Directors and Staff

Jinxia Liu | Director, Brace Centre | Associate Professor, Civil Engineering

Professor Liu’s expertise lies between environmental engineering and environmental analytical chemistry. The main focus of her research is on the elucidation of environmental fate, behaviours and bio-availability of emerging organic contaminants, particularly fluorochemicals. Her research goal is to provide industry, policy- and decision-makers with information to make sound decisions on the manufacture, assessment and management of organic chemicals. She is also interested in developing novel materials and treatment processes for removing fluorochemicals from contaminated water, soil and sediment.

Before joining McGill University in 2011, Professor Liu has worked both in industry and academia in the US. Her research projects were funded by the US National Science Foundation, Maryland Water Resource Research Center, municipal water/sewer facilities as well as chemical industry.

jinxia.liu [at] mcgill.ca

Monika Skonieczny | Manager, Brace Centre/Trottier Institute for Sustainability in Engineering and Design (TISED)*

Monika received her Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Chemical Engineering from University of Toronto and her Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from McGill. Before joining TISED, Monika worked at Concordia University, where she managed the internship program for the Master of Environmental Assessment degree and was responsible for facilitating internships on environmental impact assessment and sustainability with government agencies, not-for-profit organizations and private corporations. Prior to her work in university administration, Monika worked as an Engineer-in-Training for environmental consultants in Pittsburgh, PA, specializing in industrial wastewater treatment, waste management and environmental permitting for coal and power generation industries. Monika has shared responsibilities at TISED and the Brace Centre for Water Management.

monika.skonieczny [at] mcgill.ca

Irene Toffolo | Administrative Coordinator, Brace Centre/Trottier Institute for Sustainability in Engineering and Design (TISED)*

Irene is an administrative professional with more than 15 years of experience in general administration, including coordination, logistics, customer services, public relations and finance. Her work has included supporting a range of colleagues including high-level management staff and local and international members of boards of directors. She has worked in multiple academic centres and spent the last 10 years with a non-profit organization hosted at McGill University where she played a key role ensuring activities ran smoothly. Irene holds a BA in Sociology from Concordia University, Certificate in Public Relations Management from McGill University and is presently studying to receive her Certified Associate in Project Management designation (CAPM).

brace [at] mcgill.ca

Parisa Hassani | Digital Communications and Outreach Associate, Brace Centre/Trottier Institute for Sustainability in Engineering and Design (TISED)*

Parisa graduated with a bachelor’s of economics with a minor in management from McGill University. She went on to receive a digital marketing specialist from the Canadian marketing association. With over 6 years of experience in the field, Parisa began her career in import/export and logistics of reusable textiles, before moving on to digital sales and marketing of home healthcare products. Prior to receiving her specialty, she worked as a sales and marketing coordinator in the commercial rental industry. Parisa has also volunteered her expertise with a number of charities including being a board member for Ovarian Cancer Canada.