From a young age, Mia Abdulla was curious about how things worked and why they were made the way they were. That drew her to engineering, a field that offers many opportunities. As she explored different paths within it, she was fascinated by how much the world depends on understanding what things are made of and how they perform. From bridges to 3D-printed parts, so many innovations rely on the science of materials.
“I once met a materials engineer who told me there isn’t a single field where engineering skills aren’t needed or appreciated, and that stuck with me,” she says. “I’ve always loved learning and problem-solving, so the idea of having skills that could apply across industries appealed to me.”
With this motivation, she chose to study materials engineering at the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta (CME at U of A). “I knew that the University of Alberta had a strong reputation in materials engineering, with faculty who are leaders in the field,” she says. “I felt confident that I’d not only study topics I was passionate about, but that I’d learn them from professors doing cutting-edge research.”
The Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering’s unique research matrix links six core disciplines with four societal applications, ensuring every project blends scientific rigour with real-world relevance. Source: University of Alberta
Advancing real-world impact through engineering research
For over 74 years, the CME at U of A has been a hub for research and innovation in North America. With more than 60 professors and principal investigators, the department works closely with students to address some of the world’s most urgent challenges in chemical and materials engineering.
This commitment to impact is reflected in how CME structures its research. Here, deep science meets real-world needs, guided by a matrix that connects six core disciplines with four key societal application areas.
This approach ensures that each project is both academically rigorous and practically relevant. Areas of specialisation include reaction engineering and catalysis, surface and interfacial science, thermodynamics, process control and systems engineering, automation, safety & risk management, materials and mineral processing, nanomaterials and nanofabrication, and biochemical and biomedical engineering. Whether tackling energy transitions or developing new biomaterials, researchers are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Abdulla is one of them. After completing her undergraduate programme, Abdulla stayed to pursue an MSc in Materials Engineering.
She’s now working on a project that could transform how Alberta’s oil and gas sector handles part replacement and maintenance. She seeks to show that metal 3D printing can create custom parts on demand. “One of the biggest issues is part procurement; either the part you need isn’t available, or it takes too long and costs too much to get it,” she says. “My research focuses on proving that additive manufacturing can offer a faster, more flexible alternative by producing custom, qualified parts on demand.”
Though industry-focused, her project is built on core engineering principles. To prove that 3D printing is a good substitute for traditional methods like casting or forging, she runs tests to see how strong, hard, and brittle the 3D-printed materials are.
“Now I apply engineering design and materials science to understand why these properties appear in printed parts and how to meet industry standards,” Abdulla says. “It’s exciting to use what we learned in class to solve real-world problems.”
These kinds of projects are supported by some of the country’s top research facilities, including the Centre for Energy and Mineral Processing (CEMP), Canadian Centre for Welding and Joining (CCWJ), and Institute for Oil Sands Innovation (IOSI). Each lab gives students and researchers space to explore complex problems using industry-grade tools.
To Andrew Manderson, an MEng graduate whose work centres on metallurgy and welding, these labs bring textbook concepts to life. “Being able to try various welding methods hands-on, and witnessing the development of industry practices for handheld laser beam welding and additive manufacturing, was just awesome,“ he says.
Whether a student’s passion lies in clean energy, healthcare, AI, or sustainable materials, CME programmes equip them to transform discoveries into global solutions. Source: University of Alberta
Collaboration meets real-world impact
CME at U of A’s research matrix thrives on collaboration. With more than 260 graduate students and 50 faculty experts, the department creates a natural environment for teamwork. These connections happen in many ways — group discussions, research projects, and even casual Q&A sessions. On any given day, there are always new and different views to be gained from peers and mentors.
“My project has been greatly enriched by ongoing discussions with faculty, industry experts, and peers, especially through conferences across North America,” Abdulla says. “These conversations have helped shape my perspective, refine our direction, and highlight the broader relevance of our work.”
Beyond dialogue, the department’s research matrix ensures students are work-ready. Manderson, who came in with job experience, says every class made things click. “I’d be taught theory and applications that would have solved any of a multitude of real-world problems I had come across in my career,” he says.
He never expected to value Materials Thermodynamics so deeply or to see how the quantum realm could enhance additive manufacturing, high-entropy alloys, and all chemical processing. “The programme gave me so much more than I could have expected, and I enjoyed every bit of it,” Manderson says.
Passionate about clean energy, healthcare, AI, or sustainable materials? At CME at U of A, you can turn discoveries into global solutions. Learn more here.
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