Provincial Engineering & Geoscience Week

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 3 MARCH 1–7, 2020 PROVINCIAL ENGINEERING & GEOSCIENCE WEEK SPECIAL SECTION EngGeoMB.ca/Centennial CELEBRATING 100 YEARS IN 2020 Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba is a collaboration of proud and talented professionals, working to protect and enhance the integrity of our built and natural environments. MY LIFE'S WORK MAKES LIFE WORK BETTER. NFI Group is the leading independent global bus manufacturer. We design and manufacture vehicles that safely move millions of people every day all over the world. Join our dedicated team as we lead the future of mobility with innovative and sustainable transportation solutions. Explore our engineering graduate and co-op opportunities: nigroup.com/careers • Les Wardrop was an engineering pioneer and the principle founding partner of W.L. Wardrop & Associates, one of Canada's pre-eminent engineering consulting firms for more than a half- century. A professional engineer with degrees from the University of Manitoba in electrical engineering in 1939 and civil engineering in 1947, one of his company's first assignments was the 750-acre residential development in Windsor Park. Other landmark projects from W.L. Wardrop include the Portage Avenue overpass at Polo Park, the Pembina-Jubilee interchange, Bishop Grandin Boulevard, the Provencher Bridge, the servicing of Winnipeg Beach and the Pinawa town site. • As one of the first female engineers registered to practice in Manitoba, Judith Weiszmann was a trailblazer. Breaking into a male-dominated field in the middle of the 20th century meant her expertise, background and judgment were put under a much stronger microscope than her male colleagues. She went on to a successful 40-year career as a structural engineer during which she completed more than 450 projects involving industrial, commercial, municipal and residential buildings. She also provided expert engineering opinions to the construction industry, the legal profession and to the courts. • Thanks to Leonard Bateman's work in developing and expanding Manitoba's electrical grid as a hydro-based system, you may never look at a light switch the same way ever again. During a career that started in 1942 and spanned more than 70 years, he focused on high voltage direct current electricity transmission. He worked for Winnipeg Hydro and was one of five new directors at the newly-created Manitoba Hydro in 1961. Eleven years later, he was appointed chairman and chief executive officer. He represented Manitoba Hydro on trade missions to China and Russia and helped secure funds to finance the province's hydro construction program. • If you are enjoying a full night's rest after months or years of tossing and turning, you might want to send Dr. Zahra Moussavi a thank you card. An expert in biomedical research, she has applied her electronic engineering skills to detect Obstructive Sleep Apnea by recording a few minutes of breathing sounds while you're awake and then analyzing the data. One of her current passions is the early detection and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. For the last six years, she has offered an eight-week memory program including games for testing and exercising the brain for seniors and people with dementia. • Dr. Digvir Jayas isn't a journalist, but he sure acts like one. He has authored or co-authored more than 900 articles in scientific journals, conference proceedings and books dealing with storing, drying, handling and quality monitoring of grains. He established the Canadian Wheat Board Centre for Grain Storage Research at the University of Manitoba and his research has attracted more than $27 million in funding. His work has had a significant impact on the development of efficient grain storage, handling and drying systems in Canada, the U.S., China, India and Ukraine. • Chris Bzovey might not have had an impact on your life yet, but give him time. Less than four years after completing his master's degree in biomedical engineering, he has already implemented a variety of medical equipment and system replacement projects at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. At the same time, he has continued to develop the surgical instruments repair portfolio. His goal is to become a leader in health-care technology management and to grow the clinical engineering profession in Canada. • Alexandra Hoy didn't really know what engineers did when she applied to the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba. She had always been a strong student in math and science and enjoyed art, so when she discovered becoming an engineer could marry all three together, she took a chance and applied. Ultimately, she chose civil engineering with a specialty in roads. She focuses on what we need out of our roadways and then sets out to design something that can not only handle the millions of automobile tires running over it throughout the year but also extreme hot and cold temperatures. When was the last time you felt the need to thank an engineer? Because the scope of their work is so varied, engineers don't readily spring to mind when you get behind the wheel of your vehicle to drive to work, sit down to eat a meal, visit the doctor or pick up your mobile device. OK, maybe you'd appreciate an engineer's work with a cell phone but more often than not, their work goes under-appreciated. Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba would like to change that. Throughout 2020, the Association plans to highlight how engineering has made life better for Manitobans as it celebrates its centennial. Recognition is to be given to the individuals that changed the history of Manitoba through considerable achievements and innovative thinking. Engineers make our lives better Meet a few of Manitoba's engineering trailblazers:

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