Diosady, Perovic, McLean Named Canadian Academy of Engineering Fellows

Professor Levente Diosady, Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Professor Doug Perovic, Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Professor Alexander McLean, Department of Materials Science and Engineering were recently named fellows of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE).  

Founded in 1987, the Academy comprises many of the country’s most accomplished engineers who have expressed their dedication to the application of science and engineering principles in the interests of Canada and its enterprises. A member of the Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences, which involves 24 other leading countries, CAE has approximately 300 active members and 90 emeritus members.

“Professors Diosady, Perovic and McLean have made remarkable global impact with their research, expertise, leadership and innovative technologies,” said Cristina Amon, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. “This is a well-deserved recognition honouring three of our distinguished Engineering Professors.”

Professor Diosady and his team of graduate students are currently working to produce a soft drink called LiveAde™ that is just as nutritious as milk. This soft drink would provide a safer way to obtain nutrition and protein for developing countries. Currently a number of developing countries are provided with powdered milk for nutrients and protein, but this requires access to clean drinking water. Professor Diosady and his research team also created and patented a break-through technology that double-fortifies salt with iodine and iron, which has already proven to reduce the number of deaths caused by iron deficiency around the world.

Professor Perovic implemented the world’s first nanoengineering undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto in 2001. He has served as Chair of this degree since its inception as well as Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering for two terms. He is a world-renowned expert on materials – how they are made and selected for use in products, their development at a molecular level, and their damage and repair. He has served as a forensic engineering expert for hundreds of projects including the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003.

Professor McLean has made substantial contributions to the science and profession of metallurgical engineering. He established an international reputation in research and teaching in the field of physical chemistry of iron and steelmaking. In 1984, he created and served as director of a unique research community, the Ferrous Metallurgy Research Group at U of T, which quickly became a leader in North America in the study of the chemical and physical aspects of steelmaking.

Professors Diosady, Perovic and McLean were honoured at a reception June 16 at the CAE Annual General Meeting in Montreal.

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