Friday, June 16, 2023

Friday, June 16, 2023

Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca

Getting Convocation down to a Science

A group of students at the science convocation

The Faculty of Science is holding two convocation ceremonies today. 899 undergraduates, 52 Master's, and 40 PhD candidates will receive their degrees.

You can watch the Convocation livestream beginning at 10:00 a.m. today.

10:00 a.m.

Yanxin WangYanxin Wang will receive an Honorary Doctor of Science and address convocation. Dr. Wang is professor of Hydrogeology and Environmental Engineering at the China University of Geosciences (CUG) in Wuhan. He is also the president of CUG and head of the State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology. Wang’s research has produced major advances in understanding of the sources, fate, and transport of contaminants in groundwater systems. Wang spearheaded the development of innovative remediation and management strategies that protect millions of people from contaminated drinking water. Under Wang’s visionary and effective leadership, CUG has become one of China’s top institutions in science and technology.

Valedictorian Tyler Jing will deliver the valedictory address.

2:30 p.m.

Mark Willcox.Dr. Mark Willcox will receive an Honorary Doctor of Science and address convocation. Dr. Willcox is a medical microbiologist and Professor in the School of Optometry and Vision Science at UNSW, Sydney, Australia. His laboratory focuses on understanding the etiology of adverse events and comfort during contact lens wear. His research includes examining mechanisms of adhesion of ocular microbes and the development of novel antimicrobial surfaces. He also studies tear film proteomics and lipidomics, their relationship to contact lens comfort and how tears may serve as biomarkers for diabetes and cancer. Recent awards include the Korb Award from the American Optometric Association (2020) and the Barry Collin Medal from Optometry Australia (2017).

Valedictorian Ahmed Adelkader will deliver the valedictory address.

Engineering ceremonies begin this evening and conclude tomorrow

A group of students in robes pose for a group photo.

Honorary degree recipient Dr. Joseph W. Tomecko (right) with Roy Hoffman and Robert Heinz at the University of Waterloo's 8th convocation ceremony in May 1964.

The Faculty of Engineering will have four convocation ceremonies over two days, beginning this evening. It's go big or go home for the Faculty of Engineering, with 1,408 undergraduates, 472 Master's, and 90 PhD candidates crossing the stage and receiving their degrees on Friday and Saturday.

You can watch the Convocation livestream tonight and tomorrow.

Friday, June 16, 6:30 p.m.

Cristina AmonDr. Cristina Amon will receive an Honorary Doctor of Engineering and address convocation. Dr. Amon is the Distinguished Alumni Professor and former dean at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. Under her visionary leadership, U of T’s engineering program has become a global hub for interdisciplinary research and education and a shining example of diversity and inclusion for women, People of Colour and Indigenous peoples in the engineering profession. She has been elected a fellow or honorary member of all major professional societies in her field. A pioneer in computational fluid dynamics for thermal designs subject to multidisciplinary constraints, Amon’s research is in thermal transport in nanoscale semiconductors, energy systems, EV batteries and biomedical devices.

Muhammad Shehryrar Khan, PhD graduate in Mechanical and Mechatroncis Engineering, will receive the Governor General's Academic Gold Medal, which is awarded to the student with the highest standing in a doctoral program. 

Valedictorian Toluwalope Wright will deliver the valedictory address.

Saturday, June 17, 10:00 a.m.

Rola DagherRola Dagher will receive an Honorary Doctor of Engineering and address convocation. Rola Dagher, a leading figure in the Canadian technology sector, has made it her mission to empower those around her. Immigrating to Canada from war-torn Lebanon with an infant in the 1990s, Dagher worked as a retail sales clerk before becoming the president of Cisco Systems Canada and currently as Dell Technologies’ global channel chief. Rola sees diversity as the foundation for building a high-performance workforce and is a vanguard of inclusive excellence. Dagher has been named a WXN Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada, the Women in Communications and Technology (WCT) Woman of the Year and is an RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award winner.

Dr. George Freeman will be named an Honorary Member of the University. Dr. Freeman is a retired electrical and computer engineering professor at the University of Waterloo. Freeman established a sterling reputation as an outstanding engineering educator throughout his career. He served as electrical and computer engineering’s teaching and learning champion from 2018 until his retirement in 2022. Freeman’s work promoted evidence-based practices for improved learning outcomes, mental health and community building. He also received the Dedicated Service Award from the Canadian Association of University Teachers for his exceptional service to their academic staff associations. Freeman’s research interests include signal processing for digital communications, optimal lossless data compression algorithms, and storage and recognition applications in speech and image coding.

Valedictorian Maya Bishop will deliver the valedictory address.

Saturday, June 17, 2:30 p.m.

The special guest speaker for the Faculty of Engineering's Saturday afternoon convocation is Dr. Lisa Aultman-Hall. Dr. Aultman-Hall is professor and chair of Systems Design Engineering. Before joining the University of Waterloo, she served as a professor of Civil Engineering at the Universities of Kentucky, Connecticut and Vermont. Aultman-Hall’s research focuses on sustainable transportation systems, especially methods to collect unique databases for modelling and analysis of long-distance travel, transportation sector emissions, network resiliency, streetscape design and non-motorized transportation. A common thread in her work is the pursuit of accessibility metrics that speak to equity. She served several leadership roles at the interdisciplinary University of Vermont Transportation Research Center and as the associate director of the National Center for Sustainable Transportation with the University of California Davis.

Nick Nolan Gharabaghi, Honours Nanotechnology Engineering, Co-operative Program, will receive the Governor General's Academic Silver Medal,  which is awarded to students with the highest standing in an undergraduate degree program.

Valedictorian Yonael Debebe will deliver the valedictory address.

Saturday, June 17, 6:30 p.m.

John Buzacott Dr. John Buzacott will receive an Honorary Doctor of Engineering and address convocation. Dr. Buzacott, a former management sciences engineering professor, is a pioneering figure in production and operations management. Buzacott’s work in developing a unified framework and rigorous scientific foundation of the approaches currently used in the design, planning and control of manufacturing and service systems has inspired scholars worldwide. His innovative use of stochastic models to explain many phenomena occurring in manufacturing and service organizations has also distinguished him as an exceptional researcher and educator. As a founding member of the Waterloo Management of Integrated Manufacturing Systems research group at the University of Waterloo, his contributions to manufacturing analysis and modelling work continues to be globally recognized.

Valedictorian Matthew Linehan will deliver the valedictory address.

Sustainability Action Fund open for applications until June 30

Students sit and walk in campus green space.

A message from the Sustainability Office.

Have a project idea to advance sustainability on campus? The Sustainability Action Fund is now accepting applications for projects that will work towards the University’s Environmental SustainabilityStrategy. Projects can include infrastructure improvements, campaigns, or activities to increase awareness of sustainability issues on campus, and programming to support sustainable behaviours.

Applicants can request between $2,000 and $30,000 in funding this term, and can be led by staff, students, or faculty members. 

Some examples of past projects that have successfully received funding include: 

  • Reusable containers marketing;
  • Sustainability literacy conference;
  • Standardized waste receptacles;
  • Arts/Environment gardens signage; and
  • Electric landscaping equipment pilot.

Applications will now be accepted on an ongoing basis and will be reviewed as part of two intake rounds. The deadline for spring 2023 intake is Friday, June 30. Full details and instructions are available on the Sustainability Action Fund webpage.

Instructors awarded for exceptional online teaching and course design

A message from the Centre for Extended Learning (CEL).

The University of Waterloo’s Online Teaching Awards recognize teaching and course design excellence in fully online undergraduate or graduate-level courses and programs. The Centre for Extended Learning (CEL) and the Office of the Associate Vice-President, Academic congratulate Megan McCarthy, Amanda Garcia and Anton Mosunov, winners of the 2022 awards. 

2022 Excellence in Online Course Design Award

Anton Mosunov and Amanda Garcia.

MATH 106 - Applied Linear Algebra 1, created by Amanda Garcia and Anton Mosunov.

This award recognizes exemplary courses that meet or exceed the Quality Guidelines for University of Waterloo Online Courses. Amanda and Anton worked collaboratively with CEL in the design and development. 

MATH 106 is an intensive first-year course, taken by students studying a range of disciplines, that provides them with an abundance of opportunities to learn mathematics by doing mathematics. Students can demonstrate their achievement in diverse ways, with encouragement to practice and review rich amounts of detailed feedback.

2022 Excellence in Online Teaching Award

Megan McCarthyMegan McCarthy, PSYCH 101 - Introductory Psychology and ARTS 140 -The Science of Happiness instructor.

This award recognizes course instructors who exemplify a high standard of teaching in one or more of Waterloo's fully-online courses. 

In their nominations for Megan students repeatedly underscore her kindness and compassion and that they really felt she cared about each and every one of them. They describe how she has created interesting course materials that make learning enjoyable and easier, while still challenging them intellectually.

Beyond the Bulletin episode 156

Beyond the Bulletin banner featuring two vintage microphones.

The latest episode of the Beyond the Bulletin podcast is now live. Tracelyn Cornelius, director of inclusive communications, discusses Pride Month and other initiatives at Waterloo expressing solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. June is also National Indigenous History Month. An art contest encourages students to create an original piece of art that expresses their interpretation of consent. And the Sustainability Action Fund is accepting applications for projects that will work towards the University’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy.

Reminder: change your WatIAM password if you haven't already

The deadline for employees to change their WatIAM passwords has passed and accounts will begin to be locked. If you have been locked out, please contact Information Systems and Technology (IST) or your Faculty IT helpdesk to regain access. Students and alumni must change their WatIAM passwords by June 22.

Link of the day

Day of the African Child

When and Where 

Warrior Recreation Registration for the spring term is now open.

Waterloo Warriors Youth Camps. Spring and Summer camps available for Boys and Girls ages 5-18. Baseball, Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Hockey and Multi-Sport and Games. Register today.

Fitness and Personal Training - Registrations now open for Personal Training and Small Group Training, as well as a Free Warrior Workout Program.

Student Health Pharmacy in the basement of the Student Life Centre is now offering Covid booster shots (Pfizer and Moderna) and flu shots. Call 519-746-4500 or extension 33784 for an appointment. Walk-ins always welcome.

Therapy Dogs, Friday, June 16, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., SLC Lower Atrium Multipurpose Room.

Rock Your Thesis Part 1: Plan your Project, Friday, June 16, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Engineering presents Discover the Power of Leadership with Rola Dagher, Friday, June 16, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., E7 event space, 2ndFloor Engineering 7.

Lupina Foundation Postdoctoral Research showcase, Monday, June 19, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., HH 373.

Glow's Pride Picnic, Monday, June 19, 12 noon to 5:00 p.m., DC Green.

Senate meeting, Monday, June 19, 3:30 p.m., NH 3407.

Sustainable Aviation with Dr. Suzanne Kearns, Tuesday, June 20, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., E7 4043.

Dr. Kayla Murphy and Robin Stadelbauer: Land and Territory Acknowledgements, Tuesday, June 20, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., EXP 1689.

WISE Public Lecture,Understanding the potential and challenges of DERs in Chile” by Daniel Eduardo Olivares Quero, Associate Professor, Faculty of Engineering and Sciences, and Director, Center for Energy Transition (CENTRA), Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI)., Tuesday, June 20, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., EIT Third floor 3142., In-person and on Zoom. Register today.

Polishing the Eagle Feather, Tuesday, June 20, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., BMH courtyard.

Drag Show @ Graduate House,Tuesday, June 20, 3:00 p.m., Grad House.

Retirement celebration for Tina Roberts, Tuesday, June 20, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., GEDI (East Campus 5, 2nd floor). Registration form.

Restorative Justice in Education, Tuesday, June 20, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (doors open at 4:00 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College Great Hall. Please RSVP by June 16.

Food Truck Wednesday brought you by UW Food Services, Wednesday, June 21, 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Arts Quad.

Universal Design for Learning & Wellbeing - Reflections and Pathways Forward, Wednesday, June 21, 1:00 p..m to 2:30 p.m.

Land Skills for Wellness and Sustainability Project, Nature Weaving Wednesday, Wednesday, June 21, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Queer Trivia Night, Wednesday, June 21, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., SLC main floor multipurpose room.

Deadline to change your WatIAM password, Thursday, June 22. Instructions.

Storytelling for Social Impact Part II: Connecting with your Audience: build and test your pitch, Thursday, June 22, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., UTD 164.

Get Ready for Pride with Glow: t-shirt and sign decorating, Thursday, June 22, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m, Glow office, SLC.

Graduate Studies Fair 2023, Thursday, June 22, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Engineering Event space (E7 second floor).

Cans for S’mores Bonfire Night, Thursday, June 22, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Laurel Creek fire pit.

March in Toronto Pride with Glow, Sunday, June 25, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Bike Fair, Tuesday, June 27, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Arts Quad.

Tie Dye Your Shirt @ Graduate House, Tuesday, June 27, 3:00 p.m., Grad House.

Food Truck Wednesday brought you by UW Food Services, Wednesday, June 28,  11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Arts Quad.

In-Person International Student Mixer @ Graduate House Green, Wednesday, June 28, 1:30 p.m., Grad House Green.

Ozhawa Anung Kwe/Yellow Star Woman (Teddy Syrette): 2Spirit & LGBTQ+ Pride, Thursday, June 29, 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon, Faculty of Health Expansion Building, Room 1689.

Rock Your Thesis 2: Starting to write, Friday, June 30, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Canada Day holiday, Monday, July 3, most University operations closed.

Food Truck Wednesday brought you by UW Food Services, Wednesday, July 5,  11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Arts Quad.

2SLGBTQ+ faculty and staff social, Thursday, July 6, 3:30 p.m., LHS 1646.

Women’s Centre Rise Up with Words! Poetry Slam, Friday, July 7, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., SLC Student Lounge.

Dissertation Boot Camp, Tuesday, July 11, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

SOMMeRS: Southern Ontario Medical MicroRobotics Symposium, Tuesday, July 11, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Engineering 7 second floor.

Introduction to Spoon carving (Green Woodworking), Tuesday, July 11, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

2023 Consensus @ Waterloo trivia competition, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, July 15.

When and Where to get support 

Check out the support listings for faculty, staff and students.

PhD oral defences

Environment, Resources and Sustainability. Ella Kari Muhl, “Co-production of knowledge for indicators, otters and ecosystem-based management”. Supervisor, Derek Armitage. Available upon request from the Faculty of Environment, Administrator, Graduate Studies. Oral defence Wednesday, June 21, 10:00 a.m.

Psychology. Sydney Waring, "Relational Body Image: Developing an Understanding of How and Why Body Image Changes Across Specific Relationships." Supervisor, Dr. Allison Kelly.  Thesis available upon request from the Faculty of Arts, Graduate Studies and Research Officer. Oral defence Thursday, June 22, 1:00 p.m., PAS 2464 and hybrid.

Physics and Astronomy. Jack Davis, “Wigner negativity on the sphere.” Supervisors, Dr. Robert Mann, Dr. Shonini Ghose. Please visit the Faculty of Science Thesis Submission Notices website for details on requesting a copy. Oral defence Monday, June 26, 10:00 a.m., QNC 2101.

Physics and Astronomy. Kensuke Gallock Yoshimura, “Correlation harvesting in the presence of Unruh and Hawking effects.” Supervisor, Dr. Robert Mann. Please visit the Faculty of Science Thesis Submission Notices website for details on requesting a copy. Oral defence Tuesday, June 27, 9:30 a.m., PHY 308.