TMU President and Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Lachemi has been recognized with the Ontario Professional Engineers Awards (OPEA) Gold Medal.
TMU President and Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Lachemi will be presented with the Ontario Professional Engineers Awards (OPEA) Gold Medal at an event in November.
It is the highest honour bestowed by the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers.
The award was announced on May 14 and will be presented at a gala event in November.
The recognition honours individuals who demonstrate a conscientious commitment to public service, technical excellence and outstanding professional leadership, and whose contributions have made a lasting impact on both the engineering profession and society.
In bestowing him with the honour, Sandro Perruzza, CEO of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, said, "Mohamed Lachemi has made a wide and lasting impact as a leader in engineering research, education, and public service."
"He has helped infrastructure become more sustainable, strengthened the engineering profession and contributed meaningfully to society, making him highly deserving of the Professional Engineers Gold Medal."
Sri Krishnan, dean of TMU's Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science, who nominated Lachemi for the award, also noted, "Mohamed Lachemi's numerous research contributions and pioneering feats have helped advance construction technologies and systems around the world. Our faculty celebrates his success and his ongoing work to create a more sustainable industry."
"It is an honour to receive this recognition," said Lachemi.
"Engineering has the power to strengthen communities and improve lives, and I am grateful to have spent my career contributing to research, innovation and education alongside outstanding students, colleagues and collaborators," he continued.
Advancing sustainable concrete research
A globally recognized leader in sustainable concrete research, Lachemi has spent more than 30 years advancing ultra-high-performance and smart building materials that address pressing infrastructure and climate challenges.
Lachemi is widely known for his work with engineered cementitious composites (ECC), an advanced material with tensile ductility (referring to the ability to undergo significant deformation before breaking), approximately 100 times greater than conventional concrete.
Groundbreaking 'fresh-to-fresh' method
Building on early developments in the field, Lachemi has played a key role in advancing ECC's practical applications and expanding its potential, especially with regard to sustainability.
Traditionally, the material required higher cement content, resulting in greater carbon emissions.
Lachemi developed a "fresh-to-fresh" method to replace cement entirely by using geopolymer composites (more sustainable, lower-carbon alternatives to conventional concrete) made from 100 per cent construction and demolition waste. This reduces the environmental impact and reuses materials that would otherwise contribute to pollution.
It also maintains affordability, making it more viable for large-scale infrastructure projects.
Developing smart materials
He has also made a major impact on the field of smart materials technology by developing materials capable of detecting damage, repairing cracks and storing energy.
Lachemi was awarded the ACI Wason Medal for Materials Research for his accelerated, practical method for evaluating concrete resistance to chemical attack.
His innovations have been applied worldwide, from bridge construction to 3D-printed structures. He has published hundreds of research papers, and his widely cited and recognized work has attracted significant research funding.
Global impact
Lachemi's innovations have been applied globally. For instance, following his contribution to the design of a bridge in Sherbrooke, Que., -- the world's first structure made from reactive powder concrete -- the material has since been used in projects across the U.S., France and China, as well as in applications such as nuclear waste containment in Europe.
More recently, he collaborated on the 3D printing of ECC using locally sourced waste materials in Türkiye.
Leadership and service
In addition to his research achievements, Lachemi has made significant contributions to the engineering profession through leadership, mentorship and advocacy.
At TMU, he has played a central role in strengthening engineering education and research.
As president of the university, and previously as dean of engineering and architectural science, Lachemi has strengthened TMU's research and education capacity while providing more dedicated resources for engineering researchers and students.
He has mentored more than 100 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows through supervision and thesis committees, fostering a diverse community of highly skilled researchers and future engineering professionals.
"Mentorship has been one of the most meaningful aspects of my career," said Lachemi.
"Supporting students and emerging researchers as they develop their ideas, confidence and leadership has been incredibly rewarding, and I am proud to see so many of them making important contributions in engineering and beyond."
He has also forged partnerships that give engineering students opportunities for experiential learning, including collaborations with industry partners in electrical (Hydro One) and aerospace engineering (SOTI).
Impact on TMU community and beyond
Lachemi's service extends beyond academia into broader community impact.
Lachemi has contributed his expertise through board roles with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority and Rogers Communications, supporting infrastructure development and national connectivity.
He has also contributed greatly to various organizations, including Universities Canada, the Council of Ontario Universities, the World University Service of Canada and OneEleven Scaleup Innovation Hub, advancing global access to education and innovation ecosystems in Canada.
He is also a recipient of the Order of Ontario, a fellow of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineering, a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and a member of the Professional Engineers Ontario and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers.
Fluent in English, Arabic and French, Lachemi has delivered over 80 keynote addresses and presentations worldwide and participates in international collaborations that amplify the global reach of his work.
