George Fares holds a B.Tech. in automotive & vehicle engineering technology from McMaster University, along with an advanced diploma in mechanical engineering technology and a certificate in business management from Mohawk College. He joined the McMaster Automotive Resource Centre (MARC) in January 2023, immediately after completing his undergraduate studies. Initially enrolled in the master’s program, he transferred into the Ph.D. program in electrical and computer engineering in September 2023, under the supervision of Dr. Ali Emadi. His research focuses on vehicle dynamics, structural and driveline design, driveability and calibration, and thermal management in traction inverters for switched reluctance motors.
Full Profile
For as long as he can remember, George Fares has been a car enthusiast. His fascination began when his father would point out and name every car they passed on the road. His first toy was a Porsche Carrera, and by the age of five, he was already immersed in racing games like Forza Motorsport. This early exposure fueled a lifelong passion for anything with four wheels.
George pursued this passion academically through the B.Tech. Automotive & Vehicle Engineering Technology program at McMaster University, completing his degree in December 2022. During his second year, he worked as a COVID security officer at the Ford Oakville Assembly Complex—a role shaped by the challenges of the pandemic-era job market. While not technical, this position introduced him to the realities of automotive manufacturing and quality control.
Later, George completed a co-op placement at Promach, where he helped develop manufacturing processes and supported parts design for packaging machinery. These experiences taught him the value of efficient design for assembly, disassembly, and transport. They also confirmed his desire to work more directly in the automotive field—motivating him to pursue graduate studies in mechanical engineering.
Outside the classroom, George was active in student government. He served as the 3rd- and 4th-year representative for the Bachelor of Technology Association, roles that strengthened his leadership and communication skills. These experiences continue to serve him well in research and collaborative projects.
Upon graduation, George was named Valedictorian of the McMaster Engineering Class of 2023—the first B.Tech. student in the university’s history to receive this honour. For him, this recognition represented not just a personal milestone, but a moment of pride for the B.Tech. community within McMaster’s Faculty of Engineering.
George began his graduate studies in January 2023 at the McMaster Automotive Resource Centre (MARC), where he joined the McMaster Engineering EcoCAR team as the SDI Technical Specialist. He led efforts to reintegrate a 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ, converting it from a rear-wheel-drive electric vehicle to an all-wheel-drive EV using a rare-earth-metal-free architecture. As rear powertrain lead, George and his team successfully designed and integrated a new switched reluctance motor (SRM) into the rear of the vehicle.
Since transferring into the Ph.D. program in September 2023 under the supervision of Dr. Ali Emadi, George has expanded his research focus. He is currently working on vehicle calibration using industry-standard tools, studying vehicle dynamics, and performing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for inverter thermal management. His research also explores overall vehicle aerodynamics and driveline integration—continuing to merge his lifelong passion for automotive systems with rigorous technical innovation.
