Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Velocity Fund winners straighten up and fly right
Pegasus Aeronauticsrecievetheir winning $25k cheque from MikeKirkup, director of Velocity.
, a hardware company seeking to extend the airtime range of drones using advanced hybrid powertrains, was among the big winners at the Velocity Fund Finals held Thursdayin the ݮƵ Centre's Great Hall.
Founded by four ݮƵ students and graduates from the Mechanical, Electrical, and Mechatronics Engineering programs, Pegasus Aeronautics seeks to use its hybrid powertrain technology to keep drones in the air longer and make unmanned aerial vehicles a viable option for industrial operators. In addition to winning a $25,000 prize, Pegasus also won the top hardware prize of $10,000.
“Drones are the perfect way to remove people from dangerous tasks, and to help save companies money,” said Matt McRoberts, co-founder and CEO of Pegasus. “Our technology solves a need that has been hindering the industry from its inception by removing the limitations that batteries place on drone flight time. Winning the Velocity Fund Finals will allow us to execute our plan to accelerate our beta testing phase in order to bring our product to market sooner.”
During the competition, 10 companies pitched their businesses to a panel of judges representing the investment, startup and business communities. Judges considered innovation, market potential, market viability and overall pitch.
The following three companies were also grand-prize winners of $25,000 and will receive free workspace at the Velocity Garage:,a platform to connect customers with affordable, skilled mechanics,, whobuilt a specialized robot to defuselandmineswithout an explosion or human interaction, and,an app that logs you into your digital accounts when there is close proximity to your mobile device, to save time and improve security.
“The Velocity Fund has enabled the growth of more than 75 companies in ݮƵ region by awarding more than $1.5 million in funding,” said Mike Kirkup, director of Velocity. “It is a testament to the University of ݮƵ’s entrepreneurial culture to see so many incredible companies today, and we look forward to having them join our community of startups at the Velocity Garage.”
During the event, an additional 10 teams of University of ݮƵ students competed for three prizes of $5,000 and access to Velocity workspaces.
The winners of the Velocity $5K areAVRO Life Science,Gamelynx,andMoocow Unicycles.
All 20 pitches can be viewed on.
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Ontario's Lieutenant Governor visits campus
The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswellvisited the University of ݮƵ on Thursday, March 31,meeting withfaculty, students, andstaff in a tour that included the Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre, the ݮƵ Centre, Environment 3, St. Paul's University College, and Federation Hall.
The Lieutenant Governor's campus tour involved avisit tothe Institute for Quantum Computing and a lunchtime discussion about the Quantum Valley.
She alsoattendedthe Velocity Fund Finals competition in the Great Hall of the ݮƵ Centre, meeting members of studentteams.
The Lieutenant Governor attendeda meeting with representatives from the Federation of Students, thenparticipated in a panel discussion with members of the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Environment.
She also attendedan Environment and Business reception and poster display, and spokewith students from St. Paul's GreenHouse.
The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell is Ontario's 29thLieutenant Governor and was appointed in 2014.
Students, share your feedback for Watcard cash
Time is running out for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in the Canadian Undergraduate Student Survey (CUSC) and theCanadian Graduate and Professional Student Survey (CGPSS).
In early February, students were contacted via e-mailand were asked to provide feedback about their undergraduate andgraduate and professional school experience at the University of ݮƵ.
ճ䱫ܰaims toobtaininformation about student satisfaction with programs, services and overall experience, and the results will beused to inform improvements to various program and student services.
The purpose of theCGPSS surveyis to improve teaching, learning, graduate student services, programs, student support and overall campus life for current and future graduate students.
Students that submit their survey responses will receive $5 added to theirWATCARDsand will be automaticallyentered in a draw to wina $500 student award.
The surveys will be open until 11:59 p.m. this evening,April 4. Following the survey, summary results will be available onthe InstitutionalAnalysis & Planning website.
Undergraduate and graduate students should check their @uwaterlooe-mail accounts for the survey invitation.
Snowy notes as lectures draw to a close
The uprising starts here:Robots square off in thePhysical Activities ComplexFriday during the three-Day FIRST Robotics competition.
Let it snow!ݮƵ Region was under a special weather statement yesterday as things got ugly out there Sunday evening and overnight. The University's main campusis open today, but take care if you find yourself on a slippery slope.
OnFriday, April 8,the Departments of English Language & Literatureand Fine Artsandthe Faculty of Engineering are hostinga unique "double bill" of digital artat 44 Gaukel Street in downtown Kitchener, home of theand the.
Students ofLois Andison and Brandon DeHart's Tech Art course arepresenting "Techsthetic," a collection of interactive artworks resulting from a collaboration between Fine Arts and Engineering.
In addition, theXDM MAprogram presents "CODED BODIES," its annual exhibition, featuring several digital "objects-to-think-with" and a guest appearance by local Kwartzlab artistBernie Rohde.
The event, which takes place Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., will serve as a closing party for the Tech Art show and as an opening for the XDM exhibition. All are welcome.
Both exhibitions have walk-in hours: Techsthetica runs from Wednesday, April 6 to Saturday, April 9 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Coded Bodies runs Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Human Resources is reporting thatretireeMary Kapron diedMarch 12.Mary began her employment at St. Jerome’s University in September 1965. She held the position of Administrative Assistant until she retired in May1994.
Linkof the day
When and where
1000 Acts of Green campaign, Monday, March 28 to Friday,April 22.
Lectures end, Monday, April 4.
Refugee Rights Day,Monday, April 4, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College Atrium.
Grand Opening of the Centre for Mental Health Research Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Service, Monday, April 4, 1:30 p.m., Federation Hall.
University of ݮƵ Department of Music presentsInstrumental Chamber Ensembles, Monday, April 4, 7:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel Chapel.
Pre-examination study days, Tuesday, April 5 to Thursday, April 7.
FAUW Workshop for Tenured Faculty, “Faculty Applying for Promotion to Full Professor Workshop,” Tuesday, April 5, 10:00 a.m., DC 1304.
FAUW workshop for tenure-track faculty, “Faculty Recently Hired to their First Probationary Term Workshop,” Tuesday, April 5, 12:00 p.m., DC 1304.
Board of Governors meeting, Tuesday, April 5, 1:30 p.m., NH 3407.
St. Paul’s GreenHouse Social Impact Showcase,Tuesday, April 5,4:00 p.m.to 5:30 p.m., Alumni Hall, St. Paul’s University College.
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (I.B.M.B.) Seminar Seriesfeaturing Professor Arvi Rauk, Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, “Retired 15 Years and Fretting over Alzheimer's,” Tuesday, April 5, 3:30 p.m., C2-361.
St. Paul’s GreenHouse Social Impact Showcase,Tuesday, April 5,4:00 p.m.to 5:30 p.m., Alumni Hall, St. Paul’s University College.
TheGROOVE, Tuesday, April 5, 5:00 p.m., CPH-3067.ContactCindy Howefor more information.
Annual Staff Conference, Wednesday, April 6 and Thursday, April 7, Science Teaching Complex.
Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience 10thAnnual ݮƵ Brain Day, Wednesday, April 6, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., EV3-1408.
FAUW workshop for tenure-track faculty, “Faculty Applying for Probationary Contract Renewal Workshop,” Wednesday, April 6, 10:00 a.m., DC 1304.
FAUW workshop for tenure-track faculty, “Faculty Applying for Tenure Workshop,” Wednesday, April 6, 2:30 p.m., DC 1304.
Ed Jernigan Thank You Event,Wednesday, April 6, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., University Club.Register now.
Public Lecture: After the Sands: Energy and Ecological Security for Canadians by Gordon Laxer,Wednesday, April 6, 7:00 p.m., Kitchener Public Library.
Philosophy Talkfeaturing David Godden, Department of Philosophy, Michigan State University, “Corroborative Evidence,” Thursday, April 7, 2:00 p.m., HH 373.
Mitacs Programs and Funding Opportunities, Thursday, April 7, 2:30 p.m., DC 1304.
Exams begin, Friday, April 8.
Online examination days, Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9.
Gender and Equity ScholarshipSeriesfeaturing Dr. Andrea Collins, School of Environment, Resources, and Sustainability, “Gender, Land, and Global Governance: Governing Global Land Deals?”Wednesday, April 13, 11:30 a.m.,MC 5501.
Watts Up – Home and WorkEnergy SavingsLunch and Learn event,Wednesday, April 13, 12:00 p.m., EV2 2006.
Staff International Experience Fund Brown Bag Lunch Session,Thursday, April 14, 12:00 p.m., DC 1301.
UW Retirees’ AssociationSpring Reception,Wednesday, April 13, 3:00 p.m.,University Club.
Biomedical Discussion Group Lecture featuring Dr. Sara Mashid,“Nanostructured based Lab-on-chips for optical and electrical detection,” Thursday, April 14, 2:30 p.m., DC 1304.
2016 University of ݮƵ Brain Bee, Saturday, April 16, 10:00 a.m., Sun Life Financial Auditorium, LHI 1621.
20 Minute Makeovercampus tidy-up event,Friday, April 22, 12:00 p.m., EV2 1001.
Examinations end, Saturday, April 23.
Vision Science Graduate Research Conference, Monday,April 25 and Tuesday, April26, 10:00a.m.,OPT 1129.
Mark Haslett retirement event,Tuesday, April 26, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. RSVP by April 22 to Graham Yeates at ext. 32281 orgyeates@uwaterloo.ca
,“You’re In Change: Excel in Your Career at ݮƵ,” Thursday, April 28, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., TC2218.
PhD oral defences
Economics.Behnoush Amery, "Three Empirical Essays on Job Training, Income Support Programs, and Household Debt." Supervisor, Anindya Sen. On deposit in the Arts graduate office, PAS 2428. Oral defence Tuesday, April 19, 10:00 a.m., HH 1102.
Electrical & Computer Engineering.Kuan Zhang, "Security and Privacy for Mobile Social Networks." Supervisor, Sherman X. Shen. On deposit in the Engineering graduate office, PHY 3003. Oral defence Thursday, April 21, 10:00 a.m., EIT 3151-3153.
Physics & Astronomy.William Foster, "Motion Management for Lung Cancer Radiotherapy: Employing the Convolution Model for Patient Specific Margin Selection." Supervisors, Robin Barnett, Ernest Osei. On deposit in the Faculty of Science, PHY 2008. Oral defence Thursday, April 21, 2:00 p.m., PHY 352.
School of Public Health and Health Systems.Jessica Lieffers, "Electronic Tools to Support Nutrition and Physical Activity Behaviour Change: Public and Professional Experiences." Supervisor, Rhona Hanning. On display in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, BMH 3110. Oral defence Friday, April 22, 1:00 p.m., BMH 3119.
Physics & Astronomy.GhadaKhouqeer, "In Vitro NMR Study of Magnetization Exchange at Low Field and Proteoglycan-Depletion at High Field In Articular Cartilage." Supervisor, Hartwig Peemoeller. On deposit in the Science graduate office, PHY 2008. Oral defence Friday, April 22, 1:30 p.m., PHY 352.