Schulich Connects - Engineering Energy Solutions

Alberta is well-known as the energy province and we have a deep history in oil and gas. We have also become a global leader in the research and development of energy sources including new resources such as hydrogen and geothermal energy. The Schulich School of Engineering and our province are in a perfect place to meet the ever-growing desire for clean and renewable energy to power our homes, businesses, vehicles and more. Join us for our next Schulich Connects on February 29, Engineering Energy Solutions, for an in-depth conversation about the past, present and future of energy and engineering in Alberta.

Event details:

Date: Thursday, February 29, 2024
Breakfast: 7:30 - 8 a.m. MT
Program: 8 - 9 a.m. MT
Format: In-person (CNRL Complex Atrium) or Zoom
Dress code: business casual

Meet our host:

Dr. Bill Rosehart
Dean, Schulich School of Enginering
For over 20 years, Bill Rosehart has been a passionate advocate for engineering education and research. Rosehart is registered as a Professional Engineer through APEGA and was a founding member of the Canadian Engineering Education Association (CEEA). He has also been inducted as Fellow into the Canadian Academy of Engineering.
Meet our Moderator:

Meet our moderator: 

Dr. Kerry Black
Assistant Professor, Schulich School of Engineering 
Dr. Kerry Black is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, at the University of Calgary. She holds the Canada Research Chair in Integrated Knowledge, Engineering & Sustainable Communities. Dr. Black received her PhD from the University of Guelph with research focused on sustainable water and wastewater management in Indigenous communities. Her focus is to engage in a cross-disciplinary research platform, incorporating technical civil and environmental engineering principles and research, with policy and socio-economic components, focusing on sustainable infrastructure for healthy and resilient communities.

Meet our panelists: 

Dr. Aggrey Mwesigye
Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering
Dr. Aggrey Mwesigye is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Schulich School of Engineering. Prior to joining UCalgary, he was a postdoctoral research fellow in sustainable energy systems at Ryerson University. Dr. Mwesigye received his BSc Mechanical Engineering (summa cum laude) from Makerere University, an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology, and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pretoria. He has broad research interests in the modeling, design, and optimization of sustainable thermal energy systems. His current research focuses on concentrating solar thermal systems, alternative heating and cooling systems, heat transfer enhancement, thermodynamic optimization, and thermal energy storage.

Dr. Sara Hastings-Simon
Associate Professor, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary
Dr. Sara Hastings-Simon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment and School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary. She directs the Master of Science program in Sustainable Energy Development. She is a macro energy system researcher, and her work is focused on understanding how low-carbon energy transitions happen within different sectors of the economy, and how policy responses can improve outcomes. Sara is also co-founder and co-host of Energy vs Climate a webinar and podcast that explores the energy transition in Alberta, Canada and beyond. She is the chair of the panel for Clean Growth with the Canadian Climate Choices Institute and a member of the board of directors of the Pembina Institute.

Bryan Helfenbaum
Associate Vice President of Clean Energy at Alberta Innovates
Bryan Helfenbaum is the Associate Vice President of Clean Energy at Alberta Innovates, where he oversees programs in Clean Technology and Advanced Hydrocarbons with key initiatives in hydrogen, CCUS, digital energy, methane emissions reduction, energy storage, grid modernization, critical minerals, and bitumen beyond combustion. Prior to joining Alberta Innovates, he spent 20 years in a variety of technical, business, and innovation roles in the private sector. Bryan has been a theme lead for the Clean Resources Innovation network and a Fellow/Ambassador with the Energy Futures Lab. Bryan’s passion for innovation extends outside the office, where he has taught at the University of Calgary and worked on innovative community residential development projects. Bryan has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Waterloo and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, with a specialization in Global Energy Management & Sustainability, from the University of Calgary.