Diversity of pool-riffle morphologies
Investigation of the pool-riffle formation gradient to propose process-based explanations for their formation and requirement for collocation.
Water resources engineering as a socio-technical discipline.
Michael Chislett is a PhD Student in Civil Engineering (Water) at the University of Waterloo. He researches under Dr. Bruce MacVicar with the River Hydraulics Research Group. Originally from Newfoundland & Labrador and having spent many summers "on the water," Michael is passionate about exploring the intersection between fluvial systems and their impacts on (or impacts from) people and society. He previously studied water resources engineering at the University of Guelph, where he undertook research in water security, wastewater-based epidemiology, and COVID-19 through an engineering risk perspective.
Michael's current research focuses on the formation of pool-riffle morphologies in rivers, looking to address whether we can create riffles without "building" them. He aims to integrate engineering hydrology, hydraulics, and process-based restoration to define how we can induce and encourage the formation of riffles in river systems with predictable behaviour based on sediment supply and site characteristics. Connecting morphologic and hydraulic processes with restoration efforts is essential for the revival of aquatic habitat, sustainable sediment transport, and protected natural systems for the benefit of near-riparian communities. Michael joins the University of Waterloo as a community-minded researcher, having previously worked in campus student affairs and university governance.
Projects
Sediment budgets in unique hydrologic contexts
Mapping the distinct sediment transport characteristics of urban river systems previously retrofitted with natural channel designs.
Particle tracking
Analyzing sediment movement behaviour to characterize predictable bar and riffle formation by updating frame-by-frame tracking algorithms.
Publications
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Hilal, W., Chislett, M. G., Wu, Y., Snider, B., McBean, E. A., Yawney, J., & Gadsden, S. A. (2024). Evaluating COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy Using Kaplan–Meier Survival Analysis. BioMedInformatics, 4(4), 2117-2132. DOI: 10.3390/biomedinformatics4040113
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Hilal, W., Chislett, M. G., Snider, B., McBean, E. A., Yawney, J., & Gadsden, S. A. (2022). Use of AI to assess COVID-19 variant impacts on hospitalization, ICU, and death. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, Volume 5-2022. DOI: 10.3389/frai.2022.927203
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Chislett, M. G., Phillips, P. T., Snider, B., McBean, E. A., Yawney, J., & Gadsden, S. A. (2021). Assessing the Impact of Alternative Responses to COVID-19: Stopping the Spread in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. IEEE Canadian Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 44(2), 238–245. DOI: 10.1109/ICJECE.2021.3052860
Courses (TA/Teaching)
CIVE/ENVE 382 Hydrology & Open Channel Flow (TA)
Winter 2025 Fall 2025
ENVE/GEOE Design Days
Spring 2026
Conference/Workshop & Professional Development Attendance
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8th Conference on Natural Channel Systems. Natural Channels Initiative. Hamilton, ON. June 8-10 2026.
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GROWTH (Graduate Research on Water Technology and Hydraulics) Symposium 2026. Université de Sherbrooke. Sherbrooke, QC. April 29-30 2026.
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GROWTH (Graduate Research on Water Technology and Hydraulics) Symposium 2025. University of Ottawa. Ottawa, ON. May 8-9 2025.
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WaterLeadership Certificate Program: "Leverage Your Strengths to Grow Your Water Career." University of Waterloo. Waterloo, ON. March 4 2025.
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WaterLeadership Certificate Program: "Sharing Science: Clear Language Writing." University of Waterloo. Waterloo, ON. January 14 2025.
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Academic Career Conference: "Inclusion in academic contexts: showing up as you in academia." University of Waterloo. Waterloo, ON. October 16-17 2024.
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WaterLeadership Certificate Program: "Sharing Science: Effective Presentations." University of Waterloo. Waterloo, ON. October 15 2024.
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WaterLeadership Certificate Program: "Knowledge Mobilization 101." University of Waterloo. Waterloo, ON. September 17 2024.
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Provincial Flood Forecasting and Warning Workshop. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). Brampton, ON. September 19 2023.