Engineering Conversations

Hosted by David deMontigny

Technology Business Education

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Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-CA

About the show

Engineering Conversations has one simple goal... to promote engineering. By having conversations with engineers about their backgrounds and careers, we will showcase a wide variety of industries and explore the types of jobs that engineers perform when they finish university. These conversations may help young people understand what it is that engineers do in their day to day work. As young people learn about these types of careers, they may be inspired to become and engineer and help make the world a better place. Engineering Conversations is hosted by David deMontigny, an engineering professor at the University of Regina. The University of Regina is situated on Treaty 4 lands with a presence in Treaty 6. These are the territories of the nêhiyawak (nay-hi-yuh-wuk, Cree), Anihšināpēk (uh-nish-i-naa-payk, Saulteaux), Dakota, Lakota, Nakoda, and the homeland of the Métis/Michif Nation. Today, these lands continue to be the shared territory of many people from near and far. They are an important part of our past, and an even more important part of our future. ------------------------------ Thanks to JennyHDesign and SoulProdMusic for help with the artwork and music!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 17, 2026Episode 7454 min

A Love for Geotechnial Engineering: Ilyas Akram

Send us Fan Mail Did you know that before large civil projects are completed they have to undergo a geotechnical assessment? This is so the engineers can determine the structural properties of the soil. It does not matter if it is the construction of a new highway, a dam, a new building, or a railroad. Geotechnical engineers will study the soil conditions and make recommendations to structural engineers so they can design a proper foundation. In this episode we sit down with Ilyas Akram. Ilyas has a background in civil engineering and a love for geotechnical engineering. He has ten years of experience in the field in addition to his academic training. His career has taking him from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Canada. Ilyas is currently a Geotechnical Project Manager at the Government of Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways. In this conversation, he talks about his passion for geotechnical engineering (and cooking!). Ilyas also offers advice to young people that are thinking about studying engineering at university.

August 3, 2026Episode 7346 min

Ground-based Telescopes: Sarah Gajadhar

Send us Fan Mail How many of us have spent time star gazing at night? Most of us do this for fun, hoping to see a shooting star, spot a planet, or find a constellation. Scientists take things a step further and use high tech equipment to study our universe. In order to do this research, scientists need help from engineers to design and build ground-based telescopes. In this episode we sit down with Sarah Gajadhar. Sarah has a background in Electronic Systems engineering an over 20 years of experience working on world class astronomical observatories. In this conversation, Sarah tells us about some of the projects and telescopes that she has worked on in Hawaii and Chile. Sarah also offers advice to young people that are thinking about going to university to studying engineering.

July 20, 2026Episode 7249 min

Maintenance and Reliability Engineering in Mining: Ibe Marcus

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever thought about how many items around your home are made from products that came from a mine? Whether it is copper, gold, aluminum, diamonds, or iron, these materials came from a mine and the mining industry relies on engineers to help run their operations. In this episode we sit down with Ibe Marcus. Ibe has a background in Industrial Systems engineering and twelve years of experience in the energy and mining sectors. The bulk of his career has been in the mining where he has worked as a maintenance and reliability engineer. Ibe is currently a Senior Reliability Advisor with Rio Tinto. In this conversation Ibe tells about his journey in engineering and some of the remote mine sites he has worked at in the Northwest Territories and Mongolia. Ibe also offers advice to young people that are thinking about studying engineering at university.

July 6, 2026Episode 7142 min

Infrastructure and Project Management: Penny Popp

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever thought about starting your own business? There are a lot of engineers that end up starting their own consulting firms after they have gained sufficient experience in industry. Pursuing an entrepreneurial path allows engineers to focus their skills and talents in areas they find both challenging and rewarding. In this episode we sit down with Penny Popp to learn about her career in engineering. Penny has a background in Environmental Systems engineering and over 25 years of experience working on infrastructure projects. In this conversation she tells us about some of the large, complex engineering projects she worked on while in government, and we learn how she decided to start her own firm, Pyvot Consulting, which provides engineering and project management services to clients. Penny also offers advice to young people who might be thinking about studying engineering at university.

June 22, 2026Episode 7039 min

Manufacturing, Potash, and Agriculture: Greg Godwin

Send us Fan Mail When students graduate with an engineering degree, it is hard to know where their career will take them. The one certainty is that their engineering degree has prepared them to solve problems in whatever sector they find work. In this episode we sit down with Greg Godwin to learn about his career. Greg has a background in Industrial Systems engineering and 18 years of experience working in a variety of sectors including manufacturing, potash, and agriculture. Greg is the Technical and Engineering Services Manager for BASF at their production facility in Regina, Saskatchewan. In this role he oversees the operation and maintenance of their plant, which produces agricultural crop protection products. In this conversation we hear about Greg’s extensive engineering career. He also offers advice to young people thinking about studying engineering in university.

June 8, 2026Episode 6932 min

The 1st Energy Systems Graduates: Delaiya Dutchak and Michael Palsich

Send us Fan Mail Have you noticed that more and more engineering schools are starting to offer programs related to energy? The reason for this is that the world has an ever-growing demand for energy and we need engineers that can design and build energy systems that are safe, reliable, sustainable, and affordable. The University of Regina has a new Energy Systems engineering program that has options in petroleum, sustainable energy, and energy transportation and storage. In this episode we sit down with Delaiya Dutchak and Michael Palsich, the first graduates from the new Energy Systems program. Both Delaiya and Michael studied the sustainable energy option. In this conversation they talk about their experience as engineering students, the new Energy Systems program, and their career plans for the future. Delaiya and Michael also offer advice for young people thinking about studying engineering in university.

May 25, 2026Episode 6844 min

From Production to Closure - An Oil Well Lifecycle: Leta Brisebois

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever seen a pumpjack in an oil field and wondered how long it has been there, or what will happen to it in the future? It turns out that the life of an oil well depends on its condition, how much oil it produces, and the current oil price. Petroleum engineers are heavily involved in managing the lifecycle of oil wells. In this episode we sit down with Leta Brisebois to learn about her career in the oil and gas industry. Leta has a background in Petroleum Systems engineering and over 25 years of experience in production engineering, spill management and end of life asset retirement strategies for oil and gas sites. Leta recently joined Edge Engineering and Geoscience as a Senior Project Manager, where she supports clients across the full lifecycle of their assets. In this conversation, we hear about her extensive career and what is involved when managing the lifecycle of oil wells. Leta also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

May 11, 2026Episode 6744 min

The Potash Industry - Talking with a Maintenance and Design Engineer: Julien Brazeau

Send us Fan Mail Did you know that potash is essential for food production around the world? Saskatchewan happens to account for roughly one third of all global potash production. Engineers from a variety of disciplines are needed to support potash mining operations. In this episode we sit down with Julien Brazeau to learn about his career. Julien has a background in Industrial Systems Engineering and has spent over 18 years working in the potash industry in a variety of engineering roles. Julien is currently the Senior Manager of Maintenance and Engineering for the Mosaic Company at their Esterhazy facilities. In this conversation, we hear about his early career in construction, his decision to go back to school to study engineering and how got his start in the potash industry. Julien also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

April 27, 2026Episode 6649 min

EYES - Educating Youth in Engineering and Science: Kevina Mullock and MacKenzie Chittenden

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we explore how we can nurture and encourage youth to consider a career path in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The world needs more engineers, and STEM outreach is a big part of the process to ensure we will have sufficient bright minds to solve big real-world problems in the future! Kevina Mullock and MacKenzie Chittenden are the Coordinators of Engineering Outreach at the University of Regina. Together they manage and deliver the EYES Program – Educating Youth in Engineering and Science. This program provides youth an opportunity to experience science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in hands-on, interactive activities, workshops, and camps. In this conversation Kevina and MacKenzie explain the various outreach programs they run at EYES, and how similar programs around the country are making a big impact encouraging and attracting youth to careers in STEM.

April 15, 2026Episode 6527 min

BONUS: Behind the Scenes on our 2nd Anniversary

Send us Fan Mail Can you believe this tiny little podcast project is already two years old? In this bonus episode, Justin Gwilliam comes back on the show to help celebrate the occasion and ask some more “behind the scenes” questions. (I honestly think he just came for the cake and to tease me a bit.) I extend a sincere thank-you to all of the guests that came on Engineering Conversations this past year to share their story. Without guests, there is no show! My hope is that these episodes help people learn a bit more about engineering by hearing people talk about their careers. Last, but not least, thank you to all of the listeners! I am truly blown away by the number of people that tune in all over the world to hear some engineering conversations!