Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to the 2024 WTS Toronto Area Chapter Scholarship Recipients!
Anindita Golder – Graduate Scholarship
Anindita Golder (Student Member, IEEE) received her BSc. in Electrical Engineering from the American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE, in 2016 (Great Distinction), and her M.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering from McGill University, Montreal, ON, Canada, in 2020.
She worked in project management for 2 years in Cummins Middle East before her Masters. She is currently pursuing her PhD with the Department of Electrical Engineering and the Smart Transportation Electrification and Energy Research (STEER) Group, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON, Canada. Her current research interests include energy management systems and planning for transportation electrification.
Dina Kanaan – Graduate Scholarship
Dina Kanaan is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Toronto. She received a Master’s degree in Engineering Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the American University of Beirut in Beirut, Lebanon. A member of the Human Factors and Applied Statistics (HFASt) Laboratory at the University of Toronto, Dina conducts research on driver attention and distraction, safety and usability of driving automation systems, and design and evaluation of in-vehicle technology.
Her doctoral dissertation focuses on the design of in-vehicle displays for driving automation systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, and automatic braking systems. Dina’s work has been published in several high-impact journals, conference proceedings, and invited book chapters. Dina has also had extensive experience teaching various courses at both the graduate and undergraduate level, in which she emphasizes the methods and challenges of implementing human-centered design principles and enhancing safety in the transportation sector.
Dina has served various leadership roles in student and professional organizations and has participated in several outreach activities that have highlighted the role of women in human factors and transportation. Dina has a passion for mentorship and has supervised multiple undergraduate and graduate students who were motivated to pursue further studies and careers in transportation and human factors. Dina aspires for a career in academia where she plans to continue to advocate for transportation safety and equity, as well as support the advancement of women and underrepresented groups in transportation, engineering, and human factors.
Samantha Leger – Graduate Scholarship
Samantha Leger is a fourth year PhD Candidate in the School of Planning at the University of Waterloo. She also holds a Master of Research in Interdisciplinary Urban Design from the Bartlett School of Planning, University College London (2020) and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Urban Planning from the University of Waterloo (2018). Her research interests revolve around sustainable transportation, mobility justice and designing inclusive streetscapes.
Currently, she is wrapping up her PhD dissertation which is focused on exploring the transportation experiences of neurodivergent populations, and how to move towards neuro-inclusive transportation planning practices. In addition to her academic interests, Samantha is a RPP Candidate member with 4+ years of experience in transportation and urban planning, focused on micromobility, vision zero, and active transportation planning. Above all, Samantha is passionate about planning and designing streets and transportation infrastructure that meaningfully accommodate diverse ages & abilities.
Kaylie Chan – Undergraduate Scholarship
Kaylie Chan is a 4th-year Urban and Regional Planning student at the University of Waterloo, aspiring to obtain her Certificate of Excellence in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Through her schooling, she has honed her transportation planning skills through co-op roles at Purolator, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), and WSP, gaining experience across various transportation teams. As she completes her last co-op placement with WSP’s Active Transportation and Complete Streets team, she plans to continue her work on creating accessible, equitable spaces for underrepresented modes of transport, such as walking and cycling. After graduation, she hopes to build on this foundation and further her impact in the field.
Outside of work, Kaylie is passionate about community engagement and volunteers as a Program Coordinator at Urban Minds, where she educates and inspires youth about city-building. She also plays an active role in WSP’s Developing Professionals Network, leading co-op student activities that build community and support.
Recognizing the challenges women face in transportation planning, Kaylie is committed to learning from strong female leaders and advocating for gender equality. She aims to bridge gaps in the field and serve as a role model for young women aspiring to create meaningful change in transportation.
Aside from being an academic weapon, an excellent co-op student, and a role model, Kaylie loves to laugh with her family, swim, try new restaurants with friends, and travel.
Leah Zalea Ohren – Undergraduate Scholarship
Zalea is a second-year Engineering Science student at the University of Toronto, devoted to city and transit design. She seeks to improve public transportation, making it not only more dependable but also more inclusive, particularly to better serve the needs of women and girls.
She is an active member of the Unmanned Aerial Systems division of the University of Toronto Aerospace team where she is building a fire-rescue drone. Furthermore, Zalea dedicates time to tutoring high school students in mathematics. It is with the deepest gratitude that she receives this scholarship, eager to shape a future where engineering and transportation flourish in inclusivity and innovation.