- Global Futures: Canada needs a health-care transformation
- Advancement celebrates Black History Month
- Staff association to hold tribute event for Michael Herz
- CEE launches Insights for Impact newsletter
- New mathematical model shows how the body regulates potassium
- Mirrorless Monday campaign on campus today; other notes
Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Global Futures: Canada needs a health-care transformation
This article is part of the Global Futures series.
Dr. Catherine Burns is the Chair in Human Factors in Health Care Systems and leads the University of ݮƵ’s health initiatives. She is an expert in human-centred approaches to the design and implementation of advanced health-care technologies.
Burns also heads ݮƵ's Transformative Health Technologies initiative, a collaboration spanning all faculties and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. We asked her how we can redesign our health systems to create better patient outcomes and more equitable access to care.
Read Burns’ perspective onhow technology can help solve the challenges of our health-care crisis and transform the future of care
Advancement celebrates Black History Month
A message from the Office of Advancement.
The Office of Advancement is proud to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black community members during Black History Month and throughout the year.
We invite you to learn about the important work of Black alumni, donors and partners. From building supportive networks for students and alumni, to launching ventures that improve lives, Black community members are driving meaningful change at our University and around the world.
Discover more on our.
Staff association to hold tribute event for Michael Herz
A message from the University of ݮƵ Staff Association (UWSA).
To celebrate the life and achievements of Michael Herz, a long-standing member of the UWSA executive, please join the UWSA Presidents, Staff and the Board in a special tribute event to remember and celebrate Mike’s dedicated service to the UWSA.
The event will open with remarks from Agata Antkiewicz, UWSA Chair, but—in keeping with Mike’s preference to always focus on the individual—we would like to keep the tribute fairly informal. If you have a story about Mike that you would like to share, you are most welcome to present it yourself during the event or to draft something ahead of time and have it read out to the attendees. In either case, please contact Agata Antkiewicz (ajantkiewicz@uwaterloo.ca) to note your willingness to participate in the storytelling.
The special tribute will take place onFebruary 16 from2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (hybrid format). In order to best accommodate those who would like to participate in the event, we ask that youplease registerno later than4:00 p.m. on February 8. The on-campus location for the tribute as well as an online meeting link for those attending remotely will be announced after the registration deadline.
CEE launches Insights for Impact newsletter
A message fromCo-operative and Experiential Education (CEE).
Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) has launched the new Insights for Impact newsletter. An evolution of the Work-Learn Institute’s Insights newsletter, the bi-monthly newsletter offers valuable research-based best practices and tips to help employers engage with emerging talent.
Read the first edition of the newsletterwhich is focused on sustainability through the lens of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Be sure to subscribe to receive future emails.
New mathematical model shows how the body regulates potassium
Having levels of potassium that are too high or too low can be fatal. A new mathematical model sheds light on the often mysterious ways the body regulates this important electrolyte.
Potassium, a common mineral abundant in food like bananas and leafy greens, is essential to normal cellular function. It helps the cardiac muscle work correctly and aids in the transmission of electrical signals within cells.
Using existing biological data, researchers at the University of ݮƵ built a mathematical model that simulates how an average person’s body regulates potassium, both in times of potassium depletion and during potassium intake. Because so many foods contain abundant potassium, our bodies constantly store, deploy, and dispose of potassium to maintain healthy levels – a process known as maintaining potassium homeostasis. Understanding potassium homeostasis is essential in helping diagnose the source of the problem when something goes wrong – for example, when kidney disease or medication leads to dysregulation.
“Too much potassium in the body, or hyperkalemia, can be just as dangerous as hypokalemia, or too little,” said Melissa M. Stadt, a PhD student in applied mathematics and the lead author of the study. “Dysregulation of potassium can lead to dangerous and potentially fatal consequences.”
The model could be used for a virtual patient trial, allowing researchers to generate dozens of patients and then predict which ones would have hyper- or hypokalemia based on different controls.
“A lot of our models are pieces of a bigger picture,” said Anita Layton, professor of applied mathematics and Canada 150 Research Chair in mathematical biology and medicine. “This model is one new and exciting piece in helping us understand how our incredibly complex internal systems work.”
The model is especially exciting because it allows scientists to test something called the muscle-kidney cross-talk signal hypothesis. Scientists have hypothesized that skeletal muscles, which are responsible for most of the potassium storage in the body, can directly signal to the kidneys that it’s time to excrete excess when too much potassium is stored, and vice versa. When the math researchers tested the hypothesis in their model, it more accurately reflected existing biological data regarding potassium homeostasis, suggesting that muscle-kidney cross talk might be an essential piece in the puzzle of potassium regulation.
Thewas published inPLOS Computational Biology.
Mirrorless Monday campaign on campus today; other notes
The on-campus"Mirrorless Monday" body positivity campaignresumes this year in washrooms across the University campus. The campaign is a partnership between Campus Wellness and Plant Operations.
"MirrorlessMonday is a movement to encourage body positivity through various messages on mirrors and a campaign thatseeks to remind everyone that their self-worth is not tied to a reflection in a mirror," says a message from Campus Wellness.
For the one-day campaign today,a portion of washroom mirrors in various locations on campus will be coveredwith positive messages and supportive resources including Counselling Services, MATES, Good2Talk, and Nedic). The messages will be placed on the mirrors at the beginning of the day and removed by 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 7.
The campaign is the result of collaboration between Plant Operations, the Campus Wellness Health promotion team, and peer health education student volunteers.
For more information or to partner on this campaign, please contact Sandra Gibsonatsandra.gibson@uwaterloo.ca.
GreenHouse at United College is hosting a two-part seminar series this month entitled"Finding Funding for your Social Impact Idea."
"Hosted in two parts, this series will help you identify potential sources of funding, understand what has worked for others, and learn to write effective grant applications," says a note from United College.
Part One takes place on February 9 and Part Two takes place on February 16.
"You may join either the lunch sessions (12 noon to 1:30 p.m.) or the dinner sessions (5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.), but you must attend both part 1 and part 2," organizers say.
The event happens at UTD 164 at United College or online via Zoom. Pizza will be provided (presumably for the in-person portion of the event).
The Registrar's Office has announced thatthefinal examination schedule for the winter 2023 termhas been posted the Registrar's Office website.
Exam locations will be published by February 17, 2023.
Link of the day
When and Where to get support
Studentscan visit theStudent Success Officeonline for supports including academic development, international student resources, immigration consulting,leadership development, exchange and study abroad, and opportunities to get involved.
Instructorslooking for targeted support for developing online components for blended learning courses, transitioning remote to fully online courses, revising current online courses, and more please visitAgile Development | Centre for Extended Learning | University of ݮƵ (uwaterloo.ca).
Faculty, staff, post-doc and graduate student instructorscan find upcoming teaching and learning workshops, self-directed modules and recordings of previous events onCentre for Teaching Excellence Workshops and Events page.
Instructors can access theEdTech Hubto find support on ݮƵ’s centrally supported EdTech tools. The Hub is supported by members ofIST’sInstructional Technologies and Media Services,Centre for Teaching Excellence,Centre for Extended Learningandsubject matter expertsfrom other campus areas.
Supports are available foremployeesreturning to campus. Visitandworkplace protocolsto assist with the transition.
Studentswith permanent, temporary and suspected disabilities and disabling conditions (medical conditions, injuries, or trauma from discrimination, violence, or oppression) can register withAccessAbility Servicesfor academic accommodations (classroom accommodations, testing accommodations, milestone accommodations).
Instructorscan visit AccessAbility Services'Faculty and Staff web pagefor information about the Instructor/Faculty role in the accommodation process. Instructors/Faculty members are legally required to accommodate students with disabilities. AccessAbility Services (AAS) is here to help you understand your obligations, and to offer services and resources to help you facilitate accommodations.
Did you know that theWriting and Communication Centreoffers manyin-person and virtualservices to supportyouwithanywriting or communication project? This term we've addedThe Write Spot: a new student space in South Campus hall, complete with bookable workspaces, drop-ins with our peer tutors, and free coffee and tea. We also havewith our writing and communication advisors and peer tutors,email tutoringfor grads and undergrads,,,,, and even. For any communication project, the Writing and Communication Centre is here to support you.
Research Ethics:Find yourself with an ethical question, unsure if your work requires an ethics review, or need advice about putting together a research ethics application? Reach out to one of our friendly staff bybooking a consultationoremailus with your questions.
Co-op studentscanget help finding a joband find supports to successfully work remotely, develop new skills, access wellness and career information, and contact a co-op or career advisor.
The Centre for Career Action (CCA)hasservices and programstosupport undergrads, grad students, postdocs, alumni, and employees in figuring out what they value, what they’re good at, and how to access meaningful work, co-op, volunteer, or graduate/professional school opportunities. Questions about CCA's services?, call 519-888-4047, or stop by our front desk in the Tatham Centre 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,Monday to Friday.
Drop-in to in-personon Thursdays from5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in DC and DP. Join a Peer Success Coach to set goals and work independently or in groups each week.
Renison's English Language Institutecontinues to offervirtual events and workshopsto help students practice their English language skills.
If you feel overwhelmed or anxious and need to talk to somebody, please contact theUniversity’s Campus Wellness services, eitherHealth Servicesor Counselling Services. You can also contact the University'sCentre for Mental Health Research and Treatment.Good2Talkis a post-secondary student helplineavailable to all students.
The Libraryis here to help, both in person and online. Our spaces are open for access to book stacks, study spaces, computers/printers, and the IST Help Desk. For in-depth support, meet one-to-one with Librarians, Special Collections & Archives and Geospatial Centre staff. Visit theto access our online resources for anywhere, anytime learning and research.
TheFaculty Association of the University of ݮƵ (FAUW)continues to advocate for its members.for more information.
TheUniversity of ݮƵ Staff Association (UWSA)continues to advocate for its members.Check out the UWSA blogfor more information.
The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism (EDI-R)works with students, faculty and staff across campus to advance equity and Anti-racism through evidence-based policies, practices and programs.If you have a concern related to Anti-racism and/or equity, please complete ourintake form.
The Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO)supports all members ofthe University of ݮƵcampuscommunitywho have experienced, or been impacted, by sexual violence.This includes all students, staff,facultyand visitorsonthemain campus, the satellite campuses, and at the affiliated and federated ݮƵ Institutes and Colleges.For support, email:svpro@uwaterloo.caor visit theSVPRO website.
TheOffice of Indigenous Relationsis a central hub that provides guidance, support, and resources to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous campus community members and oversees the University's Indigenization strategy.
TheݮƵ Indigenous Student Centre, based at United College,provides support and resources for Indigenous students, and educational outreach programs for the broader community, including lectures, and events.
WUSAsupports for students:
Peer support -,,,-Click on one of the linksto book an appointment either in person or online for the term.
food hampersare currently available from the Turnkey Desk 24/7 in the ݮƵ Centre. Drop-off locations are also open again in SLC, DC, DP, SCH, and all residences.
all available online.
-CAPS is here to assistݮƵ undergraduates throughout their experience in navigating academic policy in the instances of filing petitions, grievances and appeals. Please contact them atcaps@wusa.ca.
-Seeking legal counsel can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time facing a legal issue.The legal assistance helpline provides quick access to legal advice in any area of law, including criminal. Just call1-833-202-4571.
is a confidential mental health and wellness service that connects students with qualified counsellors 24/7. They can be reached at1-833-628-5589.
GSA-UW supports for graduate students:
Thesupports students’ academic and social experience and promotes their well-being.
Advising and Support-experiencing challenges and can help with navigating university policies & filing a grievance, appeal, or petition.
Mental Health covered by the Health Plan- Thenow has an 80 per centcoverage rate (up to $800/year) for. Your plan includes coverage for psychologists, registered social workers, psychotherapists, and clinical counselors.
Dental Care- Thecovers 60to 70 per centof your dental costs and by visiting dental professionals who are members of the, you can receive an additional 20to 30 per centcoverage.
Student Legal Protection Program- Your GSA fees give you, accessible via a toll-free helpline: +1-833-202-4571. This advice covers topics including housing disputes, employment disputes, and disputes with an academic institution.
The Graduate House: Open Monday to Tuesday 11:30 a.m. to7:00 p.m. and Wednesday to Friday 11:30 a.m. to9:00 p.m.We’re open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members. Theis a community space run by the GSA-UW. We’re adding new items to the menu.Graduate students who paid their fees can get discounts and free coffee.
When and Where
on sale now. Cheer on your Warriors W/M Basketball, Football W/M Hockey and W/M Volleyball teams at home during the 2022-23 season..
Fitness andPersonal Training -Registrations opened January 5this winter withandas well as a.
Student Health Pharmacyin the basement of the ݮƵ Centre is now offering Covidbooster shots (Pfizer and Moderna)and flu shots. Call 519-746-4500 or extension 33784 for an appointment. Walk-ins always welcome.
Takin’ It To The Streets: La Cartonera Exhibit,Thursday, February 2 to February 13, Dana Porter Library lobby.
NEW -, Tuesday, February 7, 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon, online.
NEW -Applying for Tenure workshop, Tuesday, February 7, 1:00 p.m., online.
NEW - Board of Governors meeting, Tuesday, February 7, 1:30 p.m., NH 3407.
NEW -Applying for Promotion to Full Professorworkshop, Tuesday, February 7, 3:00 p.m., online.
NEW -, Thursday, February 9, 2:00 p.m. to4:00 p.m., online.