Sponsored by the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of British Columbia, GLAB Reactor and Fluidization Technologies Inc. 
This award is presented to a person who, as a Canadian citizen or an individual working in Canada, has made an exceptional contribution to chemical engineering, particularly in the fields of particle technology, clean energy, greenhouse gas mitigation, and novel applications that enhance quality of life.
Nomination deadline for the 2027 CSChE Awards is Aug. 1, 2026, in preparation for the 2027 CSChE conference occurring in May 2027.
View the Terms of Reference and list of Past Winners
The 2026 winner of the John R. Grace Award is:
Nashaat N. Nassar, MCIC
University of Calgary
Dr. Nashaat N. Nassar is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Calgary. He holds the Schulich Industry Research Chair in Nanotechnology for Energy and Environmental Applications. His research bridges fundamental science and industrial implementation, with a strong focus on nanomaterials, interface science, and functional materials. In particular, his work advances the understanding of intermolecular and surface interactions in soft materials and engineering processes. Dr. Nassar is internationally recognized for pioneering nanomaterial-based technologies, advancing the design, synthesis, and interfacial behavior of functional nanomaterials, especially naturally derived and hybrid nanoparticles, to address critical challenges in carbon capture, natural gas treatment and processing, flow assurance, heavy oil upgrading and recovery, oil spill remediation, industrial wastewater and tailings treatment, enhancement of cementitious materials, and mineral extraction. By linking nanoscale transport phenomena and surface chemistry to macroscale process performance, his research has enabled low-energy, cost-effective, and industrially scalable solutions.
He has authored over 150 peer-reviewed journal articles, delivered more than 200 technical presentations, co-authored two books, filed ten U.S. patents, and founded four technology startups that translate nanomaterials research into industrial practice. His contributions have been recognized with numerous awards and prizes, including the APEGA Early Accomplishment Award, the ASTech Award for Environmental Innovation in Energy: Academia and the ASTech Award for Sustainability Solutions and Cleantech. Dr. Nassar has led major industry–academic collaborations and is deeply committed to mentoring highly qualified personnel, having supervised or co-supervised over 150 HQP who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry.