ASET Awards

The project set out to validate, through experimentation, the structural suitability of natural bamboo and polyurethane injected bamboo as eco-friendly and potentially cost effective alternatives to embedded steel reinforcement bars (rebar) to strengthen concrete.

Around the world, the rebar needed by construction industries is often produced from costly imported steel. However, many such regions have access to abundant and readily renewable resources such as bamboo. Knowing steel is stronger in compressive and tensile strength than bamboo, the team's goal was to establish what extent steel rebar trumps bamboo rebar in its physical properties, the cost effectiveness of bamboo and the tested variants.

Aside from social and environmental considerations, ecofriendly building materials such as bamboo can positively impact construction economics through significant cost savings or returns through programs such as LEEDS, increased material efficiencies, a reduced overall carbon footprint, a decreased dependence on imported steel, and less strain on non-renewable local resources.

Patty Podoborozny, currently the Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Bruderheim, is also the Past President of the Alberta Public Works Association, Director for the Canadian Public Works Association and Liaison Officer for the Alberta Emergency Management Agency. After graduating from NAIT's Survey Technology Program in 1986 she returned to NAIT to take Business Management. In 2015, she graduated from the University of Alberta with her National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administrative Level II.

As a young technologist, Patty realized her passion for the design and layout of infrastructure projects in a rural setting. Her advocacy for asset management and infrastructure led her to train and mentor public works professionals in emergency management. Patty has helped connect all levels of government with allocating resources during emergencies. Most recently, she reached out to First Nations communities to offer assistance with infrastructure maintenance training, and connected emergency responders to public works professionals across North America.

Throughout her career, Patty has mentored many young technologists to continue with formal training after receiving their C.E.T. or P.Tech. designations. She continues to promote women in technology and reaches out to young professional women to provide support and resources to help advance themselves to management positions. 

Enbridge Pipelines Inc. is a global energy infrastructure leader, with diversified and balanced natural gas and oil assets that provide integrated services and connectivity to key supply basins and demand markets. Enbridge transports, generates and distributes energy to fuel people's quality of life.

The Liquids Pipelines business unit operates the world's longest and most sophisticated crude oil and liquids transportation system, with approximately 17,000 miles (27,400 km) of active pipe. They deliver an average of 2.9 million barrels of crude oil each day through their Mainline and Express pipelines, and transport 25 per cent of the crude oil produced in North America.

Operating under the values of Safety, Integrity, and Respect, their number one priority is safety and operational reliability. Enbridge is an industry leader in pipeline safety results and innovation. Their Path to Zero safety principles demonstrate Enbridge's belief that all injuries, incidents, and occupational illnesses can be prevented, and that all operating exposures can be controlled.

Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) is a non-profit organization that has been provided resettlement and integration support to immigrants and refugees in Calgary and Southern Alberta for over 37 years.

Under four divisions (Business, Employment and Training Services; Resettlement and Integration; Community Development/Southern Alberta Rural Initiative; and Family and Children's Services), CCIS delivers a spectrum of customized programs and services designed to help newcomers, representing a diverse range of skill sets, educational and professional backgrounds, cultures and experiences, to overcome barriers to settlement and successfully integrate into our communities, our workplaces and Canadian society at large. These services are enriched by the support of government funders, local employers, community partners and dedicated volunteers.

CCIS is a recognized leader in the field of settlement and integration, and has been recognized locally, provincially and nationally for its innovative program design, commitment to community engagement, delivery of client-centred services and impactful best practices.

Born and raised in Iran, Negar Mackie first completed a B.Sc. in Condensed Matter Physics. She then left Iran to come to Canada in 2007, initially pursuing a career in physics, but found her passion in instrumentation and automation. Graduating from NAIT's Instrumentation Technology Program, Negar has worked in Alberta since 2010, becoming an ASET member in 2012.

Aside from the worlds of physics, instrumentation, and technology, Negar has always gathered a tremendous sense of fulfillment from helping others. Starting her volunteer work as a tutor in high school, she took every opportunity to continue volunteering throughout her career. As an ASET volunteer since 2014, Negar as served in a variety of roles, including Item Writer, File Reviewer, Subject Matter Expert, Steering Committee member for the instrumentation examination, and as a member of the Board of Examiners.

Negar describes working as a volunteer with ASET as a great opportunity, giving her valuable life experiences and skills, but also giving her the chance to meet an extremely interesting and diverse set of people along the way. Most importantly, Negar feels she has been able to make a difference.

Sabrina Pelley grew up in Spruce Grove and developed a passion for environmental science through summers spent outdoors at her family's cabin. She completed her education at Keyano College in Fort McMurray, where she now resides with her husband Gavin. For the last 11 years, she has worked in a variety of roles in environmental technology, including aquatics monitoring, groundwater sampling, soil salvage, and coordinating environmental teams. She is currently the Manager of Field Services with Suncor, where she oversees a large, multi-disciplinary team of engineering technologists.

Sabrina enjoys working with students and is passionate about sharing the opportunities of a career in the environmental technology field. In addition to her time as an ASET Mentor, she also volunteers with Careers - The Next Generation, and meets with high school students to share information about environmental careers. She is a yearly judge for the local school science fairs, and has worked as an advisor for Inside Education.

Peter Portlock's academic credentials include a Bachelor's degree in French and a Master's degree in Health Services Administration, both from the University of Alberta. A career personnel administration officer with the Canadian Forces, he left the military as a Major in 1980 to pursue his interest in health administration. Peter has served as Western Canada's first Patient Ombudsman, as well as CEO of numerous organizations such as the Canadian Diabetes Association (AB-NWT), the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society, and Swim Alberta.

Starting as a Public Member on the ASET Council in 2007, Peter has demonstrated his invaluable knowledge and expertise, now acting as Special Advisor to the Council. He is also the Association's representative to Technology Accreditation Canada, serving as its Board Chair, and has occupied numerous roles for other boards across Alberta. In addition, Peter works with the NYC-based Council on Accreditation as a peer reviewer and team leader, leading six to eight accreditation site visits of human services agencies across North America annually.