Thursday, October 15, 2015

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca

Latest Staff International Experience Fund winners named

Waterloo International has announced the latest winners of the Staff International Experience Fund (SIEF).

Jennifer Yuen is a Waterloo counsellor at the Counselling and Psychological Services department including satellite offices within housing and residences. Since the University of Waterloo student population is extremely diverse, with over 61 per cent who report being a part of a visible minority; Jennifer regularly meets with students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Due to Waterloo’s unique student body, Jennifer plans to visit Bilkent University, Turkey, Yeditepe University and Insitut Teknologi Bandung, in Indonesia in February 2015. Jenniferis keen to learn cultural competence, cultural sensitivity, and ethic sensitive practice when working with individuals who are challenged bymental health.

Jennifer Yuen.

During her travels Jennifer will be able to create an understanding of gender, family, and cultural issues specific to Muslim and Arabic students, allowing for culturally trained counsellors who can better support these students. Her trip will also help set the groundwork for professional training programs within the Counselling and Psychology Services and Organizational and Human Development to demystify Muslim culture and Arabic and Muslim student needs.

"I am thrilled to be selected for the SIEF fund as I will be using the time and resources to discover campus wellness in other parts of the world," Jennifer says. "I am looking forward to immersing into the culture and digging deep in collecting cultural wisdom to bring back to our Waterloo campus. There is a lot to be learned outside our borders."

Marina Ivanova.

Marina Ivanova is the Administrative Co-ordinator for Arts Graduate Studies and Research in the Dean of Arts Office. Marina will be taking on the ambitious project of visiting the University of California (Berkeley and Davis), the University of Southern California, Georgia Tech, New York University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Massachusetts in three weeks.

Marina plans to investigate graduate programs and research involving the overlap of Arts and STEM disciplines in the hopes of advancing the Faculty of Arts’ graduate program administration and experience. In addition, through her travels to various top-level US universities, Marina will strengthen the collaboration and deepen current research projects between the University of Waterloo and its American counterparts.

“I am thrilled to represent Waterloo in this pioneering US-university tour and hope to gain instrumental business partnerships and bring back institutional knowledge to advance interdisciplinary fields in Faculty of Arts graduate programs and research,” says Marina. “Through this initiative I am hoping to bring Waterloo one step closer to being recognized as a top global institution for innovation and student excellence!”

Susan Grant.

Susan Grant is the Assistant Director of Organizational and Human Development (OHD) and her SIEF builds on the learning and development initiatives of OHD and supports the priorities within the Robust Employer-Employee Relationship theme of the strategic plan. Susan will visit the University of Melbourne, The University of Tasmania and Macquarie University in Australia.

By visiting these universities, Susan plans to gain new insight in staff learning and development, lean practices, and Mentorship programs while gaining exposure to talent development practices in Australia. Through her experience abroad, Susan will have the opportunity to develop and further institutional partnerships with these universities.

“I am so grateful to the SIEF for offering this exciting and rewarding opportunity for me to learn from world-class Australian institutions,” says Grant. “I’m excited to build relationships, learn about new learning and development practices and share with these institutions our programs such as The Principles of Inclusivity series, our Annual Staff Conference and our Leadership Development framework. A colleague from Macquarie University, that I will be visiting, was just here for our Lean Conference so her and I were able to build on our planning and the itinerary for my upcoming visit. My hope is that these learning relationships will continue well after the formal visit is completed.”

Congratulations to the winners!

Actually, it is rocket science

Chris Hadfield delivers a lecture with props.

This article originally appeared on the Faculty of Science's news site.

Imagine learning about the science of rockets from someone who actually rode one into space - three times.

That's exactly what happened when the Canadian Rocket Man himself, Colonel Chris Hadfield, came to campus last night to teach a SCI 206 class.

"How do rockets work? It's a pretty cool question, so let's make one," said Hadfield, an adjunct professor with cross-appointments to the Faculties of Science, Environment and Applied Health Sciences.

Holding an air-filled balloon, Hadfield explained how it was a primitive rocket. Both have high pressure compartments and an opening for release. But unlike the balloon randomly whizzing across the lecture hall, rockets transport things and can be steered. 

His lecture included the history of rockets, design changes, rocket structure and parts, how it dissembles, steering in space and fuel types. 

Hadfield used Newton's cradle, water bottles, balloons and mini spacecrafts to highlight the importance of lift, stored energy and the differences between rockets, jet packs and rocket airplanes.

Aside from using lively demos, Hadfield also incorporated details from his personal experiences.

“It's a wild ride. The fuel burns so fast that the pressure is phenomenal. After two minutes, you check you're still alive and glad it's over."

To end the night, students counted down 5...4...3...2...1...blast off as Hadfield rode a fire-extinguisher rocket down the hallway.

Chris Hadfield uses a fire extinguisher as a rocket in a physics building hallway.

“It’s rocket science but it’s pretty straight forward,” said Hadfield.

Top photograph by Kush Patel via Twitter.

Memorial for graduate student today

A memorial gathering and reception will be held this evening for Neelanjana Pal, who was a graduate student in Electrical and Computer Engineering. The ceremony is open to all members of the university community who would like to come and remember Neelanjana, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this week. She arrived in Waterloo in the Fall of 2014 and was a treasured friend, peer and colleague to many in the University community.  The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at Fed Hall.

Thursday's notes

The Dean of Arts Office is hosting a United Way Bake Sale on Friday, October 16 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in PAS 2438. All proceeds will go towards the United Way.

The electronic poll for the 2015-2016 University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA) Board of Director positions is open now and will remain open until 5:00 p.m. on October 22.

Candidate information, voting instructions, and online ballots are located on the staff association's website

Looking for a smoother, safer drive? Join Susan Tighe at noon on Wednesday, November 11 for the next edition of Research Talks entitled "Roads of the future: environmentally-friendly and resilient pavement." The lecture takes place in DC 1302. Please register as seating is limited.

Link of the day

200 years ago: Napoleon exiled to St. Helena

When and where

Soup and Bannock Thursdays at Aboriginal Education Centre, Thursday, October 15, 12:00 p.m., STP 228.

Graduate Studies Information Session, Thursday, October 15, 4:30 p.m., EV3 Atrium.

Chemistry Department Seminar Series featuring Professor Jose Almirall, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, “From Basic Research to Routine Use in the Courtroom: Elemental Analysis and Comparisons of Materials with LA-ICP-MS and LIBS”, Friday, October 16, 2:30 p.m., C2-361.

Knowledge Integration seminar: “The Healthy Weights Connection: A systems approach to reducing risk of obesity among First Nations and Métis children”, featuring Dr. Martin Cooke, Sociology & Legal Studies and the School of Public Health & Health Systems, Friday, October 16, 2:30 p.m., EV3 1408.

The Computer Science Club presents author Cory Doctorow, "The War on General Purpose Computing," Friday, October 16, 7:00 p.m., Theatre of the Arts, Modern Languages.

Bridges Lecture - Deep Surfaces: Geometrical Challenges in Digital Design, Friday, October 16, 7:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m., Siegfried Hall, St. Jerome's University.

Dragon Challenge Quidditch Tournament, Saturday, October 17, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Village 1 Green.

Student Portal Hackathon, Saturday, October 17, 10:00 a.m., Student Life Centre multipurpose room.

The wandering mind: Exploring the cognitive, neural and applied consequences of boredom, Saturday, October 17, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., QNC 1506.

2015 Federal Election, Monday, October 19.

Mental Health Wellness Day, Tuesday, October 20.

Spin for Mental HealthTuesday, October 20, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Student Life Centre Great Hall.

Eli Clare: A Dialogue on "Cure",Tuesday, October 20, 4:00 p.m., Federation Hall.

Together: A Workshop on GlobalDevelopment, Wednesday, October 21, 3:00 p.m., Alumni Hall, St. Paul’s University College. Mobile exhibit on October 21 and 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the St. Paul’s main parking lot.

Mitacs Step Workshop - Time Management, Wednesday, October 21, 9:00 a.m., TC 2218.

Velocity Alpha: Do People Want Your Sh*t?, Wednesday, October 21, 7:30 p.m., Environment 3 room 4412.

WISE Lecture Series - The Impact of "Energiewende" on Renewable Energy in Germany, Thursday, October 22, 10:30 a.m., DC 1302.

Soup and Bannock Thursdays at Aboriginal Education Centre, Thursday, October 22, 12:00 p.m., STP 228.

111th Convocation ceremonies, Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24, Physical Activities Complex.

English Language and Literature Series featuring Lisa Hager, University of Wisconsin - Waukesha, "Towards a Queer Literary History of Gender Identity: Steampunk, Gender Nonconformity, and Victorian Studies," Friday, October 23, 1:00 p.m., PAS 2438.

Science Open House and Gem & Mineral Show 2015, Saturday, October 24, 10:00 a.m., Centre for Environmental and Information Technology.

Dogwhistles, Philosophy of Language and Political Manipulation, Monday, October 26, 7:00 p.m., LHI 1621.

“Generics Don’t Essentialise People; People Essentialise People,” public lecture by Jennifer Saul, University of Sheffield, UK, Wednesday, October 28, 10:00 a.m., HH 373.

Velocity Alpha: How To Find Your Customers Online, Wednesday, October 28, 7:30 p.m., Environment 3 room 4412. 

UWSA Annual General Meeting,Thursday, October 29, 9:00 a.m., DC 1302.

“Misleading and Morality,” public lecture by Jennifer Saul, University of Sheffield, UK, Thursday, October 29, 10:00 a.m., HH 373.

CBB Biomedical Discussion Group featuring Alfred C. H. Yu, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, “Ultrasound imaging innovations for live monitoring of complex flow dynamics,” Thursday, October 29, 10:30 a.m., EIT 3142.

Soup and Bannock Thursdays at Aboriginal Education Centre, Thursday, October 29, 12:00 p.m., STP 228.

Water Institute WaterTalks Lecture Series featuring Dr. Dustin Garrick, McMaster University, “Pathways to Water Security for Rivers under Pressure: Water Markets and Transboundary Governance in Australia and Western North America.” Thursday, October 29, 2:30 p.m., DC 1304.

“Implicit Bias, Stereotype Threat and Women in Academia,”
 public lecture by Jennifer Saul, University of Sheffield, UK, Friday, October 30, 11:00 a.m., HH 373.

Noon Hour Concert: Attacca Quartet plays Haydn, Friday, October 30, 12:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel Chapel.

President's Town Hall Meeting, Tuesday, November 3, 10:30 a.m., Humanities Theatre.

Velocity Alpha: Pitch Like A Pro, Wednesday, November 4, 7:30 p.m., EV3 4412.

Soup and Bannock Thursdays at Aboriginal Education Centre, Thursday, November 5, 12:00 p.m., STP 228.

Post-Conflict Columbia: Writing trauma and the challenges of translating it, Friday, November 6, 11:00 a.m., HH 1108.

CBB Bioinnovations Seminar featuring Charles Cooney, Robert T. Haslam (1911) Professor of Chemical Engineering Emeritus, and Faculty Director, Emeritus Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation, MIT, “Accelerating Academic Research into Commercial Impact,” Friday, November 6, 11:00 a.m., DC 1302.

Remembrance Day, Wednesday, November 11.

Noon Hour Concert: Songs My Mother Never Taught Me, Wednesday, November 11, 12:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel University Chapel.

Velocity Fund $5K Qualifier – Night 1, Wednesday, November 11, 7:00 p.m., Quantum-Nano Centre room 0101.

"The Terrible Truth about Canadian Crime: No Justice for Women" featuring visiting lecturer Professor Kim Pate, Wednesday, November 11, 7:00 p.m., Alumni Hall, St. Paul’s University College.

Soup and Bannock Thursdays at Aboriginal Education Centre, Thursday, November 12, 12:00 p.m., STP 228.

Velocity Fund $5K Qualifier – Night 2, Thursday, November 12, 7:00 p.m., Quantum-Nano Centre room 0101.

TEDxUW 2015, Saturday, November 14, CIGI Campus.

Velocity Science: Brainstorming, Tuesday, November 17, 7:30 p.m., QNC room 1506.

Velocity Alpha: How Not To Run Your Company Into The Ground (From People Who Did), Wednesday, November 18, 7:30 p.m., EV3 4412.

CBB Biomedical Discussion Groupfeaturing Thomas Willett, PhD, Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering Program, “A tissue mechanist found in translation,” Thursday, November 19, 2:30 p.m., E5 2167.