Green Division

Hello! My name is Marissa Clapson. I am an Assistant Professor at the University of Prince Edward Island, current Chair of the CIC Green Division, and Vice Chair of the CIC Pride Membership Resource Group. Research in the Clapson group focuses on the development of base metal (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) catalysts for the transformation of small molecules (CO2, NOx, etc.) to value added products, providing less expensive, safer, and more efficient alternatives to current precious metal systems. We leverage methods such as systems thinking, _two-eyed seeing_, and life cycle analysis to assess green metrics within each project, providing measurable comparisons to current processes. Additional to our chemistry research, we develop gamified activities to teach undergraduate chemistry content, expanding on work established by my company ChemEscape Consulting Inc. I am deeply passionate about sustainability in chemistry and the workplace. I believe that sustainability, EDI-AR, and green chemistry go hand-in-hand and allow us to create a better global future. I am grateful to have the opportunity to represent Canadian chemists and engineers in their journey towards a more sustainable future.

Chris Kozak is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Memorial University of Newfoundland. He is a member of the Department’s Green Chemistry and Catalysis Group and his research concerns catalysis with Earth-abundant metals for polymerization catalysis. He is also Chair of the CIC Newfoundland and Labrador Local Section. He is excited to be contributing to the leadership of the Green Chemistry Division of the CIC and promoting green and sustainable chemistry as the framework by which all chemistry is performed.

Dr. Thomas Auvray is an assistant professor in Physical Chemistry of Materials at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières since November 2024, developing a research program focused on sustainable development of materials for energy and renewable resources management. He obtained his B.Sc. (2012) and M.Sc. (2014) in Chemistry from Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI, France). He then moved to Canada where he obtained his Ph.D. in 2020, working with Prof. Garry S. Hanan at the Université de Montréal on the development of supramolecular systems for artificial photosynthesis.

After a year as postdoctoral research associate at the University of Rochester (NY, US) , he joined McGill University as a Fonds de Recherche du Québec – Nature et Technologie postdoctoral fellow (2021-2022) working with Prof. Tomislav Friščić on the use of mechanochemistry for the synthesis of coordination compounds and sustainable methods for metal purification. He moved with the Friščić group in 2022 to the School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham (UK) as senior research fellow. His engagement towards sustainability and outreach was recognised through the Nina McClelland memorial award from the ACS Green Chemistry Institute in 2024 and he joined the CIC Green division to further contribute to the development of these topics.

Greg Bannard is an instructional designer and science communicator who believes the future of chemistry lies in interdisciplinary, accessible, and sustainable research and education. With a background in materials chemistry, she now designs problem-based and gamified learning experiences as an Instructional Designer at Stemble Learning Inc., including interactive symposia at the Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition (CSC). Through the CIC Green Division, she advocates for more accessible, sustainable chemistry, and is especially interested in mentoring the next generation of symposium organizers. (Interested? Reach out!)

Kevin De France joined Queen’s University as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering in May 2022. He is the recipient of the 2024 Queen’s University Undergraduate Research Mentorship Award for his efforts in encouraging and mentoring undergraduate scholars. His research focuses on the design of sustainable materials using building blocks from cellulose and proteins. Prior to his appointment at Queen’s, Kevin was an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow in The Cellulose & Wood Materials Lab at Empa – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science & Technology. Kevin earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from McMaster University (2019), under the supervision of Dr. Todd Hoare and Dr. Emily Cranston. He was awarded the Technical Association of the Pulp & Paper Industry (TAPPI) Nano Division Student Award in 2019 to recognize his research contributions and outstanding service to the Division.

Kylie Luska is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto. His passion for chemical education stems from providing students with classroom and laboratory resources to develop the skills and tools that are needed for them to be successful upon graduation. Kylie believes that incorporating the practices of green and sustainable chemistry into the undergraduate curriculum will provide students with the capabilities required to solve the challenges facing our society.  In particular, he has focused on the development of course and lab resources for organic chemistry courses, as well as being involved at McMaster University in the development of Canada’s first undergraduate degree program in Sustainable chemistry. He is very excited to see the creation of the Green Chemistry Division at the CIC and is looking forward to working towards a future in which sustainable chemistry is not a stand-alone subject, but an attitude by which all chemists approach their work.

Barb Morra is an Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto. Barb’s passion for chemistry and teaching translates into her pedagogical research and curriculum development initiatives which have resulted in a suite of research-based laboratory experiments, activities, and technological tools that help undergraduate students connect chemistry with research and applications. Barb’s interest in green and sustainable principles has led her to transform chemistry education within her department through a variety of initiatives that have been recognized through the Green Chemistry Commitment program. Her role within several international green chemistry programs has allowed her to foster a green chemistry education community that empowers global educators to make meaningful changes in their teaching. Examples include her roles as an assessment consultant for the Green & Sustainable Chemistry Education Module Development Project, curriculum developer for the Toxicology for Chemists Program, and advisory committee for the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community online hub (join now!). Barb is excited to play a part in the very exciting new Green Chemistry Division of the CIC to foster change in the way chemistry is taught and practiced in Canada.

Emma Davy is a Research Scientist at Carbon Engineering ULC and a former Science Education Specialist and Honorary Lecturer at the University of British Columbia. Emma’s background is in organometallic and physical organic chemistry having earned her PhD at the University of Victoria and time as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Ottawa. From 2016-2024, Emma worked in chemical education as a teaching post-doctoral fellow and faculty member at Quest University Canada, as a sessional instructor at Thompson Rivers University and the University of Victoria, and high school educator. Since making the move to industry, Emma has been excited to use her knowledge of chemistry to contribute to solving the climate crisis. Outside of work, Emma is a trail and road runner, climber, mountain biker, and knitter with a passion for music, cooking, watching sports, and podcasts.

Rooted in a deep love of environmental sustainability and ecology I hold an undergraduate and master’s degree in environmental resource management and am currently completing a PhD in Environmental Engineering. I’m not a chemist or even a chemical engineer, but rather someone whose research focuses on using green chemistry to create new sustainable technologies.  I have over 14 years of experience working for mission-driven organizations in development, industry partnerships, fundraising, and capacity building, with the past 5 years spent directly managing Faculty Development at the University of Ottawa’s Faculties of Science and Engineering.  Much of my work focused on environmental sustainability, policy, and inclusive science education. My education and practical experience span multiple spheres, including science, social science, and political spaces, and I deeply enjoying bringing STEM knowledge to political and policy spaces, and political knowledge to STEM spaces.

Michelle recently completed her Ph.D. in Chemistry at Concordia University under the supervision of Prof. Rafik Naccache, where she worked on the synthesis of carbon-based heterogeneous catalysts for biodiesel production. Her interest in Green Chemistry and sustainability began during her undergraduate studies and continued throughout her academic career, as she recognized the potential of sustainable materials and greener processes to contribute to a more environmentally responsible future.

These experiences sparked in her a desire to make a broader contribution beyond the laboratory bench, which led her to Beyond Benign. She started at Beyond Benign as a Green Chemistry Connections Ambassador and now serves as Program Manager for the Green Chemistry Commitment. In this role, she supports institutions and faculty working to integrate Green Chemistry into chemistry curricula.

Hayley is a chemical engineer, and Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Victoria. Her research focuses on optimizing alginate extraction for bioplastic applications and evaluating kelp as a sustainable feedstock, including how species and growth conditions influence alginate yield, quality, and material performance. She is motivated by the challenge of reducing chemical hazard, waste, and energy use while still achieving the performance and reliability needed for real world deployment. She has also worked on developing safer chemical alternatives to control biofouling in water treatment systems.

Alongside her research, Hayley is a Sessional Lecturer in the Industrial Ecology program, where she has taught graduate level material in Green Chemistry, Industrial Symbiosis, and Toxicology. She also brings industry experience from roles at Ecolab and Apple, spanning process optimization, water treatment, safer chemistry, and chemical management.

Julia Pitsiaeli is a Chemical Biology undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver. She is also an undergraduate researcher in the Nichols Group at UBC, who focus on CO2 reduction catalysis, in pursuit of greener methods to access carbon-based products. In particular, Julia has completed an honours undergraduate thesis focusing on mechanochemical porphyrin synthesis, and her current work continues to be inspired by the goal of improved chemical sustainability. Julia is particularly motivated by the intersections between scientific disciplines, and how they can be used together to solve problems, especially within chemical sustainability. She has seen the importance of discipline intersectionality through Co-Op positions working in base metal catalyst chemical engineering at Aether Catalyst Solutions, and the intersection between radiology, biology and chemistry working in medicinal chemistry at Bayer AG in Germany. 

Julia has also served as a member of a team organizing the Waving the Green Flag symposium in 2024, where she developed an interest in the intersectionality between Chemistry Education, Green Chemistry and Catalysis. Julia hopes to be able to continue to advocate for education and implementation of green chemical practices and is excited for the opportunity to work with the other Green Division board members to further these common goals.

Georgia Douglas is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Victoria, supervised by Prof. Heather Buckley. Her graduate research focuses on the development of an accessible arsenic sensor for drinking water based on an abundant biopolymer. Her interest in green chemistry began during her undergraduate degree at McGill University, where she conducted research on novel water-splitting catalysts made through mechanochemistry under the supervision of Prof. Audrey Moores and Prof. Tomislav Friščić. Georgia is actively involved in bringing a greater focus on green chemistry into her department. After attending the ACS Green Chemistry Summer School in 2023, she championed the University of Victoria’s signing of the Green Chemistry Commitment. Outside of research, she is also passionate about green chemistry education and works as a teaching assistant to design new experiments aimed at introducing green chemistry into the undergraduate curriculum. Georgia is excited to be joining the Green Division and is looking forward to working alongside the rest of the division to further the growth of green and sustainable chemistry across Canada.