| MIRARCO Graduate Student
Profiles
Each year, MIRARCO sponsors highly qualified
students for Masters and Ph.D. research. MIRARCO provides innovative
research opportunities through the Centre for Environmental Monitoring
(CEM), the Geomechanics Research Centre (GRC), and the Centre
for Mining Technology (CMT).
Have a look at what some of our grad students
(past and present) are/were up to and why they decided to join
the MIRARCO team.
Environmental
Monitoring:
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Geomechanics:
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Mining
Technology:
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Virtual Reality & Others:
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* Graduated students.
CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING:
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Lisanne Desbiensholds an H.B.Sc. from Wilfred Laurier University and is currently working on her M.Sc. in Biology at Laurentian University and CEM. With her supervisor, Dr. Graeme Spiers, Director of CEM, Lisanne’s research will provide an understanding of the controls on the distribution of nickel in Ramsey Lake. A secondary objective of the study will be to investigate nickel isotopes as a tool to quantify inputs, and to delineate potential variation of nickel sources. The results of this study will provide crucial information to aid the City of Greater Sudbury in ensuring potable water quality from Ramsey Lake, which is the primary drinking source for many Sudburians.
Why MIRARCO?:"The grads that are part of MIRARCO get a better experience because they are not only doing research for their degree, but also for a company, allowing them to contribute to an industry, meaning that they get the experience of being in the workforce and being part of a team, not just being a student."
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Neil Graham
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Angela Keefe holds an H.B.Sc. in Biology from Nipissing University in North Bay and is now seeking a Master of Science in Biology at Laurentian University and CEM. With co-supervisors, Dr. Graeme Spiers and Dr. Peter Nosko, Angela’s research will focus on the regeneration of red pine in Ontario forests. The natural regeneration of red pine in Ontario is on the decline, possibly due to the suppression of wild fire, which plays an intricate role in red pine ecology. Angela will examine the effectiveness of several silvicultural practices to improve red pine regeneration. Fieldwork for the study will take place at the Petawawa Research Forest, with the analytical work being completed at CEM.
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Pamela
Koski obtained an H.B.Sc. from Laurentian University and is currently working on her M.Sc. in Chemistry at Laurentian University and CEM. Her research project is focused on providing data to describe the concentration and speciation of a series of potentially toxic metals and metalloids in various atmospheric particle size fractions within the Sudbury smelter footprint.
Why MIRARCO?:"
When I first wandered over to MIRARCO to sit down and talk with Dr. Graeme Spiers, I was amazed by how enthusiastic he was about all the different projects that were underway at MIRARCO/CEM...
I have not only picked up on MIRARCO’s enthusiasm, but I have already learned so much from the diverse population in which MIRARCO is made up of."
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Troy Maki
transferred from the Chemical Engineering program at the University of Waterloo and graduated from Laurentian University with an H.B.Sc. in Chemistry in the spring of 2003. Troy is currently
working on his M.Sc. thesis at Laurentian University and CEM, studying lead and mercury isotopes from available soil, water, sediment and aerosol samples from the Sudbury area. Troy will investigate trace metal migration and speciation. The isotope analysis will be conducted on a brand new, inductively coupled
plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), which will require the creation of new procedures and methods for the analysis of a wide assortment of samples.
Why MIRARCO?:
"Pursuing my studies with MIRARCO seemed like an obvious choice because I'm capable of combining my interest in analytical and environmental chemistry at a location on campus that provides not only cutting edge technology to its students, but also a working environment that incorporates a large group of intelligent people of varied backgrounds."
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Dave Marshall
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Matthew Ojalammi holds an H.B.Sc. from Laurentian University and is currently working on his M.Sc. in Geology at Laurentian University and CEM. Ni being one of the dominant metals in atmospheric emissions from Sudbury's smelters, Matthew's thesis research will
focus on the distribution of anthropogenic Ni species in soil within the Greater Sudbury region. For the total Ni content and solid phase speciation investigations, composite soil core samples and bulk soil samples from selected sites throughout the Sudbury region will be analyzed using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), selective extraction chemistry and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This research project is part of a larger research program, commonly referred to as the Sudbury Soil Study, which is providing both industry and government with information not currently available about the nature and distribution of anthropogenic metal phases in soils within the smelter footprint of the Sudbury
region.
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Tanya
Peron obtained an H.B.Sc. from the University of Victoria in British Columbia and is currently working on her M.Sc. at Laurentian University and CEM, studying mercury distribution and speciation in soils from the Sudbury Area. Elevated concentrations of mercury in the environment can pose severe ecological and human health risks, however the toxicity of mercury is dependant upon the chemical
species present in the environment. Tanya's aim is to map the regional variation of mercury in soil around the City of Greater Sudbury. She will also be attempting to conduct speciation analysis in order to determine the chemical compounds to which mercury is bound in the soils and to have a better understanding of the “bioavailability" of mercury in Sudbury soils.
Why MIRARCO?:
"In addition to the benefits of working in a multi-disciplinary environment, the research facilities available to students at MIRARCO are exceptional. MIRARCO also has the means of acquiring highly specialized analytical instruments and will help students and researchers modify instruments to meet the requirements of their specific project. Also, being a graduate student at MIRARCO and Laurentian University is the nice balance between one’s role as a student and one’s role as a researcher. The student has the opportunity to work independently, yet the support system of the University and the Corporation is always available to you."
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Cameron Ross has a deeply rooted interest in software related technologies. He has a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Applied Physics from Laurentian University and has been engaged on several large scale initiatives developing software technology for complex niche markets. Cameron's experiences include software architecture and design, software engineering, strategic product planning, project management, and technical sales. He has lived in a number of cities across Canada and he has recently moved back to Sudbury to raise his family.
Cameron is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Natural Resources Engineering program offered by the School of Engineering at Laurentian University. His thesis research is being performed at MIRARCO's Centre for Environmental Monitoring and relates to the application of intelligent systems technology to problems associated with environmental monitoring and control. Prior to joining the CEM, Cameron was the Director of Software Development at RSS Solutions, a successful Waterloo based software start-up specializing in advanced planning and scheduling systems for the large manufacturing enterprise.
Cameron is also the founder of Symboticware Incorporated, a technology start-up with a mission to develop and market the next generation of environmental monitoring and control systems. The product development plan for Symboticware includes the commercialization of technology developed as a result of Cameron's Ph.D. thesis research.
Contact information:
Cameron Ross, M.Sc.
Research Scientist
Centre for Environmental Monitoring
Email: cross@symboticware.com
Ph: (705) 929-1492
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Dana Willson obtained an H.B.Sc. in Environmental Earth Science from Laurentian University and is now working on her M.Sc. in Geology at Laurentian University in partnership CEM. Dana's research will look at arsenic speciation in the soil’s of Sudbury. Her research will identify and quantify the different arsenic species found in regional soils.
Localization within the soil profile is very important in controlling potential bioavailability with the topmost organic rich layer acting as a filter for the underlying layers. This layer is hypothesized
to contain an enrichment in trace metals and therefore, determination of their potential uptake into local food chains is of crucial importance to ecological and human health studies. This research project will document how changes in these conditions affect arsenic speciation and bioavailability. Currently, there is no data on he location or the solid phase speciation of arsenic in regional soil horizons. Dana's project will provide a starting point for future databases of soil arsenic species and their location in
a vertical soil profile. The research project will also provide information on the possible movement pathways of soluble phase arsenic species in the regional soils. These pathways could lead to increased levels of arsenic into local soils, area water bodies, groundwater and drinking water supplies, leading to bioaccumulation up the food chain.
Why MIRARCO?:
"Dr. Spiers is always looking for new and innovative research projects, and greatly encourages all of his students to become involved. Dr. Spiers believes in exposing his people to as many different fields of research to give us a better understanding of operations within and outside of our own fields of study. MIRARCO also provides its students with the necessary tools required to carry out high caliber research projects. MIRACO/LU helps to provide its students with access to the industry in which we will one
day soon, become major players".
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GEOMECHANICS RESEARCH CENTRE:
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Narayan Mamidi has completed a B.Eng. in Mining from Osmania University in Hyderabad. In addition, he holds a Master of Technology in Rock Mechanics from Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi.
Narayan is currently working on his M.Eng. at Laurentian University and GRC. His research will focus on developing risk management procedures to mitigate the hazards related to violent failures and ground falls. In Canada, many mines are planning to extract ore at greater depths, some exceeding 3000m. Since the probability of violent failure of the rocks at such depths is increased, it is important to properly manage the associated risks.
Why MIRARCO?:
"Sudbury is a mining camp. Therefore, Laurentian University has the advantage of access to these mines for data and resources needed to conduct a successful study. In addition GRC has already
established a foundation for such study with the Rock Burst Research completed in 1996."
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Andrew Wilson
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CENTRE FOR MINING TECHNOLOGY:
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Muhammad
Azadearned a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology in Bangladesh in 1997.
He is currently working on his M.Sc. in Mineral Resources Engineering at Laurentian University and CMT. His thesis is entitled "High Pressure Water Jet application in Mining". A high pressure
water jet has a great erosive power. This high impact power can be used for scaling and fragmentation of rocks. Muhammad will experiment on how to optimize the nozzle design to achieve maximum impact force for the high pressure water jet. This maximized force will be used to get maximum depth of cut for scaling or other mining operations. Different types of nozzle will be investigated for the performance tests. Pulsed jet performance will be compared with the conventional continuous water jet.
Why MIRARCO?:
"Laurentian University is famous for its mining education. MIRARCO is not only doing the innovative research in a laboratory environment but also for industry. As well, everyone I have met here has been helpful and co-operative."
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Chandra Nagulapally is a Mining Engineer from Osmauia University, India, and worked in open pit mines in a multinational organization over a period of 10 years. He used long-term and show-term mine planning tools and helped immensely in achieving a suply of high-quality ore and in a manner that increased the mine-life considerably, thereby successfully contributing in reducing overall mine operation costs in the long run.
Why MIRARCO?:
"Research-rich Laurentian University presents excellent opportunities to research real-time issues that are present in Sudbury's natural resources industry. I saw the opportunity to do my Master's degree at Laurentian to help find long-lasting, economically viable solutions. As a partner with Laurentian University, I can not only benefit from attending classes at the University, but also engage in real industry case studies through MIRARCO."
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VIRTUAL REALITY & OTHERS:
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John Lennard is a third-year Commerce student at Laurentian University, specializing in Accounting and International Management. Having joined the MIRARCO team in September 2005 as an intern, he will be working until April 2006 in the corporate services division, assisting with marketing, accounting and business development functions. He is currently working on initiatives to increase the involvement of youth in science and technology. John looks forward to applying his business skills and knowledge to the real-world, and sees MIRARCO as the perfect place to begin this process.
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Shawn McKenzie is a graduate of Sudbury Secondary School in 2003. He is currently completing his third year toward a B.Sc (Hons) degree in Mathematics. His summer position working on the CITO surface matching project involved research in point cloud meshing and quantifying structural surface differences. Results were used to program efficient matching algorithms while incorporating database and threading structures. A continued involvement in ongoing projects has allowed Shawn to continue part time work throughout the year.
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