Dam Discoveries: Exploring the Dam Industry
FEBRUARY 2, 2026 | 5:30PM - 7:30PM ET | Carleton University, Ottawa (room to be announced)
Are you interested in learning about the Dam Industry, exploring career paths, and networking with industry professionals?
Join the Canadian Dam Association (CDA) Young Professionals Committee for an exciting 2-hour event at Carleton University, designed for future engineers like you!
What's in it for you?
- Explore how you can get involved in the CDA
Learn about the role of the Canadian Dam Association in the industry and how you can get involved, particularly in the Young Professionals committee.
- Discover the Dam Industry
Learn about its role in energy, water management, and infrastructure.
- Explore Career Opportunities
Understand various engineering pathways from both the consultant and dam owner's perspectives.
- Gain Insight into Current Practices
Get introduced to Dam Safety Reviews (DSRs) - the most fundamental yet comprehensive evaluation of an existing dam's condition and a cornerstone of dam safety management.
Target Audience: Civil Engineering students at both undergraduate and graduate levels as well as young professionals.
Cost: Free
Event Sponsored by
Speakers
Amir Tabatabaei
Geotechnical Specialist, Hydropower & Dams at WSP
Amir Tabatabaei is a geotechnical specialist with WSP’s Hydro and Dams team. He holds a Ph.D. in geotechnical engineering and brings expertise in numerical modelling, laboratory testing, site investigation, and geotechnical design. Since joining WSP just over a year ago, Amir has contributed to a range of dam and infrastructure projects across Ontario, Yukon, and Nova Scotia — bringing to life a childhood dream of working with dams. He’s a proud Carleton University grad, a nature lover, and a passionate reader who’s always curious about the world around him.
Hannah Mescal
Structural Engineering Trainee, Ontario Power Generation (OPG)
Hannah Mescal graduated from Queen’s University in Civil Engineering in 2024. She is a civil engineering trainee in the Central Civil Engineering group at Ontario Power Generation (OPG). Her work focuses on supporting various dam safety initiatives across Ontario including engineering inspections, instrumentation reviews, and periodic dam safety reviews.
Cassandra Trottier
Professor & Program Coordinator, Civil Engineering Techology
Cassandra Trottier is a full-time professor and program coordinator of Civil Engineering Technology at Collège La Cité, specializing in construction materials such as aggregates and concrete. She obtained her PhD from the University of Ottawa, leveraging her research to develop ASTM standards and technical training. Cassandra is an active member of several American Concrete Institute committees and has been a francophone representative of the CDA since 2022.