As Arctic shipping routes expand and plastic pollution reaches the planet's most remote shorelines, Concordia researcher Chunjiang An is working at the frontlines of environmental emergency response. His work has earned him one of Canada's top research honours: a Dorothy Killam Fellowship.
An is Concordia University Research Chair in Spill Response and Remediation and a professor in the Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering. His research focuses on oil spill response, shoreline protection and the environmental risks of plastics pollution.
Valued at $80,000 per year over two years, the fellowship provides dedicated time to advance major research while recipients take a temporary pause from teaching and administrative duties.
"The Fellowship is a tremendous honour," says An. "It provides the time and support to expand our research on protecting vulnerable shorelines, particularly in Arctic regions where pollution risks are rising and response options remain limited."
"This fellowship will allow us to deepen collaborations with Indigenous partners and accelerate the development of greener, more effective cleanup solutions," he adds.
Advancing oil spill science
An's research has mapped how oil moves across shorelines and identified environmental factors that influence spill behaviour. His team has also developed low-toxicity surface washing agents that improve cleanup while reducing ecological harm.
Among his lab's innovations is the world's first shoreline tidal simulation tank system, designed to test spill response strategies under realistic coastal conditions. He also created an interactive database tracking historical spill incidents on Canadian shorelines.
"Chunjiang's research is transforming how we understand and respond to environmental contamination in some of the world's most fragile ecosystems," says Tim Evans, vice-president of research, innovation and impact at Concordia. "His leadership in oil spill science, plastics pollution and community-engaged research is advancing environmental protection in Canada and globally."
From microplastics to northern resilience
Alongside his oil spill work, An has made major contributions to microplastics research.
His widely cited study on discarded face masks revealed how they release microplastics into aquatic environments, drawing international media attention and raising awareness about pandemic-related plastic waste.
A defining feature of his research is collaboration with Indigenous communities. He works with First Nations and Inuit partners to co-develop shoreline protection strategies that integrate Indigenous knowledge and Western science.
Killam funding will support a new multidisciplinary program focused on Arctic and Subarctic coasts, combining scientific modelling, eco-friendly cleanup technologies and community knowledge to guide pollution response planning.
The Dorothy Killam Fellowships are part of the National Killam Program, which supports scholars whose work helps build Canada's future through research excellence and innovation.
Learn more about the Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering.
