Thursday, March 6, 2025

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• Register now for the 17th annual Waterloo Staff Conference
• Free Store Seed Library launches

• Science holds alumni reception in Toronto

• Q&A with the experts: Ramadan fasting and medications

• Remembering Monica Beal and other notes

 Register now for the 17th annual Waterloo Staff Conference

A message from Organizational and Human Development.

Registration is now open! Organizational and Human Development (OHD) invites Waterloo staff to join the 17^th annual Waterloo Staff Conference on April 8 and 9, 2025.

The Waterloo Staff Conference is a two-day learning and development opportunity designed exclusively for staff at Waterloo. Featuring employee-led workshops and expert keynote speakers, the conference is hosted by Human Resources’ OHD team and made possible through the Staff Excellence Fund.

Upwards of 1500 staff members participate every year, and it’s a wonderful way to delve into new topics, reflect on your own professional growth, and connect with colleagues from across all our campuses.

This two-day hybrid conference is free for university staff and can be experienced in the following formats:

• Day 1: April 8 – In-person spaces on Waterloo’s main campus throughout Hagey Hall (HH) and the School of Accounting and Finance; virtual options via Microsoft Teams for keynotes
• Day 2: April 9 – Virtually via Microsoft Teams and in-person viewing room options on Waterloo’s main campus for the special session and closing keynote in East Campus 5 (EC5) and Arts Lecture Hall (AL)

Please share with others in your area and visit the Waterloo Staff Conference website for all the details to register today!

Free Store Seed Library launches

A message from the Sustainability Office.

The Sustainability Office is excited to announce the official launch of the Free Store Seed Library, an initiative to promote sustainable food systems, enhance food security, and support biodiversity within our community. 

The Seed Library offers free access to native wildflower and grass seeds, and non-invasive fruit and vegetable seeds, empowering members to grow their own gardens and connect with nature. Students, staff, and faculty can visit the Sustainability Office (CPH 2385) for donations and borrowing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

The Free Store Seed Library will also be present at Free Store shop-ups, including the one today, where visitors can borrow and/or donate seeds.

Science holds alumni reception in Toronto

By Sharon McFarlane.

It was definitely standing room only as the Faculty of Science hosted their annual Science Alumni Reception in Toronto Monday night during the Prospectors and Miners Association of Canada Conference (PDAC).

Joining over 150 alumni at the Royal York Hotel, were faculty members from the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, as well as senior leadership from the School of Accounting and Finance. The evening was filled with social and business networking as well as giving alumni the opportunity to reconnect with fellow UWaterloo classmates.  

Director of Advancement for Science, Meaghan Middleton, was happy to see so many Toronto alumni attend this year’s reception. “These events strengthen the lifelong bond between our graduates and the University. They foster meaningful connections, open doors to new collaborations, and remind us of the incredible impact our alumni continue to make in the world.”

Mario Coniglio, Chair of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Blake Phillips, Director of the School of Accounting and Finance were also present, eager to connect with alumni as they shared news and updates from their respective academic units.

“As someone who took Earth and Environmental Science but now do not work in the field, this event is a nice way to reconnect with the field and people,” said Matthew Colphon, BSC’11 (Science and Business, Hydrogeology). “It’s really cool to see how Waterloo’s programs have evolved, there is lots of potential there, especially in the science and business and earth science spaces.”

Members of the Faulty of Science Advancement Team as well as staff from the Earth Sciences Museum will be present on the PDAC Conference floor, meeting alumni and corporate leaders from the mining industry attending the conference. Now it is 93^rd year, the four day conference attracts tens of thousands of participants – including industry leaders, mineral exploration and mining professionals, investors and government representatives around the world to Toronto’s downtown core.

Q&A with the experts: Ramadan fasting and medication

This article was originally published on the School of Pharmacy website.

Ramadan, the ninth holy month observed by Muslims worldwide runs February 28, 2025 – March 29, 2025 this year. During Ramadan, Muslims gather to fast, pray and reflect. Fasting takes place between Suhoor, the morning meal before sunrise, and Iftar, the evening meal after sunset. Muslims observing Ramadan will abstain from consuming anything orally, including medications. We sat down with professor Dr. Kelly Grindrod, who led the development of Ramadan resources for health care practitioners, to answer some frequently asked questions about medication taking during Ramadan. 

Can I take my medications during Ramadan?

Most oral medication doses can be adjusted to be taken before or after fasting. Inhaled and injected medications are generally allowed during the fasting period as they are not ingested.

Do I need to have my doses adjusted?

Many oral medications are easy to adjust to another time of the day. Common examples include blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and antidepressant medicines. Medications that are more difficult to adjust include medications that require multiple doses per day, such as with Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, and seizure. People who have health-related barriers, including those who are pregnant or menstruating, may be exempted from fasting.

How can I take medications to fit around fasting hours?

Many medications can be adjusted to be taken in the morning before the fast begins, or in the evening after the fast is broken. Caution with certain medications though, such as diabetes medications, that can cause low blood sugar. Patients with serious chronic diseases should always consult their healthcare providers to discuss the safest strategy for honour the month of Ramadan.

When Ramadan ends should I re-adjust my medications again?

Yes, typically medication schedules will return to pre-Ramadan timing. It is helpful to work with a pharmacist or physician to adjust the timing of medications, both for Ramadan fasting and for after the month of Ramadan is over.

How else can my pharmacist help me?

Pharmacists are learning more about Ramadan fasting. They may want to ask questions as well to learn how patients honour Ramadan and can offer advice for adjusting the timing of medicines. Pharmacists can also offer reassurance around medicines that do not need to be adjusted, such as inhalers, nasal sprays, injectable drugs, and topical agents like skin and vaginal creams.

Visit the School of Pharmacy's Ramadan fasting and medications resources website.

Remembering Monica Beal and other notes

Human Resources has reported that Department of Biology staff member Monica Beal passed away on February 24. Monica joined the University of Waterloo in November 2012 and worked in Biology until 2017, when she went on leave.

"Monica started in Biology as the Purchasing Assistant and then moved to the Administrative Assistant role," says a statement circulated to the Biology department last Friday. "Monica had a great sense of human and an infectious laugh that made everyone smile. Monica was a great colleague and friend. She will be missed.

The department will be making a donation in Beal's name to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.

The Balsillie School of International Affairs has issued a call for participation for the Canada-Germany Workshop – “Sustainable Energy Transitions, Individuals, and Communities.”

"The Balsillie School of International Affairs is hosting a half-day hybrid workshop on Wednesday, April 16 between Waterloo Region and German-based academic researchers," says a note from the BSIA. "Focusing upon the ways in which individuals and communities advance a sustainable energy transition, the purpose is to share perspectives, with an aim towards transatlantic learning through comparative studies and exploring the potential for future collaborative work."

In Canada, students, staff, and faculty affiliated with either the University of Waterloo or Wilfrid Laurier University are invited to apply to participate. In Germany, students, staff, and faculty associated with a university, research institute, or similar kind of organization in the Freiburg-Karlsruhe area are invited to apply to participate.

Read thecall for participation prior to submission. To submit an expression of interest, visit the workshop submission form on or before Friday, March 14. For more information, contact Professor Ian Rowlands.