The University of Waterloo's Faculty of Engineering recognized the remarkable professional achievements of three alumni at this year's Engineering Awards Dinner.
Hosted by Dean Mary Wells, the event highlighted how Waterloo Engineering alumni are driving sustainable innovation, strengthening communities and mentoring the next generation through research, entrepreneurship and design.
The recipients of this year's awards are:
Dr. Vikramaditya (Vikram) Yadav Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement
Dr. Vikramaditya Yadav (BASc '07, chemical engineering) is an award-winning researcher, educator and cleantech entrepreneur transforming the future of sustainable engineering.
An associate professor at the University of British Columbia, Yadav is the founding director of the Master of Engineering Leadership in Sustainable Process Engineering, a program that bridges technology, business and climate action. He has launched three ventures Metabolik Technologies, Tersa Earth Innovations and Tydra Labs to deliver real-world solutions for clean water, sustainable materials and environmental restoration.
A recipient of Canada's Top 40 Under 40, Killam Teaching and Research Prizes and Foresight Canada's Climate Educator of the Year, Yadav exemplifies how innovation drives global impact.
Elisia Neves Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement
Elisia Neves (BArch '08, MArch '12) is an architect, educator and mentor dedicated to building more inclusive, connected communities through design.
As founder and principal of Fabrik Architects in Cambridge, Ontario, Neves leads a studio known for thoughtful, people-centred work from adaptive reuse and heritage restoration to workplaces that foster wellbeing and collaboration. Her new studio in the Gaslight District has become a hub for creativity and learning, hosting exhibitions with Waterloo Architecture students and supporting local events.
Neves also teaches at Conestoga College and mentors emerging professionals, particularly women pursuing architecture and STEM. A recipient of the Young Entrepreneur Award and Construction Canada's Emerging Leaders Award, she continues to demonstrate how purposeful design can shape community and inspire the next generation of leaders.
James Dean Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement
James Dean (BASc '90, civil engineering) is a cleantech entrepreneur and engineering leader advancing sustainable building technology across Canada and beyond.
As founder and CEO of Oxygen8 Solutions, Dean has reimagined how buildings deliver clean, efficient air, improving environments in thousands of schools, health facilities and workplaces across North America. Over his career, he has launched and scaled three Canadian cleantech companies Oxygen8, CORE Energy Recovery and Greenlight Power creating jobs, supporting innovation and helping reduce the carbon footprint of buildings worldwide.
Named to Canada's Top 40 Under 40 and recognized as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, Dean exemplifies how Waterloo Engineers are driving sustainable innovations that improve people's lives.
