Civil Engineering

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Research & Teaching

Our Civil Engineering Faculty Members and Adjunct Professors are here to help students succeed. Our world-class researchers are committed to addressing the world’s greatest challenges, from microplastic contamination and flooding prevention to reimagining traditional materials and structures in a way that transforms our world.

Staff

Theresa Smellie

Program Support Assistant

Theresa Smellie
Gillian Moore

Department Administrative Assistant

Gillian Moore
Sindy Mahal

Graduate Program Coordinator

Sindy Mahal

headshot of Riad Rajab
Riad Rajab

Lab Technician

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Melessa Salem

Lab Technician

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Kunjan Rupakheti

Lab Technician

Contact:
(416) 736-2100 Ext. 44096
riad.rajab@lassonde.yorku.ca

Riad Rajab is a Civil Engineering Technician in the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University in Toronto. He earned his B.Eng in Civil Engineering from Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario with a focus on materials. Riad has more than 5 years of experience in areas of Mining, Quality Control/Assurance, Product Development and Construction Materials Research.

Before joining York University, Riad worked as a Research and Development Engineer with LafargeHolcim in their Toronto research facility. Riad was mostly involved in Product Development, Innovation and Research. He designed a variety of concrete mixes, incorporating Recycled Concrete Aggregate for CSA Class C-2 applications. He oversaw and managed the quality control operations for pilot projects utilizing Recycled Concrete Aggregate in municipal infrastructure. Riad was also the quality control team leader for pilot projects in applying Roller Compacted Concrete to private corporations. Riad is the lead author for a joint research project with the City of Mississauga, incorporating Recycled Concrete in municipal infrastructure. Prior to working in the Research and Development division, Riad worked as a Senior Technician overseeing the Quality Control operations for multiple plants and mining sites across the GTA.

Before joining LafargeHolcim, Riad worked as Concrete Researcher/Technician for ShawCor ltd., a global energy services provider, in their Toronto headquarters. He was deeply involved in the research of zero slump concrete, as applied to pipeline coatings for both land and marine applications.
Contact:
(416) 736-2100 Ext. 44096
melessa.salem@lassonde.yorku.ca

Melessa Salem is a lab technician in Lassonde School of Engineering at York University in Toronto. She completed her undergraduate degree in Biochemical Engineering at Western University before pursuing a Masters degree in Biomedical Engineering from the same institute.

Before joining York, Melessa was a Research Assistant at Western University. Under the supervision of Wankei Wan, Melessa worked closely with members of his lab on different drug delivery systems. Prior to this, she worked with Hassan Gomaa on microemulsion synthesis using an oscillating membrane unit. She also investigated the adsorption of progesterone on different membranes. These studies can be applied to biomedical, and wastewater treatment applications.

Melessa has a specific interest in chemistry. Her Masters Thesis project involved the chemical synthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for the targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to cancer cells. Furthermore, her fourth year Capstone project involved the removal/recovery of hydrogen from a product CO2 stream at Terra Industries—an ammonia production plant.
Contact:
(416) 736-2100 Ext. 44154
kunjanr@yorku.ca

Kunjan Rupakheti is a civil engineering technician at the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University in Toronto. He earned his Diploma in Civil Engineering from Tribhuvan University of Nepal. Kunjan has more than five years of experience in the area of geotechnical engineering working in both lab and field settings. Before joining York University, Kunjan worked at Englobe Corp in Toronto to test construction materials for the Ministry of Transportation, City of Toronto, Toronto Transit Commission, Pearson Airport and other clients. His major areas of interest include soil, aggregate and concrete testing.