Dr. James Li

James Li’s professional life revolves around water: water that falls from the sky, the quality of our lakes and rivers, the state of our sewage systems.

“I’ve always been drawn to disciplines and innovations that advance society,” says Li. “As a graduate student, I was focused on the environmental impact of engineering. I then became interested in eco-hydrology, stormwater management, water pollution – everything to do with water resources in the urban environment.”

Managing the hydrologic cycle in a city as large as Toronto is a particular challenge. The current “collect and drain” approach to stormwater, for example, means that the city’s salt and surface garbage are getting washed off the streets and into Lake Ontario. That’s untreated waste.

With our lakes and rivers changing for the worse, Li is focused on sustainable solutions. And he considers himself lucky to be working with young people who grew up with a green mindset and want to find those solutions. “More and more engineering students are interested in the environment,” he says. “With increasing urbanization and global warming changing our storm patterns, we need the energy and creativity of young people engaged in sustainable engineering.”