Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Celebrate students with the launch of the Be You at Waterloo mental health campaign
A message from Campus Wellness.
The Be You campaign was created to support student well-being by celebrating the diverse identities and experiences of every student. This initiative takes an intersectional approach to mental health, ensuring that Campus Wellness and campus wide programs, services, and conversations reflect the varied needs of our student community.
Campus Wellness invites students, staff and faculty to the official launch of Be You on Monday, February 3, 2025, in the Health Services building reception area from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Join us for remarks from leadership, mingling, cake, and the reveal of an art piece that features the many faces of our student community.
Mark your calendars and register to join us! Details about how to get involved in the campaign can be found on our Be You landing page. Share communication assets on your channels, partner on event development with the Campus Wellness team or boost your mental health literacy.
Have questions? Connect with Grace Wong Chong, student mental health coordinator from the Campus Wellness team.
Working to democratize quantum computing
A news release from the Media Relations team.
Amidst the global race to establish and deploy useful and powerful quantum computers, researchers at a newly incorporated, Waterloo-based non-profit are taking a different approach. The team at Open Quantum Design (OQD) believes the key to accelerating advancements in quantum computing - including developing top talent - is to democratize access and open up its intellectual property for anyone willing to collaborate; and its four partners agree. Quantum heavy-hitters Xanadu, the University of Waterloo, the Unitary Foundation, and Haiqu are the first to join OQD’s innovative platform to spearhead a new, unprecedented degree of open access to full-stack quantum computing technology.
Founded by world-renowned researchers out of the University of Waterloo, Roger Melko, Crystal Senko, and Rajibul Islam, alongside entrepreneur Greg Dick, Open Quantum Design, is working to accelerate quantum research by democratizing quantum computing - breaking down the traditional barriers between academia and industry. Their team is working to accomplish this by opening up both the hardware and software intellectual property for its trapped-ion quantum computer—the first of its kind—to collaborators looking to participate in a global quantum sandbox.
In an early testament to their work, Xanadu, the University of Waterloo, Unitary Foundation, and Haiqu have all formally signed on to participate in OQD’s open-source platform, enabling unfettered access to quality quantum computing hardware, software, and up-to-date training opportunities that will accelerate innovation and serve to develop the quantum workforce of the future.
About our founding partners:
- Xanaduis a Canadian quantum computing company with the mission to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere. Founded in 2016, Xanadu has become one of the world's leading quantum hardware and software companies, and is paving the way towards the next generation of quantum technologies.
- University of Waterloo is a leading global innovation hub driving economic and social prosperity for Canada and the world. A leader in scientific research, it is home to the pioneering Institute for Quantum Computing, and Faculty of Science.
- Unitary Foundationis a non-profit working to create a robust quantum technology ecosystem and represents the gold standard in open-source community development.
- Haiqu is a start-up headquartered in San Francisco and is pushing the limits of modern quantum computing, enabling quantum applications using breakthroughs in quantum circuit execution.
By opting into OQD’s value proposition and open-source community, these organizations gain access to the trapped-ion quantum computer repositories, including hardware specifications and fabrication standards, as well as design forums for quantum research and development. By removing traditional barriers and focusing on solutions to hard problems, OQD’s highly collaborative approach is well-positioned to speed-up innovation by pooling global quantum expertise.
“Our open-source approach means that everything in the quantum computer will be accessible to the user, from the bare metal technical design to application programming interfaces,” says Roger Melko, faculty member at the University of Waterloo, the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, and Co-founder of OQD.
“We have found a way to leverage the collective global quantum workforce to scale quantum computing,” explains Greg Dick, OQD’s CEO. “By sharing resources, knowledge, and designs as a global community, we will accelerate the development of quantum technologies. There are researchers and companies all over the world racing towards the realization of a working quantum computer, and what we are providing is an open platform to scale progress rapidly where people work, build, and innovate together.”
Open Quantum Design is grateful for the near-decade of investment into the foundational research to build the basis of the computer by the Institute for Quantum Computing, and the operational support Perimeter Institute has provided through its Quantum Intelligence Lab (PIQuIL).
To learn more about OQD’s open-source quantum computing community and opportunities to join the future of quantum computing, visit the OQD website.
Celebrating Suping Zhao's career journey at Waterloo
A message from Waterloo International.
Since joining the University of Waterloo in 2003 as a Master’s student, Suping Zhao has made significant contributions across multiple roles, including Research Analyst, Project Administrator, International Relations Manager, and Special Advisor-China.
Starting in January 2004 as a Research Analyst in the Faculty of Environment, Suping worked on the Ecoplan China Project, focusing on environmental policies between Canada and China.
By May 2005, she was promoted to Project Administrator, managing operations, liaising with stakeholders, overseeing budgets, and coordinating delegations. This role also involved developing joint academic programs with Chinese universities, resulting in the establishment of the Sino-Canadian College in 2007.
Suping transitioned fully to Waterloo International in 2012, taking on a global role in coordinating international delegations and managing diplomatic visits. By 2014, as International Relations Manager and Special Advisor-China, she focused on relationship and partnership building, particularly with China. In this capacity, Suping continued her work on relationship and partnership building, with additional responsibilities relating to China. She collaborated closely with the President’s Office, Advancement, and the faculties to plan Presidential Missions to China, where she then facilitated high-level institutional meetings, workshops, and alumni events. Suping also contributed to the development of key operational guidelines at Waterloo International including delegation protocols and country-specific customs for hosting international visitors.
From 2019 onward, Suping focused on East and Southeast Asia, continuing her role as Special Advisor-China and overseeing strategic partnerships in these regions. She coordinated numerous delegations and agreement negotiations and actively participated in major conferences, bringing back a Golden Award for International Student Recruitment Brochures in 2016.
Please join us in wishing Suping all the best in retirement. There will be a drop-in reception on Thursday, January 30 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in EC5-3167. Please share any photos or notes of congratulations with Jennifer at jennifer.shousterman@uwaterloo.ca.
Research Impact Canada session coming up and other notes
Research Impact Canada (RIC) will be hosting an information session on the RIC Engaged Scholarship Award 2025 on January 29 from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.
"Graduate students from RIC Canadian universities (including Waterloo) who are interested in applying for the RIC Award are encouraged to attend," says a message from the Office of Research. "Last year’s winners will speak about their experiences and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. Register today."
This award is meant to recognize knowledge mobilization excellence. PhD winners will receive $3,000 CAD and Master’s winners will receive $2,000 CAD. The deadline for applications is February 24 at 11:59 p.m.
Athletics and Recreation is recruiting volunteers for the upcoming2025 Miller Waste U SPORTS Women’s Hockey Championship, which is taking place from March 20 to 23 at the Woolwich Memorial Centre.
Anyone who is interested in volunteering can sign up on the Athletics and Recreation website.
The latest in the WaterTalk series takes place today, entitled “Unbottled: Plastic Water, Inequality, and Water Justice,”
"In only four decades, bottled water has transformed from a luxury niche good into a ubiquitous consumer product, representing a $320 billion market led by global food and beverage firms," says the talk's abstract. "It sits at the nexus of the crises of single-use plastic waste and affordable access to safe drinking water, and struggles over the fate of public water systems. This talk explores the dynamics of packaged water’s rapid growth in the global North and South and considers the implications for sustainability, social inequality, and the human right to water."
Delivering remarks will be Dr. Daniel Jaffee, Professor of Sociology at Portland State University. Dr. Jaffee an environmental and rural sociologist whose research examines conflicts over water commodification and privatization; the social, environmental, and economic impacts of bottled and packaged water; and social movements around bottled water and water justice in the global North and South.
The virtual lecture takes place from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. on Zoom.
Link of the day
When and where
The privately-run Student Health Pharmacy (located in the lower level of the Student Life Centre) is now offering new COVID booster shots and flu shots. Call for appointments to register for the vaccination at 519-746-4500 or dial extension 33784. Walk-ins are welcome.
Warriors Game Day Tickets. Purchase your single game tickets or season packages today to cheer on your Warriors this season. Tickets on sale now for Basketball, Football, Hockey and Volleyball. Check out the schedules and purchase today!
Join the Disability Affinity Program mailing list to receive meeting information for the Disability Community Network and the Accessibility Ally Network.
Staff Association office hours, Thursday, January 23, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., DC 3608.
WaterTalk featuring Dr. Daniel Jaffee, Professor of Sociology, Portland State University, “Unbottled: Plastic Water, Inequality, and Water Justice,” Thursday, January 23, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., Zoom.
NEW - Critical Tech Talk 11: Speculative Imaginaries and Technological Design, Friday, January 24, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Register to attend online via Zoom.
Chemical Engineering Graduate Studies Fair, Friday, January 24, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., E7 1st Floor Ideas Clinic.
Warriors Volleyball vs. Toronto, Saturday, January 25, (W) 2:00 p.m., (M) 4:00 p.m., Carl Totzke Court, PAC. Think Pink, Camps and Minor League Night. Buy your tickets today!
Warriors Women’s Hockey vs. Guelph, Sunday, January 26, 2:30 p.m., CIF Arena. Think Pink, Camps and Minor League Day, Alumni Day. Buy your tickets today!
WISE Public Lecture, “Six Nations participation in the energy transition” by Matt Jamieson, CEO, Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC)., Monday, January 27, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Engineering (E7), Faculty Hall (E7-7303/7363)., In-person and on Zoom. Register today!
FAUW Equity and Inclusivity Award presentation, Tuesday, January 28, 11:00 a.m., Engineering 7 2nd floor.
Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) Introductory Seminar, Wednesday, January 29, 10:00 a.m., to 2:00 p.m., QNC 0101.
Fentanyl: a harm reduction forum, Wednesday, January 29, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, Enterprise Theatre, EC5 and online via Zoom.
Noon Hour Concert: Low Pair, Wednesday, January 29, 12 noon, Conrad Grebel Chapel. Free admission.
Transitional Justice and Human Rights: A Dialogue between Colombia and Canada, Wednesday, January 29, 12:20 p.m. to 2:20 p.m., Alumni Hall, United College.
Accessible transportation engagement session, Wednesday, January 29, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Student Life Centre, Black & Gold room (elevator available).
Yintah: Wet’suwet’en women leading the defence of dignity, territory and rights (documentary and conversation), Wednesday, January 29, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Alumni Hall, United College.
Warriors Basketball vs. Western, Wednesday, January 29, (W) 6:00 p.m., (M) 8:00 p.m., Carl Totzke Court, PAC. Think Pink, Domino's 3s for Cheese, Residence Night, Three Point Thrills, Lou's Residence Cookie Giveaway. Buy your tickets today!
Sustainable Transportation Plan Open House, Thursday, January 30, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., SLC Marketplace.
University of Waterloo Knowledge Mobilization Community of Practice, “Adventures in Knowledge Mobilization for Global Impact: Examples from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (the ITC Project),” with Dr. Geoffrey Fong, Thursday, January 30, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Contact Nadine Quehl to request a Teams invitation or for more information.
WIN and Electrical and Computer Engineering Seminar with Benoît Lessard and speaker Hany Aziz, "“Green” Electronics: from Sustainable Materials to Cannabinoid Sensors," Thursday, January 30, 11:30 a.m., QNC 1501.
NEW - Nanofellowship Competition 2025 submission deadline, Saturday, February 1, 11:59 p.m.
NEW - Home Routes folk concert: Hilary Hawke, Saturday, February 1, 7:00 p.m., Brubacher House, North Campus.
NEW - Warriors Basketball vs. Laurier, Saturday, February 1, (W) 6:00 p.m., (M) 8:00 p.m., Carl Totzke Court, PAC. Battle of Waterloo, Unity in Motion, Mike Moser Game, Three Point Thrills. Buy your tickets today!
NEW - Health Innovation Challenge kick off, Monday, February 3, 4:00 p.m. South Campus Hall cafeteria.
PhD oral defences
Chemical Engineering. Yas Fazaeli, "Advanced Separator Modifications for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: Multifunctional Organic Frameworks and Nanostructured Composites to Mitigate the Polysulfide Shuttle Effect." Supervisor, Dr. Yuning Li. Thesis available via SharePoint - email eng.phd@uwaterloo.ca to request a viewing link. Oral defence Tuesday, January 21, 1:00 p.m., remote.
Electrical & Computer Engineering. Yara Hassan Moustafa Hassan AboAhmed, "A Comprehensive Process for Addressing Market Power in Decentralized ADN Electricity Markets." Supervisors, Dr. Magdy Salama, Dr. Kankar Bhattacharya. This thesis is restricted but available for viewing in the Engineering Graduate Studies Office. Anyone wishing to review the thesis must sign a non-disclosure agreement. Oral defence Thursday, January 30, 10:00 a.m., EIT 3142.
Electrical & Computer Engineering. Shayan Shirahmad Gale Bagi, "Advancing Causal Representation Learning: Enhancing Robustness and Transferability in Real-World Applications." Supervisor, Dr. Mark Crowley. Thesis available via SharePoint - email eng.phd@uwaterloo.ca to request a viewing link. Oral defence Monday, February 3, 1:00 p.m., remote.
Psychology. Kaiden Stewart, "On Spoken Confidence: Characteristics of Explicit Metacognition in Reasoning." Supervisor, Dr. Jonathan Fugelsang. Available upon request from the Faculty of Arts, Graduate Studies and Research Officer. Oral defence Friday, February 14, 9:00 a.m., PAS 2464.
Upcoming service interruptions
Stay up to date on service interruptions, campus construction, and other operational changes on the Plant Operations website. Upcoming service interruptions include:
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East Campus Hall, Engineering 5, 6 and 7 fire alarm testing, Friday, January 24, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Main Path directly north of Biology 1 crane operation, Friday, January 24, 7:00 a.m. to 12 noon, there will be a partial closure of the main path. Pedestrian access will still be available.
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Wilmot South, Wellesley South, Eby Hall, Claudette Miller Hall fire alarm testing, Friday, January 24, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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Science Teaching Complex ventilation shutdown, Saturday, January 25, 7:00 a.m. for 10 hours, make-up air to fume hoods will be off.
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Optometry building heat shutdown, Saturday, January 25, February 1 and 2 from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., full building heat shutdown for HVAC equipment work. The Witer Learning Resource Centre, the pre-clinic and the simulation lab will be open on February 1 and 2 with electricity and water still available.
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Quantum Nano Centre, Biology 1 & 2, Health Services, Science Teaching Centre fire alarm testing, Monday, January 27, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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DWE building domestic hot water shutdown, Monday, January 27, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Tuesday, January 28 (backup day), no hot water available while meters are installed.
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Dana Porter Library hot water shutdown, Tuesday, January 28, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., no hot water available while meters are installed.
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Biology 1 steam outages, Tuesday, January 28, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., localized steam outage affecting the 2nd floor AHU to accommodate steam trap replacements. Heating will be affected on the 2nd floor only.
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CPH building domestic hot water shutdown, Tuesday, January 28, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., no hot water available during meter installation.
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RCH building domestic hot water shutdown, Wednesday, January 29, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., no hot water available while meters are installed.
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Needles Hall testing of fire alarms and strobes, Thursday, January 30 and Friday, January 31, 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., horns and strobes will sound and flash several times between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. for one minute each time.
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Central Services Building domestic hot water shutdown, Thursday, January 30, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and January 31 (backup day), no hot water available during meter installation.