New academic year brings new profs to the classroom

This year, we welcome several new professors, who bring unique expertise and experiences. Here’s a closer look at five of them and the reasons they chose uOttawa.

Joseph Moran was a professor at the Institute of Supramolecular Science and Engineering at the University of Strasbourg in France, where he worked alongside Nobel laureates in chemistry. Now teaching Organic Chemistry II, Bioinorganic Chemistry and a graduate-level course in organic chemistry, Moran is eager to take on new challenges at uOttawa.

“The Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences is one of the best in Canada, and its commitment to bilingual education is truly unique. Returning to Ottawa, where my family is rooted, feels like a homecoming after 14 years,” Moran says.

Moran’s research spans a range of interests in chemistry, including exploring the origins of life and developing methods for synthesizing organic molecules. After spending the past 12 years building a scientific network in Europe, he looks forward to doing the same in North America. Outside the lab, he enjoys music and acting, often reminiscing about his student days when he was part of rock bands, as well as the Orpheus Musical Theatre Society.

Sommer Christie, a seasoned expert in mental performance consulting, has deep connections to uOttawa, having completed her Master of Human Kinetics and begun her PhD here. Her academic journey includes postdoctoral studies at the Neurosurgical Simulation and Artificial Intelligence Learning Centre at McGill University, alongside part-time teaching positions at both McGill University and uOttawa. She has assisted many athletes, notably at the Paralympic Games in Paris, as well as at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.  

“I chose uOttawa because it offers the best applied program in Canada for mental performance consulting, a field I am deeply passionate about. This is an opportunity to teach and research in a field that I love and in a program that has an excellent legacy of great professors,” says Christie.

Her research focuses on psychophysiology, mental performance and culture in high-performance sport, with particular emphasis on safe sport practices and para-sport. Outside of academia, Christie is passionate about rugby (she was a national team athlete with Rugby Canada) and motorcycle riding, reflecting her dynamic spirit.

Charles Brunette, who previously held an NSERC postdoctoral fellowship at Carleton University, is now teaching various geography courses at uOttawa. He’s particularly excited about engaging students in hands-on field research. With two colleagues, he’ll take students to a lake north of Ottawa-Gatineau for a full week of experiential learning in physical geography, human geography and environmental studies.

“The Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics is a perfect fit for my research interests, particularly in northern regions and the cryosphere. The supportive academic environment and the interdisciplinary approach here are exactly what I was looking for,” Brunette says.

Brunette studies the dynamics of sea ice and the Arctic Ocean, with a focus on the effects of anthropogenic climate change. He also looks forward to exploring the potential of Ottawa as a seasonally cold capital for conducting local cryophysics projects and sharing some of his research on sea ice in the Arctic Ocean with students. Outside of work, you might see him at the Montpetit Hall swimming pool, where he plans to enjoy his favourite sport. 

Lei Cao was previously a research associate at the Douglas Research Centre in Montreal. Her research delves into the effects of environmental stressors on developmental trajectories, particularly into the significant effects of stress induced by natural disasters on vulnerable groups.

“My decision to join uOttawa was driven by the University’s strong commitment to fostering a dynamic research environment and academic excellence. The bilingual support and the vibrant academic community here made it an ideal choice for my professional growth. I am particularly looking forward to contributing to the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) and mental health fields. I am also eager to engage with students and colleagues to explore new ideas and perspectives that advance our field,” Cao says

Outside of academia, Cao enjoys reading and cooking, hobbies that complement her scholarly pursuits.

Sara Magdouli is an expert in environmental engineering. Before coming to uOttawa, Magdouli worked at BluMetric Environmental Inc. From 2021 to 2024, she also held associate professorships at several universities in Quebec and Canada, including York University and the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue.

At uOttawa, Magdouli is excited to bring her multidisciplinary expertise to the classroom and research lab. Her research focuses on developing and implementing environmental biotechnologies to treat and remediate emerging contaminants in the environment. She’s particularly interested in mining biogeochemistry and enhancing residues for metal recovery and creation of value-added products.

“What attracted me to uOttawa was the opportunity to engage in multidisciplinary research and teaching. I’m looking forward to transferring my expertise to the next generation of engineers while drawing on both my academic and professional experience,” Magdouli says. Magdouli is passionate about the intersection of environmental science and engineering, and she’s eager to inspire students to explore innovative solutions to environmental challenges.

These new professors bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the University, enriching the academic environment and offering students fresh perspectives on their fields. As they settle into their new roles, they will undoubtedly shape the future of the campus community.