I am very pleased to formally announce the appointment of Professor Ramin Farnood as Chair, Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry for a 5-year term from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2026.
Professor Ramin Farnood joined the Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry in 2000, was promoted to Associate Professor in 2006, and to full Professor in 2011.
Ramin is a leading researcher with expertise in biomass utilization and wastewater treatment technologies. He has extensive experiences in working with industry, government, and academic
partners and has led multiple research consortia. Ramin has established a broad network of global collaborators, including leading an international doctoral cluster (IDC) with the National University of Singapore on Urban Water, Waste, and Energy Solutions and collaborating with researchers at IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay on sustainable rural development.
Ramin is a passionate teacher with an excellent record of mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. He is the recipient of the Faculty’s TEAL Fellowship for technology enhanced active learning and Department’s Teacher of the Year Award. He is also the co-author of a textbook, The Art of Modeling in Science and Engineering with Mathematica, that he uses for teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels.
Ramin has an outstanding record of administrative service to the Faculty, as well as to his home Department. He has served as Associate Director of the Pulp and Paper Centre (2001-2010), as well as the Associate Chair of Research in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry (2009 – 2017).
He currently serves as Vice-Dean Research, a position he held in an interim capacity for 6-months (March 1 – August 31, 2017) prior to his full appointment to the role on September 1, 2017. Just some of his accomplishments as Vice-Dean Research include, establishing the XSeed program, a tri- campus initiative to foster multidisciplinary research, and supporting the launch of extra- department units (EDUs), such as the Institute for Water Innovation (IWI), the Centre for Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Engineering (CARTE), and CRANIA Neuromodulation Institute (CNMI).
He has expanded the mentorship programs for early career researchers through organizing orientation sessions and grant writing support, and promoted equity, diversity and inclusion in our research. During Ramin’s tenure as VDR, the Faculty surpassed $100M in its total research funding and nearly tripled its industry research support, while U of T Engineering placed among the top 20 globally in the most recent QS World University Rankings.
I would be remiss if I did not make a special acknowledgement of Ramin’s leadership of the Faculty’s research portfolio over the course of the pandemic. Through some exceptionally challenging times, Ramin expertly stewarded the reopening of our research labs over the summer months of 2020 and since that time, continues to work closely with all of our academic units to ensure the ongoing and safe operations of research labs throughout the Faculty. For this extraordinary service, I extend heartfelt thanks on behalf of the entire Faculty.
Please join me in congratulating Ramin on his new appointment.
I’d also like to take this opportunity, to recognize and thank Professor Grant Allen for his 10.5 years of exemplary service as Chair of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry. Grant has provided dedicated and thoughtful leadership of the Department, which has been very much appreciated by faculty, staff, students and alumni. He has been an amazing role model for colleagues who have moved into leadership roles and I know that his advice and mentorship has been sought out by colleagues from across the University. He always seems to find the time to provide support and guidance when asked. I certainly have really appreciated his sage perspective and wise counsel.
Please join me in thanking Grant and wishing him all the best as he embarks on a very well-deserved administrative leave.