About | UofC NanoGroup

ABOUT US

The University of Calgary nanoGroup is a student-led organization founded in 2013 with one central focus: to cultivate and support the nanotechnology community at the University of Calgary Campus. We strive to engage students in a variety of nano-related activities – design projects, outreach programs, academic research, entrepreneurial pursuits and networking with local industry.

We exist to inform the public of the opportunities and benefits that nanotechnology holds for Alberta and alerting students to avenues for technology commercialization are additional objectives. We are a Graduate Research Network (GRN) under the Graduate Students' Association (GSA) at the University of Calgary. We are an initiative from nanoAlberta, the nanotechnology branch of Alberta Innovate Technology Futures (AITF).

Executive Team

I am starting the fifth year of my Ph.D. in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Calgary. My research lies in the fields of nanoplasmonics and photochemistry. I have been involved with the UofC nanoGroup since the beginning of my graduate studies, holding different positions ranging from member-at-large (2015- 16), vice-president academic (2016-17) and president (2017-18). Since 2014, I have also been a member of the Graduate Student Association’s Awards Committee, acting as both an evaluator and as an award team leader. As of last year, I started to get involved with the UofC Graduate Leaders Circle as a NSERC mentor.

Co-president

Nicolas Macia

I am starting my third year as a PhD student in Dr. Belinda Heyne’sresearch group in Chemistry. My research focuses on assessing the interactions between light, molecular absorbers and a variety of hybrid-metallic nanoparticles. I’ve served on several committees throughout my time at the University of Calgary (from 2016 to 2018 on the GSA’s academic standing committee, and from 2016 to 2018 on the science students’ appeals committee), as well as holding executive positions in student-run clubs on campus (2014 to 2016 as the VP Academics for the Russian Speaking Students’ Association, and 2017 to 2018 as the VP Opreations for the UofC nanoGroup), while also serving as an Orientation Leader for the new-coming undergraduate students across all disciplines from 2013 to 2017. Apart from my academic and volunteering commitments I like spending my leisure time outdoors, hiking and road biking, or playing my favorite guitar riffs on an unjustifiably large collection of instruments and equipment.

Co-president

Vladimir Kabanov

I am starting the third year of my PhD in Chemistry. I received a minor in nanoscience here at the University of Calgary during my BSc, my MSc in Chemistry at UVic involved making lanthanide-based nanoparticles for a variety of applications, and my PhD here at U of C is focused on making metallic nanoparticles.

VP Outreach

Stephanie Bonvicini

I received my BSc in chemistry from the University of British Columbia (Okanagan) and am currently in my 4th year of my PhD here at the University of Calgary. My research focuses on nanostructuring silicon materials, nanoparticles, and nanowire fabrication for battery applications.

VP Marketing , VP Finance

Alison Fulton

I have been the VP Academic for last year. I have planned one of the nano talks of the last year and another potential talk for next year. I believe I would be able to continue the job at this position and improve my performance this year. Beside my last year experience as VP Academic of nano group, I have more than one year of experience as CPL Library event VP and my main duties were inviting speakers, main writers for talks. Combining my experiences at CPL library and my research in nanoscience and my network in nanoscience and nanotechnology people at UofC, UofA and the University of Saskatchewan I believe I can be suitable for this position.

VP Academic

Zahra Abooali Zadeh

I hold a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in chemical engineering and have few years of working experience in the field of energy. I joined the University of Calgary to continue my graduate studies in order to apply an emerging field like Nanotechnology to the energy sector. My research focuses on developing in-situ methods for upgrading and recovery of oil using nano-catalysts. The nano particles would play a key for developing technologies that can boost the Canadian heavy oil industry. I am very much interested to share the growing nanoscience so that we can involve different sectors including both industry and academia. I value voluntary activities as those would help me build my leadership skills, not to mention, networking and meeting new fellows comes along as well.

VP Operations

Milad Ahmadi Khoshooei

I am a NSERC postdoctoral fellow working under the supervision of Dr. Gregory C. Welch in the Department of Chemistry. As the lead member of the Bioenergy team of the Global Research Initiative in Sustainable Low Carbon Unconventional Resources, my current projects aim to prepare and to integrate large area organic photovoltaic devices in bioalgae reactors.

Member at large, Postdoctoral fellow representative

Dr. Audrey Laventure

Advisory Faculty Member: Dr. Colin Dalton, Adjunct Professor, Schulich School of Engineering

Partners

(Co-)President

The President is responsible for the overall direction and management of the Group and for promoting the Group among both undergraduate, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty. The primary role of the President is to provide guidance and cohesion for the Group as well as to further its vision and mission through his activities and leadership. The President is further responsible for the scheduling of the year’s events and priorities, as well as working with the VP Finance to secure the Group’s annual funding. The President also has signing authority over the Group’s bank account. The president sets executive meetings as required, and is ultimately responsible for ensuring equitable division of labour between members of the Senior Executive.

VP Finance

In their capacity as financial officer, the VPF is responsible for all monies received and disbursed by the University of Calgary Nanotechnology Group, and shall account for them according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, monitoring and recording each transaction from the Group’s bank account. They are also responsible for ensuring that a regular audits and financial reports are completed to the satisfaction of funding sources, that all accounts receivable are collected, and that all bylaws pertaining to finances are upheld. It is also the job of the VPF, alongside the President, to secure funding for the financial commitments of the Group, seeking out appropriate funding bodies and preparing proposals as required. At the conclusion of each event, the VPF is further responsible for compiling a report on the event’s financials with a detailed budget, as well as any follow-up documentation requested by the funding bodies. Portions of this responsibility may be shared with other executives, and details should be collected from the associate VP directly responsible for the event. The VPF is also given signing authority over the Group’s bank account.

VP Operations

The VP Operations (VPO) is responsible for the routine functions of the Group, oversees VP Academic, and contributes to the organization of events. The VPO must ensure that these VPs have the resources and direction they require to carry out their duties, and is ultimately responsible for ensuring smooth operation of their designated events.
Additionally, they are responsible for coordinating and promoting the larger, irregular nanoGroup events throughout the year. These include, but are not limited to, speaker events and workshops aimed at educating membership. Also, the VPO spearheads initiatives to organize symposia, competitions, and/or conferences.
The VPO works closely with and oversees the VP Academic in the planning and organization of events.

VP Communication

The VP Communication (VPC) is broadly responsible for both intra-group communication and for promotion of events outside the Group. The VPC is responsible for managing the member lists, drafting and/or editing internal nanoGroup communications such as emails to members and advisors, and ensuring impartiality, factuality and objectivity in all communications. Additional responsibilities include design and maintenance of the nanoGroup’s website, as well as email-based promotion of the Group’s events – emails and announcements sent out will be based on material provided by the VP responsible for the event.
As part of their responsibilities, the VP Communication is further responsible for the Group’s outreach efforts, overseeing the VP Outreach in his organization of events aimed at groups off campus. Similarly, the VPC is responsible for carrying out the Groups mandate of moving toward a province-wide student nanotechnology presence.

VP Academic

The VP Academic (VPA) is responsible for planning nanoTalk events and is responsible for engaging the academic side of the Alberta nanotechnology community. nanoTalks are regular lectures on recent nano academic accomplishments in the Alberta nanotechnology community. The VPA is responsible for: inviting speakers, establishing a budget for each event with the VPF, room booking, promotion and advertising the event with the VPC, purchasing refreshments for the event, making event posters and facilitate poster distribution, and other planning details. The VPA reports to the VPO.

VP Outreach

The VP Outreach (VPOR) is responsible for coordinating the Group’s outreach efforts the to the community, with focus on planning and organizing events for grade school, middle school, high school students and undergraduates. This includes organizing general nanotechnology presentations, demonstrations, and tours, as well as collaborating with other groups interested in nanotechnology education and outreach such as Let’s Talk Science.

Members at Large

Members at Large (MAL) provide support to the executive. Roles that MAL may provide include support on various projects or committees, and they may substitute for other executives where appropriate.