Thursday, June 16, 2016

Science Convocation ceremonies today

At 10:00 a.m. this morning, the first of two convocation ceremonies for the Faculty of Science will take place. Follow along with the Convocation livestream.

Receiving their diplomas, degrees and certificates this morning are 423 undergraduates, 32 Master's students, and 30 PhD candidates in Biochemistry, Biotechnology/Chartered Professional Accountancy, Biotechnology/Economics, Chemical Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, General Science, Honours Science, Life Physics, Materials and Nanosciences, Mathematical Physics, Medicinal Chemistry, Physics, Physics and Astronomy, Science and Aviation, and Science and Business.

Mugwe Kiragu is the morning ceremony's valedictorian and will deliver an address.

David Weitz will receive an Honorary Doctor of Science and address Convocation. Weitz is Mallinckrodt Professor of physics and applied physics, and director of the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center at Harvard University. A Waterloo alumnus (BSc Honours Physics, 1973), he is a leader in the study of the physics of soft condensed matter. Over the past two decades he has become a major international figure in leading soft matter physics research, and his group studies both synthetic and biological materials, with interests ranging from fundamental physics to technological applications and from basic materials questions to specific biological problems. The group also develops drop-based microfluidics for biophysics and biotechnology applications. 

An early pioneer in his field, he holds 30 US patents, has published 378 peer-reviewed research papers and has earned an astonishing h-index of 67. His extraordinary work has been recognized in his memberships in the National Academy of Science (USA) and American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is a fellow of the American Physical Society, the American Chemical Society, and the American Biophysical Society, and his expertise has been sought on multiple scientific advisory boards in both the private and public sectors in the United States and Canada.

Linda Nazar will be named University Professor. Nazar is a faculty member of the Department of Chemistry and is cross appointed to the Department of Electrical Engineering. Holder of a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Solid State Materials, Professor Nazar has focused her research on developing new materials for energy storage and conversion for the past 15 years. She has published well over 160 papers, review articles and patents in the field. ​She was recently named an Officer for the Order of Canada in recognition of her excellence in research.

The University Professor designation recognizes faculty with exceptional scholarly achievement and international pre-eminence. Once appointed, a faculty member retains the designation until retirement.

At the afternoon ceremony, which begins at 2:30 p.m., students in Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Optometry & Vision Science, Pharmacy, and Psychology will receive their degrees, diplomas, and other certificates. 327 undergraduate students, 15 Master's students, and 7 PhD candidates will cross the stage.

Follow along with the Convocation livestream.

The mace bearer will be Robert W. Hill, Associate Dean, Graduate Studies. Raquel Cadilha will sing the national anthem.

Shannon Fernandes is the afternoon class valedictorian and will deliver an address. 

Alan Tomlinson will receive an Honorary Doctor of Science. Tomlinson is research professor and was professor and head of the School of Health and Life Sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University, as well as serving as director of the Centre for Vision in Health. His work has brought major improvements in contact lenses for patients with astigmatism, as well as understanding the impacts of reduced oxygen on corneal health. He has held academic appointments at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, Indiana University, and the Southern California College of Optometry, and he is the author of more than 100 research papers in refereed journals on contact lenses and anterior ocular surface physiology, particularly on the pathophysiology of dry eye and the pathogenesis of corneal infections associated with contact lens wear.

While journals within his particular research interests are not inclined to allowing a researcher to achieve a high citation index, his publications are in journals that are highly-regarded within his specific profession. His work has influenced countless academics, students, thought leaders and the contact lens industry, and his insight and thought-provoking concepts has resulted in him being one of the longest standing members of the International Society for Contact Lens Researchers (ISCLR), which consists of only the top 100 researchers in the field of contact lenses in the world. He has educated optometrists on both sides of the Atlantic and is one of the most respected clinician scientists involved in dry eye and contact lenses in the world.

John Thompson will be named Distinguished Professor Emeritus. Professor Thompson is the former dean of the Faculty of Science and was chair of the Department of Biology. His research career has spanned a wide range of disciplines of biology from plants to drug development and human clinical trials. With an h-index of 31, he is an exceptional researcher holding some 35 patents and several licenses.

The quality and impact of his research has been of international caliber over 40 years. His contribution has been recognized by prestigious awards, including being made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1987 and Life Membership in the same society in recognition of 25 years as a Fellow. From his prolific and successful research activity he sports an impressive list of nearly 90 highly-qualified trainees (MSc, PhD and postdoctoral) and the vast majority of these individuals have gone on to join leading academic, industrial and government research laboratories. His considerable achievements resulted in his being named to the Thomson Reuters World List of Highly Cited Researchers in 2001.

He has made tremendous contributions to the University over many years, in various capacities. Ever since his official retirement he continues to excel in research and service to the University with a high level of research impact sustained over many years, translation of his research into applications in the agricultural and medical/biotechnology industries, and a strong record of service to the University and the scientific community.

Yefeng Zhang will receive the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal in recognition of academic achievement.

Nayeli Azucena and Rodriguez Briones will receive the Outstanding Achievement in Graduate Studies award at the Master's level and Eric Brown will receive it at the Doctoral level.

Winning the Dean of Science Award at the Master's level are:

• Heather Murnie Polan, Biology;
• Connor James Hart, Chemistry;
• Kai Liu, Earth and Environmental Sciences;
• Nawaz Ahmed, Pharmacy; and
• Nayeli Azucena Rodriguez Briones, Physics and Astronomy

Winning the W.B. Pearson Medal at the Doctoral level are:

•  Lauren Ashley Macdonald, Biology;
• Solmaz Pirouz, Chemistry;
• Michael C. Moncur, Earth and Environmental Sciences;
• Ahmed Almazroa, Optometry and Vision Science; and
• Eric Brown, Physics and Astronomy

Celebrating communications excellence

Communicators from across campus have had their content celebrated with national and international recognition from the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE) and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

"These materials, publications and events represent the best in cross-campus collaboration — from surfacing and sharing powerful stories that reflect Waterloo’s strengths, to evocative design, photography, illustration and video, to detailed fact-checking, planning and cross-channel communications support," writes Director, Integrated Communications Stacey Ash.

On Wednesday, June 8, CASE recognized three University of Waterloo publications among their Circle of Excellence award winners, including:

• A Gold Medal win in the Promotional Publications (Print) category for the CECA International Brochure

“The judges believed that the University of Waterloo's mission concerning cooperative education and international careers was very well communicated in this brochure with the message driven home successfully," says the award citation. "This project is presented with quality and prestige and very attractive to the target audience.”

• A Bronze Medal win in the President’s Reports & Annual Reports (Print) category for the State of the University Report, Facts and Figures, and Entrepreneurs Thrive Here.

“This report included two smaller brochures that can also be used as stand-alone printed materials for broader promotional use," says the award citation. "With a strategic goal to be recognized as one of the world's top innovation universities, this three-part report delivers inventive content while also conveying the considerable accomplishments and major strengths of the institution. The judges were especially impressed with the unit cost, considering the high quality of the materials as three separate pieces per report.”

• A Bronze Medal win in the Strategic Communication - Public Relations and Community Relations Projects category for Building our Community — Community Impact Report.

“The community impact report is unique in its dedicated effort to highlight the way that a Canadian university is deeply embedded to its community, and is committed to the mutual success of stakeholders," says the award citation. "Judges hadn't seen a project like this before, prepared and distributed with an exclusive focus on community engagement. They liked the widespread outreach and dissemination focused heavily on leveraging community partners.”

On Friday June 10, at the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education Prix D’Excellence Awards in Saskatoon, Waterloo winners included:

• A Gold in the Best Alumni Event category for "Gold on the Go, Alumni Relations’ celebration of the Grads of the Last Decade."
• A Gold Medal win in the Best Website category for the Student Success Office's Student Portal.
• A Silver for Best Development Event for the recent Engineering 7 Groundbreaking
• A Bronze in the Best Donor Relations Initiative category for Advancement’s David Johnston International Experience Award stewardship postcards.
• A Bronze for Best Online Publication for Waterloo Magazine (digital), produced in partnership by University Relations and Alumni Relations.
• A Bronze for Best Brochure Newsletter or Flyer for the Guide to Singapore.
• A Bronze in the Best PR/Marketing or Communications Initiative category for Building our Community — Community Impact Report by Community Relations and Events.

"Congratulations to everyone who contributed to these valuable and respected communications and marketing publications, materials and events," writes Ash. "Your work contributes directly to Waterloo’s goal to be recognized as one of the most innovative universities in the world."

Thursday's notes

Organizational & Human Development (OHD) has added four new workshops of its Core Development series to the calendar this term in order to meet increasing campus demand.

If you have been waiting to take these courses, or are thinking about starting the Inclusivity Series for the certificate, now is your chance.

The courses are:

• Principles of Inclusivity (OHD502) – Tuesday, July 19
• Exceptional Service (OHD301) – Wednesday, July 20
• Integrity Matters (OHD120) – Tuesday, July 26
• Principles of Leadership (OHD106) – Wednesday, July 27

The core development workshops have been identified as programs that are highly recommended for all University of Waterloo employees to take within the first year of their onboarding experience.

Conrad Grebel University College is currently hosting an exhibit entitled "Stories in Art from Iraqi Kurdistan." The exhibit explores storytelling through art by people now living in Iraqi Kurdistan as a result of displacement.

Iraqi Kurdistan, located in northern Iraq, hosts a diverse group of people brought together in a very small geographical area. This region is home to the Iraqi Kurds, Syrian Kurds, Yazidis, Assyrian Christians, and Iraqi Arabs, all who have offered their stories in this exhibit.

The aim of the exhibit is to deepen the community's awareness of the conflicts ongoing in Syria and Iraq and strengthen the understanding of the refugee experience in our community.

The exhibit, located in the Grebel Gallery in the Centre for Peace Advancement, runs daily until Saturday, August 13. Admission is free.