Dr. Saad Akhtar works on the topology optimization of the conformal cooling channels adopted for Additive Manufacturing of molds and dies. Dr. Akhtar obtained his MSc from Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in cooperation with Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2015. His research on modeling complex thermochemical processes culminated into several high impact publications and research awards and was pivotal in him being awarded the competitive McGill Engineering Doctoral Award for his PhD. At McGill University, Dr. Akhtar has published 16 journal papers and 8 conference proceedings in the leading journals and conferences of his field. His research work has attracted media attention (CTV News, CBC, Science Daily, McGill Newsroom) and initiated several fruitful collaborations from leading companies such as Pfizer, Unilever UK, and ArcelorMittal. The collaborations have attracted more than $310,000 in government grants. Dr. Akhtar’s doctoral research has also won him the best student paper award at the North American Mine Ventilation Symposium 2021. At McGill University, he has won the Graduate Research Excellence Award – awarded yearly to the prolific and impactful researchers – (2017 & 2018) and has raised more than $185,000 in fellowship funding for his PhD.