BCIT is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Moein Manbachi (he/him) as Director of the Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team (SMART) based at the BCIT Centre for Applied Research and Innovation (CARI). Dr. Manbachi has served as interim Director of SMART since April 2026.
Dr. Manbachi brings over a decade of experience as a researcher and faculty member at BCIT. Since joining SMART in 2017, he has helped expand the group’s research capabilities, including securing funding for major applied research initiatives and supporting the establishment of two new labs: the Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Lab and Digital Twin Innovation Hub.
“Dr. Manbachi has demonstrated strong leadership through his ability to develop research programs, secure funding and build productive partnerships,” says Dr. Dawn Whitworth, Dean, Applied Research + Innovation at BCIT. “He understands SMART’s strengths and the value of working across disciplines and across BCIT. I’m confident that under his leadership, SMART will continue to grow and create more opportunities for BCIT faculty and students to participate in applied research.”
Building on SMART’s research strengths
Looking forward, Dr. Manbachi plans to expand SMART’s research capabilities while responding to emerging challenges in Canada’s energy and infrastructure sectors.
“My priority is to build on SMART’s established strengths in smart grid technologies, digital twins and operational technology cybersecurity, while expanding our research in digital engineering, intelligent systems and critical infrastructure resilience,” says Dr. Manbachi. “Ultimately, my vision is to strengthen SMART as a collaborative, industry-focused applied research team that connects expertise across BCIT, supports students and faculty, and delivers practical solutions to Canada’s emerging energy and infrastructure challenges.”
Dr. Moein Manbachi
Dr. Manbachi is a Professional Engineer, IEEE Senior Member, and an active member of CIGRE and Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia. In 2024, Dr. Manbachi received the BCIT Employee Excellence Award for Applied Research in recognition of his significant contributions to research and innovation. He holds a PhD in Mechatronic Systems Engineering from Simon Fraser University and completed postdoctoral research at the University of British Columbia.
About SMART
The BCIT Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team (SMART) converges expertise in information technology, communications engineering, and energy management to develop advanced prototypes and solutions for complex applied research programs. At the forefront of its initiatives, SMART is advancing Digital Twin technologies for critical energy infrastructure, enabling real-time analysis, resilience testing, and intelligent decision-making. In parallel, the team leads R&D in OT cybersecurity, energy storage systems, and virtual power plant integration, addressing the evolving challenges of modern energy networks. Through strong collaborations with academia, industry, utilities, and government, SMART continues to strengthen BC’s innovation ecosystem and contribute to Canada’s energy transition.