Five graduate student TA’s in engineering recognized for their commitment to teaching excellence
Donna McKinnon - 25 April 2025
Every year, the Faculty of Engineering honours the top five teaching assistants in each department with a Leonard E. Gads Graduate Student Teaching Assistant Award. This award recognizes graduate students in the faculty who have demonstrated excellence in their duties as teaching assistants and exhibited an exemplary commitment to student learning in engineering courses.
Gads was an associate dean and civil engineering professor known for his colourful stories of early life in the Soviet Union and China, and his time as a taxi driver, a Wetaskiwin farm labourer, an RCAF navigational instructor and an interpreter in post-war Berlin.The “Gads’ Theory” of teaching, as The Gateway put it in 1956, was that a point put across with laughter is well remembered.
Please join us in congratulating the following students who represent the spirit of this award!
Calvin Chung PhD, Civil and Environmental Engineering
I have long been driven by a deep commitment to student-centred learning, a passion that has been shaped and strengthened by the invaluable mentorship of Dr. Bipro Dhar. As I celebrate this teaching award fueled by my students’ resilience and growth, I eagerly embrace future opportunities to inspire, challenge and empower the next generation of engineers.
Harikrishna Rao Mohan Rao PhD Electrical and Computer Engineering
This award reflects more than just individual effort — it speaks to the power of collaboration, creative problem-solving, and the kind of teaching that invites everyone in. It means a lot to be recognized for leading with care, and for building learning spaces where curiosity, inclusion and growth go hand in hand.
Sarah Sheikhi PhD Mechanical Engineering
I’m incredibly grateful to receive the Leonard E. Gads Award. Teaching has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my graduate studies — it’s taught me just as much as I hope I’ve passed on. I look forward to continuing to support and inspire future engineers throughout my career.
I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to Professors Hogan, Romanyk and Cheung for giving me the opportunity to be their TA and for their continued support.
Sophie Shi PhD Chemical and Materials Engineering
This award recognizes graduate students' contributions to teaching. It inspires us to create supportive environments for students to learn and for us as educators to develop our teaching abilities.
Jacopo Zattoni PhD, Biomedical Engineering
I am grateful and honoured to have received this award, as it fuels my commitment to creating encouraging and supportive environments where students can challenge themselves and grow confident in their knowledge.