Estate of brilliant engineer supports Brilliant Energy Institute
Nicholas Nessim Sion's estate became a founding donor to Ontario Tech's Brilliant Energy Institute (BEI), helping to position the institute as a robust national research, data and innovation hub that will inform important energy decisions across Canada.
Nicholas was a long-time Ontario Power Generation employee and expert in nuclear energy and radiation protection. The $3-million contribution from the estate will enable the creation of BEI’s Nicholas Sion Brilliant Energy Laboratories as the hub for developing innovative, clean-energy technology.
“We are honoured to continue the legacy of Mr. Nicholas Sion,” says Dr. Steven Murphy, Ontario Tech’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “This generous gift will help us develop transformative technology and meet the research needs of our industry
partners, while training the energy innovators and leaders. This is where energy research, invention and problem-solving happens and the Nicholas Sion Brilliant Energy Laboratories will be a focal point for this innovation.”
Nicholas, who passed away in 2019, was a member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario and had a 30-year career with Ontario Power Generation in the areas of radiation monitoring instrumentation and reactor controls. His accomplishments included overseeing the refurbishment of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, leading the upgrade in stack monitoring at the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station (BNGS) and designing a nuclear decontamination laundry facility at BNGS.
During his career, 34 of his scientific papers were published and four patents were approved or pending Nicholas was committed to ensuring that safety was paramount at the nuclear facilities he regularly served. He was on the Council of the Canadian Nuclear Society and was Chair of their Medical Applications and Radiation Protection Division. He was a founding member of the Canadian Radiation Protection Association (CRPA) and the recipient of the CRPA Meritorious Service Award in 2012.
After his retirement, he remained active in the nuclear energy field and shared his expertise by visiting Ontario Tech to speak to students at the Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science Career Fair.
“As a close friend of Nicholas Sion, his family and I are pleased to see his legacy will live on through the graduates of Ontario Tech University and the great work of the Nicholas Sion Brilliant Energy Laboratories,” says Maria Beasley. “It is wonderful that
his estate is supporting this university with its focus on energy and innovation, and an appreciation for Nick’s accomplishments.”
How wonderful to be remembered for sharing your passion and innovative mindset with others!
Ammar Zia, Biological Science, class of 2022, standing in front of the Nicholas Sion Laboratories banner at the exterior of the Energy Systems and Nuclear Science Research Centre.
