Swan Lake Citizen Science Lab Members

Dr. Ali Asgary

Professor, Disaster and Emergency Management, School of Administrative Studies, York University; Director, CIFAL York; Executive Director, ADERSIM Lab

Ali Asgary is an associate professor of Disaster & Emergency Management at York University. He is the Executive Director of ADERSIM and the Director of CIFAL York. Dr. Asgary teaches Advanced Disaster and Emergency Management and conducts research in areas such as the use of information technology, GIS, artificial intelligence, simulation etc. in disaster & emergency management operations, logistics, and recovery.

Dr. Maleknaz Nayebi

Associate Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University; Associate Director, CIFAL York

Dr. Maleknaz Nayebi is an Associate Professor at York University, where she leads a lab developing automated software development techniques with a special focus on healthcare. Her extensively published research is backed by large-scale grants and significant industry recognition, including the prestigious 2023 IEEE TCSE award and the 2023 Lassonde Service Award. An active community leader, Dr. Nayebi serves on the NSERC Discovery evaluation group, as an editor for multiple journals, and is a member of several interdisciplinary centers, including York's Center of AI for Society.

Dr. Satinder Brar

Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University; James and Joanne Love Chair in Environmental Engineering, York University; Director, One WATER Institute

Prof. Satinder Kaur Brar is the James and Joanne Love Chair in Environmental Engineering and Director of the One WATER Institute at York University. Her acclaimed research focuses on waste value-addition and decontamination. She is a decorated scholar with numerous awards, including the 2025 Ministry of Ontario and Innovation Excellence Award and the 2019 Eddy Medal. Dr. Brar is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and a member of the European Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of Canada's College of New Scholars. She has authored over 400 articles and 11 books.

Peyman Naeemi

PhD Candidate; Multimedia Specialist, CIFAL York

Peyman Naeemi is a Multimedia Specialist and Ph.D. candidate specializing in environmental communication. Leveraging over 10 years in broadcast media, he creates educational projects to inspire action. His documentary on Canada’s sustainability journey was accepted for screening at COP28. He also developed “Pandemic Resilience,” a serious game on pandemic management, and is directing “Jonathan,” an animated film that teaches children about climate change and peaceful protest. Peyman merges his media expertise with environmental advocacy to drive positive change on critical global issues through compelling, accessible storytelling.

Mahbod Aarabi

Operations Coordinator, ADERSIM Lab

Mahbod Aarabi is the Operations Coordinator for the ADERSIM Lab at York University. He holds a MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Birjand and an MDEM in Disaster and Emergency Management from York University.

Francesco del Carpio

Operations Coordinator, CIFAL York

Francesco del Carpio (they/them) is the Operations Coordinator at CIFAL York. They are a PhD student in Disaster and Emergency Management at York University’s School of Administrative Studies and is currently pursuing an Advanced Certificate in Terrorism Studies from the University of St. Andrews’ Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence. Their areas of focus are terrorism studies and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Disasters.

Zarrin Tasneem

Graduate Student

Zarrin is a Graduate Student at York University. With a background in geomatics, remote sensing, and geospatial AI, Zarrin has extensive experience in Earth Observation, GIS, data processing, and analysis, and application development, gained at organizations such as Hexagon, Fugro, and Teledyne Optech. Her research integrates various geospatial and remote sensing platforms, and datasets. Passionate about innovation and collaboration, Zarrin intends to advance geospatial science through impactful research, interdisciplinary partnerships, and cutting-edge environmental applications.

Azam Asghari

Analytical Chemist, Swan Lake Citizen Science Lab, York University

Passionate chemist with over 15 years of experience in pharmaceutical, chemical, and research laboratories, specializing in advanced analytical techniques. Azam has experience in nanotechnology, using ultrasound with nanoparticles and nanomaterials to enhance water treatment, improving ion-exchange softening and heavy metal removal efficiency. She has applied these skills to developing and evaluating innovative adsorbent materials for environmental remediation. Dedicated to applying scientific expertise to address environmental challenges and improve public health, Azam values collaborative, community-based research and remain committed to promoting science literacy, sustainability, and practical solutions for real-world problems, ensuring her work advances sustainable scientific practices.

Dr. Mahdi Najafabadi

Assistant Professor, Information Systems, California State University, Northridge

Dr. Mahdi Najafabadi is an Assistant Professor of Information Systems at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). His research investigates how information systems enhance decision-making across individual, corporate, and community levels, using methods like systems thinking and simulation modeling. Before his academic career, Dr. Najafabadi spent over a decade as a management consultant specializing in strategic planning, IT master planning, and business process improvement. His work effectively bridges the gap between theoretical research and practical application, focusing on the real-world impact of technology on organizational performance and society.

Mahta Nazari

Researcher, York University & University of Tehran

Mahta Nazari holds a BSc and PhD in Civil Engineering (Environmental Engineering) from the University of Tehran and an MSc from Tarbiat Modares University. She successfully defended her PhD in early 2025. Her research focuses on sustainable water resources management, particularly adaptive management of water quantity and quality in large-scale river–reservoir systems, using hydrological modeling, pollution control, and two-dimensional water quality simulation. She completed a one-year visiting research program at York University, Canada, where she worked on agent-based modeling of flood risks.

Sama Khalil Moradkhanloo

Graduate Student and Research Assistant , Civil Engineering, York University

Sama is a master’s student in Civil Engineering at York University, specializing in environmental engineering with a focus on water treatment. She also holds a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering (Water and Wastewater) from the University of Tehran. Sama's research focuses on developing innovative and sustainable solutions for nutrient and chloride removal from Lake water. She works closely with the Swan Lake Citizen Science Lab to conduct sampling, data analysis, and treatment testing. Originally from Iran, where water scarcity is a major challenge, Sana has a strong background in water and wastewater treatment and is passionate about protecting freshwater resources.

Sheniz Janmohamed

Sheniz Janmohamed (MFA) is an author, educator and artist whose work is deeply anchored in nature.  She has three collections of poetry, published by Mawenzi House: Bleeding Light (2010), Firesmoke (2014) and Reminders on the Path (2021).

Sheniz holds an Artist Educator Mentor certification from the Royal Conservatory and visits dozens of organizations and schools each year to offer nature walks and writing workshops. She is also training as a Forest Bathing Guide to bring nature connection into communities who need it most.

She’s currently working on her fourth book, How to Scare the Birds, a collection of essays about the language of place across Kenya and Canada. She also teaches Nature Writing at the School of Continuing Studies (U of T).

She’s honoured to be part of the team, and looks forward to giving back to the lake, which has already given her so much.