Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

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Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca

ݮƵ Magazine and the pursuit of happiness

The word "Happiness" with a bunch of cartoon characters around it atop the Dana Porter Library.

The front cover image of the ݮƵ Magazine's Spring issue.

ճ2024 issue of ݮƵ Magazineis now available. In this issue, we focus on the theme of Happiness, and explore the people, policies, innovations and insights emerging from the ݮƵ community that are helping to create a world where happiness and well-being are possible for everyone. 

The ݮƵ Magazine is produced by a team of people from across the University – led by University Relations in collaboration with the Office of Advancement. The stories, illustrations and photography in each edition exemplify the ongoing impact of our ݮƵ alumni, researchers, students and staff.  

Here’s a look at some of the highlights:

We are excited to introduce changes to the digital magazine experience. This includes anew landing pagethat leverages the most up-to-date web features and enables us to curate magazine content in one location. You will also notice that feature stories are posted toݮƵ News, so they can be easily shared to the home page and become part of our broader storytelling ecosystem.

Moving forward, we are also evolving our schedule to publish one issue of ݮƵ Magazine per year as part of our focus on reaching much of our audience digitally, rather than by (costly) print. This means you can expect the next issue in 2025. While the schedule is changing, we remain committed to delivering the engaging stories you have come to enjoy.

We hope you enjoy the stories in our 2024 issue. Please share them using #UݮƵMagazine and tag @uwaterlooalumni. 

Register for Tri-Agencies webinar on Sensitive Research and Affiliations of Concern policy

A message from the Office of Research.

University of ݮƵ researchers are invited to register for the Tri-Agency Webinar: Policy on Sensitive Technology Research & Affiliations of Concern.

The federal granting agencies are committed to providing Canada's research community with the most up to date information and best practices designed to reduce research security risks. They are offering webinars to help familiarize the research community with this new policy.

Specifically, the webinar provides guidance, with regards to the implementation of the Government of Canada's Policy on Sensitive Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC), by the federal granting agencies.

  • Tri-Agencies webinar on Sensitive Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) policy (in French),Monday, May 6, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m..
  • Tri-Agencies webinar on Sensitive Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) policy (in English),Thursday, May 9, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m..
  • Tri-Agencies webinar on Sensitive Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) policy (in English),Tuesday, May 28, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m..
  • Tri-Agencies webinar on Sensitive Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) policy (in French),Thursday, May 30, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m..

Velocity gathers Momentum

Momentum banner featuring a collage of Velocity-related images.

A message from Velocity.

Velocityhas released its first edition of a brand new publication called.This new publication offers a glimpse of what we're up to and promotes the remarkable ambitions and accomplishments of the students and founders we work with.

Inside you’ll read about:

  • Strong startup creation out of University of ݮƵ;
  • Cool tech;
  • What founders and community leaders have to say; and
  • HowVelocityworks.

“The world has a lot of problems and it’s very easy to be overwhelmed by them. What I’ve learned on this journey is that if you’re a person who continually asks, “Why not” or “Why not me”, that will take you very far because then you become essential to the solution,” says.

Let’s keep building.

.

Supporting a bird-friendly campus

The dot pattern on the glass of the SLC - MC bridge.

A message from the Sustainability Office.

Window collisions are a common cause of fatalities and injuries inbirds. In an effort to prevent bird-window collisions, theUniversity of ݮƵ is piloting Feather Friendly® window decals on the SLC/MC bridge, an identified high-risk area for birds oncampus. The project is being led by the UW Society for Ecological Restoration group, who will be monitoring the bridge for bird collisions over the next few migratory seasons, with support from theSustainability Action Fund.

Read thefull article on the Sustainability Office news page.

Uniting science and art through STEAM education

A woman speaks at a podium during a press conference.

By Sarah Fullerton. This article wasoriginally posted on ݮƵ News.

While it is often believed that art and science fall on opposite sides of the left- andright-brain divide, historyshowsthat some of the brightest minds are versatile in both.Leonardo da Vinci, celebrated for his artistry, was also a scientist and inventor.Today, figures like Brian May, the lead guitarist of the rock bandQueenwith a PhD in astrophysics, andactressesNatalie Portman (Black Swan) and Lisa Kudrow (Friends),who are contributing authors in scientific research, exemplifythe intersectionality between art and science.

Alumni from the University of ݮƵ, such asAzeezatAdeyoyinOyawoye(BSc ’21),illustratesthis multidimensional talent.Oyawoye, known as  on Instagram, hasestablishedherself as a visual artist andaproject manager at Huge, a creative consulting agency with various clients including McDonald's, Google,Pantoneand Lego.

In a technology-driven world,it is no surprise thatemployers seek individuals with technicalexpertiseand creative thinking skills. As the demand for STEMgraduatescontinues to grow, there is a notable movement toincorporatearts into the mixtoencourage diversity of thought by attracting students withdifferent backgroundsto gravitate toward STEM learning.

ݮƵhas always been known for approaching challenges differently.Ourfaculty, students and alumnieffectivelyunlock barriersby working togetherto develop creative solutionsacrossdisciplines. Building on thisstrength,theFaculty ofScience atݮƵstrivesforstudentstograduate with the skills to think creatively and approach work with passion,purposeand an innovative mindset.Toaddressthese needs, the faculty has introduced the Science Meets Art (SMArt)initiative tohelp students reach their full potential andempowerthem to exploreinterestsincludingpainting, graphic design, musicandacting with other science students also looking to flex their creative muscles.  

“Science Meets Art is a new initiative thatwill promote out-of-the box thinking,”saysChris Houser, dean of the Faculty of Science. “Now more than ever,we need scientists who can effectively present and defend science through a range of mediums.The program aims to enrich the science curriculum by creating an engaging learning environment that will provide graduates with a well-rounded education.”

ճSMArtinitiativeincludesa new elective coursecalled StagingScience: Embodying Knowledge Expression in the Sciencesthat starts in spring 2024. A collaborationwith Communication Arts,the course is taughtbyDr.Sarah Klein and designed specifically forSciencestudents. 

“In this course, students will delve into plays, performance studies, and the history, philosophy and sociology of science,” Klein says.“Byapproaching science as an art, students will develop a set ofcollaborative, representational and embodied skills that are part of many aspects of scientific work, from designing research andinterpretingdata to conveying complex phenomena.”

Students willcome away with a toolkitofperformance skillsthat they will be able to call upon whether they are presenting research in class, defending a PhD, or sharing scientific findings with non-experts. Students who complete the course will have a whole new set of skills and experience to pull from throughout the rest of their degree and upon graduation. Read the full coursedescription onlineand register for the upcomingspring 2024term.

Upcoming office closures

ճScience Undergraduate Officewill not be accepting appointments and there will be limited access to advisorstodaydue to the advisor conference.

ճAccessAbility Services Office and Exam Centrewill be closedtodayfrom 12 noon to2:00 p.m. for a staff event.

The Centre for Teaching Excellence will be closed onThursday, May 2for the annual Teaching and Learning Conference.

Linkof the day

When and Where

ճStudent Health Pharmacy(located in the lower level of the ݮƵ Centre) is offering flu shots with no appointments needed daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call519-746-4500 or extension 33784 for more info. COVID shots will be available on appointment basis only. You can register online at.

Warriors Youth Summer Camps.Basketball, Baseball, Football, Hockey, Multi-Sport and Volleyball.

2024 Advisor Conference, Monday, April 29 and Tuesday, April 30.

Cheriton School of Computer ScienceDistinguished Lecture Series, ","featuring Adam Smith, Departments of Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Tuesday, April 30,10:00 a.m.,DC 1302 and online.

Safeguarding Science workshop and more, throughout May and June. Public Safety Canada invites faculty, staff and students to attend a series of virtual event via MS Teams. Register to receive a link.

Quantum Connections 2024: Quantum Perspectives, Wednesday, May 1 to Thursday, May 2, QNC.

Teaching and Learning Conference 2024, Wednesday, May 1 and Thursday, May 2.

Chemistry Seminar: Exciton dissociation by topological edge statesfeaturing Dr. Udo Schwingenschlögl,Associate Dean, Faculty, Physical Sciences and Engineering, Applied Physics, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thursday, May 2, 11:00 a.m., C2-361 Reading Room.

Spring Tree Planting, Thursday, May 2, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., main campus.

WaterTalk: We fail on the estimation of flood hazards; reflections on the July 2021 floods in Central Europe, presented byDr. Mário Franca, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Wednesday, May 1, 2:30 p.m. in DC 1302. Reception to follow in DC 1301.

Red Dress Day event, Friday, May 3, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., BC Matthews Green.

Master of Taxationvirtual information session,Saturday, May 4,9:00 a.m.

BioBlitz, Monday, May 6 to Sunday, May 12.

Spring term lectures and classes begin, Monday, May 6.

Co-operative work term begins, Monday, May 6.

NEW - Tri-Agencies webinar on Sensitive Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) policy (in French),Monday, May 6, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m..

Equitable Recruitment and Selection, Monday, May 6, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Spring Tree Planting, Wednesday, May 8 and Thursday, May 9,12 noon to 2:00 p.m., main campus.

Bridging Black: Building Black Connections for Black Flourishing, the 2024 Inter-Institutional Forum of the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education, Thursday, May 9 and Friday, May 10, University of ݮƵ and Wilfrid Laurier University campuses.

NEW - Tri-Agencies webinar on Sensitive Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) policy (in English),Thursday, May 9, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m..

Climate Drinkswith the ݮƵ Climate Institute, Thursday, May 9, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Graduate House.

GOODHack24, Saturday, May 11, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 151 Charles Street, Kitchener.

, Monday, May 13 to Thursday, May 16, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Black & Gold Room.

NEW -Horizon Europe Town Hall for ݮƵ faculty members.Learn about the Pillar II funding program and its many opportunities to support international partnerships and collaborative projects that tackle major global challenges and address Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),Monday, May 13, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.Please register to attendin person or online via Microsoft Town Hall.

Seedling Swap, Wednesday, May 15and Thursday, May 16, Environment 3.

Wednesday, May 15, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., ݮƵ Centre Great Hall.

Clubs and Societies Days, Thursday, May 16, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.and Friday, May 17, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., ݮƵ Centre Great Hall.

University of ݮƵ Knowledge Mobilization Community of Practice, “Bibliometrics and Research Impact and Thinking Through How to Improve KM Metrics”,Thursday, May 30,10:0 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Thursday,May 16,10:00 a.m. to11:30 a.m.ContactNadine Quehlto request a Teams invitation or for more information.Please notethenewnew date and time.

"GettingReadytoFacilitateOnline Courses:TA Training – Spring 2024" course,Tuesday, May 21.

Foundations of Collaborative Leadership,Chapter one of theCommunity Leadership Certificate (CLC),Thursday, May 23,5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (virtual).

NEW -Tri-Agencies webinar on Sensitive Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) policy (in English),Tuesday, May 28, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m..

Foundations of Collaborative Leadership,Chapter one of theCommunity Leadership Certificate (CLC),Wednesday, May 29, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (virtual).

NEW -Tri-Agencies webinar on Sensitive Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) policy (in French),Thursday, May 30, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m..

Engineering Graduate Studies Fair, Wednesday, June 6, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Engineering 7 second floor event space.

PhD oral defences

Civil & Environmental Engineering.Kirti Srimani Nemani, "Evaluation and improvement of robustness in drinking water treatment systems to manage turbidity and natural organic matter (NOM) related water quality upsets during extreme weather." Supervisors, Dr. Peter Huck, Dr.Sigrid Peldszus. Thesis available on SharePoint - contacteng.phd@uwaterloo.cato request a viewing link. Oral defence Tuesday, April 30, 10:00 a.m.

Computer Science.Andrew Na, "Efficient Machine Learning Methods for Solving Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman Equations in Finance." Supervisor, Dr.Justin Wan. Thesis available frommgo@uwaterloo.ca. Oral defence Tuesday, April 30, 9:00 a.m.

Management Science and Engineering.Ali AbdulHussein, "Use of Data Analytics trends after the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada." Supervisors, Dr.Stan Dimitrov, Dr.Brian Cozzarin.Thesis available on SharePoint - contacteng.phd@uwaterloo.cato request a viewing link. Oral defence Wednesday, May 1, 11:00 a.m., remote.

Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering.Erfan Azqadan, "Application of machine learning modeling in establishing the process, structure, and property relationships of the cast-forged AZ80 magnesium alloy." Supervisors, Dr.Hamid Jahed Motlagh, Dr.Arash Arami.Thesis available on SharePoint - contacteng.phd@uwaterloo.cato request a viewing link. Oral defence Wednesday, May 1, 2:00 p.m.,E5-3052.

English Language and Literature.Lara El Mekaui, "Hesitant Belonging: Understanding Generational Traumas of Forced Migration in Black and Palestinian Diaspora Contemporary Transnational Fiction." Supervisors, Dr.Heather Smyth, Dr. Jay Dolmage.Available upon request from the Faculty of Arts, Graduate Studies and Research Officer. Oral defence Thursday, May 2, 1:00 p.m.,PAS 2464 and hybrid.

Applied Mathematics.Alexey Smirnov, "Discrete total variation in multiple spatial dimensions and its applications." Supervisor, Dr.Lilia Krivodonova. Thesis available frommgo@uwaterloo.ca. Oral defence Monday, May 6, 10:00 a.m.

Upcoming service interruptions

Stay up to date on service interruptions, campus construction, and other operational changes onthe Plant Operations website. Upcoming service interruptions include:

  • PAC Air Handling Unit replacement project, Friday, April 26, 12:00 a.m. to Monday, May 6, 5:00 p.m., no ventilation to several PAC rooms, which will be closed as a result
  • REV mechanical room(boilers),Tuesday, April 30, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., heating and hot water will not be available for the Central Complex and the residential South/East and North/West quads
  • South Campus Hall (SCH) steam trap replacement,April 30 to May 2,brief interruption of hot water and heating
  • E7 Bicycle Shelter installation of snow guards and cleanup of roof glass, Wednesday, May 1, areas around and under the E7 bicycle shelter will be blocked off
  • East side of B1 crane operation, Wednesday, May 1, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., partial blockage to pedestrians on main pathway during crane operation.
  • Steam and compressed air temporary interruptions across campus, Wednesday,May 1, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., loss of steam-derived heating, hot water, and humidification for up to 30 minutes during the interruption period.
  • Arts Lecture Hall, Hagey Hall Humanities, Psychology, Tatham Centre fire alarm testing, Monday, May 6, 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
  • Bioremfire alarm testing, Wednesday, May 8, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation is not required.
  • Fire Research Facility fire alarm testing, Wednesday, May 8, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation is not required.
  • Needles Hall emergency power interruption, Saturday, May 11, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., emergency lighting, receptacles, exit lights will be without power for the duration of the shutdown.
  • Engineering 6 electrical shutdown, May 12, 8:00 a.m., utility power will be off for four hours, emergency power will be operating
  • Stratford Campus electrical shutdown, May 26, 9:00 a.m., all electrical power shut down for four hours