Dr. Greg Smallwood’s foundational work in aerosol measurement has contributed to the improvement of worldwide air quality and health. The method his team developed for measuring non-volatile particulate matter in aircraft exhaust led to the standardization of measurement of black carbon particles. His persistence also ensured the adoption of improved air quality regulatory changes for aircraft and may also help set new marine emissions standards. Furthermore, his particulate measurement expertise helped to rapidly develop particulate filtration efficiency testing, meeting Canada’s need for respirator evaluation during the COVID pandemic. Dr. Smallwood’s innovation, mentorship, and collaborative leadership continue to shape Canadian engineering.