Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Showcasing innovation in clean and sustainable energy applications

A message from the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE).

The Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE) brings you the Annual Report 2022-2023, which commemorates the achievements of its faculty and students both locally and globally. The researchers at WISE have successfully led multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary R&D projects in the area of clean and affordable energy solutions fully supporting the framework of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, Canada’s Net-Zero 2050, and Waterloo’s 100 Sustainable Futures.

In the context of the Sustainable Futures Initiative (SFI), emphasising the strong interconnections among energy, climate, and water to advance research for global impact, WISE is well positioned for societal, economic, environmental, and technological impact across the globe, with a particular focus on energy access and justice through its AE4H initiative. You are invited to discover in WISE’s annual report the multiple accomplishments and activities of the Institute and its members in the vast and strategic area of sustainable energy.

New scam targeting students prompts dialogue across campus

By Megan McGarry.

Though the festive season is upon us, scammers won’t be taking a break for the holidays.

Scammers often victimize the most vulnerable, exploiting people through schemes that reflect current economic and social conditions. Some of the most common scams involve shipping or packages that are on hold, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) related payments, and online money transfers. Scams geared to students can focus on admissions, housing, prize schemes, and loan forgiveness/tuition reimbursement.

Recently the Student Success Office (SSO) shared an update about a specific scam targeting international students with fake emails claiming to be from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (iRCC). The article lists helpful resources and steps to take if you receive a threatening call.

“While international students are disproportionally targeted by these crimes, all students must build skills in recognizing and avoiding scams to protect their personal information, financial security, and safety,” said Kayla Snyder, Marketing and Communications Manager for the SSO.

Led by the SSO, a cross-campus working group has been developed to increase the reach and amplification of communications across campus regarding student scams, and others that target the University community. According to Special Constable Services, “every year, thousands of Canadians fall victim to fraud, losing millions of dollars. Most don't think it could happen to them, but fraudsters use sophisticated ways to target people of all ages.”

In a recent communication about the increased volume of phishing attacks from Jason Testart, Director, Information Security Services for IST, the University community was warned that attackers often use compromised accounts from UWaterloo and other institutions to legitimize their attacks.

If you are tricked into clicking a link that takes you away from UWaterloo services into a fraudulent web form, don’t enter any information and report the suspected fraud to the IST Security Operations Centre at soc@uwaterloo.ca. If the fraud is successful, report it to the UWaterloo Special Constable Service at uwscs@uwaterloo.ca.

Resources to help protect yourself against scams:

• Little Black Book of Scams (ENG)
• Cyber awareness training
• Information from Special Constable Services on Frauds and Scams

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the IST Service Desk at helpdesk@uwaterloo.ca or call ext. 44357. 

Rendering a winter wonderland

This is an excerpt of an article that was originally published on Waterloo News.

As snow flurries mark the beginning of winter, a team of University of Waterloo researchers have digitized the white stuff into a new model that can be applied to better understand the impact of climate change.

SPLITSnow is a "light transport" model and is part of a larger body of research that simulates how light interacts with complex materials. While previous models exist, SPLITSnow is one of the most comprehensive models to date, which accounts for a variety of snowpack properties, such as density and water content, as well as the size and shape distributions of the individual grains. In addition, SPLITSnow attempts to account for the grains' crystalline makeup.

The new model will also allow the team to generate important data for climate scientists around the world. Their major goal is to simulate this essential part of the ecosystem to gain more insight into fundamental environmental processes as part of the University's overall objective of being a global leader in sustainability research, education and innovation to benefit the environment, economy and society.

Read the rest of the article on Waterloo News

Celebrating retirees from 2023's third quarter

Throughout 2023, a number of staff and faculty members have retired from the University. Human Resources has announced that the following staff and faculty have retired as of July, August, and September 2023.

July 2023

• Dr. Adam Kolkiewicz, who started at the University in January 1991, retired as faculty member in Statistics and Actuarial Science;
• Dr. Rhona Hanning, who joined Waterloo in July 2000, retired as faculty member in the School of Public Health Sciences;
• Dr. Kenneth Vetzal, who started working at the University in July 1990, retired as faculty member in the School of Accounting and Finance;
• Marilyn Thom, who began working at Waterloo in June 1998, retired as Administrative Assistant to the Director, CORE at the Centre for Ocular Research & Education;
• Karen Majaury, who began working at the University in March 1989, retired as Catering & Events Administrative Coordinator in Food Services;
• Laurie Robertson, who started at Waterloo in February 2001, retired as Building Serviceperson I-Carpenter in Plant Operations;
• Marie Amodeo, who joined the University in June 1981, retired as Program Manager in the School of Optometry and Vision Science;
• Timothy Farrel, who started at Waterloo in June 1980, retired as Systems Integration Specialist in Information Systems & Technology;
• Lesley Wade, who joined the University in June 1989, retired as Acquisitions Associate at the Library;
• Dan Hergott, who started at Waterloo in December 1992, retired as Information Technology Specialist  at the Cheriton School of Computer Science;
• Dr. Jonathan Kofman, who joined the University in September 2004, retired as faculty member in Systems Design Engineering;
• Nancy Maloney, who began working at Waterloo in January 1991, retired as Administrative Coordinator, Graduate Studies in Pure Mathematics;
• Rossana Frowd, who started at the University in September 1989, retired as Food Services Assistant in Food Services; and
• Dr. Jason Blokhuis, who joined Renison University College in July 2011, retired as faculty  ad Renison University College.

August 2023

• Dr. Oscar Nespoli, who joined the University in March 2007, retired as faculty member in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering;
• Dr. Mary Hardy, who began her academic career at Waterloo in September 1997, retired as faculty member in Statistics and Actuarial Science;
• Barb Yantha, who started at the University in September 1988, retired as Computing Consultant at the IST Service Desks;
• Derek Madge, who began working at Waterloo in February 1999, retired as Events Co-ordinator, Instructional Technologies and Media Services in IST-Technology Services;
• Kwan Wai (Matthew) Wu, who started at the University in April 2008, retired as Assistant Catering Serviceperson in Food Services;
• Debra Thompson, who began working at Waterloo in July 2013, retired as Financial Administrator in Science - Infrastructure & Technical Resources;
• Ilie Pasca, who started at the University in February 2011, retired as Registered Mechanical Design Engineer/Consultant in Plant Operations;
• Stephen Simone, who began working at Waterloo in November 2012, retired as Residence Attendant in Campus Housing;
• Laura Marrone, who started at the University in July 2011, retired as Laboratory Instructor in Chemistry;
• Debbie Goer, who began working at Waterloo in November 1995, retired as Career Advisor in Co-operative and Experiential Education while on leave; and
• Ralph Wind, who started at the University in April 2010, retired as Building Serviceperson II – Carpenter in Plant Operations.

September 2023

• Dr. Gordon Agnew, who joined the University in September 1978, retired as faculty member in Electrical and Computer Engineering;
• Dr. Fakhreddine Karray, who started working at Waterloo in January 1997, retired as faculty member in Electrical and Computer Engineering;
• Dr. Paul Stolee, who joined the University in August 2004, retired as faculty member in the School of Public Health Sciences;
• Christine Rutter, who started working at Waterloo in January 1990, retired as Systems Integration Specialist in IST – Network Services;
• Bernie Rutter, who began working at the University in August 2005, retired as Windows System Administrator in Environment - MAD Client Services;
• Dr. Duane Kennedy, who started his career at Waterloo in May 1981, retired as faculty member in the School of Accounting and Finance;
• Dr. Margaret Insley, who joined the University in July 2002, retired as faculty member in Economics;
• Catherine Van Esch, who began working at Waterloo in November 1993, retired as Administrative Coordinator, Graduate Studies in the Chemistry department;
• Katherine Jackson, who joined the University in August 4, 1980, retired as Chem 13 News Secretary in Chemistry;
• Dr. Margaret Dalziel, who started working at Waterloo in January 2013, retired as faculty member in the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business;
• Sandor Koso, who joined the University in May 1997, retired as Account Manage in Co-operative and Experiential Education   ;
• Catherine Seitz, who began working at Waterloo in June 1996, retired as Academic Services Coordinator in the Engineering Undergraduate Office;
• Rose Koebel, sho joined the University in April 1989, retired as Communications Design Specialist in the Library;
• Dr. Dongqing Li, whose academic career at Waterloo began in September 2008, retired as faculty member in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering;
• Paul Gatcke, who joined the University in August 1979, retired as Head Baker in Food Services;
• Larry Robinson, who started at Waterloo in July 2013, retired as Custodian I in Plant Operations;
• Jean Lowry, who began working at the University in May 2016, retired as Project Director in Statistics and Actuarial Science;
• Ingrid Cowan, who started at Waterloo in April 2011, retired as Associate Vice-President, Development & Advancement Strategy in Advancement;
• Marilena Manu, who joined the University in May 2017, retired as Associate Team Leader, Food Services in Renison University College;
• Dr. Zdenko Milos, who started at Waterloo in July 2015, retired as Lecturer, English Language Institute, EFAS in Renison University College;
• Dorinda Cerqueira-DeBrito, who joined the University in October 2000, retired as Custodian (On leave)  in Plant Operations;
• Stephen Brown, who began working at Waterloo in July 1996, retired as Book Buyer (On leave) in Print + Retail Solutions;
• Eugenia Danciu, who joined the University in November 2003, retired as Custodian (On leave) in Plant Operations;
• Dr. Edna Nelson, who started at Waterloo in July 1991, retired as faculty member in Sociology and Legal Studies; and
• Douglas Spence, who began working at the University in July 2011, retired as Electrical Helper    in Plant Operations.

Congratulations to all on your much-deserved retirement.