A first-year Master of Applied Science (MASc) student in Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto, Israel’s research focuses on prefabricated and modular mass timber systems. Co-supervised by Professors Aryan Rezaei Rad and Oya Mercan, Israel uses digital fabrication and robotic CNC machining with a KUKA robot to develop interlocking wood-to-wood connections. He aims to reduce material waste, minimize reliance on traditional metal connectors, and simplify timber assembly while remaining compatible with conventional construction practices.
“Towards the latter half of my undergrad I just got really passionate about mass timber and timber design,” Israel said in an interview for the University of Toronto website.
Israel was selected for the scholarship based on his strong academic record and his undergraduate research, which was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). He has also served as Chair of TimberFever, an interdisciplinary design-build competition where architecture and engineering students create innovative timber structures under the mentorship of industry professionals.
The University of Toronto Donald Tong Graduate Scholarship in Structural Engineering honours DIALOG’s long-time structural team member Donald Tong, who passed away in 2018 after battling cancer. Donald epitomized the collaborative, multidisciplinary design culture of our practice. He began his career as an interior designer, followed by a stint as an architectural technologist, before he found his passion in structural engineering. It is our hope that future structural engineers will embody Donald’s creative, wide-ranging design spirit.
“It’s nice to be rewarded in relation to Donald Tong and all the things he did throughout his career,” Israel told U of T. “Like me, he seemed to really touch a lot of different fields and really push himself to learn different aspects of everything. I just think it’s an honour to be associated with his legacy.”
Israel is the seventh recipient of the scholarship. He was presented with the award by DIALOG Partners Daria Khachi and Cameron Ritchie at a reception on March 18, 2026, at DIALOG’s Toronto studio. The event was an opportunity for students, faculty, and practitioners to connect through mentorship and shared dialogue in a design-focused professional setting. It reinforced the importance of collaboration between academia and practice while supporting the development of future leaders in structural engineering and design.
Congratulations, Israel, on this special achievement, and best of luck as you continue your important work.
