Chantal Yacoub

Alumna, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Nuclear Engineering (2017), Master's of Engineering in Nuclear Engineering (2021)

Alumna Chantal Yacoub's story highlights Ontario Tech's Engineering faculty and their dedication to supporting the next generation in both academia and industry. Chantal completed her Bachelor's and Master's degree at Ontario Tech in Nuclear Engineering. She chose Ontario Tech because, in her words, "the faculty at Ontario Tech University helped us realize the different career opportunities that were possible with a nuclear engineering degree—that our degree was specialized but would not be limiting." Once in her bachelor's program, this feeling was further justified by her experiences. Chantal interned at WorleyParsons, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). She accredits these experiences to receiving her first post graduate position at Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. After her undergraduate and a few years of work experience, Chantal returned to Ontario Tech University to pursue the Master's of Engineering in Nuclear Engineering while still working at the CNSC.

Now, Chantal Yacoub is a Canadian Licensing Manager at General Electric (GE) Hitachi Nuclear Energy, part of GE Vernova, where she has been for the last few years, after receiving multiple promotions. In this role, she manages team priorities and key licensing deliverables for the Ontario Power Generation Darlington New Nuclear Project. Her role involves deploying GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 Small Modular Reactor in Canada. Chantal credits the faculty at Ontario Tech University for expanding her career opportunities in nuclear engineering and highlights the value of the Small Modular Reactor course she took during her master’s program in shaping her current role. Her advice to incoming engineering students? Keep your options open in science and seek continual growth by stepping outside your comfort zone.