2026 Kenneth M. Molson Lecture
Drones at work: Real stories, real impact
6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Join us for the 2026 Kenneth M. Molson Lecture, where we’ll explore the wide range of roles played by drones (also known as Unpiloted Aerial Vehicles, or UAVs). Hear from experts as they share real-world experiences using drones in defence, remote sensing, and delivering medical supplies to remote communities. Discover how these vital tools are shaping the future of aviation in Canada.
The evening will feature a fireside chat with invited guests, followed by a Q&A. The discussion will be moderated by museum curator Erin Gregory.
Schedule
6 p.m.: Doors open
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: Panel discussion (with bilingual Q&A)
8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.: Reception
This presentation will take place in person at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa and will also be streamed online via Zoom (Zoom registration link will be provided closer to the event date).
Please note: This event will be largely in English. For those attending in person, live French interpretation will be available. For online viewers, English or French audio and captions will be available.
Our speakers
Dr. Margaret Kalacska
Dr. Margaret Kalacska is a remote sensing scientist from the Department of Geography at McGill University whose work has helped shape how drones are used for environmental monitoring and hazard response in Canada and internationally. She was among the early adopters of scientific drone (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) mapping, leading the integration of hyperspectral, LiDAR, thermal, and photogrammetric sensors to study ecosystems, infrastructure, and natural disasters at unprecedented spatial resolution. Through large collaborative projects with government and industry, her drone-based research has delivered practical tools for biodiversity conservation, climate change science, railway safety, large-scale infrastructure assessment, and natural hazard monitoring, including wildfires and landslides. Beyond the science, she is widely recognized for training the next generation of researchers and practitioners in safe, operational drone use and for translating cutting-edge technology into real-world decision-making.
Lt. Col. Nicolas Verreault
LCol Nick Verreault—an Ottawa native, aerospace engineer, and RMC-trained mechanical engineering graduate—has spent more than two decades at the forefront of Canada’s most demanding operational and technological missions. Since joining the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 2002, he has been employed on multiple deployed operations and devoted 15 years to Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, serving across a wide arc of influence: as a Force Development project officer, troop commander, Operations Officer, and ultimately as the director of special requirements for Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) and Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS). Today, as Head of the Joint Uncrewed Systems Office, he leads the CAF’s enterprise, driving transformation in joint uncrewed systems domains of air, ground, surface and underwater. A career built at the junction of engineering precision and SOF urgency, focused on unconventional problem solving and the relentless delivery of leading-edge capabilities for the CAF.
Mr. Wade Hawkins
Wade Hawkins is an accomplished professional with an extensive background in Geospatial and Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) technology, Education, and Research spanning over 28 years. Over the course of his career, Wade has been at the forefront of numerous groundbreaking applied research and development initiatives, collaborating closely with industry partners, as well as governmental and non-governmental agencies.
Currently serving as the Research Chair for the Centre for Innovation and Research in Unmanned Systems (CIRUS) at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary, Alberta, Wade leads a dynamic team of professionals. This team includes Principal Investigators, Research Technicians, Advanced Drone Pilots, and Geospatial Experts. Together, they focus on integrating drones, sensors, and analytics to address the applied research needs of clients.
This event is made possible through the generosity of the Kenneth M. Molson Foundation, with support from the Ingenium Foundation.
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