Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Waterloo's algae collection makes others green with envy
Algae may call to mind discoloured pool water or the green film floating to the top of your rain barrel, but they’re much more than a summertime nuisance. Algae have applications from carbon sequestration to ecotoxicity testing to biofuel, applications made possible by the collection housed here at the University of Waterloo.
The Canadian Phycological Culture Centre (CPCC), currently housed at Waterloo, is the largest public collection of freshwater algae in Canada. This living library preserves algal strains, more than half of which are native to Canada, ensuring these genetically stable, authenticated, diverse strains remain available for research, teaching and industrial applications locally and around the world.
What started as 65 algae and cyanobacteria cultures has grown to include more than 400 strains of algae, cyanobacteria and Lemna (also known as duckweed and used for critical ecological toxicity testing). Originally opened as the University of Toronto Culture Collection in 1987, it was renamed the Canadian Phycological Culture Centre in 2008 when it moved to the University of Waterloo under the direction of Dr. Kirsten Müller in the Department of Biology.
Müller carries out research in phycology and is a world expert on the Bangiales, a group of red algae you may know as nori, used in sushi. She emphasizes that, while algae may be small, their effect is significant. “Most people think of the rainforests as the lungs of the planet, but in reality, 50 to 80 per cent of our oxygen comes from the ocean,” Müller says, and that’s thanks to algae.
Six plate disks with different microalgae samples. Photo credit: Canadian Phycological Culture Centre.
With the collection maintained through the CPCC, Waterloo is leading the way in preserving algal biodiversity, specifically in relation to freshwater strains. Nearly 80 per cent of the strains maintained through the CPCC are unique to this collection, and approximately 60 per cent were collected from Canadian bodies of water bodies, including the Great Lakes. Through initiatives like the CPCC, Waterloo leverages its innovation mindset and collective expertise to advance global progress in environmental research and biotechnology — contributing to more sustainable futures.
Heather Roshon, technical curator of the CPCC, oversees the day-to-day operation of the collection. She maintains live cultures, provides subcultures and nutrient media, and trains researchers on maintenance, isolation and purification of strains. Roshon also provides consultation as needed and receives valuable cultures for laboratory conservation.
“Since its founding, the CPCC has supported more than 1,700 users in 36 countries, providing cultures and other services for use in academia, industry and government,” Roshon says. “The CPCC is an important resource for obtaining algae, cyanobacteria and duckweed for a variety of research topics.”
These cultures are used for many different applications, such as ecotoxicity testing of wastewater and developing biofuels. Cyanobacteria are critical for research into mitigating algae toxicity in nature, which is on the rise due to climate change. Algae are used in nutrition, cosmetics, dyes and living architecture, and their capacity for bioremediation and carbon sequestration helps scientists find ways to lessen the impact of pollutants in the environment. Studying algae also enhances our understanding of cell structure and the beginnings of life on earth.
Read the full story on Waterloo News.
Clinic recognized internationally for innovative learning model
This article was originally published on the Faculty of Engineering website.
The Pearl Sullivan Engineering IDEAs Clinic, a Waterloo Engineering program that complements classroom learning with hands-on design experiences, has earned international recognition.
The Clinic was named to the shortlist for the 2025 QS Reimagine Education Award in the Power of Partnerships category, placing among the top 20 per cent of more than 1,600 submissions worldwide for its collaborative, interdisciplinary approach.
“This recognition reflects the incredible partnerships that make the IDEAs Clinic possible and highlights what sets Waterloo Engineering apart,” said Chris Rennick, engineering education developer who has been part of the Clinic since its launch in 2015. “Our students gain a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on, interdisciplinary design throughout their academic journey. This experience distinguishes their education and prepares them to lead in practice.”
Through collaborations with organizations such as Toyota, Brock Solutions, Brookfield Renewable, Canadian Nuclear Labs, the Yuen Family Foundation, Ansys, Magna, and UWAlumni@Microsoft, the Clinic has engaged more than 53,000 student participants over the past decade, building skills in problem-solving, communication and creativity.
Explore more about the Pearl Sullivan Engineering IDEAs Clinic on their website.
CORE seeks participants for contact lens studies
A message from the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE).
With over 35 years of experience, CORE is one of the premier contact lens and dry eye research centres in the world, led by a multidisciplinary team of research scientists and supported by a community of volunteer research participants.
Join our community of over 6,000 volunteer research participants who are passionate about helping others and advancing ocular science.
Volunteers are critical for our success! We recruit participants for a wide variety of eye and contact lens studies including:
- Dry eye
- Myopia progression control (children’s studies)
- Soft contact lenses
- Specialty contact lenses (i.e. scleral, toric, multifocal)
- Spectacles
- Tear collection
Participation in our research will feed directly into new or improved product development and treatments in eye and vision care and contribute to our understanding of eye health. Our past research has helped develop many of the contact lenses, dry eye therapies and related products relied upon by consumers around the world.
Participants receive $30 per hour for time spent attending research visits. In most studies, products will be provided throughout the study’s duration; in other studies, participants will be asked to continue using their own products. There will be no charge for any products or examinations conducted as part of the research study.
I am interested in participating in a study. What are the next steps?
Create a Participant Profile and Sign up now!
To be eligible for any research studies at CORE, potential participants must be registered in our volunteer database. When creating your profile, you will need to provide us with your contact information and complete a short series of questions about your eyes (i.e. do you wear contact lenses, rx, etc.). All information collected is confidential.
Questions?
Email COREstudies@uwaterloo.ca, or phone 519-888-4742.
Have your say: PG Rated survey for parents and guardians
A message from the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism (EDI-R).
Are you a parent or guardian of young children working or studying at the University of Waterloo? The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-racism (EDI-R) is developing PG Rated, a new initiative designed to support you by centralizing resources and hosting community-building events. Best of all, we’re creating space for your voice to guide the program!
Through this short survey (about 10 minutes), you can share feedback on the supports and services that matter most: childcare resources, workplace accommodations, wellness and mental health supports, parental leave options, and private spaces for nursing. You’ll also have the chance to shape future educational events on topics ranging from childhood mental health to parenting strategies.
As a thank you for your time, participants who provide their Waterloo email will be entered into a draw for one of twenty $50 Tim Hortons gift cards.
Your input matters! Help us build a program that helps you.
Link of the day
All hail the Highway 400 McDonald'sWhen and where
The Campus Wellness Student Medical Clinic offers healthcare visits with Physicians and Nurse Practitioners to current undergraduate and graduate students. Services include: vaccinations, immunity testing, naturopathic services and more. Counselling Services offers appointments with counsellors in person as well as via phone and video. Students can book appointments for these services by calling Campus Wellness at 519-888-4096.
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. Covid booster shots are available by appointment only – please call ext. 33784 or 519-746-4500. The Student Health Pharmacy’s summer hours are Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Naloxone kits are still available – pick them up in the pharmacy at no charge.
The Waterloo Eye Institute optometry clinics in Waterloo and downtown Kitchener offer comprehensive eye exams and eyewear, including glasses and contact lenses, with the Waterloo location offering various specialized services including urgent eye care. Discounts apply for University of Waterloo students and employees. The Waterloo Clinic is at a nearby interim location, 419C Phillip St, during construction at the School of Optometry and Vision Science. The Kitchener Clinic remains at the Health Sciences Campus, 10B Victoria St. S. Book online or by phone at 519-888-4062.
WUSA Stock the Bank food drive, Wednesday, October 1 to Friday, October 31.
A Period that Moves: A Conversation about Movement, Sport, and the Menstrual Cycle, Monday, October 6, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.
UWSA Elections: Meet the Candidates, Monday, October 6, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.
UW Mates Sweet Treat Stroll, Monday, October 6, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., meet at the Davis Centre bus stop.
Chemistry Seminar featuring Jung Kwon (John) Oh, Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Concordia University, "Degradable covalent chemistry to develop smart delivery polymeric nanomaterials," Tuesday, October 7, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, C2-361
Teaching Innovation Incubator information session, Tuesday, October 7, 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., MS Teams. Register online.
Noon Hour Concert: Daniel Cabena & Anima, Wedded Pride, Wednesday, October 8, 12 noon, Conrad Grebel University College Chapel, free admission.
Chuseok (Korean Mid-Autumn Festival) celebration, Wednesday, October 8, 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Renison University College atrium.
Melodies and Verses: An Evening of Arabic Music and Poetry, Wednesday, October 8, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Dunker Family Lounge, Renison University College.
Climbing the AI Energy Wall, Wednesday, October 8, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., E7 3353.
WUSA Thrift Sidewalk Sale, Thursday, October 9, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., SLC Lower Atrium.
Further Education Fair, Thursday, October 9, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., SLC Great Hall.
Climate Change Research and Action in an Era of Political Turmoil, Thursday, October 9, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., EC5 1111.
Fall Reading Week, Saturday, October 11 to Sunday, October 19.
Thanksgiving holiday, Monday, October 13, most University operations and buildings closed.
Practicing Difficult Conversations (in-person session), Friday, October 17, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., to register, email Lynn Long at l3long@uwaterloo.ca.
GIS Speed Run Sessions: Every Map is Wrong!, Monday, October 20, 12:45 p.m. to 1:15 p.m., online.
Together in Community: A Collaborative Mural Painting Event, Monday, October 20, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., DC 1301 Fishbowl.
University Senate meeting, Monday, October 20, 3:30 p.m., NH 3407 and online.
Community Well-being Fruits and Veg Market, Wednesday, October 22, 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. (while supplies last), Engineering 7 first floor (by the Robohub) and Health Expansion Building first floor foyer.
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:
- Tunnel between South Campus Hall and the Tatham Centre closure, Friday, September 19 to November 1, access to the A3 section of the tunnel between SCH and TC will be restricted due to construction work, there will be no entry to the tunnel and pedestrians will need to use alternative routes.
- School of Optometry temporary washroom closures, Thursday, September 25 until further notice, washrooms in Rooms 2023, 2026, and 3040 are out of service.
- RAC-1 southeast stair closure, Monday, September 29 to October 20, stair "A" will be entirely closed during the renovation period.
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East Campus 1, East Campus 2, East Campus 3 fire alarm testing, Monday, October 6, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
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Mathematics 4 crane lift, Monday, October 6, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., minor interruptions at the MC loading dock entrance, pedestrian traffic coming to and out of the MC loading dock access will be asked to stop and wait during active lifting.
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Physical Activities Complex, Student Life Centre, RAC 1 and 2, Federation Hall fire alarm testing, Wednesday, October 8, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Psychology, Hagey Hall Humanities, Tatham Centre, Arts Lecture Hall fire alarm testing, Monday, October 6, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Engineering 5 localized electrical power interruption, Thursday, October 9, 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., several rooms and receptacles affected.
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South Campus Hall domestic hot water shutdown, Thursday, October 9, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., no hot water to sinks available during meter installation.
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Arts Lecture Hall domestic hot water shutdown, Thursday, October 9, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., no hot water to sinks available during meter installation.
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Energy Research Centre electrical shutdown, Friday, October 10, 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., all normal power will be affected during metering installation, emergency power will not be affected.
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Environment 1, 2 and 3, Modern Languages, Dana Porter Library, Needles Hall fire alarm testing, Friday, October 10, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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East Campus 4, East Campus 5 fire alarm testing, Friday, October 10, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Student Life Centre, Health Services electrical shutdown, Saturday, October 11, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., will affect all normal power in SLC and HS to accommodate metering installation, emergency power will not be affected, buildings will be without normal power.
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South Campus Hall domestic cold water shutdown, Sunday, October 19, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., domestic cold water hard shutdown to accommodate metering installation, there will be no water to sinks and toilets.
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Commissary domestic hot water shutdown, Thursday, October 23, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., domestic hot water shutdown to accommodate metering installation, there will be no hot water to sinks.
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General Services Complex domestic hot water shutdown, Thursday, October 23, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., domestic hot water shutdown to accommodate metering installation, there will be no hot water to sinks.
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Commissary domestic cold water shutdown, Saturday, October 25, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., domestic cold water hard and soft shutdown to accommodate metering installation, there will be no water to sinks and toilets.