Researchers honoured by Engineering Institute of Canada

From left: Andy Knight, Gopal Achari and Michael Kallos
From left: Andy Knight, Gopal Achari and Michael Kallos
A trio of Schulich School of Engineering faculty members were inducted as Fellows of the Engineering Institute of Canada.

The engineers are among 21 inductees from across Canada who are being recognized for their contributions to the profession and society.

"It is always an honour to be celebrated with awards and acknowledgements in our country and around the world," says Schulich Interim Dean Anders Nygren. "We are extremely proud of the three University of Calgary honourees and the work they have accomplished over their careers."

The Engineering Institute of Canada Gala Banquet was held April 5 in Gatineau and Ottawa.

Gopal Achari

The head of the Department of Civil Engineering , Dr. Gopal Achari , PhD, has spent nearly three decades at UCalgary.

Starting as an assistant professor in 1998, he has ascended to a variety of roles at Schulich including director of the Centre for Environmental Engineering Research and Education (CEERE), associate dean (research and innovation) and senior associate dean (innovation and strategic partnership).

Achari has focused his research efforts on water and wastewater treatment, advanced oxidative processes and soil remediation among others.

"It’s an honour to be recognized as a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada," he says. "When I first heard that I was being selected, it was a humbling experience and I look forward to celebrating this accomplishment with my fellow Schulich inductees."

Michael Kallos

Dr. Michael Kallos , PhD, has become the face of the Department of Biomedical Engineering over the years.

When the department first launched in 2022 , he became its first head after years of leading the program.

A researcher in the area of stem cells, regenerative medicine and biomanufacturing, Kallos is also a full member of the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute as well as UCalgary’s One Child Every Child Technology Solutions Accelerator co-lead.

"Being recognized by the EIC is truly an honour and an affirmation of the work which I’ve been a part of," he said. "So many of my mentors here at UCalgary have also been named fellows in the past and it’s incredible to be mentioned alongside all’of them."

Andy Knight

A heavily involved member of the electrical engineering community during his career, Dr. Andy Knight , PhD, has been a champion of bringing industry and academia together.

A professor in the Department of Electrical and Software Engineering , he was the department’s head from 2020-2024 and is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Knight is also a past-president of the IEEE Industry Applications Society and has served in a variety of other roles with the organization while focusing his research efforts on integrating energy sources into electrical systems, energy efficiency and electrical energy conversion.

"Thank you to the EIC for bestowing this honour on me, as it’s a credit to all’of the people I’ve been fortunate to work with over the years," he said. "It reinforces my commitment to advancing the field and inspiring the next generation of electrical and software engineers."