Friday, March 22, 2019

Leaving no one behind: water for all on World Water Day

A message from the Water Institute.

Members of the University community are invited to join the Water Institute for a full day of activities as we explore together how to find viable solutions for marginalized people living without safe water on World Water Day.

This year's UN World Water Day, held annually on March 22, tackles the water crisis by addressing the reasons why so many are being left behind. On this day, the Water Institute will join thousands from around the world in solidarity as we support and amplify World Water Day events and initiatives.

The World Water Day event, taking place today in the Science Teaching Complex from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., will include an Indigenous panel about “Exploring solutions to the Indigenous water crisis in Canada” moderated by Dean of Environment Jean Andrey. The panel discussion begins at 10:00 a.m.

The Indigenous panel discussion speakers include:

• Kathleen Padulo, Oneida Nation of the Thames; Environment Director, Chiefs of Ontario;
• Lydia Hwitsum, Cowichan Nation, British Columbia; Principal, Hwitsum Consulting; Board of Governors Royal Roads University;
• Deborah McGregor, Whitefish River First Nation, Ontario; Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Justice, Osgoode Hall Law Faculty, York University; and 
• Kelsey Leonard, Shinnecock Nation; PhD Candidate, Department of Political Science; Philomathia Water Policy Fellow, McMaster University.

The Water Institute RBC Distinguished Lecture will be presented by former Ontario Premier Bob Rae and moderated by CBC Radio Host Craig Norris: “What the challenge of clean water at home and around the world tells us about ourselves, our country, and our planet.”

The lecture takes place from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Science Teaching Complex. The event is free but registration is required.

Other World Water Day events include a career fair for students to connect with external organizations, student research poster presentations, networking breaks and lightning talks.

Physics professor named Sloan Fellow

This article was originally published on the Science news website.

Waterloo Assistant Professor Christine Muschik, in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), was selected as a 2019 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow in Physics.

Muschik is recognized for her research in quantum networks and quantum simulations, including exploration of the quantum simulation of ‘gauge’ theories that describe the interactions of fundamental particles like quarks and gluons. She hopes to turn this theory into technology by developing practical simulation concepts that might soon be realized in the lab, shedding light into the area of high-energy physics.

“The ultimate long-term vision is to tackle problems that cannot be addressed with numerical methods,” said Muschik, also an Emmy Noether Fellow and affiliate at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. “This includes questions related to heavy ion collisions in particle accelerators, matter at extreme densities or the physics of the early universe.”

Muschik leads the Quantum Networks and Quantum Simulations group to develop new protocols for building and maintaining quantum communications networks. By using novel dissipative techniques in quantum error-correction, she plans to design a robust and sustainable quantum network that could have applications for quantum communications, cloud computing, sensing and even play a role in fundamental test of nature.

Awarded to early-career scientists and scholars of outstanding promise, the Sloan Research Fellowships support research at the fundamental level. They are granted annually to 126 researchers in recognition of distinguished performance and a unique potential to make substantial contributions to their field.

Muschik is the third Waterloo physicist and first female to win the award. Adrian Lupaşcu was named a fellow in 2011 and Dmitry Abanin became a fellow in 2014. Waterloo physics adjunct professor Pedro Vieira also was named a fellow in 2015.

Read more about Christine Muschik’s work in the latest issue of NewBit.

Digital teaching and learning conference coming to Waterloo

The 2019 Digital Pedagogy Institute (DPI) conference will be held at the University of Waterloo on Wednesday, July 31 to Thursday, August 1. The call for proposals closes March 31.

A partnership between Brock University, University of Guelph, Ryerson University, the University of Toronto Scarborough Library, and University of Waterloo, DPI 2019 will focus on the innovative use of digital technologies to enhance and transform undergraduate and graduate teaching and learning.

The two-day conference will include keynote addresses, presentations, workshops, and digital tool training. Register now for early bird rates.

Learn more about DPI.

Citizenship ceremony to take place on campus

The University of Waterloo and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will be holding a citizenship ceremony on Friday, March 29 from 10:30 a.m. until noon in the Student Life Centre Great Hall. The event will see 200 new citizens sworn in by citizenship judge Albert Wong. A delegation made up of University and local government representatives will also be on hand to celebrate the occasion. Members of the University community are invited to attend the event.

There will be a common swearing-in of all audience members, and then the new citizens will cross a stage in groups to pick up their certificates and shake hands with the platform party.

At the close of the ceremony, Julie-Anne Desrochers will sing the national anthem.  A reception with celebratory cupcakes will follow.

Notes as spring's first weekend begins

It’s time to start running! A group of staff members is organizing a Tuesdays & Thursdays running group on campus to improve fitness and prepare for the Waterloo Classic on Father’s Day in June. The T&T Running Group will have its first meetup at the corner of the School of Optometry and Vision Science and Laurel Trail by the Columbia Street rail tracks on Tuesday, April 9 at 12:10 p.m. The group will run the 5K loop, and all runners are invited to run at their own pace for as long as they want. Participation in the group is free and no attendance will be taken.

The Waterloo Classic is hosted by the University’s Athletics department. The event takes place on Sunday, June 16 at 8:30 a.m. at the Columbia Icefield. with 10K, 5K, 3K, and 200m routes.

For more information on the T&T Running Group contact Carlos Radic of Mechanical Design Services at extension 48533 or via email.

The W Store in South Campus Hall is going to be having a massive end-of-term clearance event that runs from Monday, March 25 to Wednesday, March 27, and will be offering a lot of niche, obscure, and esoteric books for the discerning bibliophile. Discounts of up to 50 percent on clearance books and up to 40 percent on University-branded gear will be offered while supplies last in-store. The sale runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

Here's the latest Nutrition Month "myth vs. fact" supplied by Health Sciences Dietitian Sandra Ace:

Claim: Pre-washed salad greens should still be washed before serving.

Evidence:  Packaged, pre-washed salad greens have skyrocketed in popularity as busy consumers look for convenient ways to increase their vegetable intakes. Colorful, leafy greens are packed with nutrients and are versatile yet low in calories. Because they are usually eaten raw, they can be a source of food poisoning. In spite of this, Canada has one of the safest food supplies in the world and you can continue to enjoy salad greens, including those that are pre-packaged.

According to most food safety experts, including Dr. Jeffrey M. Farber, Director of the Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety and a Food Safety professor at the University of Guelph, ready-to-eat greens sold in sealed packages and labelled as washed, pre-washed or triple washed do not need to be washed again. In fact, rewashing greens can actually increase the risk of contamination.

If you chose to wash salad greens in spite of this advice, or when cleaning any fresh veggie or fruit, start by washing your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. Use a large bowl or colander and rinse the greens well with cool, running water. Don't soak them in a sink full of water because kitchen sinks may be contaminated by bacteria. Pat washed greens dry using a fresh, clean kitchen towel, paper towels or a salad spinner. Be sure to keep salad greens away from any surfaces that may have come in contact with raw meat, fish or poultry. Use a separate cutting board for raw produce and sanitize it or put it in the dishwasher after using. Salad greens should always be refrigerated away from raw meat, fish and poultry and should be used by the “Best Before” date. Read more tips for safely preparing fresh vegetables and fruit at UnlockFood.ca