Chair's Message
Welcome to the Spring 2026 edition of Chemistry Matters
Inside this issue
Faculty spotlight
What does polymer science have to do with building more sustainable batteries?
As a chemist, Dr. Yangju Lin tackles the big picture by looking at its smallest pieces. His research combines polymer science with device applications, offering molecular solutions that can help address practical challenges, such as sustainable energy.
Foundational science with far-reaching impact
Every big breakthrough starts with a single idea. The desire to find out how. The determination to find out why. In chemistry professor Dr. Juewen Liu’s lab, this is at the heart of everything they do. As one of Clarivate’s most highly cited researchers, the exploratory work in his lab has influenced thousands of researchers and advanced the field of DNA research outside of genetics.
Dr. David Sychantha joins Chemistry to advance antibiotic research
Dr. David Sychantha joined the University of Waterloo as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and is now working to solve a global health crisis: antibiotic resistance.
Student stories
Celebrating the 2025 Co-op Students of the Year
The Co-op Student of the Year Awards recognize Waterloo co-op students whose work terms exemplify innovation and impact. From sustainability to emerging technologies and advancing patient care, this year's award recipients delivered results that extended beyond expectations. Their efforts had real human impacts that demanded thoughtful, innovation initiatives.
Celebrating undergraduate research excellence at SOUSCC
Undergraduate researchers from across the province gathered at the University of Toronto Mississauga for the 54th Southern Ontario Undergraduate Student Chemistry Conference (SOUSCC).
Congratulations to Percy Luk, Grace DelMistro, and Daniel Wang on receiving awards.
Chemistry students tour Apotex facility
Students in CHEM 363: Organic Process Chemistry toured the Apotex pharmaceutical manufacturing facility during the winter term, gaining a firsthand look at how chemical processes move from the lab to large-scale production.
Alumni profiles
Fueling a healthier future
When ZoRaw Chocolates co-founder Gigi Gill graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Waterloo in 2016, she imagined a career that would make a real difference.
Scientific impact recognized with 2025 Science Alumni Achievement Awards
The 2025 Faculty of Science Alumni Achievement Award ceremony celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of 8 accomplished alumni, and highlighted the impact of scientific discovery on shaping the world.
Awards
Science researchers receive grants through NSERC Alliance Quantum
Researchers in the Faculty of Science have been awarded funding through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Alliance Quantum grants program. This funding supports projects that aim to advance quantum computing, quantum communications, and quantum sensing.
Clubs corner
The Biochemistry Students Association: Spring 2026 update
Our career panel was our most successful event this year, welcoming four alumni who are currently employed in industry jobs in biochemistry or biotechnology to talk about how their undergraduate experience prepared them to move into their current careers.
Chemistry Graduate Student Society: 2026 roundup
Over the past year, we’ve hosted a number of events focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), networking, and community-building. Check out what we’ve been up to!
MNS Grad Celebration: Honouring the Class of 2026
This winter, the Materials and Nanoscience (MNS) Society Executive Team introduced a new Grad Celebration to recognize the class of 2026. The evening was rooted in community, one of the defining features of the program.
ChemX Camp is ready for summer!
The first cohort of ChemX summer camp students has been chosen! After almost 50 applications, 28 Grade 11 and 12 students were chosen to spend a week on campus learning about everything Chemistry at Waterloo has to offer. They will spend time in our labs participating in real experiments, expanding their scientific curiosity, examining chemical phenomena up close, and experiencing what it feels like to be part of a vibrant scientific community.
With the students accepted, the planning team is busy finalizing the curriculum, speakers, and everything needed to ensure these young students soak up all the knowledge they can in one week.
Individuals or companies wishing to be a part of ChemX or provide financial or in-kind support, can connect with Science Advancement to discuss options or donate online by writing "ChemX" in the fund box on our Chemistry Fund Giving Page.