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Western Engineering’s Jing Jiang Honoured with Ontario’s Top Engineering Award

Jing Jiang, professor in the department of electrical and computer engineering at Western University, has earned the OPEA Gold Medal for a lifetime of innovation and impact from the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers. (Submitted)

Jing Jiang, a Distinguished University Professor in the department of electrical and computer engineering at Western University, has been awarded the Ontario Professional Engineers Awards’ highest honour — the Gold Medal — in recognition of his exceptional commitment to public service, technical innovation and professional leadership in engineering.

The Gold Medal, presented annually by the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, celebrates individuals whose careers exemplify excellence, integrity, and impact. Since its inception in 1947, the OPEA has honoured engineers whose work has shaped Ontario and inspired generations.

“I am deeply honoured and humbled that the committee has chosen me for the OPEA Gold Medal this year,” said Jiang. “Growing up in a family of engineering educators and now part of a family of three engineers, I feel privileged to carry the flag of an engineering family. This recognition fuels my dedication to continue mentoring the next generation of engineers — a commitment I hold dear and believe is crucial for the future of our profession.”

Pioneering nuclear safety and renewable integration

Jiang’s career at Western spans over three decades. Since joining in 1991, he has built a world-class research program in Instrumentation and Control Systems (I&C) for nuclear power plants, collaborating closely with Canada’s nuclear sector. As an NSERC/UNENE Senior Industrial Research Chair since 2003, his research has broken new ground in wireless sensor networks, optic fibre technologies and remote monitoring systems for small modular reactors (SMRs) — many designed for deployment in Canada’s remote north.

His innovations have led to international recognition, including his role in developing the IEC Technical Report 62918, adopted globally to guide the integration of wireless devices in nuclear safety systems. He also led an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) project on wireless technologies in nuclear applications, which culminated in the 2020 IAEA publication titled Application of Wireless Technologies in Nuclear Power Plant Instrumentation and Control Systems.

With over 21,700 citations, six patents and two licensed technologies, Jiang’s research extends beyond academia to shape policy, standards and practice worldwide. His impact is also measurable through $18 million in secured research funding, an h-index of 67 and eight authored books or monographs.
 
A mentor, educator, and professional leader

At the core of Jiang’s legacy is his extraordinary commitment to mentorship. He has supervised over 30 PhD students, 13 post-doctoral fellows and more than 100 undergraduate researchers — many of whom now hold positions in academia, government, and industry. In 2021, he was nationally recognized with the Outstanding Graduate Mentorship Award by the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies.

Beyond the lab and lecture hall, Jiang has served on key professional bodies across Ontario and Canada, from academic examiner roles with Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), to chairing NSERC discovery grant committees, to reviewing engineering programs on behalf of provincial and national quality assurance boards.

Internationally, he has represented Canada at the IAEA and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and contributed to engineering training missions in Vietnam and South Korea. In 2024, he was named a DAAD Research Ambassador, promoting academic exchange between Canada and Germany.

A champion of community and collaboration

In London and across Ontario, Jiang’s influence extends to community education and outreach. As Chair of the IEEE Power & Energy Society Chapter in London and former Warden of Engineer Camp 11, he has helped organize Iron Ring ceremonies and offered public talks on nuclear and renewable energy technologies. His open-lab initiatives invite school-aged children to explore real-world engineering labs, sparking early interest in STEM fields.

“Engineering is more than working with physical systems. It’s about creating a better, safer, and more sustainable future,” Jiang noted. “Always uphold professional ethics, prioritize safety and sustainability and maintain integrity. You are part of a broader community — and that collaboration fosters true innovation.”

Jiang’s contributions have been recognized with fellowships in the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Engineering and he was invested into the Order of Ontario in 2020.

From building technologies that safeguard nuclear energy to mentoring the next generation of engineering leaders, Jiang’s life work exemplifies the purpose of the OPEA Gold Medal. His career continues to bridge scientific discovery, professional excellence and public service — leaving a lasting impact on Ontario, Canada, and the world.