Suzelle Barrington, an engineer from Howick, has just been honoured for her exceptional work and her many years of service in her profession. At a ceremony held recently in Winnipeg (Manitoba), she was inducted into The Canadian Academy of Engineering; leadership in engineering advice in Canada.
This great honour is further recognition for Suzelle Barrington who was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal in 2012 for her contribution to the advancement of engineering in Canada. As a professor of Environmental Engineering at McGill University, she developed design criteria for earthen wastewater storage facilities and odour dispersing natural windbreaks that are used worldwide.
From 2010 to 2014, Suzelle Barrington held the position of Research Chair at the Université européenne de Bretagne. During this time, she guided and coordinated the research efforts of four organizations in Brittany and France by introducing new concepts in organic waste management. Barrington also created international business opportunities for a variety of Canadian companies.
A model
Originally from Moose Creek (Ontario) 35 km north of Cornwall and a resident of Howick for 42 years, Suzelle Barrington became an engineer at a time when only 1% of women worked in the profession. In 1985, she was one of the first three women in Québec to teach engineering at university. As a university professor, the Haut-Saint-Laurent professional has published over 500 scientific articles including 145 in journals with a review committee.
Barrington has always made an effort to be a model for her students several of whom have become specialists at an international level. She has held a number of significant positions in her profession, notably as Chair of the Qualifications Board at Engineers Canada. Suzelle Barrington is also on the board of directors of the Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation and the Canadian Society for Bioengineering.
« It’s a great honour to be counted among the « Fellows » at the Academy, who are nominated by their peers and who work in close collaboration with other Canadian engineering associations , » she told to the Journal.
The Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE) is an independent, autonomous and non profit organization which was founded in 1987 for the purpose of providing the country with expertise on any engineering related issues.
Translated by Cathleen Johnston
