York U professors recognized as engineering innovators

This story originally appeared in YFile, written by Ashley Goodfellow Craig.

York University’s Satinder Kaur Brar and Jimmy Huang have been elected as fellows of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE), joining a distinguished group of professionals whose achievements have influenced the field of engineering.

The announcement of 57 new fellows was made by CAE President Catherine Karakatsanis during the Academy’s 2025 Annual General Meeting, with the official induction ceremony set for May 27.

“The exceptional work of Professors Satinder Kaur Brar and Jimmy Huang to the Canadian Academy of Engineering is a testament to their pioneering contributions in sustainable engineering and artificial intelligence,” says Amir Asif, vice-president, research and innovation. “Their work not only advances their respective fields, but also exemplifies York University’s commitment to research that addresses pressing global challenges and shapes a more just and sustainable future. We are proud to see their leadership and impact recognized at the national level.”

Brar, a professor who holds the James and Joanne Love Chair in Environmental Engineering at York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering, has gained international recognition for her work in sustainable technologies aimed at improving global health and environmental safety. Her research combines green chemistry and biotechnology to develop environmentally responsible engineering solutions. 

Brar’s work has advanced the principles of the circular economy by focusing on the sustainable production and reuse of bioproducts. Her research into the recycling of waste materials for industrial processes has garnered international attention.

At York, Brar continues to lead interdisciplinary research initiatives that incorporate sustainability in engineering practices.

“Being elected as the CAE fellow is a great honour, helping me drive action forward to better serve engineering in Canada and beyond,” says Brar. “The research community, including students, collaborators and stakeholders, as well as my parents and family, have been my strength and beacon of light throughout my professional journey.”

Huang, a professor in York’s Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, a Tier 1 York Research Chair in Big Data Analytics and an IEEE Fellow, was recognized for his contributions to the field of information retrieval, artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP). Huang is widely recognized for his foundational research on probabilistic modelling and machine learning as well as the demonstration of their applications in industry.

Huang’s work influenced the development of task-oriented and context-sensitive information retrieval and aligns closely with engineering to drive technological processes. His extensive publication record, with his work published in over 360 publications, underscores his influence within the academic community and industry.

“I am delighted to be elected a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, a distinction that celebrates impactful contributions to engineering in Canada,” says Huang. “This achievement reflects the collaborative efforts of me and the many well-trained, talented PhD students and post-doctoral fellows I have mentored over the past two decades – many of whom are now professors at Canadian universities, advancing innovation nationwide.

“I am deeply grateful for this CAE recognition, which reflects the quality and impact of my research work over the years and highlights our collective role in shaping Canada’s technological future.”

As newly elected fellows, Brar and Huang will contribute to the CAE’s mission of advancing engineering excellence in Canada. The academy, founded in 1987, is an independent, non-profit organization that brings together Canada’s most accomplished engineers to provide strategic advice on critical national issues.