Biomedical Engineering (BME) students delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 Ontario Engineering Competition (OEC), hosted at Carleton University. The teams earned two first-place finishes, demonstrated exceptional technical skill, creativity, and resilience.
Yaxin and Matthew (photo courtesy of Matthew via LinkedIn)
Consulting Team Takes Top Honours
Competing in the Consulting category, Matthew Ko and Yaxin Wang were tasked with addressing critical challenges in sustainability and safety in outer space. Over a demanding 7.5-hour design window, the team developed a comprehensive solution that impressed judges.
Their final presentation secured 1st place in the Consulting Category, a testament to their analytical strength and ability to communicate complex engineering strategies with clarity and impact.
Katherine and Lydia (photo courtesy of Lydia)
Bio‑Engineering Team Wins Gold
In the Bio-Engineering category, Lydia Susanne Griffith and Katherine Langille faced a high-pressure design sprint centered on containing a viral outbreak aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The challenge blended epidemiology, systems engineering, and rapid response problem-solving.
"OEC was a great opportunity to collaborate with an incredible teammate, showcase our problem-solving skills, and practice clearly communicating our ideas,” said Katherine. “It was challenging but very rewarding, and a lot of fun!"
Their innovative approach and rigorous technical execution earned them 1st place in Bio‑Engineering.
“We’ve learned a lot through our time in BME, and are always honoured to represent Waterloo on the provincial stage,” said Lydia.
These achievements reflect the remarkable talent and dedication of BME students, and we congratulate them on an exceptional showing at OEC 2026!