2017-2018 | ualberta

CMEGSA Executive Committee 2018~2019

*The team was elected by CMEGSA members in August 2018.

Kasturi Nagesh Pai (President)

Nagesh is currently a PhD student, pursuing his degree in Chemical and Materials Engineering Department at University of Alberta. He graduated in 2017, successfully completing his Master’s in Chemical Engineering also from the University of Alberta.

As a part of Future Energy Systems, He is currently working on designing large scale gas separation processes using solid sorbents with the assistance of machine learning. Being an International student for the past 3 years in Canada he brings experience and skills to help facilitate and resolve graduate students’ issues. He is also looking forward towards enhancement of the technical and social aspects of the CME graduate student body by improving student participation and help in the management of the many aspects and facets of CMEGSA for 2018-19.

Rui Nian (VP Finance)

Rui’s curiosity and passion for computing science and artificial intelligence led him into the path of a higher education. In September 2017, Rui joined the University of Alberta as a Masters student in Process Control under supervision of Dr. Biao Huang and Dr. Jinfeng Liu. His current research involves the development of data-driven soft sensors using machine learning and achieving optimal control using reinforcement learning.

Rui completed his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering also at the University of Alberta, graduating in June 2017. During his undergraduate degree, Rui worked as a co-op student in various companies doing economics and production optimization.

Rui believes that as young, curious minds, we should all be realistic and demand the impossible. Because with a lot of hard work, and just a little bit of luck, the impossible becomes the inevitable.

Yucheng Wu (VP Events)

I am a M.Sc. student in Chemical Engineering, under the supervision of Dr. Neda Nazemifard. My research focuses on microfluidics to hydrocarbon oxidation and bitumen upgrading.

I completed my B.Sc. in Petroleum Engineering in University of Alberta. During my undergraduate study, I joined Dr. Huazhou Li's Phase Behaviour Research Group, in which I collaborated to develop a novel reservoir simulator based on Fast Marching Method. In 2016, I joined Dr. Neda Nazemifard's TEKlab as a research assistant.

I have great passion to devote my time and efforts in leadership positions. I served as Secretary in Society of Petroleum Engineers Ualberta Chapter and Nanotechnology Group. I am glad to serve as VP Events for CMEGSA and work with new executives. If you have great ideas about events, please feel free to contact me.

Hareem Shafi (VP Communications)

I graduated in June 2017 with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from NUST, Pakistan, and started my MSc in Process Control here at University of Alberta under the supervision of Dr. Biao Huang in Fall 2017. My research focuses on developing a reinforcement learning based controller for control of nonlinear processes.

I have served in positions of responsibility my entire life, serving as Head Girl in school, Batch President in my undergrad and the Press Secretary of the university's science society, and I am excited to serve as VP Communication here.

Caitlin Guzzo (VP Alumni and External Relations)

I'm currently pursuing my M.Sc. in Materials Engineering, under the supervision of Dr. John Nychka, focusing on the production and functionalisation of bioactive glasses for use as resorbable bone implants. I recently completed my B.Sc. in Nano and Functional Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta, during which I had the opportunity to work as a research student at the National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT), Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Germany and the University of Leeds, UK. These projects focused on biomedical applications of nanotechnology, preparing me for my current role as a master's student.

In recent years, I have held several leadership positions including Chair of the City of Edmonton Youth Council, VP Finance of the Engineering Students' Society, and VP Academic of the Materials Engineering Students' Society. I'm excited to serve as VP Alumni and External Relations for CMEGSA this year - if you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know!

Anjana Puliyanda (VP Academic)

I am a graduate student in the Chemical and Materials Engineering Department at the University of Alberta. I work under the supervision of Dr Prasad and Dr Li in Process Control Engineering and my research focuses on using data-driven algorithms for the monitoring and control of complex reaction systems. I joined the UofA in Fall 2017 after having completed my Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology Karnataka, India.

I am excited to serve as VP Academics on board the CMEGSA which gives me the opportunity to make academic and creative contributions to the diverse student community; making it a fun experience for grads at UofA.

Yashas Mohankumar (VP Student Services)

Yashas joined the department of Chemicals and Materials Engineering as a graduate student in Process control in Fall 2017. He is supervised by Dr. Biao Huang and Dr. Zukui Li and his research is focused on “First principle modelling of SAGD reservoirs and optimal control”.

During his undergraduation at NIT-K, India, Yashas volunteered to be a part of SAE and ACM student groups and worked for the betterment of the students and the student societies. He has also volunteered in 67th CSChE conference and in FEGRS 2018.

He is a great team player and looking forward to working with the CMEGSA executive committee 2018 -2019 as VP Student services.