Dr. Marianna Kontopoulou, a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, has been re-appointed Associate Dean (Academic) in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. Kontopoulou’s appointment is effective July 1, 2023 until June 30, 2028.
Students are attracted to Queen’s from all over the world to receive excellent engineering education. As detailed in the Queen’s Engineering Strategic Plan, Driving Curiosity Forward, the Faculty is committed to:
Kontopoulou obtained her PhD and Master’s from the Department of Chemical Engineering at McMaster University, and her Chemical Engineering degree from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece.
She worked as a research engineer at the Chemical Process Engineering Research Institute in Greece from 1992 to 1993. She joined the Department of Chemical Engineering at Queen’s University as an Assistant Professor in 1999 and was promoted to Full Professor in 2013. She has served as Chair of the Curriculum Committee and as the Associate Head of the Department. She was appointed Associate Dean (Academic) in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science in July 2018.
Kontopoulou is internationally recognized for her pioneering research on sustainable polymers and advanced functional materials for technological applications, including automotive and fuel systems, additive manufacturing, thermal management systems and more. Her contributions include innovative methods to produce graphene, electrically conductive polymer nanocomposites and bioplastics as sustainable alternatives to conventional thermoplastics.
She recently received the Professional Engineers Ontario Engineering Medal in Research and Development which recognizes engineers in Ontario who have made outstanding contributions to their profession and their community. This medal in particular recognizes the use of new knowledge in developing useful, novel applications; advancing engineering knowledge/applied science and/or discovering or extending any of the engineering or natural sciences. Her early contributions to research were recognized with the Morand Lambla Award of the Polymer Processing Society. She was also the recipient of the Queen’s University Research Leaders Fund and the Queen’s Engineering Way Memorial Trust Award.
Kontopoulou is notable for her service to the profession and community. She is the Associate Editor of International Polymer Processing, and she served as President of the Canadian Society of Rheology. In her role as Associate Dean (Academic) for Queen’s Engineering, she has been instrumental in improving the quality of engineering education, and introducing new programming, such as the Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering program. She is deeply engaged in continuous curriculum improvement, including incorporating concepts of the UN Sustainability Goals, improving accessibility, and developing mental health programming for engineering students. She is the Academic Integrity Lead in the Faculty, she has been a champion for equity, diversity, and inclusion practices in engineering, and she is a Queen’s Engineering representative for the Engineers Canada 30/30 Initiative.
