Project Director (Dr. Calvin “Cal” Lakhan)
Calvin LAKHAN, Ph.D, is currently co-investigator of the “Waste Wiki” project at York University, Faculty of Environment and Urban Change (with Dr. Mark Winfield), a research project devoted to advancing understanding of waste management research and policy in Canada. He holds a Ph.D in Geography from the University of Waterloo/WLU joint geography program, and degrees in economics (BA) and environmental economics (MEs) from York University.
Calvin’s current research can largely be divided into four areas: 1) Evaluating the efficacy of municipal policy instruments used to promote waste diversion, 2) Optimizing the recycling system to achieve increased diversion while minimizing material management costs, 3) Examining the role of race and ethnicity as antecedents to recycling behavior and 4) Encouraging pro environmental behavior among minority and marginalized groups
Project Lead (Dr. Mark Winfield)
Professor
Co-Chair, Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI) & EUC/JD Coordinator
Coordinator, BES Cert. (Sustainable Energy), BA (Science&Tech Studies), MA/PhD (PolScience)
Dr. Mark Winfield currently focuses his research on electricity, energy efficiency and climate change policy in Ontario.
Before joining EUC in 2007, Dr. Winfield was a Program Director with the Pembina Institute, and prior to that Director of Research with the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy. For more information about Dr. Winfield click here
Research Affiliates
Jainam Shah is a microbiologist and environmentalist who started his career in India. Shah is a full-time employee of Eco-waste solutions, a company that converts wastes into energy. Over the months, he has contributed to numerous civil and non-civil projects (including those for the US military and DOD Canada). Shah has successfully completed and securely sent jobs like XML coding and have a good understanding of how machines work. Shah has received certification from the society of medical microbiology for his analysis of landfill soil contamination and leachate sampling, as well as for the solutions he offered to reduce the spread of water-borne diseases. Shah possesses diploma in environmental planning, sustainable waste management, and a bachelor’s in microbiology.
Prior to joining EWS, Shah worked on numerous municipal projects involving the Municipality of Dysart-et-al and the County of Orangeville and participated in a number of environmental awareness activities. Shah has participated in numerous initiatives aimed at reducing contamination in recycling, educating people about household hazardous waste, and preventing incorrect garbage disposal in these communities. Shah also held a position as an environmental planner at Batory Environmental Planning, where he worked on numerous broad legislative projects and supported green infrastructure paradigm.
Student Team
Yahya Mohti is a strategic management and sustainability MBA candidate at York University's Schulich School of Business, where he combines his business acumen with a deep commitment to sustainable development. With a passion for circular economy principles and creating real-world impact, Yahya holds a Masters of Management from the Schulich School of Business and an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Toronto where he researched biological consequences of climate change.
Yahya's work spans from consulting on the design of a Master of Sustainability program to investigating an ambitious $40 million renewable energy project. His approach is all about blending strategy with purpose—whether it's helping international firms break into the Canadian market sustainably or reimagining public spaces to benefit communities. Yahya’s work with Dr. Calvin Lakhan as part of the Federal Open Data Standard project at York University’s Faculty of Environment and Urban Change, is to bridge academic research and practical corporate insights, ensuring waste management policies and research are accessible and actionable for industry leaders."
Luisa Regina Anota Guzmán is a master's candidate in Environmental Studies at the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, York University. Originally from Mexico City, she has studied in six countries, shaping a global and interdisciplinary approach to sustainability, ecological economics, and circular innovation.
She holds an Honors Bachelor in Sustainable Environmental Management from York University, a Certificate in Climate Solutions and Sustainable Energy, and a Business and the Environment Diploma from the Schulich School of Business. Her work examines the intersection of environmental policy, economic systems, and circular economy principles, with a focus on how ecological economics can drive sustainable transitions at both national and global scales.
At York, Regina has been actively engaged in faculty initiatives, student associations, and councils, strengthening her leadership in sustainability advocacy. Committed to rethinking economic structures and governance for a regenerative future, she aims to contribute to policy-driven transformations that balance economic development with planetary well-being.
Sara Abbasian is a master's student in Civil Engineering at York University, specializing in a BIM-driven approach to sustainable construction and demolition waste management. She earned her bachelor's degree as a top-ranking student at Shahrood University of Technology, Iran.
Since her undergraduate studies, Sara has been deeply involved in research on sustainable construction, focusing on the integration of digital technologies to enhance efficiency and sustainability in the built environment. Her work includes co-authoring a book chapter on Digital Twin applications for building energy and carbon performance. Currently, under the supervision of Dr. Jadidi, her graduate research focuses on construction and demolition waste management, tackling critical yet often overlooked challenges in the construction industry. Her work aims to develop data-driven strategies and digital solutions to minimize waste, optimize resource efficiency, and promote a circular economy in construction. Through her research, she strives to advance sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact and drive the transition toward a more resilient and resource-efficient built environment.
Adhiraj Singh Parmar is deeply committed to advancing sustainability through impactful projects and research. As a Sustainability Consultant and Research Analyst at the Sustainable Livelihood Initiative of India (SLII), Adhiraj has contributed to high-impact initiatives addressing circular economy strategies, waste management frameworks, and sustainability standards. He is currently pursuing a Diploma in Sustainability alongside his MBA from the Schulich School of Business, where his academic work emphasizes textile circularity and sustainable practices across industries. Passionate about driving meaningful change, Adhiraj leverages his interdisciplinary background to develop innovative solutions that promote environmental stewardship and sustainable business practices.
Alumni
- Angela Ditrich (JD/MES 2024)
- Jigme Tsering (2024)
- Daniela Palma (2024)
- Sophie Angoh (2023)
- Trevor Ritchie (2022)