UNBC engineering student takes northern roads research to Finland

Ayed Anowar is taking his research on the road. 

Ayed, a Master of Applied Science in Engineering student, received a Mitacs Globalink Research Award allowing him to travel to Finland to work alongside leading researchers in cold-region infrastructure. From May to July, he will collaborate with experts at the University of Oulu, a hub for research on materials and design solutions suited to extreme winter conditions. 

“I am most excited about learning from Finland’s expertise in designing infrastructure for extreme cold climates,” he says. “Finland faces challenges similar to northern Canada, making it an ideal place to exchange knowledge.”  

The Mitacs Globalink Research Award supports international research collaboration by allowing Canadian graduate students to work abroad while building long-term partnerships between institutions. 

“Beyond research, I’m also looking forward to experiencing a new academic culture, building international research connections and gaining a global perspective that will shape my future career as a researcher and engineer,” he says. 

Ayed’s research at Geo-SMART (Sustainable Materials and Resilient Technologies) Research Lab under the technical supervision and mentorship of Dr. Chinchu Cherian,  focuses on improving the foundations beneath roads in northern regions, where repeated freeze–thaw cycles can cause cracking, deformation and premature failure.  

“Traditional road materials don’t always perform well in cold regions,” he explains. “I’m looking at how alternative binders, industrial by-products and lightweight reinforcement materials can improve soil strength while reducing environmental impact.” 

Northern roads are particularly vulnerable to moisture and temperature changes, which weaken the ground supporting them. By stabilizing that soil and reinforcing it with innovative materials, Ayed’s work aims to reduce damage caused by freezing and thawing, leading to safer roads and lower long-term maintenance costs for communities. 

Sustainability is a central pillar of his research. Ayed focuses on materials that would otherwise be sent to landfills. Reusing these materials in road construction can reduce carbon emissions, limit reliance on energy-intensive cement and support a circular economy. 

“This approach helps create infrastructure that is both environmentally responsible and cost-effective,” he says.  

By combining northern-focused research with global collaboration, Ayed’s work addresses real-world challenges while contributing knowledge that extends far beyond the region. 

“In Finland, I will work with experts who specialize in cold-region infrastructure and advanced material testing,” he says. “This experience will help me validate my research methods, gain exposure to European best practices, and bring new techniques and insights back to Canada.”