Friday, April 12, 2019

Global Impact stories showcase how Waterloo shapes the world

Last year, the University of Waterloo produced its first Global Impact Report. The original print and digital report include 30 stories featuring faculty members, students and alumni.

For 2019, the Global Impact has been refreshed with 20 new stories that share a glimpse at how our exceptional students, faculty and alumni are connecting across disciplines and traditional boundaries to find solutions we need to create a better, more prosperous future for everyone.

Moazam Khan, the co-founder of Curiato, is one such example. Khan is a Faculty of Science and Engineering alumnus who has created a medtech solution to tackle life-threatening pressure injuries.

Read more about Curiato.

Get ready for an evening with eternity on April 30

Members of the University community have been invited to hear a once-in-a-lifetime story of how Avery Broderick, a professor at Waterloo and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics peered millions of light-years across space helping solve one of the greatest mysteries in the cosmos — that black holes exist.

The thrilling discovery comes thanks to decades of work from Broderick and an international team of astrophysicists from across the globe. Their inspiring collaboration created a picture-perfect observation of a supermassive black hole located inside the massive elliptical galaxy M87. Located in the constellation of Virgo, this gargantuan object has a mass of six-and-a-half-billion Suns and measures nearly half a light-year across.  

Attendees at the April 30 event will learn first-hand from professor Broderick how this revolutionary discovery could expand our understanding of gravity, how galaxies live and die, and even Einstein’s theory of relativity.

This event is free and open to the public. Though it is already nearing capacity, the lecture will be livestreamed.

Waterloo people receive volunteer impact awards

Three people with University of Waterloo connections were honoured last night at the Volunteer Action Centre's 14^th annual Volunteer Impact Awards celebration at Bingeman's in Kitchener.

Kashif Memon - Mentorship Award

"A highly respected advisor and lecturer in the Faculty of Science at the University of Waterloo, Kashif has impacted the lives of approximately 3000 students since 2005," says the award citation. "Receiving numerous awards for teaching and mentorship, he has achieved highest coop placement and highest employment levels among programs in his faculty. He has used his skills and background to become an advocate for HeForShe initiatives both on and off campus. He volunteers as a mentor for Living and Learning Communities and for the Coalition of Muslim Women in Kitchener Waterloo."

Marissa Rankin - Outstanding Youth Volunteer

"Marissa is in her final year of an Honours Biology program at Waterloo," says the VAC. "Even though she is in a challenging academic program she always makes time for volunteering at the House of Friendship. At school, in addition to her own school work, Marissa participates in a Science Outreach program with Elementary and Secondary students and is vice-president of the Bioinformatics Club. In 2018 she traveled for Peru where she volunteered for three weeks at a military clinic. At the House of Friendship, Marissa volunteers twice a week in the Charles Street Men’s Shelter Kitchen, where she helps prepare dessert, gets the dining room ready, serves dinner and helps with clean-up. Marissa is a volunteer like no-other, she shines and excels in all she does."

Linda Kieswetter - Volunteer Impact Award

In 2013 when she retired from the University of Waterloo, Linda agreed to volunteer with KidSport for three years; six years later she is still supporting the work of Kidsport to provide grants for under-resourced children to participate in dance and sports. "Linda’s fundraising skills have been integral to increasing the number of children supported from 27 in 2013 to 290 in 2018," says her award citation. "Earlier this spring, Linda was successful in convincing 100 Women who care to donate $20,000 to KidSport. This will ensure that up to 100 children in Kitchener and Waterloo will be able to participate in dance and sports programs." 

Staff conference included Marshmallow Challenge

Each year, Organizational & Human Development (OHD) extends the Staff Conference by providing an evening event for Plant Operations evening and night staff. 

This year The Marshmallow Challenge team building event took place on Tuesday, April 9 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. pm After 90 minutes of collaboration and camaraderie, the winning team emerged.

Congratulations to the members of Team 3: Diane Amorim, Isabel Bolarinho, Alcides Cunha, Emanuel Ferreira, and Mila Lopez, who built the tallest tower, measuring 28 inches.

"Thank you to members of OHD, OH and students who assisted with this fun filled event," writes director, Director, Organizational & Human Development Katrina Di Gravio.