Event – International Conference on Water, Informatics, Sustainability, & Environment (iWISE2017)

iWISE2017 conference will take place Monday, July 3 – Wednesday, 5, 2017 at the River Building – Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario. The conference is organized by Science Target Inc. in collaboration with professional and academic institutions both are local and international.

Climate Change will increasingly challenge the Earth’s ecosystems to sustain human life and that’s why it is essential to find practical solutions to the challenges we face to build resilience in different tracks such as water, environment, biodiversity and energy with the help of the decision support tools.


iWISE 2017 provides opportunities for scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and leaders from around the world to share their knowledge, skills and expertise in, but not limited to: climate change, sustainable land use and eco-cities, integrated resources management, green economy, cleaner production, disaster management, environmental education, water research.

The main aim of iWISE 2017 is to integrate research, technology, and expertise in fields of water, informatics, sustainability and environment. This will be complemented by focused sessions and panel discussions on important and timely topics to allow for a lively exchange of ideas as well as contributions from highly selective keynote speakers from well-known leaders in the field.

iWISE2017 summary at a glance

• 3 days of engaging breakout sessions that will reignite the passion for innovation and showcase current research and practices in the fields of climate change, sustainable land use, eco-cities, integrated resources management, green economy, clean production, disaster management, environmental education, and water research.

• Technical workshops and themed sessions which will serve as an excellent opportunity to connect with colleagues and exchange ideas. It will also help in gaining valuable expertise needed for decision-making on the implementation of green practices; such as using eco-efficient technology, managing the carbon footprint, and supporting the climate change resilience.

• Climate Resilience Student Competition where promising student minds from top Ottawa-Hull universities and colleges brainstorming and debating innovative solutions. The winning team will be honored with prizes at the end of the competition.

• The Ottawa Sustainability Tour; a very attractive social activity, to celebrate the Canada 150. The tour reflects the sustainability sense of the National Capital Region. Tour is offered as part of our partnership with the Ottawa Biosphere Eco-city Council

• Digital and hard copies of conference publications including program, flyers, and book of abstracts will be distributed to all participant.

• Publication of selected papers in the International Journal of Environment and Sustainability (ISSN 1927-9566)l of Sustainable Land Use and Urban Planning (ISSN 1927-8845).

Speakers

Farouk El-Baz: Director of the Center for Remote Sensing and Research Professor at the Departments of Archaeology and Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Associated Faculty at the Department of Earth and Environment, Boston University, Boston, MA, U.S.A. Prof. El-Baz was the principal Investigator of the Earth Observations and Photography Experiment on NASA’s Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP)Among the many awards Dr. El-Baz has received are: the Apollo Achievement Award, Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal, and Special Recognition Award, all from NASA

Tom Al: Professor in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department at the University of Ottawa and the Director of the Ottawa-Carleton Geoscience Centre. He is a leading environmental geoscientist with a background in Earth Science, hydrogeology and geochemistry. His research focuses on geochemical processes affecting the movement of contaminants in groundwater with a view toward protection of water resources, mostly in relation to mineral and energy resource development. He is a key player in large multidisciplinary research networks that aim to minimize the environmental impact of mining and to develop a safe strategy for the long-term management of radioactive waste.

Dr. Nadia Abu-Zahra: Associate Professor of International Development and Global Studies and a member of the Human Rights Research and Education Centre at the University of Ottawa. She serves on the Reconciliation Committee of the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, and was an elected Director on the Federation’s Board from 2011 to 2015. Prior to joining the University of Ottawa, Dr. Abu-Zahra was a Research Fellow at the University of Oxford’s Refugee Studies Centre, and a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of British Columbia. She researches and teaches on social movements, human rights, ethics, international development, and particularly mobility: immigration, refugees, environmental migration, family reunification, and community resilience.

Prof. Banu Ormeci: She received her Masters and PhD degrees from Duke University in the US. She is a full professor and Canada Research Chair in Wastewater Treatment Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Carleton University. She leads an internationally recognized research program on wastewater and biosolids treatment, and is the recipient of several research, teaching and mentoring awards. She is also the Chair of the International Water Association’s Sludge Management Specialist Group. Her research on optimization of treatment processes has resulted in several patents and new processes in the market.

Dr. Basu PhD, P.Eng: Associate Professor and the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies at Carleton University in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Dr. Basu has over 10 years experience in industry and academia, she is a process specialist with an interdisciplinary focus in water and wastewater process design. Her research specialization is in the areas of sustainable technologies, which includes biological treatment and improvements in system efficiencies through operational optimization. Her research group is focused on applied work with practical hands on experience in experimental design, set-up and design of bench scale, pilot scale and full scale experiments. Dr. Basu strongly believes that training of students goes beyond technical training, and actively encourages students to improve on communication skills, presentation skills, critical thinking and hands-on experiences through attendance at conferences, and workshops. Students in Dr. Basu’s group have won numerous awards for their work including most recently, Best Student Poster at the AWWA Membrane Technology Conference (2016), Best Environmental/Social Responsibility Award at the Ottawa PEO Student Paper Night (2015), Runner-Up Carleton three minute thesis (3MT) competition (2015) and the Adjelian Allen Rubeli Award for excellence in an undergrad engineering project (2016 and 2014).

Catherine Bonier: Assistant professor of architecture and urbanism at Carleton University, where she teaches urban research, history, and theory, as well as foundation and upper-level design studios. She received a BA in European history from Harvard College and a professional M.Arch. and Ph.D. in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research spans from the 16th to the 21st century and centers on the shaping of urban landscapes around water and infrastructures. Her studies address technology, as well as the role of techniques of artistic production and scientific inquiry in relation to architectural design. Within this context, she traces a history of ideas of nature, health, and civic life. Prior to her appointment at Carleton, Bonier taught urban research and architectural design at Louisiana State University and the University of Pennsylvania. In 2012, Bonier was named a Philadelphia Area Center for the History of Science (PACHS) fellow for her dissertation research. Her past positions in construction management, video game design, GED tutoring, and mental-health counseling contribute to her focus on the role of technology in the evolution of sustainable architectural and urban design.

Shannon Joseph: Program Director, Municipalities for Climate Innovation – Federation of Canadian Municipalities. She is passionate about the local government voice in Canada and catalyzing a municipal movement for sustainability innovation. Through her past work with an international NGO, as a consulting environmental engineer, and as Acting Executive Director of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, Shannon brings a unique perspective to the key drivers for sustainable development in communities of all sizes. In her current role with FCM, Shannon leads new program design for environmental and infrastructure national programs as well as design and impact measurement for the Green Municipal Fund, a $500 million capacity building and funding program.

Jay Smith: EnviFaculty and Program Coordinator and Academic Advising Coordinator. nmental Studies Program Coordinator & Academic Advising Coordinator – Algonquin College. Mr. Smith’s passion for teaching and lifelong learning are modeled by his example: he expects to complete the Masters of Adult Ed. program at St. Francis Xavier University in 2016. An engaged volunteer of the Climate Reality Project, Mr. Smith is a dynamic sustainability advocate and speaker, currently serving as a mentor within the organization. With an optimistic and positive attitude, and the belief Canada can be a global leader in sustainability, Jay works tirelessly through his classes and his example to inspi
Read morere students to learn, stand with their convictions, take risks, and change their futures.

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