Louise Meunier PhD, P.Eng

On leave Jan to June '24

Education

• 2011, PhD, Environmental Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), Kingston, ON; (Physico-Chemical Parameters Influencing the Bioaccessibility of Arsenic from Tailings and Soils)
• 1995, MASc, Mechanical Engineering (Aerospace Propulsion), RMC, Kingston, ON; (Computational Study of the Porous Catalytic Surface in a Turboreactor Combustion Chamber)
• 1989, BEng, Mechanical Engineering, RMC, Kingston, ON
• 1984, Lauréat II (Piano, education and interpretation), École Vincent D’Indy, Montreal, QC.

Professional Experience

• 2017-, Assistant Professor; Chemical Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
• 2011-2016, Consulting Engineer / Adjunct Assistant Professor / Expert Reviewer (Self-Employed; Royal Military College of Canada; Queen’s University; Ontario Centers of Excellence)
• 2011-2012, Project Manager – Pilot Operations / Post-Doctoral Research Scientist, Kingston Process Metallurgy, Kingston, ON
• 2004-2011 PhD Candidate / Research Assistant / Assistant Professor, Royal Military College of Canada; Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
• 2002-2004 Director of Engineering / Aerospace Engineering Design and Production Flight Commander, Major, Engineering Support, Trenton, ON
• 2001-2002 Fleet Maintenance and Quality Assurance Officer, Captain, Tactical Helicopter Headquarters, Kingston, ON
• 1993-2001 Research Engineer / Assistant Professor / Squadron Commander, Captain, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON
• 1990-1993 Aerospace Systems Engineer and Project Manager, New Shipborne and New Search and Rescue Helicopter Project, Ottawa, ON

Dr. Meunier studied mechanical engineering and worked for twenty years as an aerospace engineering officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force. She then completed a PhD in chemical engineering specializing in environmental chemistry. Dr. Meunier’s research focuses on the toxicity of contaminants in soils and mine tailings, and on environmental and human health risks associated with exposure to contaminants in water and soil. These investigations include research on inorganic and organic pollutants, as well as novel materials (e.g. nanoparticles, graphene, emerging contaminants), and contaminant mixtures. For contaminated soils, tailings, and leachates, research results are used to reduce the costs associated with remediation by focusing cleaning efforts to areas where risk has been identified. In the study of novel materials, this research informs the design of new processes and products, with the goals of protecting human and environmental health. Dr. Meunier works in collaboration with industrial and academic experts involved in various aspects of interdisciplinary environmental engineering research. Dr. Meunier is also involved in engineering education research; her interests include improving problem-solving and resilience abilities in engineering students, and incorporating innovative teaching approaches in the engineering curriculum.

Research Interests

• Bioaccessibility of contaminants (in liquids and solids) and novel materials;
• Toxicity of inorganic and organic contaminants (in soils, tailings, leachates);
• Computational fluid modelling and transport of contaminants in the human body;
• Environmental and human health risk assessments;
• Engineering education, problem-solving, and curriculum development.

Research Projects

• Bioaccessibility Method Development for Emerging Inorganic Contaminants and Nanoparticles
• Computational Fluid Dynamics Model and In-Vitro Tests of Contaminants in Simulated Digestive and Lung Fluids, and in Filtration Systems
• Characterization and Remediation of Emerging Contaminants
• Absorption of Contaminants through Artificial Porous Media Mimicking Intestinal Epithelium
• Detection of Hexavalent Chromium in Drinking Water
• Bioaccessibility of Hexavalent Chromium from Chromite Ores
• Bioaccessibility and Environmental Fate of Biodegradable Flocculants
• Environmental Fate and Remediation of Microplastics
• Improving the Technical Writing and Communication Curriculum for Engineering Students
• Investigating the Effectiveness of Problem-Solving Techniques for Chemical Engineering Students

Current Teaching Assignment (Fall 2023)

CHEE  221: Chemical Processes and Systems

CHEE 380: Biochemical Engineering

Teaching Experience

(Courses taught at the Royal Military College of Canada, or Queen’s University)

 APSC 100 Engineering Practice (Supervisor, 2017-2019)

CHEE 408 Bioengineering Research Project (Supervisor, 2018-2019)

CHEE 421 Chemical Engineering Research Project (Supervisor, 2017-2018)

ENCH 417 Engineering Chemistry Research Project (Supervisor, 2017-2018)

CHEE371 Mitigation of Industrial Pollution (2017)

CHEE330 Heat and Mass Transfer (2011, 2016)

CCF204 Chimie militaire (2016-2017)

GMF333 Métallurgie et matériaux (2015-2016)

CHEE311 Phase and Reaction Equilibrium (2015)

CHEE370 Waste Treatment Processes (2015)

GAF333 Matériaux aérospatiaux (2014-2015)

GCF474 Guerre biologique et chimique (2014)

MEE311 Fluid Mechanics (2013)

CHEE223 Fluid Mechanics (2013; 2020)

CCF200 Chimie contemporaine (2011)

CCE485 Environmental Engineering (2010)

GEE267 Engineering Graphics (1996-98)

GMF311 Mécanique des fluides I (1995-98)

GMF313 Mécanique des fluides II (1995-98)

GMF351 Thermodynamique I (1995-1998)

GMF353 Thermodynamique II (1995-1998)

Aircraft Structures Special Course (1996-97)

MEE404 Computer-Aided Design (1997)

MEE/GMF471 Engineering Design (1995-99)

Professional Development (Leadership) (1995-99)

Professional Development (Ethics) (1995-99)

Professional Communications (1995-99)

Thesis/Project supervision

Selected Publications

NOTES:

• In this first section are listed works completed since joining the Department of Chemical Engineering at Queen’s University in Fall 2017; listed in reverse chronological order are (J) peer-reviewed scientific journal articles, (C) conference presentations, and (P) poster presentations.
• Supervised HQPs noted in bold.

J.15 Clasky, DP, Meunier, L, Wells, LA. Modeling the Effects of Disease, Drug Properties, and Material on Drug Transport from Intraocular Lenses. Translational Vision Science & Technology, 11(5):14.1-15. May 2022. (TVST is a niche reference journal for ocular research and practice and is organized by the highly regarded Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology). 

J.14 Russell DA, Hutchinson RA, Meunier L. Quantitative analyses to estimate the bioaccessibility of a hydrolytically degradable cationic polymer. Heliyon 7(12) e08500 2021. (This article was originally submitted to Chemosphere and transferred to Heliyon at no cost).

J.13 Rankin P, Meunier L, Kontopoulou M. Characterization and identification of microplastics in freshwater systems. AIP Conference Proceedings (peer-reviewed), Polymer Processing Society PPS-36 Annual Conference, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, October 2021.

J.12 Hudon N, Meunier, L. Aligning the chemical engineering curriculum around a common problem-solving strategy. Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education. (Peer reviewed; ASEE is one of the most read publications for engineering education) June 2020.

J.11 Meunier, L., Hudon, N. Implementing a Common Approach to Problem Solving in the Second Year of Chemical Engineering. Proceedings of the Canadian Engineering Education Association. (Peer reviewed) June 2020.

J.10 Russell D, Meunier L., Hutchinson R. Characterization of degradation products from a hydrolytically degradable cationic flocculant Polymer Degradation and Stability. 174(2020) 109097.

J.9 Jalink K, Cheng SSY, Ireland SB, Meunier L. Silver nanoparticle uptake in the human lung assessed through in-vitro and in-silico methods. Environmental Pollution. 259(2020) 113880.

J.8 Léonard A, Meunier L. Occupational exposure to mercury in dental professionals performing mercury dental amalgam restoration removal procedures: A computational fluid dynamics air quality risk assessment model supported by in vitro results. Journal of Environmental and Occupational Science. 8(2) 8-19, 2019.

J.7 Marshall M, Wilkinson L, Yargeau V, Orjuela-Laverde M, Bloom M, Caron B, Meunier L, Zilberbrant G, Okrutny P, Verrett J, Shoen M, Qi E, Teslenko T, Miller K, Golpour H. Preparing Tomorrow’s Engineer-Communicators: A Review of Models for Effective Communication Instruction. Proceedings of the Canadian Engineering Education. (Peer reviewed) Jun. 2019.

J.6 Meunier L, Hudon, N. Translating Problem Statements into Actionable Solution Procedure. Proceedings of the Canadian Engineering Education. (Peer reviewed) Jun. 2019.

 Conferences

C.20 Russell DA, Meunier L, Hutchinson RA. Estimating the Bioaccessibility of a Hydrolytically Degradable Cationic Flocculant. Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference (virtual presentation) October 2021.

C.19 Clasky, D, Meunier, L, & Wells, L.A. (2021, May 13-15). Drug release model from an intraocular lens to treat post-cataract surgery complications [Conference Presentation]. 36th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Biomaterials Society, Waterloo, ON, Canada. May 2021.

C.18 Rankin P, Meunier L, Kontopoulou M. Characterization and identification of microplastics in freshwater systems. Poster presented in Polymer Processing Society PPS-36 Annual Conference, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, September 2021.

C.17 Sauvé, R., Mills, A., Meunier, L. Bioaccessibility of Hexavalent Chromium from Ring of Fire Soils and Mine Waste Dust. Faculty of Engineering Undergraduate Seminar Series, Royal Military College of Canada, 18 January 2021. (Presented by L. Meunier)

C.16 Hudon N, Meunier, L. Aligning the chemical engineering curriculum around a common problem-solving strategy. Virtual Conference American Society for Engineering Education. June 2020.

C.15 Russell, D, Hutchinson, R, Meunier, L. Estimating the Bioaccessibility of Degradation Products from a Hydrolytically Degradable Cationic Flocculant. Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference (National Level), Ottawa (virtual), Canada, 29 October 2020.

C.14 Russell D, Meunier L, Hutchinson, R. 69th Characterization of Degradation Products from Hydrolytically Degradable Cationic Flocculants. Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference. Halifax, NS, Canada. 20-23 October 2019. Abstract submitted for oral presentation in Polymers and Composite Materials technical session.

C.13 Léonard A, Meunier L. Évaluation de l’exposition à long terme aux particules et vapeurs de mercure issus des procédures de restauration des amalgames dentaires. Spectr’Atom 2019 Montreal, Canada. June 2019. (Invited presentation; presented by Meunier).

C.12 Mills A, Meunier L. Estimating the Bioaccessibility of Hexavalent Chromium from Chromite Ore and Mine Leachate in the Ring of Fire. 63^rd International Conference on Analytical Sciences and Spectroscopy. Montréal, Canada, Jun. 2019. (Invited presentation; presented by Meunier).

C.11 Ireland, B, Meunier L. Silver Nanoparticles in the Human Lung: Exposure Assessment. 15th International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements, Nanjing, China. May 2019. (Invited presentation; cancelled due to travel advisory).

C.10 Meunier L. Sustainability and Our Footprint. Engineers Without Border Event. Queen’s University. Keynote Speaker and Panelist. Mar. 2019.

C.9 Meunier L. Engineering Your Life. Let’s Talk Science Challenge. Queen’s University. Keynote Speaker. May 2018.

C.8 Meunier L. Lead Toxicity in Swans and Aquatic Systems. Interview for Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Eastern Ontario. Apr. 2018.

C.7 Meunier L. Mitigation of individual contributions to global environmental pollution. Sustainability Conference at Queen’s University. Jan. 2018. (Invited presentation).

C.6 Meunier L, Koch I, Reimer KJ. Chemical Speciation Influencing the Bioaccessibility of Arsenic from Gold Mine Tailings. 62^nd International Conference on Analytical Sciences and Spectroscopy. Toronto, Canada, Jun. 2018. (Invited presentation).

C.5 Meunier L, Walker SR, Wragg J, Parsons MB, Jamieson HE, Koch I, Reimer KJ. Paramètres physico-chimiques et spéciation influant sur la bioaccessibilité de l’arsenic dans les résidus aurifères. Spectr’Atom 2018 Pau, France May 2018. (Invited presentation; cancelled due to illness).

P.11 Russell DA, Meunier L, Hutchinson RA. Estimating the Bioaccessibility of a Hydrolytically Degradable Cationic Flocculant. Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference (virtual presentation) October 2021.

P.10 Clasky, D, Meunier, L, & Wells, L.A. (2021, May 13-15). Drug release model from an intraocular lens to treat post-cataract surgery complications [Conference Presentation]. 36th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Biomaterials Society, Waterloo, ON, Canada. May 2021.

P.9 Rankin P, Meunier L, Kontopoulou M. Characterization and identification of microplastics in freshwater systems. Poster presented in Polymer Processing Society PPS-36 Annual Conference, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, September 2021.

P.8 Sauvé, R., Mills, A., Meunier, L. Bioaccessibility of Hexavalent Chromium from Ring of Fire Soils and Mine Waste Dust. Faculty of Engineering Undergraduate Seminar Series, Royal Military College of Canada, 18 January 2021. (Presented by L. Meunier)

P.7 Mills, A, Meunier L. Bioaccessibilité du chrome hexavalent issu de minerai de chromite et des sols du Cercle de feu (Nord de l’Ontario, Canada). Spectr’Atom 2019, Montreal, Canada, Jun. 2019. (Poster).

P.6 Russell D, Meunier L, Hutchinson R. The fate of degradation products from hydrolytically degradable cationic flocculants. In: Beaty Water Research Centre Research Forum. Kingston, Canada, Nov. 2018. (Poster).

NOTES:

• This second section includes publications before Fall 2017; listed in reverse chronological order are (J) peer-reviewed scientific journal articles, (T) technical reports, (C) conference presentations, and (P) poster presentations.
• My work in industry and with the Department of National Defence (1989-2017) is confidential; as such, related documents are proprietorial and are not listed below.

J.5 Meunier L, Koch I, Reimer KJ. Effects of organic matter and ageing on arsenic bioaccessibility. Environ. Poll. 2011; 159:2530-6. (Refereed journal).

J.4 Meunier L, Koch I, Reimer KJ. Effects of dissolution kinetics on the bioaccessibility of arsenic in soils and tailings. Chemosphere. 2011; 84:1378-85. (Refereed journal).

J.3 Meunier L, Koch I, Reimer KJ. Effects of particle size on arsenic bioaccessibility in gold mine tailings of Nova Scotia. Sci. Total Environ. 2011; 409:2233-43. (Refereed journal).

J.2 Meunier L, Walker SW, Wragg J, Parsons MB, Koch I, Jamieson HE, Reimer KJ. Effects of soil composition and mineralogy on the bioaccessibility of arsenic from tailings and soil in gold mine districts of Nova Scotia. Enviro. Sci. Technol. 2010; 44:2667-74. (Refereed journal).

J.1 Meunier L, Wragg J, Koch I, Reimer KJ. Method variables affecting the bioaccessibility of arsenic in soil. J. Environ. Sci. Health, Part A. 2010; 45:517-26. (Refereed journal).

T.1 Meunier L, Koch I, Reimer KJ. Bioaccessibility of Arsenic from Tailings and Soils of the Gold Mine Districts in Nova Scotia, Canada. Report of the Environmental Sciences Group, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada. RMC-CCE-ES-09-02, February 2009. (Technical report).

C.4 Jamieson HE, Walker SR, Meunier L, Parsons MB, Koch I, Reimer KJ. The relationship between mineralogy and bioaccessibility in complex arsenic-contaminated materials. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), 5^th World Congress, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Sydney Australia, 3-7 August 2008. (Conference oral presentation).

C.3 Meunier L, Jackson C, Moriarty M. Arsenic in the Environment. Presentation to the Advanced Photon Source X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure Scientific Interest Group, Argonne, IL, USA, 24 June 2008. (Conference oral presentation).

C.2 Walker SR, Meunier L, Koch I, Jamieson HE, Parsons MB, Reimer KJ. Mineralogy and Bioaccessibility of Arsenic in Mine Tailings and Soil. Geological Association of Canada / Mineralogical Association of Canada Joint Annual Meeting, Quebec City Convention Centre, Quebec City, QC, Canada, 26-28 May 2008. (Conference oral presentation).

C.1 Meunier L. Green Roofs over Ontario. Air and Waste Management Association – Ontario Section. Centennial Awards Presentation, Toronto, ON, Canada, 3 January 2008. (Conference oral presentation – Centennial award).

P.5 Meunier L, Lord-Hoyle M, Koch I, Reimer KJ. The Effect of a Glycine Buffer in Estimating the Bioaccessibility of Arsenic from Soils. Metals in the Human Environment (MITHE) Annual Symposium, Gatineau, QC, Canada, 20-21 January 2009. (Conference poster).

P.4 Lord-Hoyle M, Meunier L, Koch I, Wragg J, Ollson C, Reimer KJ. Comparison of three published methods on the bioaccessibility of arsenic and iron. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), 5^th World Congress, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Sydney Australia, 3-7 August 2008. (Conference poster).

P.3 Meunier L, Lord-Hoyle M, Walker SR, Koch I, Wragg J, Jamieson HE, Parsons MB, Reimer KJ. Choosing a robust method to estimate the bioaccessibility of arsenic from contaminated substrates. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), 5^th World Congress, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Sydney Australia, 3-7 August 2008. (Conference poster).

P.2 Meunier L, Walker SR, Gordon R, Koch I, Jamieson HE, Parsons MB, Reimer KJ. Mineralogy and Bioaccessibility of Arsenic in Tailings and Soil from Nova Scotia Gold Mines. Advanced Photon Source Advisory Council Review of Environmental, Geo- and Planetary Sciences at X-Ray Operations and Research Supported sectors. Argonne, IL, USA, 9-10 July 2008. (Conference poster).

P.1 Meunier L, Walker SR, Koch I, Jamieson HE, Parsons MB, Reimer KJ. Mineralogy and bioaccessibility of arsenic in tailings and soil from Nova Scotia gold mines. Metals in the Human Environment (MITHE) Annual Symposium, Gatineau, QC, Canada, 21-23 January 2008. (Conference poster – Best poster award).

Meunier, L. Various Project Development Plans, Project Implementation Plans, Statements of Capability Deficiency, Standard Repairs Manuals, Common Work Instructions, and Technical Reports produced for the Department of National Defence (1990-2004).

Selected Scholarships and Awards

• 2021-26      Ontario Research Funds – Research Excellence
• 2021-26      Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Alliance Grant
• 2021-26      Industrial Research Grant (Grafoid Inc.)
• 2018-19      Frank Knox Teaching Excellence Award – Honorable Mention
• 2017-18      Frank Knox Teaching Excellence Nomination
• 2018-22      NSERC Discovery Grant
• 2018-20      Natural Research Council of Canada Research Associate Program Fellowship
• 2018-21      Queen’s School of Graduate Studies – Doctoral Award (Support for New Faculty)
• 2018-19      Queen’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science – Dean’s Research Fund
• 2017-22      Queen’s University Research Initiation Grant
• 2012-13      NSERC Industrial Research and Development Fellowship (Innovations in Metallurgy)
• 2007-10      NSERC Post-Graduate Scholarship (PGS D) 2007-2010.
• 2010           Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation–Claudette-MacKay-Lassonde Scholarship.
• 2008           Air and Waste Management Association – Ontario Section Centennial Prize.
• 2008           Metals in the Human Environment – Poster Award.
• 2006-07      Defence Research Development Canada – Scholarship.
• 2005           Canadian Council of Professional Engineers – Manulife Award.
• 2005-06      Queen’s University Graduate Award.
• 2004          First Canadian Air Division Commander’s Commendation – Leadership.
• 2004          Engineering Squadron Commanding Officer’s Commendation – Leadership.
• 1996          Canadian Forces Decoration – Distinguished Service Medal.

• Arghavan, Fatemeh (PhD Candidate)
• Avazzadeh Samani, Farhad (MASc Candidate)
• Bagherifam, Saeed (Post-Doctoral Fellow)
• Behroozi, Amir Hossein (PhD Candidate)
• Childs, Mathiew (Research Associate)
• Mirahsani, Arghavan (Industrial Post-Doctoral Fellow)
• Russell, Derek (PhD Candidate)

There are no openings in Dr. Meunier’s research group currently. Given the high volume of enquiries, no response will be provided to unsolicited e-mails.