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

Hamed Asgari Moslehabadi

University of New Brunswick - Light Metals

(2025-2026 EP recipient)

Read Bio

Lyndsay Tran

Hatch - Light Metals

(2025-2026 EP recipient)

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Ashish Pandey

National Research Council Canada - Hydrometallurgy

(2025-2026 EP recipient)

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Fariborz Faraji

Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc. - Hydrometallurgy

(2025-2026 EP recipient)

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Arsath Kader

Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc. - Sustainability

(2025-2026 EP recipient)

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Shuo Yan

National Research Council of Canada - Materials

(2025-2026 EP recipient)

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Simrat Singh Bhutani

Hatch - Sustainability

(2024-2025 EP recipient)

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Konstantinos Korgiopoulos

Kingston Process Metallurgy - Light Metals

(2024-2025 EP recipient)

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Samim Mokhtar

Teck - Pyrometallurgy

(2024-2025 EP recipient)

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Payton Rossiter

Lycopodium - Mineral Processing

(2024-2025 EP recipient)

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Wendy Tian

Ausenco, Toronto office - Mineral Processing

(2024-2025 EP recipient)

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Omar Bashir Wani

Aramco - Sustainability

(2024-2025 EP recipient)

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Susanna Zhang

BBA Inc. - Pyrometallurgy

(2024-2025 EP recipient)

Read Bio

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

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.

Simrat has experience in production of low carbon and green hydrogen and ammonia projects across the world. He has supporting client’s sustainability objectives through various climate change and decarbonization related engagements including the compilation of GHG inventories and life cycle assessments (LCAs).

He has worked in the fertilizer industry and have practical experience in the process control, emission reduction and process improvement and worked on various projects based on energy audits, carbon pricing, hydrogen from biogas and green steel.

Konstantinos, a PhD graduate from McGill University in Materials Engineering, currently leads Kingston Process Metallurgy (KPM) Montreal Operations. In addition to his role at KPM, he is an active mentor at McGill Engine, guiding aspiring engineers and entrepreneurs. Before joining KPM, Konstantinos founded a startup focused on accelerated light alloys development through machine learning. During his doctoral studies, he specialized in designing magnesium casting alloys for automotive applications and led industrial projects as a consultant in the same field. With a rich background spanning academia, entrepreneurship, and industry, Konstantinos brings a unique blend of expertise to his work. He is driven by a passion for innovation and is dedicated to bringing cutting-edge technologies and solutions to the market.

Samim is a process engineer at Teck and is currently working at their zinc and lead smelting and refining complex. He has been instrumental in driving several initiatives to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, productivity, and safety of the site’s unit operations. With an extensive background in various metallurgical processes, Samim’s experience spans water treatment, roasting, resin-in-leach gold recovery, zinc purification, electrowinning, and cadmium distillation.

His recent focus has pivoted to non-ferrous pyrometallurgy and optimizing operations with the KIVCET furnace, providing an excellent opportunity to witness the implementation of new technologies and observe their outcomes firsthand. For instance, Samim is leveraging advancements in data analytics and machine learning to analyze large amounts of process data to support strategic decision-making. Samim eagerly looks forward to participating in the emerging professional program, building meaningful connections, and exchanging innovative ideas with fellow professionals.

Payton is an engineer-in-training with three years of experience in mineral and metallurgical processing. She graduated from Queen’s University with a BASc in Chemical Engineering, earning first class honours. Her career experience has included working in R&D relating to lithium-ion battery resource recovery, and conducting process and project engineering work on a variety of other projects within the minerals and metals industry. She has taken an interest in becoming more involved in her field by attending industry events such as the Southern Ontario CMP AGM and the International Process Metallurgy Symposium at Aalto University, and is excited to further compliment her career development by participating in the EP Program.

Wendy (Xinyi) Tian, holding degrees from UBC and University of Toronto, is a dynamic engineer with a focus on the sustainability of mineral processing. As part of the winning team of Crush It! Challenge, she worked on the microwave applications in mineral processing for energy efficiency. Now a process engineer at Ausenco, Wendy specializes in layout design and feasibility studies. Her commitment to innovation and sustainability drives her to optimize processes for maximum efficiency, both professionally and in her community endeavors.

Omar Wani is a Senior Scientist at Aramco. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto and is a registered Professional Engineer in Canada. At Aramco, his work involves supporting operations, advancing water treatment technologies, and extraction of critical minerals. Prior to joining Aramco, Dr. Wani was part of Vale’s Technology and Innovation Center in Ontario, Canada, where he led and supported projects on process flowsheet development, mineral carbon sequestration, black mass processing, lithium recovery, and technology scale-up, while also providing technical expertise to Vale’s global operations. Earlier in his career, he served as a researcher at the University of Alberta, where his work focused on decarbonization strategies for the mining sector, extraction of base metals from complex ores, processing of low-grade ultramafic resources, and hydrogen production through natural gas pyrolysis. His career reflects a strong commitment to sustainability, innovation, and the practical application of scientific research in industrial settings.

Meet Susanna, an Extractive Metallurgical Consultant at BBA Inc. in Toronto. With a Bachelor of Engineering Chemistry from Queen’s University, she excels in base metals support, from laboratory and market analysis to mining and processing. Notably, she presented a green flowsheet at COM2022 and contributed to several publications and business development initiatives, showcasing her innovation and communication skills. Susanna now focuses on pyrometallurgy. Her journey, from eco-advocacy since middle school to leading and experiencing unexpected blessings such as rebooting QueensU MetSoc chapter, underscores her commitment to sustainability and resilience. Grateful and eager to contribute, she joins the emerging professional program for the upcoming COM sessions.