with the university that opened the door
interested in fashion, jewelry for me to become part of the industry
and dance as I am in I wanted to be in.”
construction, big trucks and Mercy Quarshie, Eng., BEng 20,
machinery. That has never is aftermarket service manager at
changed through my years at Dehumidified Air Solutions.
Find out how you can join Mercy Quarshie, in giving to Concordia.
Info: concordia.ca/giving | 54-848-2424, ext. 4856 | -888-777-3330, ext. 4856 | giving@concordia.ca #CUpride
THE CAMPAIGN FOR CONCORDIA
District 3 partnership lays foundation for
cooperation between Israeli, Palestinian communities
Innovative program Entrepreneurship in Montreal in late July a deeper understanding of the
connects entrepreneurs will be used to foster trust for the final two weeks of Israeli-Palestinian conflict
with Concordia students between participants the program, where they and the differing narratives
for hands-on learning – acting as a catalyst to participated in a series involved,” says Lobna Agbaria,
with social impact approach and mitigate of workshops, coaching Program Director of OGS.
tensions from the continuing and expert sessions, and During their stay, OGS
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. explored the Montreal participants were housed
JULIA SCANDELLA, The program will allow innovation ecosystem. The together at Concordia’s Grey
BA 15 Concordia students to Concordia student teams Nuns Residence. Shared
gain valuable experience will formulate exercises for living quarters increased
C oncordia’s District 3
Innovation Center is
partnering with fellowship
through startups.
“The Our Generation
Speaks-Concordia
the emerging entrepreneurs
and help them tackle some of
their startup challenges.
opportunities for partici-
pants to build trust and
understanding.
program and startup incuba- Accelerator Program exem- The program ended with Concordia students
tor Our Generation Speaks plifies how collaboration, an innovation showcase on also reap benefits from
(OGS) for a novel program entrepreneurship and Aug. 8 at District 3. the program – cultivating
to promote cooperation in innovation – the pillars of The OGS-Concordia a broader worldview
the Middle East. District 3 – drive progress Accelerator Program instills and gaining hands-on
As part of the Our and help bridge cultural more than entrepreneurial entrepreneurial experience.
Generation Speaks-Concordia divides,” says Xavier-Henri skills. It thoughtfully mixes “Working in the startup
Accelerator Program, four Hervé, executive director Israelis and Palestinians ethos has been such a
visiting Israeli and Palestinian of District 3. with the aim of build- blessing, and I’ve grown
entrepreneurs will further de- The program was made ing economic and social immensely from it. It’s
velop their respective startups possible thanks to the Naim partnerships. been such an eye-opening
through collaboration with S. Mahlab Foundation’s “Common feedback experience working with
District 3’s innovation resi- gift to the Campaign for I receive from our alumni these startups and seeing
dency teams – three groups of Concordia: Next-Gen. Now. and fellows is that OGS what is possible for our
multidisciplinary and multi- The OGS Israeli and injects in them optimism, future world,” says
cultural Concordia students. Palestinian fellows arrived and enables them to grasp Kevin Lam, BFA 19.
concordia university magazine fall 2019 | 5
20 years of philanthropy and friendship
JULIA SCANDELLA, BA 15 “The foundation’s ac- them access to a high- philanthropist Che-woo Lui.
complishments over the quality, international The CUHKF’s mission — to
T he Concordia University
Hong Kong Foundation
(CUHKF) celebrated its
last 20 years are a testament
to the great leadership we
have in Hong Kong — and
education at Concordia,”
says Graham Carr, interim
president of Concordia.
make international studies
accessible to students from
low-income families —
20th anniversary with a gala of the strength of its alum- “The generosity of the CUHKF resonates deeply with them.
dinner on September 5, ni community,” says Paul has been remarkable.” Of Concordia’s alumni
2019, in Hong Kong. Chesser, vice-president of Over two decades, the community — which
The gala raised $370,000 Advancement at Concordia. CUHKF and its board members counts 220,000 graduates
to be shared between the By the end of 2019, the have raised close to $1 million. worldwide — 500 make their
CUHKF and the Campaign CUHKF will have awarded The evening celebrated home in China.
for Concordia. 135 Concordia scholarships the foundation’s “Our students have thrived
The event featured to deserving students in main- accomplishments as thanks to donors’ support of
more than 200 guests — land China and Hong Kong. well as key members, the foundation. As Concordia
mostly alumni from the “Scholarships funded by including president and moves forward, many more
1960s through today — the CUHKF offer critical founder William Yip, who students will benefit as the
as well as harp and tai chi financial support to many established the CUHKF with next generation of great
performances. talented students, giving the support of long-time leaders,” says Chesser.
Photos courtesy of the Concordia University Hong Kong Founddation
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT:
HARPIST ENTERTAINS AT THE
EVENT, CHINESE ART WORK,
GRAHAM CARR, INTERIM
PRESIDENT OF CONCORDIA,
JEFF NANKIVELL, CANADA’S
CONSUL GENERAL IN
HONG KONG AND MACAO.
6 | fall 2019 concordia university magazine
THE CAMPAIGN FOR CONCORDIA
Concordia Golf Classic aces fundraising goal
Over 150 Quebec business leaders participated in the 16th annual event
IAN HARRISON,
BCOMM 00
O ne of the university’s
most anticipated
fundraisers, the annual
Concordia Golf Classic
tournament and dinner,
eclipsed past milestones
with an impressive $427,600
raised on September 9.
The record tally ensures that
promising students benefit
from university scholarships
and bursaries. Thanks to Golf Griffon des Sources Services Laurentian Bank; Award recipient Olivia
the support of sponsors and in Mirabel, Que., was once Sylvain Corbeil, Senior Vice- Herron described how
participants, the event has again the host site for the President, TD Commercial financial assistance from
raised close to $6 million gathering of business lead- Banking, Quebec and the Golf Classic helps
since its inception in 2004. ers, alumni, donors and Atlantic Regions, TD Bank students get out of the rough.
To date, more than 1,000 friends of Concordia, many Group; and Charles Douville, “While studying full time
students have benefited of whom were repeat guests. BComm 84, Senior Vice- [at Concordia’s Faculty
from Concordia Golf Classic Prominent attendees in- President, Regional Head of Arts and Science], I
scholarships and bursaries. cluded honorary co-chairs of Commercial Banking – volunteer for a local crisis
“Bursaries often mean Luigi Liberatore, LLD 18, Quebec, HSBC Bank Canada. line, run therapeutic and
the difference between Louis Tanguay, BComm 75, René Douville, Head, educational programs for
staying in school and drop- LLD 18, and André Desmarais, Corporate Finance Division teen mothers and sit on the
ping out,” says interim BComm 78, LLD 07. – Quebec, BMO Bank of board of an anti-racism
Concordia President and The following co- Montreal, was represented education organization,”
Vice-Chancellor Graham presidents of the Golf by Claude Gagnon, President, she says.
Carr. “Some recipients are Classic were present: Tony Operations, BMO Financial “I hope to pursue a career
adult students, are married, Aksa, CFA, Associate Vice- Group, Quebec. in counselling psychology
have young kids or care for President Commercial Also in attendance and work with young families
aging relatives. Education Banking, National Bank; were co-presidents Maria and single parents. In the
can be a risky investment. Sophie Boucher, Vice- Mangiocavallo, BComm 86, past, there were times I’ve
Financial aid makes it a President, Business GrDip 89, Vice-President had to pause my studies
sounder one.” Development, Business and Head, Commercial due to financial strain, so
Banking and Roynat Capital, I appreciate how privileged
Quebec Region, Roynat/ I am to have your support to
Scotiabank; Nathalie continue my work.”
You’re among our Soucy, Head of Sales, Vice- Funds raised at the Golf
220,000 #CUalumni President, Business Services, Classic will contribute to the
Desjardins Group; Nadine Campaign for Concordia.
Connect with your community
Renaud-Tinker, President, Next-Gen. Now. The
Quebec Headquarters, RBC university’s most ambitious
Join@ConcordiaAlumni Royal Bank; and Demo campaign to date aims
on Instagram! Trifonopoulos, BComm 85, to raise $250 million to
Vice-President and Region deliver next-generation
Head – Quebec, Commercial teaching and learning to
Banking CIBC. Concordia students.
concordia university magazine fall 2019 | 7
33988 Social Media Ads.indd 5 2019-05-23 11:03 AM
Carr sees youth, diversity and ambition
as Concordia’s big strengths
Interim president says university well-placed to tackle future change
JAKE BRENNAN
G
raham Carr
began his tenure
as Concordia’s
interim president and vice-
chancellor on July 1. He
had previously served as
the university’s provost and
vice-president, Academic,
since October 2016.
Carr joined Concordia’s
Department of History in
1983. He has held many
Concordia University
administrative positions at
the university since then,
including vice-president
of Research and Graduate
Studies and dean of
Graduate Studies. You’re becoming research intensification, seismic changes coming in
In these excerpts from an Concordia’s president at graduate education and higher education because
interview published online, an interesting time for funding for students. And we’ve been developing a
Carr discusses challenges academic leaders. Higher we continued to improve next-generation mindset
universities face, what education is responding our infrastructure. for a while.
makes Concordia a Next- to deep and rapid societal I think those were make-
Gen university and how changes, many of them or-break decisions and years What new challenges do
it is carving out a growing driven by the digital for Concordia, quite frankly, academic leaders face
reputation as a place for revolution. How do you because we were embarking now that they may not
innovation and partnerships. see societal demands on on something that was have a generation ago?
universities shifting? changing the trajectory GC: I wouldn’t say there are
Graham Carr: I was in ad- of the university. There more or fewer challenges
ministration when the was a risk that we could today; it’s just a different
university went through make bad choices but the reality. Part of that reality for
severe budget cuts for suc- biggest risk would have university leaders is the in-
cessive years since 2012. We been not to move boldly. credible complexity of the
were operating under very Now we’re coming out organizations we lead, par-
difficult circumstances. But of that experience into ticularly places as large as
we also realized that there a somewhat better eco- Concordia.
were a lot of great things nomic situation: the Board We have an unbelievably
happening at Concordia and of Governors has just ap- diverse internal community
we were determined to con- proved our first balanced and the array of external
tinue to push forward, full budget in many, many years. contacts who interact with us
throttle, to support them. Although we still have struc- is extraordinary. And when it
And we did that. tural financial challenges comes to decision-making,
We prioritized academ- to address, Concordia is everything is magnified
ic growth, faculty hiring, well placed to deal with the and accelerated in an era
8 | fall 2019 concordia university magazineof social media by the speed to tack accordingly. All of doing – is that people are future by growing
of information sharing – those things are key to being taking notice of what’s our international profile.
accurate or not. a Next-Gen university. happening at Concordia. That’s something the
It’s also a very destabiliz- There’s a sense that this university needs in order to
ing time, in terms of what’s Does this make Concordia is a cool place to be, a unique sustain its momentum in a
happening socially and eco- more nimble in a time of place where experimentation globally competitive higher-
nomically. There’s a lot of rapid change? and out-of-the-box ideas education environment.
oversight from government Yes. “Nimble” and are valued. And related to that is the
now – which is fair enough: “university” don’t often I look at our student partnership piece, something
we’re public institutions. fit together too well in numbers and I have to be- I began to appreciate when
And I think the expectations the same sentence! But lieve that one of the reasons I was in research portfolios.
that our alumni and donors on the university scale students have been beat- The cliché, which is true,
justifiably place on us are of nimbleness, I think ing down the doors to come is that the problems of the
big as well. Concordia dances as well here is that they sense that. world are too big to be solved
as anyone – especially given They’ll get a great founda- by any one research group
Concordia is distinguishing our size. tional education, for sure, or university. You need to
itself as Canada’s Next- I think the other thing but they’ll also have other partner. That’s always
Gen university. What does we have is ambition – opportunities, novel op- been Quebec’s approach
“Next-Gen” mean to you? ambition to be recognized, portunities to explore and to supporting research,
What qualities position to be successful, to discover, that they might not through the Fonds de
Concordia to assume be the destination university have access to elsewhere. recherche du Québec
that role? for students, to bring in A few years ago, Times and the Regroupements
One advantage Concordia outstanding, quality faculty, Higher Education ranked stratégiques, etc.
has is its youth: in some and to provide programs, us in the top 200 most I love the fact that
respects, it’s easier for us activities and opportunities international universities Concordia is now leading
to be forward-looking. within the university that in the world. A diversity of more and more research
The history of Concordia’s prepare our students for students is part of it. But I networks across Canada
founding institutions what’s coming in their lives. think what makes you an and internationally.
”Part of our tradition has always been to offer something different
from what other universities were providing. There’s been an
emphasis at Concordia on innovation, on experimentation,
creativity, taking risks, truly valuing diversity, reading the
horizon and not being afraid to tack accordingly. All of
those things are key to being a Next-Gen university.“
is important and our Even with Concordia’s international university But we’re also seeing more and
traditions matter and need strong momentum, you’ve is demonstrating that you more the benefit of expanding
to be valued. But part of our said there’s a lot more can partner meaningfully the focus on partnerships
tradition has always been to work to do. Can you beyond your borders. and collaborations beyond
offer something different tell us what you plan Whether that’s laying research activity to develop
from what other universities to prioritize? down the tracks for vibrant consortia of mobility
were providing. My sense – from meetings mobility for faculty and opportunities for students.
There’s been an emphasis with other university ad- students, or entering into Ideally, Concordia is
at Concordia on innovation, ministrators and with people collaborative international an anchor institution in
experimentation, creativity, outside academia, from what research networks, or Montreal – not just because
taking risks, truly valuing faculty tell me their col- hosting global conferences, of what we do for the city,
diversity, reading the leagues are saying about the I think there’s a prestige but also because of how we
horizon and not being afraid breakthrough work we’re moment for Concordia in the connect it to the world.
concordia university magazine fall 2019 | 9WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
Meet two women who have forged careers
through the power of strong leadership
The Concordia Alumni Women and hundreds of applications
Leadership program empowers women and attended dozens
graduates to connect, share professional of interviews across the
experiences and expertise, and learn from country, but could no longer
each other. In this new series, meet leaders find a position she felt
from among Concordia’s nearly 100,000 passionate about.
alumnae who fill the ranks of business, “The financial industry
media, engineering, science, the arts, is still very much a boys’
humanities and more. Each issue, club and it’s a white boys’
we’ll profile both young and seasoned club at that. I’m neither of
alumnae who will share their insights, those things,” says Pradhan.
challenges and lessons learned. “I had two choices,
(concordia.ca/alumni/women) I could either abandon
the industry altogether,
or I could recycle my career
D A M O N VA N D E R L I N D E , B A 0 8 and do something different.
I always wanted to use my
A njali Pradhan, BComm 03, left
Montreal to build an investment-
management career in London,
skills to help other people,
so a friend suggested I teach
women how to invest.”
England, with nothing but her Pradhan founded Dahlia
Concordia degree and a hockey Wealth, an online platform
bag full of belongings. that gives women the tools
Already feeling confident working and confidence to make
in finance thanks to her undergradu- the best financial decisions
ate Co-op placements, she quickly rose for themselves.
through the ranks at some of the big- “What I hear over and
gest names in the industry, including over again from women
Goldman Sachs and PIMCO. However, that I work with is that they can’t find felt inspired by the fact that Concordia
when she learned that women are twice a financial advisor they connect with professors were usually experienced
as likely to be in poverty at retirement and they don’t feel comfortable and financial professionals; something she
as men, that sobering statistic sparked happy with the products they are being can now offer to her students.
a fundamental shift in how she envi- offered,” she says. “In business, you want to be taught
sioned using her financial expertise. “The lack of service geared toward by people who are ‘in the trenches’ and
“When women feel confident invest- women’s needs results in women Concordia has many of those,” she says.
ing, it changes everything. Not only investing half as much as men do, “My transition from a corporate
their relationship with money, but also which is a real societal issue.” employee to an entrepreneur has been
how they live their lives,” says Pradhan. Dahlia’s flagship product is an on- extremely interesting and edifying. It has
In the wake of the 2008 financial line coaching program, where students been almost like a second education.”
crisis, Pradhan returned home to can go through the curriculum at their
Montreal a Chartered Financial Analyst own pace and have a weekly video chat
with an impressive resumé. She sent out session with Pradhan. She says she
10 | fall 2019 concordia university magazineFrom Concordia
to Google
K nowing the value of strong
leadership has taken Catherine
Barry, BComm 06, to a place in her
career where she oversees projects
across several continents for one of the
biggest tech companies in the world.
As Head of Exchange Platforms at
Google for Europe, the Middle East and
Africa, she combines her passion for
technology, advertising and relation-
ship-management, across an incredibly
diverse range of geographies, cultures
and languages.
“I’m working with companies that
through their advertising support a free
open web. I have always been interested
in making information accessible and
useful, which is very much at the core
of Google’s values,” says Barry, who is “I think I’ve always been a leader,” “My first boss told me, ‘You need to
based in London, England. says Barry. “From a young age, I was lead from the middle. You don’t need
“Our clients are based in differ- the person to raise her hand to volunteer to be in a formal position to do that.’
ent places with different needs and for things.” It’s more important to cultivate your
their own unique set of customers. At Barry says a key ingredient to network and be deliberate about who
Concordia, I studied with people from becoming such a strong leader in her you are working for,” she says.
all over the world. I would recommend career is that she has always sought out “We can all learn from each
anybody with the chance to travel for other strong leaders to work with. other because there are going to be
work take advantage of the opportunity. “One of the most important crite- challenging moments for everyone.
Your curiosity can be endless.” ria I’ve had when picking my next role This is especially true for women
While studying at Concordia, Barry is that my direct manager inspires me. who can face different family obligations
was active in the Commerce and Along the way, I’ve had different kinds and other challenges in maintaining a
Administration Students Association of leaders and managers who have work-life balance.”
(CASA), where she was involved in helped shape me into the leader I am.”
projects that included fundraising for Another principle that has guided
charities and case competitions with Barry’s career is that you don’t need to
other students. work in management to be a leader.
S TAY C O NN ECTED WITH
YO U R A L MA M
MATER!
ATER!
ATER
Join the #CUalumni conversation on social media.
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concordia university magazine fall 2019 | 11GROWTH,
LEADERSHIP
AND INNOVATION:
WHY THE
GINA CODY SCHOOL
IS TURNING HEADS
Concordia University
12 | fall 2019 concordia university magazineS T U D E N T P O P U L A T I O N H A S N E A R LY D O U B L E D I N
ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE IN THE LAST DECADE
JOSEPH LEGER, BA 15
I
FOCUSING ON NEXT-GENERATION TECHNOLOGIES
n an era of smart cities, smartphones and smart cars, “Engineering and computer science are leading fields across
our world is increasingly reliant on engineers and the world and the demand for highly qualified personnel
computer scientists. Technology merges seamlessly is great,” says Amir Asif, dean of the Gina Cody School.
into our environment, often invisible to the eye, yet “However, GCS is the only school of its kind in Quebec
nonetheless shaping and altering the way we live. that has expanded so much in the past 10 years.”
Most of us would be hard-pressed to find any area of our “There are a number of contributing factors to our
daily lives untouched by technology — which might explain rapid growth. I believe a big part of our success can be
why the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer attributed to our efforts to introduce programs focused
Science (GCS) is Concordia’s fastest-growing faculty. on next-generation concepts and technologies.”
With roughly 10,500 students — 5,780 undergraduate and Asif points to the new aerospace engineering program,
4,700 graduate students —GCS’s enrolment has nearly doubled which is only the second of its kind in Quebec and the first
since 2009. It is now one of Canada’s largest such faculties. at an English university, and the recently launched Master
“It’s no secret that there’s a huge labour market demand for in Engineering with Engineering Management Option.
engineers and computer scientists at the moment,” says Anne The latter is an interdisciplinary collaboration
Whitelaw, BA 87, MA 92, PhD 96, Concordia’s interim provost between the Gina Cody School and the John Molson
and vice-president of Academic Affairs. “And we are seeing School of Business, aimed at helping engineers who
that demand translate into exciting growth in the Gina Cody aspire to move into management-level positions
School. For example, our master’s of engineering program acquire business skills.
saw more than 100 per cent growth in applications over the Providing students with courses and programs
last year and a half.” tailored for a rapidly changing digital era is no easy feat.
While the labour demands are undeniable, GCS’s growth With technology emerging, evolving and often quickly
outpaces other Quebec universities. becoming obsolete, the challenge is to prepare students
“Concordia’s been in a situation the last few years where for the world as it is, or as it will be when they enter the
students have been knocking down the doors to come workplace, and not as it was five years ago.
here,” says Graham Carr, Concordia’s interim president. The Gina Cody School not only manages to keep up,
“Our enrolments have been completely out of sync with its courses and programs are often ahead of their time.
the experience in the rest of the province. We are at a point For example, the faculty recently established the
where we can’t continue to grow everywhere — we just Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering,
have to think about where we want to grow.” positioning itself as a leader in advanced manufacturing,
It is a sentiment echoed by Whitelaw. clean energy and sustainability.
“It’s critical that the education we offer is of the highest “Our undergraduate programs are modern and we
caliber — and to do that we have to be smart,” she says. “The maintain them with regular changes,” says Christopher
faculty has been very strategic in its growth and has focused Trueman, GCS associate dean, Academic Affairs. “We
on research at the master’s and PhD level — which aligns with offer up-to-date options, such as avionics in electrical
the university’s strategic direction to double our research.” engineering, biological and biomedical programs in computer
This begs the question: what is happening at Concordia, and in engineering and aerospace in mechanical engineering,
particular the Gina Cody School, that has so many people excited? in addition to the bachelor of engineering in aerospace.”
concordia university magazine fall 2019 | 13EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING AND INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
Beyond the exciting programs and courses, Asif says the faculty
puts a lot of emphasis on experiential and hands-on learning.
“Almost all of our courses have a lab component where
students can put theoretical concepts to the test,” says Asif.
“Plus, we facilitate industrial placements for our students with
the eventual goal that all of our undergraduate students will
Concordia University
have one work placement upon graduating.”
One popular feature of the university’s focus on experiential
learning is Concordia’s co-op programs. Students enrolled in
a co-op program divide their time between the classroom and
a job placement in their field.
“These programs offer students the chance to gain industry- “At Concordia, I have the freedom to do what I’m interested
specific work experience so that when they graduate they are in and we have flexible working hours.” Being attentive to
ready for the workplace,” says Anjali Agarwal, associate dean the changing needs of students has allowed GCS to develop a
and professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer curriculum designed for a digital world.
Engineering. “When potential students visit, they get very According to Acemian, the goal is to move towards a blended
excited when the see our state-of-the-art labs and hear about pedagogy of online courses and programs and in-person class-
our many experiential learning opportunities.” es. This allows students the greatest flexibility to customize
GCS also provides internships and other work-placement their education to fit their needs.
opportunities through programs such as the Concordia “Online courses may seem like a small thing, but they make
Institute of Aerospace Design & Innovation. a big difference,” says Acemian. “And it’s not just a question of
These experiences help equip students with the tools and taking an in-person class, recording it and plunking it online.
knowledge they need and in turn make the students more We are taking the time to develop them properly to make sure
attractive to employers. the technology is supporting the pedagogy and working for the
professors and the students.”
FLEXIBILITY AND OPENNESS IS KEY
Concordia has a well-earned reputation for being a STUDENT-DRIVEN INNOVATION
student-first university. Dating back to its two founding Award-winning student groups and societies are an important
institutions, Sir George Williams University and Loyola draw for prospective students; the Gina Cody School has no
College, Concordia has a history of offering night classes shortage of those.
and access to higher education to allow students to complete There’s Space Concordia, a student-run group that recently won
their degrees while working. a $15,000 second- place prize in the first stage of the Base 11 Space
This student-centric ideal remains a Concordia cornerstone. Challenge — an international student competition to design, build
“We give everyone a chance — it’s our mission,” says Nancy and launch a rocket into space (the grand prize is $1 million).
Acemian, senior lecturer in the Department of Computer HackConcordia, a student group that organizes ConUHacks,
Science and Software Engineering. “The flexibility here is one an annual 24-hour hackathon at Concordia, is another. This
of the things I love about Concordia. We offer evening classes year, the group’s fourth ConUHacks attracted more than 700
and online classes and we are catering to the needs of today. participants from between 40 to 50 universities — making it
We are very open and we try to do everything we can to help one of the largest such events in the world.
our students succeed.” “We empower our student societies to receive or get trained
Christopher Trueman believes word of GCS’ openness and in what I call co-curricular activities,” says Asif. “These
focus is spreading and driving growth. activities are not assessed academically, but they allow students
“We have a reputation for helping students and for being to participate in competitions and events around the world —
willing to accommodate their needs,” says Trueman. “Many and get international recognitions and awards.”
of our students have jobs and our programs are structured Joining the Concordia Society for Civil Engineering made a real dif-
to permit students to work a considerable number of hours ference for Giulia Tiramani, a fourth-year civil engineering student.
and also maintain their grades.” “This student group completely changed my experience as
“And we are fair to students. We are willing to offer students an undergrad. You have some classes, especially in your first
a second chance when they have difficulties. So the word gets year, that might have 100 students and you don’t really have the
around that Concordia has excellent programs and is fair.” chance to get to know anyone.
Mengting Zhao, a fourth-year PhD candidate, says she is “Being in a student group allowed me to make those
thrilled with choosing the Gina Cody School. “I’m very, very important connections; there are competitions, opportunities
proud of my choice of coming here,” she says. to network and meet people who are actually working in the
field — it just gave me such an enriching experience.”
14 | fall 2019 concordia university magazineDOUBLING RESEARCH THE GINA CODY EFFECT
Great programs and opportunities attract top students and One challenge to closing the gender gap in engineering
faculty, which in turn leads to great research. and computer science is the perception of these fields as
“Our emphasis on graduate-level research is really allowing “male territory.”
us to capitalize on some big research projects,” says Whitelaw. Popular culture – textbooks, film, television, even science
“GCS is doing some amazing work in the areas of artificial fiction – depict men in the jobs of building rocket engines,
intelligence, cybersecurity, chemical and materials engineer- designing bridges or creating video games. To break deeply
ing and of course smart cities with Ursula Eicker, our new entrenched stereotypes, we need role models to inspire the
Canada Excellence Research Chair in Smart, Sustainable and next generation to follow in their footsteps. Enter Gina Cody.
Resilient Communities and Cities.” On September 24, 2018, Gina Cody made a landmark gift
GCS received a historic research boost in 2018 with a in support of the Campaign for Concordia and the engineer-
$15-million donation from the school’s namesake, Gina Cody, ing and computer science faculty. Not only was it the largest
MA 81, PhD 89. personal donation ever given to the university, the faculty was
Part of her gift is supporting three new academic chairs: renamed in her honour. The gift generated more than 400
in data analytics and artificial intelligence; in the internet of headlines around the world.
things; and in Industry 4.0 and advanced manufacturing. The Giulia Tiramani was there when Gina Cody made her historic
remaining funds are reserved for student financial support. announcement. “I felt an immense pride,” says Tiramani. “I’m
“About 50 per cent of Gina Cody’s donation was for a woman and there aren’t many women in engineering in gen-
scholarships,” says Asif. “Her gift will be funding a total of eral, particularly in civil engineering or building engineering.
40 PhD Scholarships and 100 undergraduate scholarships So knowing that she is a graduate and was the first woman PhD
over seven years, with most of those for underrepresented in building engineering makes me proud. And maybe gives me
populations or for students from underprivileged backgrounds.” a bit of hope, too — that maybe that could be me one day.”
Asif says the focus on these groups is part of the Gina Cody For the first time in Canada, a woman’s name graces an
School’s aspiration to be an inclusive faculty where equity, engineering and computer science school – and it matters.
diversity and inclusion are a priority. “Having Gina Cody’s name on the school makes a
difference,” says Acemian. “In a way it is almost giving
MIND THE GAP women permission to go into engineering.”
Engineering and computer science are fields that still have
significant gender and diversity gaps. According to Engineers ”WE WANT TO MAKE CONCORDIA THE FIRST CHOICE FOR WOMEN IN ENGINEERING,“
Canada, only 13 per cent of working engineers in Canada are SAYS ASSOCIATE DEAN ANJALI AGARWAL.
women. This is a big drop-off from the roughly 20 per cent of
undergraduate engineering degrees awarded to women.
The numbers are even lower for Indigenous women and
women of colour.
To help bridge these gaps and help retain women in these
fields, a large portion of Gina Cody’s gift was earmarked to
support equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives
throughout the faculty, at both the student and staff levels.
“We want to make Concordia the first choice for women in
engineering,” says Agarwal. “This is a process that will take
time because for change to happen it has to start in elementary
or high school.”
Agarwal says the faculty does a lot of outreach to high schools
and CEGEPs to encourage girls and young women to consider
pursuing careers in engineering and computer science.
The faculty also created the All-Girls Summer Engineering
and Technology Program, or GirlSET, a summer camp for girls
in grades 8-11 and their first-year of CEGEP. The program is
so popular that Agarwal says she doubled the capacity after the
first year to accommodate the demand.
Concordia University
Where the faculty has had great success is with attracting
international students; currently nearly 50 per cent of students
in GCS are international students — with strong representation
from countries such as India, Iran and China.
concordia university magazine fall 2019 | 15‘My generation of
Canadian actors
has done extremely
well in America’
James Tupper, a graduate of Concordia’s Department
of Theatre, reflects on Big Little Lies and his journey
from Dartmouth to Hollywood
SY LVA I N -J A C Q U E S Fellow cast members
DESJARDINS, BA 97 include household names
such as Laura Dern, Shailene
J ames Tupper, BFA 92,
has built an impressive
résumé of performances
Woodley, Alexander
Skarsgård as well as Oscar
winners Meryl Streep and
since graduating from Nicole Kidman. Season 1
Concordia’s Department was directed by acclaimed
of Theatre. Quebec director Jean-Marc
Michael Gannon
In recent years, Tupper Vallée (C.R.A.ZY., Dallas
has starred in TV series Buyers Club), and Vallée
such as Men in Trees, Mercy was executive producer
and Revenge. for Season 2. JAMES TUPPER, BFA 92, DISCUSSES HIS JOURNEY AS AN ACTOR AT A SEPT. 23,
2019 HOMECOMING EVENT. INSET: TUPPER WITH BIG LITTLE LIES CO-STAR REESE
His latest high-profile “[Big Little Lies] feels like WITHERSPOON AND SEASON 1 DIRECTOR JEAN-MARC VALLEE.
role was in the HBO franchise the halftime in the Raptors’
and critically acclaimed locker room,” Tupper says.
miniseries, Big Little Lies. The “You’re part of a group that’s So I always tip everyone very on the Big Little Lies call sheet,
gripping finale of the show’s phenomenal – and that’s well!” he says. his father replied, “Yup, she’s
second season aired on July 21. really fun.” “I like the fans – I love not sending that picture to
The show’s debut Tupper has come far when they come up to me to her friends.”
garnered eight Emmy from Dartmouth, Nova ask to take pictures. I see it Tupper’s aunts are more
Awards. In both seasons, Scotia, where he grew up, to as gratification.” effusive. “One called and
Tupper lights up the screen Hollywood. His fame means Tupper credits his said, ‘I’m so proud of you,
as the husband to actor he’s often recognized when father for helping him stay Jim!’” he recalls. “It’s like a
Zoë Kravitz and ex-husband out in public. “I’ve always grounded as his career miracle to them.”
to Reese Witherspoon, believed it’s nice to be im- ascended. When he sent his His miracle has been
an Academy-Award portant, but it’s much more dad a photograph with his three decades in the making.
winning actor. important to be nice. name next to Meryl Streep’s Following his Concordia stud-
ies, he obtained a master’s
degree in theatre from Rutgers
University in New Jersey.
”My door is open to any Concordian or Canadian Throughout the 1990s and
actor who direct-messages me on Instagram – early 2000s, he performed
in some 50 plays. He was a
I will help them. I’m very proud to be a Canadian member of Circle Repertory
Company in New York and
and I want to help others make it, too.“ featured in several off-Broad-
way plays such as An Actor
Prepares and After the Rain.
16 | fall 2019 concordia university magazineTupper retains fond Tupper remains close to seen one,” Tupper says. “The deep. It’s about loss and it’s
memories of his student his Canadian roots and he workplace is a place of quiet about redemption.”
days at Concordia’s theatre keeps a Montreal home. focus, a place where you stay What other opportunities
program. “I remember every “I try to spend as much time within yourself.” might await? “I had an
single teacher I had,” he says. as I can there,” he says. Tupper credits L.A. act- audition to be a villain in
“It was a very exciting, terrific His children with ex-part- ing coach Caryn West for the next Fast and Furious
program. It was like spending ner Anne Heche — son Atlas recommending he pursue movie,” he says. “That would
three years in a womb, where Heche Tupper and stepson avocations between roles. be really cool.”
we were allowed to grow as Homer Lafoon — are exposed “I learned Italian, I play the Tupper says he’s happy
artists and as people.” to Canadian culture such as guitar and now I’m learning to keep building his career
Given the competitive na- Toronto Raptors games and piano. I’m doing fun things, and his life. A notion his
ture of show business, what trips up north. every day, to keep my spirits grandfather, a minister,
allowed him to break out? He maintains a friendship up. No matter what happens, reinforced in Tupper lingers:
“For me, it was a little bit with Canadian actor Sandra I’m still grounded in some- every person plays a small
of vulnerability, a little bit Oh, a graduate of Montreal’s thing that I enjoy.” role in a big world.
of technique, a little bit of National Theatre School of He is currently on the ABC “I’m on a beautiful
stamina, a little bit of heart Canada, with whom he acted show A Million Little Things, adventure,” he says, noting
and sticking with it,” he says. in Grey’s Anatomy. “Sandra is which examines the impact he might one day return to
Concordia’s home base a great actor,” he says. of a suicide on four families: live in Canada. “I feel lucky
also nurtured his creative “My generation of Canadian “It’s a show I’m really proud and grateful, every day, yet
talent, Tupper says. “I think actors has done extremely well to be a part of. It’s really my heart is down home.”
it’s a really special environ- in America. There’s one of us
ment. The pressure is not the on almost every single major
same; we have the freedom television show.”
to explore in Montreal.” Tupper is happy to connect
with fellow thespians when
they reach out. “My door is
open to any Concordian or
Canadian actor who direct-
Concordia University Magazine welcomes
readers’ comments. Letters should include
messages me on Instagram
the writer’s full name, address, school(s),
degree(s) and year(s) of graduation for
– I will help them,” he says.
alumni. Letters may be edited for length
“I’m very proud to be a
Photo by Concordia University Archives and Records Management
and clarity. No letter will be published without
the full name of the correspondent.
Canadian and I want to help
Concordia University Magazine is published
three times a year for alumni and friends of others make it, too.”
Concordia University. Opinions expressed
herein do not necessarily reflect the views He’s especially keen to
of the alumni association or of the university.
Please address editorial correspondence to:
help the next generation of
The Editor, Concordia University Magazine
1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.
actors with their auditions.
FB 520, Montreal, QC H3G 1M8
Phone: 514-848-2424, ext. 3876
“The hardest bridge to cross,
Email: magazine@concordia.ca
Advertising Email:
for me, was auditioning for
advertising.alumni@concordia.ca
film and television,” he says.
Acting editor-in-chief: Doug Sweet
Acting Associate Editor: Ian Harrison
“You go into a tiny, empty
Editorial contributors: Marta Samuel, room with nothing but your
Julia Scandella
Design lead: Christopher Alleyne
imagination. It’s very tricky.”
Editorial consultant: Heather Thompson Real-life sets are less
For advertising information, call
514-848-2424, ext. 3876.
tricky. “People say that there
Design: University Communications Services are pranks, yet in my 150- JAMES TUPPER WITH SHANNON HOLMES, BFA 00, IN A PERFORMANCE
OF PEER GYNT AT CONCORDIA’S D.B. CLARKE THEATRE IN 1991.
T20-59677
plus TV episodes I’ve never
concordia university magazine fall 2019 | 17You can also read
