On Thursday, November 20, 286 McMaster Engineering graduates will cross the stage at the Fall 2025 convocation ceremony. Among them are five individuals recognized as “grads to watch” by their professors and peers.
Ahmed Moussa
Vanier Scholar and Governor General’s Academic Medal
Program: Civil Engineering
One word to describe your Mac Eng experience: Transformative
Currently: I am currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at McMaster University, conducting research on AI-driven digital twin platforms, systemic risk modeling, and resilient infrastructure systems. I also work as a Machine Learning Engineer at Resiliō Climate Solutions, building production-grade ML models for climate risk prediction and early hazard detection.
Mac Eng shout out: My deepest gratitude goes to Dr. Wael El-Dakhakhni and Dr. Mohamed Ezzeldin, whose mentorship, guidance, and unwavering support shaped every stage of my academic journey. I am also sincerely grateful to Dr. Elkafi Hassini, whose encouragement and collaboration broadened my perspective and strengthened my research path.
Proudest Mac Eng moment: Being awarded the Vanier Canada Scholarship was a moment of immense pride. It represented years of dedication, the support of my supervisors, and the belief that my research could truly make a difference. It gave me the confidence to push boundaries and pursue ambitious ideas.
What would you tell your first year self?: I’d tell my first-year self to trust the process. The challenges ahead will shape you, the failures will teach you, and the moments of doubt will push you toward breakthroughs you can’t yet imagine.
How do you hope to contribute to engineering a brighter future?: I hope to use AI and engineering to design systems that genuinely improve people’s lives. Whether through more resilient infrastructure, safer transportation networks, or climate-aware decision tools, I want my work to empower communities, reduce vulnerabilities, and make technology more accessible and humane.
Caleb Whittier
Program: Materials Science and Engineering
One word to describe your Mac Eng experience: Fascinating
Currently: Postdoctoral fellow in the Bassim Research Group (McMaster University) working on strain characterization in semiconductor devices via 4D-STEM as well as a TEM Research Assistant at the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy.
Mac Eng shout out: My thesis advisor Nabil Bassim who saw a guy who was genuinely interested in electron microscopy and gave him a chance to go way, way too far down the rabbit hole.
Proudest Mac Eng moment: Getting ready to publish my first paper and having discussions with several colleagues where they expressed genuine interest in the work making me realize that I had finally started to come into my own as a scientist.
What would you tell your first year self?: You’ll do fine, it’ll just take a while.
How do you hope to contribute to engineering a brighter future?: Continuing to push analytical methods further and further in ways that people never asked for, thought they wanted, or perhaps will ever need except in incredibly niche situations, all for the love of the game.
Doris Antwi-Debrah
Program: Master of Engineering and Public Policy
One word to describe your Mac Eng experience: Transformative
Currently: Currently, I am giving back to the community by volunteering in empowering students in STEM related activities, events and Green Energy research while exploring job opportunities that can utilize the new skills I have acquired in this program to transition into full time Engineering practices.
Mac Eng shout out: The entire workforce at the W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology, McMaster University, especially Prof Velma I Grover, my supervisor for her constant guidance and kindness, Prof Greig Mordue, Prof Robert Fleisig and Mr. Richard Allen who were extremely instrumental during my project work.
Proudest Mac Eng moment: My proudest moment was when I decided to take up a community project that will help humanity. Together with two other students plus subject matter expert from St. Joseph Healthcare Hamilton, under faculty guidance, we co-design a governance framework for responsible AI adoption in healthcare. This not only reflects my commitment to social responsibility, but it also holds the potential for broad and lasting impacts on healthcare innovation, ethical standards, and community health outcomes.
What would you tell your first year self?: Being a little anxious is okay! And a little fear is also normal, because ‘courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it’.
How do you hope to contribute to engineering a brighter future?: I’m excited to contribute to engineering in the future by bridging the gap between technical expertise and policymaking. I believe my unique blend of technical knowledge and policy understanding will enable me to develop innovative solutions that address societal challenges.
I’ll leverage my teaching experience to share knowledge and mentor the next generation of engineers, fostering a culture of responsible innovation and design thinking. My policy expertise will help me navigate complex regulatory landscapes and develop solutions that balance technical feasibility, economic viability, and social impact.
I’m passionate about applying my skills to drive positive changes in areas like sustainable infrastructure, smart cities, and digital transformation. By combining technical expertise with policy acumen, I aim to shape the future of engineering and contribute to creating a better world for all.
Sadia Tasnim
Program: Civil Engineering
One word to describe your Mac Eng Experience: Metamorphic
Currently: At the moment, I’m in my “post-grad renaissance era.” I’m taking a well-earned break, travelling, catching up with friends, and rediscovering hobbies after years of nonstop school. I’m also keeping an eye out for career opportunities that align with my interests and future goals.
Mac Eng shout out: I’m deeply grateful to my supervisor, Dr. Moataz Mohamed, as well as Dr. Antonio Páez, Dr. Saiedeh Razavi, Dr. Anastasia Soukhov, the incredible TRiP Lab, and everyone in the Department of Civil Engineering who supported me along this journey. Thank you to my friends, my family, and, of course, my cat Anya for being my constant support system.
Proudest Mac Eng moment: My proudest moment was looking back and seeing the full arc: starting as an undergraduate student engineering ambassador, stepping into leadership roles, being honoured as Ambassador of the Year, and eventually becoming a researcher and completing my MASc. It felt like watching the best version of myself slowly come to life, and younger me would be absolutely thrilled.
What would you tell your first year self?: You don’t even know your own potential however the tools are all in front of you to become extraordinary. The path ahead will be hard and there will be some setbacks, but it will make you stronger, kinder and more confident than you ever imagined. Everyone’s journey is different so take pride in how far you have come.
How do you hope to contribute to engineering a brighter future?: I hope to contribute to engineering a brighter future by helping design transportation systems that are more accessible, equitable, and responsive to real community needs. Whether through research or practice, I want to support cities in building transit that truly serves people and where mobility isn’t a barrier to opportunity.
Zayaan Khan
Program: Materials Engineering
One word to describe your Mac Eng experience: Unconventional
Currently: I am currently on a break, enjoying time with friends and family before coming back to McMaster in January to pursue a PhD in laser decontamination of nuclear applications.
Mac Eng shout out: I would like to shout out the entire materials science and engineering department. The staff, faculty and students at all levels have made this such an open and supportive environments where you are free to pursue any idea you have. I would also like to extend my special thanks to Dr. Joey Kish for introducing me to the field of corrosion science and for his support and mentorship throughout my graduate studies.
Proudest Mac Eng moment: My proudest Mac Eng moment would be being a part of the McMaster Materials Society. This role allowed me to advocate for the needs of students and give back by helping them with their journey throughout Mac Eng, as many other students had done for me. In addition, I was able to plan some amazing networking, social and study events, helping to promote a sense of community and that we are in this together. This experience really opened my eyes to how contributing to clubs like the MSE Society in the Mac Eng sphere can be a platform for positive change and growth.
What would you tell your first year self?: I would tell my first year self to put yourself out there and get out of your comfort zone. The Mac Eng community had so many opportunities to explore both your social and technical interests, all you have to do is go looking. Getting involved won’t just help you make friends; it will shape you into a stronger, more well rounded engineer!
How do you hope to contribute to engineering a brighter future?: I would tell my first year self to put yourself out there and get out of your comfort zone. The Mac Eng community had so many opportunities to explore both your social and technical interests; all you have to do is go looking. Getting involved won’t just help you make friends; it will shape you into a stronger, more well rounded engineer!