Inaugural Recipient of the Nicholas Reid Memorial Award

The inaugural recipient of the Nicholas Reid Memorial Award is Zanina Ilieva!

Zanina is a PhD student in the Civil Engineering Program at Toronto Metropolitan University and is working on the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from wastewater. PFAS are toxic to animal and human health, yet they are not properly removed from wastewater treatment plants and subsequently flow into the environment. Zanina is working on a treatment technology that can sustainably and cheaply remove PFAS and therefore contribute to a cleaner safer world.

Zanina has an A+ grade point average and has completed internships in the Netherlands and Australia. She participates in the Ryerson Graduate Teaching Development Program, is a volunteer lecturer in the SHAD program, and received best presentation awards at the CAWQ Conference in Feb 2020 and the IWA Conference in July 2020. Zanina has demonstrated great initiative in the lab and in her research and is part of the Ontario Water Consortium’s Graduate Leadership Council.

Zanina will receive a $5000 stipend as well as attend the Canadian Water Summit in Niagara Falls in June 2022. 

The Nicholas Reid Memorial Award has been established in the memory of Nick Reid. Nick was Executive Director of Urban Water TMU and championed the university’s efforts to achieve a healthy and sustainable urban water cycle. The Award is given annually to a Ryerson graduate student in financial need who demonstrates leadership or innovation in a water-related area. 

Many thanks to all of the contributors of the Award in particular the large sponsors the Canadian Water Works Association, the Ontario Water Works Association, the Ontario Clean Water Agency, Water Canada, and Mohsen Mortada.