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Global Water Futures funds Waterloo research
Three professors from the University of Waterloo’s Water Institute have been awarded significant grants to develop new, innovative technologies and to deliver new management approaches to enhance the resilience and adaptive capacity of Canada’s water resources in the face of climate change.
Nandita Basu from the Faculties of Science and Engineering, Claude Duguay from the Faculty of Environment, and Merrin Macrae from the Faculty of Environment are the principal investigators on three of the 11 projects receiving funding from the Global Water Futures initiative – the largest university-led water research program ever funded worldwide. A total of 40 Water Institute members from 10 different departments will contribute to the 11 projects.
“Each of these projects brings together a team of researchers from various disciplines, and from multiple institutions,” said Philippe Van Cappellen, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Ecohydrology and the Water Institute coordinator of the Global Water Futures project. “The Global Water Futures program will transform water management in Canada, and it’s very exciting that the University of Waterloo is involved.”
Professor Nandita Basu from the Faculties of Science and Engineering is the principal investigator on a project that focuses on the causes, impacts and mitigation of various pressures affecting water quality in the Great Lakes. By creating models, determining indicators and measuring the vulnerability of the lake ecosystem, the project will deliver long-term management tools and strategies that account for changing climate and land use.
Professor Claude Duguay from the Faculty of Environment is leading a project to develop, test and implement a “Big Data” platform that supports the measurement, monitoring and understanding of various water issues affecting cold regions. The project will couple terrestrial sensor networks, drones and satellites to provide accurate and real-time data for Canada’s water managers.
Professor Merrin Macrae from the Faculty of Environment will evaluate water availability, use and quality in the agricultural sector. The project will develop improved predictive tools, policy instruments and governance strategies to facilitate the sustainable management of water resources in agricultural regions of Canada.
“The research outcomes and impact from each of these projects will contribute significantly to new risk management approaches, new technologies and decision-making tools, and other evidence-based solutions to address complex water challenges facing Canada in upcoming years,” said Roy Brouwer, Executive Director of the Water Institute and professor in the Department of Economics.
Climate change is significantly impacting Canada’s water resources. From melting permafrost, to more pervasive algal blooms, to increased flooding, these impacts are only expected to increase in the future.
More information about the projects and the Global Water Futures initiative is available on the official website.
Plant Operations celebrates Canada day with garden
It's beginning to look at lot like Canada Day around campus, with a new garden shaped like Canada's flag in front of Hagey Hall being the latest example.
Grounds supervisors Les Van Dongen and Jerry Hutton hit on the idea that a flag garden would be a great way to recognize Canada's 150th anniversary, says Manager of Parking and Grounds Sharon Rumpel.
Under their supervision, and with the assistance of the University's carpenter shop, which developed the template, the grounds team worked to complete the flag, planting red and white begonias on a berm outside Hagey Hall.
"I am very pleased with both their teamwork and their accomplishment," says Rumpel.
The flag garden is one of several celebratory landscaping initiatives around the University.
If you've been around the Ring Road on the east side of campus lately, you will also have no doubt notice the array of planters that feature alternating red and white and black and gold flowers, to celebrate the University's 60th anniversary.
Additionally, after the Convocation ceremonies have completed this week, there will be a complete redesign of the University's Columbia Street entrance, done by an outside consulting and landscaping firm in honour of Waterloo's 60th.
Waterloo researcher first Canadian to hold two prestigious IEEE roles
This article was originally published on the Faculty of Engineering news site.
John Yeow, a systems design engineering professor, is an IEEE Nanotechnology Council Distinguished Lecturer for 2017 as well the Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Nanotechnology Magazine, the flagship publication of the council.
It’s the first time a Canadian researcher has held both roles on the council, a multi-disciplinary group whose purpose is to advance and coordinate work in the field of nanotechnology carried out throughout the IEEE in scientific, literary and educational areas.
The highly regarded IEEE Nanotechnology Magazine publishes peer-reviewed articles that present emerging trends and practices in industrial electronics product research and development, key insights, and tutorial surveys in the field of interest to the member societies of the IEEE Nanotechnology Council.
As the Canada Research Chair in Micro and Nano Devices, Yeow is developing nanodevices and highly selective sensors that will help create new medical instruments for diagnosing and treating disease. He is also creating miniature radiation instruments and sensors for cancer treatment that will allow for a more focused, yet less invasive, delivery of radiation treatment, as well as real-time measurement of the delivered dose during radiation therapy.
Roberta Jamieson lecture tonight and other notes
Roberta L. Jamieson, a Canadian lawyer and First Nations activist will deliver a free public lecture at the University of Waterloo tonight entitled "Education and Reconciliation, the Path to Canada’s Future".
The keynote address and moderated discussion will be hosted by CBC Radio One 89.1's Craig Norris, host of The Morning Edition and In The Key of C.
This special lecture is being held in partnership with the Waterloo Aboriginal Education Centre at St. Paul’s University College and Waterloo's Faculty of Arts. The evening will feature a traditional drumming performance by the Indigenous Student Association Drum Group.
This is a free community event, but registration is required.
The School of Planning will host a Graduation Luncheon & Ceremony immediately before Convocation on Tuesday, June 13 in Federation Hall: doors open at 11:00 a.m.; 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. (lunch); 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (ceremony). For further information contact Shelley Knischewsky at slknisch@uwaterloo.ca.
In a similar vein, recipients of the Faculty of Science's Dean of Science Award (M.Sc.) and the W.B. Pearson Medal (Ph.D.) for Spring 2017 Convocation will be feted at a luncheon at the University Club on Wednesday, June 14 at noon. The awards will be presented to the recipients.