Monday, March 10, 2025

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• Remembering Siv Sivaloganathan

• Transforming work-integrated learning with AI tool for students

• Uniting Canada’s engineers with pride and integrity

Remembering Siv Sivaloganathan

This article was originally published on the Faculty of Mathematics' website.

Sivabal Sivaloganathan, chair of Waterloo’s Department of Applied Mathematics from 2016 to 2023, and professor of Applied Mathematics from 1990 to present, passed away on March 2, 2025, after a brief illness.

Siv was a visionary mathematician, a dedicated mentor and a leading figure in the integration of mathematics and medicine. His groundbreaking contributions to continuum mechanics, biomechanics and mathematical oncology have left an enduring impact on applied mathematics and the biomedical sciences. During his career, Siv had an oversized impact on the Department of Applied Mathematics, the Faculty of Mathematics and the University of Waterloo.

“As chair of the Department of Applied Mathematics, long-time co-director of the Fields Centre for Mathematical Medicine, a Faculty of Mathematics Senator from 2022 to present and through many other contributions, Siv Sivaloganathan has shaped the Waterloo community in countless ways,” says Mark Giesbrecht, Dean of Mathematics. “Beyond his professional achievements, Siv touched the lives of so many colleagues and students, many of whom considered him a dear friend.”

Early years

Born in Sri Lanka, Siv spent his formative years in the UK, where he attended the British prep and public school system before pursuing his passion for mathematics at Oxford University. His journey took him from a postdoctoral research position at Oxford to a faculty role at the University of Alberta, before ultimately finding his academic home at the University of Waterloo.

Despite the initial cultural shift, Siv embraced Canada as his new home - a decision he never regretted. It was in Toronto that he met his wife, and together they built a life beyond academia, raising four children who now thrive in the US and Canada.

Pioneer in mathematical medicine research

Siv's research was deeply interdisciplinary, pioneering mathematical modeling of complex medical problems. His contributions to mathematical oncology were particularly influential, as he applied advanced computational and mathematical techniques to model cancer progression and treatment response. His work in biomechanics, including brain tissue modeling and hydrocephalus, provided new insights into cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and the mechanical properties of the brain, with critical implications for neurosurgery and medical imaging. His research also extended to high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as a cancer therapy, where his mathematical models played a pivotal role in refining treatment protocols.

Siv in the classroom in 2001.

Beyond his research, Siv was a dedicated mentor and educator, profoundly impacting his students. He supervised numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. Known for his patience, generosity and ability to inspire curiosity, Siv had a rare gift for nurturing talent. Many of his former students credit him for shaping their careers and instilling a rigorous yet creative approach to problem-solving.

“Siv was an exceptional mentor, collaborator and friend. His dedication to excellence, his passion for discovery and his kindness have left an indelible mark on all of his students and postdocs,” says Mohammad Kohandel, one of his close collaborators in the Department of Applied Mathematics. “He has touched the lives of many, sparking in us a drive to explore, innovate and excel. His ability to seamlessly blend rigorous mathematics with real-world applications has set a standard that will continue to inspire future generations of researchers.”

Fields Centre for Mathematical Medicine and awards

Siv also played a pivotal role in advancing mathematical medicine through his leadership at the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences, where he co-founded the Fields Centre for Mathematical Medicine and served as its long-time co-director. Under his guidance, the centre became a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together mathematicians, clinicians and biomedical scientists to address pressing medical challenges.

He was a driving force behind several workshops and conferences on mathematical medicine, fostering collaborations that extended far beyond Canada. Siv was designated a University Research Chair 2011-2018, was named a Fellow of the Society for Mathematical Biology in 2022 and won the CAIMS-Fields Industrial Mathematics Prize in 2024.

Service to the University

Throughout his career, Siv has had a large influence on his department, the Faculty of Mathematics and the University. Among his many notable service contributions, he served as department chair for Applied Mathematics from 2016 to 2023. Before that, he served as the department’s associate chair for graduate studies from 1994 to 2002. “Siv’s generous and supportive style as a chair and a colleague were an inspiration to all of us in Applied Mathematics,” says Hans De Sterck, the current chair of the department. “Siv was well-loved by students and colleagues alike, and his leadership has been instrumental in enhancing the research strength of the department through high-profile hiring and through building lasting connections with partners such as the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.”

Siv was always a great champion of student and community life in the Faculty of Mathematics. For example, he was a great supporter of the Women in Mathematics (WiM) committee and their flagship Directed Reading Program, for which he was an advisory committee member and a proposal reviewer. “The WiM committee is deeply appreciative of Siv’s contributions in advancing equity, diversity and inclusion,” says Yu-Ru Liu, the current director of WiM. “Siv has been a trusted advisor to me with guidance related to WiM and broader academic life.”

While department chair, Siv’s contributions as a member of the Math Faculty’s leadership team were also highly appreciated, as well as his contributions to the University as a Senator from 2022 until present.

Legacy

Siv Sivaloganathan’s legacy will live on through the many lives he touched and the groundbreaking work he advanced. “Siv was a shining star in the Math Faculty, always cheerful and optimistic,” says Alfred Menezes, a longtime colleague and friend. “He was a dear friend to many of us, as well as a mentor, teacher and research collaborator. He will be deeply missed.”

Transforming work-integrated learning with AI tool for students

Greg Milligan, senior account executive and Dr. Elka Walsh, Americas higher education transformation lead at Microsoft Canada with Job Aggregator Digital Assistant (JADA) screenshot.

By Matthew King. This is an excerpt of an article originally published on the Co-operative and Experiential Education website.

Last Tuesday, Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) at the University of Waterloo announced a new AI-powered tool to help co-op students. JADA, short for job aggregator and digital assistant, is an innovative tool that helps students navigate the co-op process and showcases potential co-op jobs. In partnership with CEE, the University’s Information Systems & Technology (IST) group built the tool for the existing UWaterloo Portal using Microsoft’s Azure Open AI technology. 

JADA leverages cutting-edge AI solutions to streamline the co-op job search, make vital information easily accessible and equip students with the tools necessary to navigate the world of work. 

Partners in attendance to announce the launch of JADA included:

• Microsoft Canada
• ECO Canada
• Canada Job Bank (Employment and Social Development Canada)
• University of Waterloo Information Systems & Technology (IST)

The launch of JADA is a milestone in the evolution of work-integrated learning (WIL) in Canada, made even more significant by its alignment with the March celebration of WIL month. For students, JADA offers a chance to develop a competitive edge in a job market where AI is redefining opportunities and expectations. 

"Our ongoing collaboration with Microsoft continues to enhance work-integrated learning opportunities," says Dr. Norah McRae. "It provides students with simplified access to co-op experiences and enables the development of advanced skills. Together, we're preparing the next generation of talent to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy."

The event featured a demo of JADA showcasing its cutting-edge AI solutions to streamline the co-op job search, make vital information easily accessible and equip students with the tools necessary to navigate the world of work.

“Layering AI agents, such as this groundbreaking work in partnership with Microsoft, on top of the Portal platform, is the next step in continuing to create the best digital experience for our students, enabling their success and expanding the institution’s use of efficient and modern technologies to meet the needs of our students today and in the future,” says Gregory Smith, chief information officer at the University of Waterloo. 

“We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with the Co-operative and Experiential Education team at the University of Waterloo to bring AI innovation and new opportunities to students and faculty,” says Dr. Elka Walsh, Americas higher education transformation lead at Microsoft.

The job aggregator portion of JADA uses AI to pull potential jobs for students from collaborator job boards, like ECO Canada and Canada Job Bank. JADA serves up potential co-op jobs to students with a potential match rating based on their uploaded résumés. The digital assistant provides students with quick answers to their co-op-related questions, saving them valuable time.

Read the full story on the CEE site.

Uniting Canada’s engineers with pride and integrity

Graduating students from Waterloo's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering — Alina Zhao, Prasith Wijeweera, Catherine Teng, Justin Aide, Kim Ong with Dr. Nadine Ibrahim (centre) at their Iron Ring ceremony on February 8, 2025. Photo credit: Casey Wagter.

By Charlotte Danby. This article was originally published on the Faculty of Engineering website.

For engineers across Canada, the Iron Ring is more than a piece of jewelry — it’s a symbol of responsibility, integrity and pride. Now in its 100th year, the Iron Ring ceremony is an important rite of passage for University of Waterloo Engineering graduates, reminding them of their duty to do good work that serves society. 

Dr. Nadine Ibrahim, a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo and the Turkstra Chair in Urban Engineering, describes the day she took part in the ceremony as a deeply personal and professional milestone. 

“In 2000, I graduated with a degree in civil engineering, became a Canadian citizen and took the oath to wear the Iron Ring,” Ibrahim says. “There were lots of celebrations that year, but the Iron Ring ceremony brought it all together for me — it gave my newly achieved degree purpose and meaning, and it welcomed me into a profession in Canada. 

“As one of 23 women in a class of 82, receiving the ring was a unifying moment that symbolized our cohort’s shared student journey and future responsibilities as engineers,” she recalls. “Twenty-five years later and women in engineering are still underrepresented but there are more of us, and the more diverse the profession, the better it does to uphold the Iron Ring oath for everyone.” 

The first Iron Ring ceremony took place in Montreal on April 25, 1925. Since then, the annual event which now takes place across the country reminds Canadian-trained engineers, who are registered with a professional organization, that their decisions in the field can affect public safety and well-being. Traditionally worn on the pinky finger of the dominant hand, the ring is visible to its wearer as well as to colleagues and clients. 

“Wearing the Iron Ring isn’t just a reminder for engineers, it’s a marker that others notice too. It represents our profession’s reputation for excellence, one we must live up to — whether in the boardroom, on a project site or in the classroom,” Ibrahim says.  

As an educator, Ibrahim believes this commitment to the social good is more important than ever in today’s rapidly changing and complex world. As president of the Canadian Engineering Education Association / Association canadienne de l'éducation en génie (CEEA-ACÉG) and chair of its Engineer of 2050 Special Interest Group, she is working on identifying the skills and attributes future engineers will need to be proactively effective.  

“Technological advancements, socioeconomic upheavals and climate change are putting our planet under extreme pressure,” Ibrahim says. “What’s needed now are forward-thinking engineers who can collaborate with professionals across other disciplines for productive solutions to the problems we face. 

“The practise of preventative engineering is to put in the work today that meets the needs of the future. This requires more than just technical skills, engineers need to know how to engage with people and understand multiple lived experiences.”  

In her course on sustainability, Ibrahim encourages students to grapple with tough questions such as how to design climate-resilient infrastructure in communities with limited resources. Her approach pushes them to develop a deep understanding of societal contexts before beginning any design work. While civil engineering is often associated with infrastructure like bridges and buildings, Ibrahim emphasizes its broader role in creating sustainable, inclusive communities. 

“As civil engineers we’re not just designing structures; we’re shaping the spaces where people live, work and connect,” Ibrahim says. “We’ve moved beyond simply building infrastructure to creating spaces that support the human spirit. A well-designed city isn’t just functional—it’s joyful, and that requires a human-centred approach.” 

This perspective reflects how the engineering profession is shifting in practice to include environmental sustainability, equity and cultural considerations. For Ibrahim, the enduring relevance of the Iron Ring is that it embodies this shift perfectly, uniting all wearers — past, present and future — as engineers who think about how their work affects people’s lives.  

“The ring reminds us that we’re part of something bigger than ourselves,” Ibrahim says. It connects us to a legacy of engineers who built Canada and the world over the last century — and it challenges us to think about the impact of our work over the next 100 years. I am excited to see a new generation of Waterloo engineers wear the Iron Ring proudly and lead with integrity, creativity and purpose.” 

Go to Alum’s poem celebrates the Iron Ring tradition for an inspiring tribute to the 100th anniversary of the Iron Ring.