Emerging Professionals Development Program

Emerging Professionals Development Program

The Emerging Professionals Development Program creates opportunities for young metallurgists or materials scientists. 

For two years, emerging professionals (EPs) get to take part in MetSoc activities. They will get to contribute to the professional community. And be inspired to become future leaders in their field. 

Download the brochure to learn more.

Metsoc EP Brochure

The call for applications is CLOSED for 2026

Thank you to everyone who submitted an application. We are now reviewing all entries, and applicants will receive their results by the end of April.

Application Information

A Day in the Life of a MetSoc EP

  • Presents at a conference
  • Reviews papers for conferences
  • Assists in the organization of poster sessions
  • Assists in organizing short courses
  • Technical section treasurer/secretary
  • Participates in organizing webinars
  • Contributes to interviews with professionals
  • Participates in technical bulletins
  • Assists with technical section activities
  • Assists in the MetSoc publications (upcoming project)

Current Emerging Professionals

Atefeh Azizi

Neo Performance Materials, Hydrometallurgy

(2026-2027 EP recipient)

Read Bio

James McNeice

Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc., Hydrometallurgy

(2026-2027 EP recipient)

Read Bio

Mohammadali (Mo) Shahsavari

RecycLiCo, Hydrometallurgy

(2026-2027 EP recipient)

Read Bio

Cyril Aulagnier

Centre de Métallurgie du Québec, Light Metals

(2026-2027 EP recipient)

Read Bio

Haofei Sun

University of Alberta, Materials

(2026-2027 EP recipient)

Read Bio

Mohamed Houache

National Research Council, Materials

(2026-2027 EP recipient)

Read Bio

Sarish Rehman

National Research Council of Canada, Sustainability

(2026-2027 EP recipient)

Read Bio

Sahand Sarbishei

Brokkr Mineral Resources, Sustainability

(2026-2027 EP recipient)

Read Bio

Aaron Creighton

NexGen Energy Ltd., Mineral Processing

(2026-2027 EP recipient)

Read Bio

Jasdip Mann

Newmont Corp., Mineral Processing

(2026-2027 EP recipient)

Read Bio

Amira Merchichi

Université de Sherbrooke (University of Sherbrooke), Mineral Processing

(2026-2027 EP recipient)

Read Bio

Camilo Martinez Gutierrez

Teck Resources Limited, Pyrometallurgy

(2026-2027 EP recipient)

Read Bio

Golam Ismot Ara Taposhe

Canmet Material, Natural Resources Canada, Pyrometallurgy

(2026-2027 EP recipient)

Read Bio

Hamed Asgari Moslehabadi

University of New Brunswick - Light Metals

(2025-2026 EP recipient)

Read Bio

Lyndsay Tran

Hatch - Light Metals

(2025-2026 EP recipient)

Read Bio

Ashish Pandey

National Research Council Canada - Hydrometallurgy

(2025-2026 EP recipient)

Read Bio

Fariborz Faraji

Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc. - Hydrometallurgy

(2025-2026 EP recipient)

Read Bio

Arsath Kader

Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc. - Sustainability

(2025-2026 EP recipient)

Read Bio

Shuo Yan

National Research Council of Canada - Materials

(2025-2026 EP recipient)

Read Bio

Simrat Singh Bhutani 
Hatch – Sustainability
(2024-2025 EP recipient)

Konstantinos Korgiopoulos 
Kingston Process Metallurgy – Light Metals
(2024-2025 EP recipient)

Samim Mokhtar 
Teck – Pyrometallurgy
(2024-2025 EP recipient)

Payton Rossiter
Lycopodium – Mineral Processing
(2024-2025 EP recipient)

Wendy Tian 
Ausenco, Toronto office – Mineral Processing
(2024-2025 EP recipient)

Omar Bashir Wani
Aramco – Sustainability
(2024-2025 EP recipient)

Susanna Zhang
BBA Inc. – Pyrometallurgy
(2024-2025 EP recipient)

Navid Abaeian
Westpro Machinery Inc. – Mineral processing
(2023-2024 EP recipient)

Sima Alidokht
Memorial University – Membership Services
(2023-2024 EP recipient)

Aya Benotmane
Hatch Ltd.– Sustainability
(2023-2024 EP recipient)

Konstantina Chalastara
Hatch Ltd. – Membership Services
(2023-2024 EP recipient)

Maéva Chrzaszcz
Hatch Ltd. – Sustainability
(2023-2024 EP recipient)

Linda Qin
Rio Tinto – Hydrometallurgy
(2023-2024 EP recipient)

Takshi Sachdeva
Hatch Ltd. – Materials
(2023-2024 EP recipient)

Candice Simms
Jetti Resources– Hydrometallurgy
(2023-2024 EP recipient)

Ashok Srinivasan
METSO OUTOTEC – Sustainability
(2023-2024 EP recipient)

Matthew Tutty
Hatch Ltd. – Mineral Processing
(2023-2024 EP recipient)

May Wee Ang
Sphera Solutions – Sustainability
2022-2023

Thierno Saidou Barry
Groupe AEM Canada Inc. – Hydrometallurgy
2022-2023

Matt Boulby
The Metals Company – Pyrometallurgy
2022-2023

Paulo Gamez Campos
New Gold Inc. – Mineral processing
2022-2023

Renaud Daenzer
Aurel Systems Inc. – Hydrometallurgy
2022-2023

Rachel Ko
HATCH – Sustainability
2022-2023

Mohsen Mohammadijoo
NOVA Chemicals Corporation – Light Metals
2022-2023

Ibrahim Ogunsanya
University of Toronto – Materials
2022-2023

Daniela Rossetto
Eddyfi Technologies, Quebec – Sustainability
2022-2023

Joshua Stroh
School of Engineering, UBC-Okanagan – Light Metals
2022-2023

Hakan Tunc
BBA – Mineral Processing
2022-2023

Shuhong (Max) Shen
Hatch – Materials
2021-2022

Michael Benoit
The University of British Columbia – Light Metals
2021-2022

Sunny Deng
SNC Lavalin – Pyrometallurgy
2022

Alex Cao
Vale Canada Limited – Hydrometallurgy
2020-2021

Abdallah Elsayed
Assistant Professor, University of Guelph – Light Metals
2020-2021

Jessica Hiscocks
Kingston Process Metallurgy – Light Metals
2020-2021

Fangyu Liu
Hatch – Hydrometallurgy
2020-2021

Arthur Stokreef
Glencore – Pyrometallurgy
2020-2021

Douglas Kao
Artisanal Gold Council (AGC) – Sustainability
2021-2022

François Cardin
Zinc électrolytique du Canada limitée – Sustainability
2020-2021

Peng Chang
Teck – Sustainability
2020-2021

Brittany MacKinnon
Hatch – Sustainability
2020-2021

Sable Reid
Rio Tinto – Sustainability
2020-2021

Roberta Neumann
Teck – Sustainability
2020

Lorena Tere
Hatch – Pyrometallurgy
2017, 2020

Raphael Soldi
Sherrit International – Management
2018-2019

Jasmina Omri
Goldcorp Porcupine Gold mines – Mineral Science
2018-2019

Fariba Safizadeh
University Laval – Hydrometallurgy
2018-2019

Yao Yao Ding
Heroux Devtek – Materials
2018-2019

Shannon Hoekstra
SRK Consulting – Hydrometallurgy
2017-2019

François Audet
Foundry Solutions Metallurgical Solutions – Management
2016-2017

Alexander Burns
NORAM Engineering & Constructors, Ltd – Hydrometallurgy
2016-2017

Alison Cummings
Glencore-Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations – Pyrometallurgy
2016-2017

Patrick Gagnon
Tema Isenmann Inc – Mineral Science
2016-2017

Michael Molinski
Vale – Pyrometallurgy
2016-2017

Nishit Patel
Hatch – Pyrometallurgy
2016-2017

Ge Sa
Hatch – Light Metals
2016-2017

Mashael Alomair
Hatch – Materials
2017-2018

Ahmet Deniz Bas
University Laval – Hydrometallurgy
2017-2018

Stewart Cook
Fenix Advanced Materials – Management
2017-2018

Thomas Feldmann
5N Plus Inc – Hydrometallurgy
2017-2018

Sara Fitzel
Teck – Environment
2017-2018

David Levasseur
Centre de metallurgies du Québec – Light Metals
2017-2018

David Tomlinson
Teck – Management
2017-2018

Atefeh Azizi is a Senior Project Metallurgist at Neo Performance Materials, specializing in hydrometallurgical process development and scale-up for sustainable metal production. She focuses on experimental design, data analysis, and translating research into industrial applications. Previously, she was an R&D Team Lead in battery materials recycling, developing recovery processes for secondary resources. She holds a PhD in Mining Engineering from Queen’s University, with research on selective metal extraction from complex ores. Her work has been published in journals and conferences, and she received the MetSoc Doctoral Scholarship in 2022. Through MetSoc EP, she promotes networking and women’s participation in metallurgy.

James is the lead hydrometallurgist and lead of analytical services at Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc. (KPM). His role consists of technical leadership of R&D projects and pilot plants, as well as coordinating the analytical services department to generate the data that supports all of the business units at KPM. He holds a PhD, MASc, and BaSc from the Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining at Queen’s University. His academic research was primarily focused on REE purification in aqueous solutions and gold extraction from refractory ores using biohydrometallurgical methods. A large portion of his focus at KPM has been on the processing of secondary resources, including REE magnets, lithium ion batteries, and other E-waste. James believes that all new chemical process designs need to be built with a focus on project economics, a deep understanding of the fundamental mechanisms being applied, and operational safety. He is looking forward to joining the Emerging Professional Program to get to know more professionals within the Canadian metallurgy community, exchange ideas with experts in the field, and contribute to the MetSoc programming that benefited him as a student and young engineer. When not working he spends his time in the outdoors kayaking, hiking, skiing, and spending time at the cottage.

Mohammadali (Mo) is a process engineer and materials scientist with R&D experience in hydrometallurgy, electrochemistry, and corrosion. He is motivated by the role of critical minerals and materials in industrial sustainability and is committed to advancing applied research, innovative processes, technologies, and engineering practices that support a more sustainable future. Mo has hands-on experience across both laboratory experimentation and pilot-scale implementation, contributing to improved process efficiency and environmental outcomes. He is particularly interested in the development and scale-up of technologies and processes that can address real-world industrial challenges. Through the Emerging Professionals program, Mo looks forward to building connections and collaborating with professionals and experts across the metallurgy and materials community, learning from shared experiences, and contributing to discussions, initiatives, and projects that help address current and future industry challenges. He is also passionate about supporting future generations in the field and giving back to the professional community through collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and experience.

Cyril Aulagnier : Project manager at Centre de Métallurgie du Québec

Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada

—————————

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

– Bachelor of Chemistry from UQAC, Chicoutimi, Canada

– M. Sc. in Metallurgy from Laval University, Québec, Canada

Main fields of R&D activities:

– High-Pressure Die Casting process and Low-Pressure Permanent Mould process of aluminum and low melting point alloys

– Filling, solidification and thermal steady-state simulation

– Die Casting thermography and cooling technologies knowledge

– Sand and permanent mould casting of aluminum and magnesium alloys

– Investment casting of High Entropy Alloys, Titanium, Zirconium, ferrous and non-ferrous alloys

Dr. Haofei Sun is a postdoctoral researcher in materials engineering, specializing in corrosion science and cathodic protection. He received his Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from University of Alberta in 2025. His research focuses on corrosion mechanisms and mitigation strategies in extreme environments, including high-temperature oxidation, molten salts, high-pressure supercritical CO₂ systems, and related harsh service conditions. He has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed journal and conference publications in the field of corrosion science and materials engineering, including more than 15 as first author. His work supports energy and infrastructure applications, with a focus on enhancing material durability and reliability.

Mohamed Houache is a Research Officer at the National Research Council of Canada specializing in electrochemical energy storage, electrocatalysis, and sustainable materials. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Ottawa and brings over nine years of experience in batteries, CO₂ electroreduction, and hydrogen production. His research bridges fundamental science with scalable clean energy solutions, including solid-state batteries, high-nickel cathode materials synthesis, and integrated electrochemical systems for energy conversion and storage. He has led and co-led multi-million-dollar collaborative projects across academia and industry. He is the author of more than 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and has presented at approximately 60 national and international conferences. His work has been recognized with the NRC High-Risk/High-Return Research Award, the CEI Rising Star Award (2024), and the Exceptional Effort Award (2025) from PIPSC. He is also engaged in community outreach and values family life with his three children.

Sarish Rehman is a Research Officer with the Materials Acceleration Platform (MAP) at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). Before joining NRC, she worked at McGill University and the University of Waterloo, focusing on energy storage technologies and the design, synthesis, and characterization of advanced materials. Her current research aims to accelerate materials discovery and optimization by integrating electrochemical experimentation, automation, and machine learning. Sarish leads and contributes to multidisciplinary projects that drive the development of sustainable energy materials. She is passionate about innovation and collaboration; she bridges experimental and data‑driven approaches to advance Canada’s clean energy and technology goals.

Sahand is a process engineer at Brokkr Mineral Resources Corp. in Vancouver, where he contributes to the development of low-waste and environmentally friendly bioleaching and chemical processing technologies for battery materials production. He holds a PhD in Materials Engineering from University of British Columbia, focusing on nickel extraction from laterite ore. He is passionate about advancing sustainable extraction processes, scaling up technologies, and applying innovative solutions to complex industrial challenges. Sahand has been actively involved with MetSoc since his PhD, including serving as President of the UBC Student Chapter, presenting papers at COM conferences, and receiving awards such as MetSoc Pyrometallurgy Graduate Scholarship (2021) and CIM Graduate Student Award (2016). He is eager to join the MetSoc EP Program to gain mentorship, connect with peers, and collaborate with industry leaders to drive sustainable solutions for the industrial challenges.

Aaron is a Metallurgical Engineer‑in‑Training with NexGen Energy, working on project development. His interest in a holistic view of mining was shaped during his final year at UBC, particularly through coursework in strategic mining issues and independent learning, including “Never Rest on Your Ores” by Dr. Keevil and the BRIMM Microcertificate in Economic Leadership in Mining. His professional interests revolve around hydrometallurgy and process improvements, and he aims to one day setup a copper pilot project in the garage to teach his daughter about his career. Aaron is excited for the opportunity to build connections and contribute as an emerging professional.

Jasdip Mann is a Project Metallurgist at Newmont, where he leads capital and metallurgical improvement initiatives at the Red Chris copper concentrator. A 2025 graduate of Queen’s University in Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering, he brings strong technical capability paired with a results‑driven, safety‑focused mindset. Alongside site-based work, Jasdip assists metallurgical consulting, supporting test work analysis and preliminary flowsheet development for early-stage greenfield projects. Jasdip has a growing interest in finance and sustainable practices within mining, process optimization, and the application of new technologies in mineral processing. He is excited to be part of the Emerging Professionals Program and is looking forward to engaging with the MetSoc community.

Amira Merchichi is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Sherbrooke, supporting research projects under the Chair on the Valorization of Asbestos Mining Residues. Prior to this role, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Her expertise lies in mineral processing and biohydrometallurgy, with a focus on the sustainable recovery of critical and strategic metals from primary ores, mining residues, and recycled materials. She holds a PhD in mining engineering from the École Nationale Polytechnique of Algiers, where she previously served as a faculty member in the Department of Mining Engineering. During this time, she developed and taught courses in mineral processing, mineral bioprocessing, and mining environmental management, while supervising undergraduate and postgraduate research projects. She values scientific communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentorship.

Camilo Martinez is a chemical engineer with specialized experience in pyrometallurgy, process development, and industrial operations. At Kingston Process Metallurgy, he served as a Jr. Project Leader in Pyrometallurgy, leading process development projects across base metals, ferroalloys, and precious metals extraction. He managed experimental lab and pilot-scale projects and supervised a multidisciplinary technical team. Currently, at Teck Resources, Camilo works as a Process Engineer in Training at the zinc electrolytic and melting plant, where he monitors process stability, recommends operational improvements, and leads investigations into process optimization of zinc electrowinning.

Golam Ismot Ara Taposhe is a Scientist at CanmetMATERIALS, Natural Resources Canada, in Hamilton, Ontario. She holds a PhD in Materials Engineering from the University of British Columbia. In her current role, she leads laboratoryand pilot-plant-scale investigations related to steelmaking and refining, aluminum refining, Fe-V extraction, and direct reduced iron (DRI) projects. Her work includes slag–metal interaction analysis, process modeling, electric arc furnace (EAF) reaction simulation, and the development of operating parameters. Her professional focus centers on practical, data driven solutions that bridge metallurgical fundamentals with deployable process technologies.

Dr. Hamed Asgari is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering and the Lockheed Martin Research Chair in Additive Manufacturing at the University of New Brunswick (UNB). He joined UNB in 2023, following research associate and postdoctoral positions at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Asgari’s research focuses on metal additive manufacturing, alloy design, and materials characterization. He has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed journal and conference publications in the fields of manufacturing and materials science. He has led and collaborated on major additive manufacturing projects with prominent aerospace, marine, and energy industry partners, including Safran Landing Systems, J.D. Irving, and Burloak Technologies. His current work explores the development and performance of novel 3D-printed titanium and copper alloys.

Lyndsay is currently a part of Hatch’s Hydrometallurgy practice and holds a Bachelors’ degree from the University of Ottawa in Chemical Engineering.

Lyndsay completed a student term in the potash industry, where she learned how growing populations increase demand for fertilizers to support food supply chains. Since joining Hatch, she has evolved her learnings from potash processes and chemistry into an interest in applying Direct Lithium Extraction technologies to unlock lithium from non-conventional resources to support the growing EV demand. Lyndsay looks forward to connecting with other engineers and metallurgists through the EP program to expand and exchange her metallurgy knowledge to tackle the world’s current and future challenges.

Ashish Pandey is a chemist and metallurgist with a specialized focus on hydrometallurgy and solvometallurgy. He is currently an Associate Research Officer at the National Research Council Canada, where he leads projects aimed at the sustainable extraction and recovery of critical battery metals from primary and secondary sources. Previously, at Sherritt Technologies, Ashish worked across multi-disciplinary teams to lead a significant pilot-scale project involving ammonia leach technology to optimize the recovery of battery-grade nickel and cobalt from mixed hydroxide precipitates. His experience includes designing and executing bench studies and pilot-scale experiments, collaborating with industry leaders, and advancing innovative hydrometallurgical processes. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. He is committed to advancing environmentally-friendly hydrometallurgical solutions and actively contributes to initiatives promoting clean energy innovation. Ashish is passionate about community engagement and enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, playing table tennis, and cricket.

Fariborz is the lead of hydrometallurgy at KPM-Technologies Inc. in Montreal, where he actively develops and delivers hydrometallurgical projects at lab and pilot scales. He holds a PhD from Queen’s University, specializing in resource recovery from primary and secondary resources. Fariborz is particularly passionate about gold and critical metals, especially energy-related elements, and prioritizes sustainability and efficiency in his process designs. He has been recognized with the MetSoc Sustainability Scholarship Award in 2022 and the MetSoc Doctoral Scholarship Award in 2021, reflecting his commitment to excellence and sustainability in the field. Fariborz is enthusiastic about making new connections, exchanging ideas, and trading skills with others. He believes that joining the Emerging Professional Program will provide a valuable platform to engage more effectively with the metallurgy community, interact with senior professionals, and influence younger generations. Driven by a passion for advancing hydrometallurgy, Fariborz looks forward to contributing to the field and achieving new milestones.

Sustainability has always been at the heart of what I do. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work on projects that tackle environmental challenges through innovation and collaboration. I developed MicroD, an app that helps detect and map microplastics, and launched Vapour Farm, a hydroponic venture that offered a water-efficient farming solution during the pandemic. During my undergraduate studies, I helped lead the “Net Zero College” initiative, aiming for carbon neutrality, and co-founded CAWID, a startup focused on Waste recycling and Climate Tech.

Now, at KPM Inc., I bring that same mindset to industrial projects and start-ups ,working on rare earth recycling, solvent extraction, and process improvements. As a MetSoc Emerging Professional, I’m excited to continue pushing sustainable engineering forward within the metallurgy and materials community.

I obtained my PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Ottawa in August 2024. After graduation, I joined the Battery Materials Innovation Team as a research associate at the National Research Council of Canada, leading several tasks under the Critical Battery Materials Initiative (CBMI) project on the development of advanced electrolyte materials for solid-state and beyond Li-ion battery systems. My goal is to inspire greater female representation in the battery community.