Research Office

This Q&A series offers an opportunity for the Western Engineering community to learn more about the incredible staff across the faculty and the outstanding work they do.

Meet the Research Office team located in the Spencer Engineering Building Room 2079 at Western University.

research-group

The Engineering Research Office contributes to identifying, developing, and realizing the faculty's strategic research priorities and setting faculty research policy and strategic direction. The Office directly supports faculty members in applying for research grants and nominating colleagues for significant research awards. The team also promotes and supports research collaboration with external partners such as industry and government.

Team Members

Brenda Sefeldas, Administrative Assistant (Research and Graduate)
Aaron Cecala, Research Officer
Laura Moxey, Research Officer – Industrial Relationships
Tara MacCrone, Manager, Engineering Research Office
Miriam Capretz, Associate Dean (Research)

Engineering Communications (EC): What do you enjoy most about your work at Western Engineering?

Laura: I most enjoy learning about our faculty members' research areas and matching these with funding opportunities, industry connections, or partnered opportunities. I am guilty of wanting to be everyone's research assistant because I love learning and will never get tired of learning about new engineering research areas.

EC: What's your go-to way to unwind or relax after a busy day?

Aaron: Very recently, I’ve become engaged in a new hobby, model railroading. This hobby combines several interests (historical research, understanding economic and engineering trends) and skills (layout and graphic design, model construction and painting, and photography of the prototype) to create a plausible but fictional world. Whether it’s “playing with trains” or creating something new, I find all aspects of the hobby relaxing.

EC: What's the most memorable travel experience you've had and why?

Brenda: I am a huge fan of Agatha Christie (British mystery author) and have been collecting her books since I was a teenager. My most memorable travel event was going to Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum in England and having my picture taken beside “Agatha Christie sitting in an armchair.” When people see the picture, they think I am sitting beside my grandmother.

EC: If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be, and what would you do there?

Tara: I would go to New Zealand, specifically the South Island (or Te Waipounamu in Māori). I was fortunate to travel to Australia and New Zealand in 2009; however, I couldn’t visit the South Island. I loved travelling to that part of the world and promised myself I’d go back someday. I’d like to go sightseeing in Fiordland National Park, see the Southern Alps, visit Queenstown, do some hikes, and see as much as possible.

EC: What's the most memorable travel experience you've had and why?

Miriam: My most memorable travel experience was cruising to Antarctica. The journey through the icy waters was breathtaking, with stunning views of towering icebergs, caped iced mountains, and a diversity of wildlife, including seals and a variety of penguins. The pure and faraway beauty of the continent was unlike anything I had ever seen. It was the adventure of a lifetime with my family, filled with amazing learning experiences that I will never forget.