March 2026 engineering newsletter

Here is your monthly dose of my Canadian engineering news created for licensed and aspiring engineers, geoscientists and technicians in Canada.

Engineers Making Headlines

Nicole Weckman, a promising young engineer at the University of Toronto, is recognized for her cutting-edge work in developing a new diagnostic system that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to combat hospital-acquired infections. Her innovative system aims to improve diagnosis speed and accuracy, potentially saving lives and reducing healthcare costs. Nicole’s accomplishments highlight the important intersection of AI and biomedical engineering in improving human health, showcasing impactful research by emerging Canadian engineers.
Sam Dugan, a recent mechatronics engineering graduate from the University of Waterloo (BASc ’22), is co-founder of Upside Robotics, a Waterloo-based AgTech startup founded in 2024. The company has successfully raised USD $7.5 million in seed funding to accelerate its AI-powered agricultural robotics platform. Upside Robotics’ autonomous robots are designed to revolutionize farming sustainability by precisely applying fertilizers only where needed, enabling farmers to remotely monitor crops without disturbing the soil. Sam’s work integrates AI and robotics to drive efficiency and sustainability in agriculture, reflecting significant innovation in Canadian engineering entrepreneurship.

Crowdfunding Engineering/Technology Campaigns

Echo — Your AR Companion is a real-world augmented reality (AR) companion designed to evolve, learn, and live beside you both in AR and beyond. This technology aims to bring an intelligent AR presence that interacts naturally in your daily life. The project is innovative in blending artificial intelligence and AR to create a personalized digital companion experience. It has potential applications in entertainment, education, and personal assistance.
FrostSkin — Instant-Chill Smart Hydration Bottle is a modular hydration bottle system that electronically chills water on demand. It features a replaceable filter, ensuring clean, cold water anytime. The intelligent design combines technology with practicality, providing functionality such as instant chilling, electronically controlled by the user. It’s a unique way to address hydration needs while integrating smart technology in daily-use items.

Park & GO: Smarter, Interconnected EV Charging Network is an innovative project aimed at building a smarter and interconnected electric vehicle (EV) charging network. It aims to connect every electric vehicle, driver, supplier, and charger in real-time from anywhere. This enables efficient use of EV charging resources, helping to address one of the barriers to widespread EV adoption. The project embraces IoT and smart grid technologies to make EV charging seamless and convenient.

What technology or gadget are you currently enjoying and would recommend to other aspiring and licensed engineers? Let us know in the comments below.

Association News

Here are the news links to every Canadian Association. If there is anything beyond the standard stuff (elections, new appointments, upcoming events), I'll try to list them below.

Engineer's Canada - Engineering in the Age of AI: Black voices in research and practice

Career: Working Smarter & Job Hunting Help

Sylendran Arunagiri shared his experience aiming for a job at Nvidia, advising job seekers to proactively network and connect with people currently working at the company, including hiring managers and interns, to gain insight into relevant projects. He emphasized aligning your profile by showcasing relevant projects publicly, such as experiments with generative AI tools, to catch the attention of recruiters during interviews. Read more here.

Search all 300k eng. jobs | Use my three career-hunting tips for better success.

A partner at Goldman Sachs highlighted the importance for engineers, especially new graduates, to focus on building judgment and interpersonal communication over mere technical skills in an AI-driven work environment. Emphasis is placed on understanding system functionality and combining AI engineering knowledge with finance and software engineering skills to stay competitive. Read more here.

TED Talks

In this TED talk, Mark Miodownik discusses the genius of bridges and roads engineered to repair themselves. This talk explores innovative materials and design strategies that could revolutionize infrastructure maintenance, reducing costs and enhancing durability.
In this TED talk, Karsten Temme presents groundbreaking work on how tiny microbes are reshaping agricultural practices. The talk highlights the potential of microbiomes to boost crop productivity sustainably and enhance soil health for the future of farming.

Quote To Ponder

Thanks for reading, and have a great month!

Gavin Simone, P.Eng. (AB), LEED AP

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Rose Igdon-Vallinas

March 4, 2026 at 12:40 pm

Thank you for reading our March Newsletter. Here are our questions for this month:
Q1. What skill—technical or non-technical—do you feel is underemphasized during the licensing process but critical once you are a P.Eng.?
Q2. How has obtaining (or pursuing) your P.Eng. changed your career opportunities, responsibilities, or confidence as an engineer?