Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Not a D-rop wasted
By Sarah Fullerton. This article was originally published on Waterloo News.
At the University of Waterloo, researchers are addressing complex challenges to solve real-world problems. Fifth-year chemistry student Allysa Greidanus is working in Dr. Graham Murphy’s chemistry lab on a project to develop purification methods that make recycling wastewater possible.
The team is collaborating with deutraMed, a deuterium science and innovation company based in Collingwood, Ontario, to analyze, evaluate and purify deuterium oxide (D2O) wastewaters for refining and reuse.
Deuterium oxide or “heavy water” is a stable, non-radioactive isotopic variant of water (H2O), where the hydrogen (1H) atoms are replaced with their heavier isotope deuterium (2H, or D). While deuterium oxide is historically known as a key component of the CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) nuclear reactors for generating electricity, numerous important non-nuclear applications have also emerged.
“While bulk D2O is a critical resource for generating electricity in nuclear reactors, its modern applications in pharmaceutical science and in the development of advanced organic materials such as OLEDs have created a rapidly growing demand for this resource,” Murphy says.
Refining scarce deuterium from natural sources is expensive, and the goal of the partnership with deutraMed is to develop environmentally sustainable processes for purifying industrial wastewaters, allowing the residual deuterium content to be recycled, refined and ultimately returned to the global economy. By decontaminating industrial waste, deutraMed can start its refining process using more concentrated deuterated material, which offers a significant advantage.
“Recycling wastewaters will restore this rare and expensive material to ensure these industries have access to the heavy water they rely on,” Greidanus explains.
In the lab, Greidanus is putting the theory she has learned in the classroom into practice. “I run small-scale distillations and ozonolysis experiments using wastewater samples from industrial sources,” she says. After running purity control tests, she sends the treated samples back to deutraMed for analysis. “They test to see whether my methods are working and what levels of purity they’re hitting.”
Enriched research experiences like this are made possible through mutually beneficial partnerships with local industry, such as Waterloo’s collaboration with deutraMed. This partnership is facilitated by Dr. Pavel Gris, chief scientist at deautraMed.
“Working with the University of Waterloo is always an efficient and collaborative process, ensuring a fast and seamless transition of innovation from the university lab to the industrial setting,” Gris says.
Also supported through the Faculty of Science’s research assistantship program, this opportunity has given Greidanus the kind of hands-on experience that will shape her career beyond graduation.
“Before this research experience, I was following directions in a classroom lab. Now, I’m generating ideas to tackle real-world problems,” she says. “It’s strengthened my problem-solving skills, deepened my lab experience, and has given me the motivation to pursue graduate studies to continue working in research.”
This collaboration stands as an example of how industry partnerships drive innovation within the university and prepare the next generation of scientists to solve real-world problems.
Hallman Lecture to address health and happiness
How can we foster healthier lives in our communities? That's the question that will be addressed by a panel of experts at this year's Hallman Lecture, entitled Health and Happiness – Prescribing Beyond Medicine, which will take place on Wednesday, November 5 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The conversation will explore the vital interplay between physical activity, nutrition, and social connection—not only as key components of well-being, but as meaningful and preventative health strategies.
The panel format encourages an open and dynamic exchange among experts from a range of backgrounds. Panelists include:
- Dr. Kate Mulligan, the Canadian Commonwealth Fund Harkness Fellow in Health Care Policy and Practice at the City College of New York, the first free public institution of higher education in the United States;
- Dr. Felix Cheung, assistant professor and Canada Research Chair in Population Well-being at the University of Toronto; and
- Dr. Gary Bloch, family physician with St. Michael’s Hospital and Inner City Health Associates, and an associate professor at the University of Toronto.
The event begins with a reception at 5:00 p.m. in the Health Expansion Building (EXP) second floor, with the panel discussion taking place at 6:00 p.m. in LHI Room 1621 (the Sun Life Auditorium).
The Hallman Lecture Series brings leading thinkers to University of Waterloo to engage the public on topics of health, well-being and health behaviour change. Established through a generous professorial endowment, this series aims to foster intellectual curiosity and the exchange of ideas amongst the general public, students, public health practitioners, educators and other professionals.
Workshops look at AI and deepfakes
Session dates
- Staff and faculty, October 28, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. (virtual). Register on Portal
- Students, October 29, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (virtual). Register on Portal
The sessions will be held virtually.
Senate meets today and other notes
The University's Senate meets today at 3:30 p.m. in NH 3417 and online. Among the agenda items:
- A motion to approve a slate of Senate-appointed members of the Senate Engagement Working Group;
- President Vivek Goel will provide the Annual Institutional Performance Update for 2024-2025 as well as a Q1 Budget Update;
- Professor John Lewis will provide a Campus Plan Update;
- Vice-President, Academic and Provost Tom Duever and Associate Vice President, Academic David DeVidi will deliver an update on Academic Innovation activities across the institution.
In support of the University’s 2025 United Way Campaign and continuing a Senate tradition, the Deans of the six Faculties will give a short presentation to raise awareness of the campaign.
"The next CareNext Collective virtual event features the Electrophysiology (EP) Program at the Waterloo Regional Health Network," says a note from event organizers. "Explore how the EP team transformed their approach to cardiac ablation — streamlining workflows, strengthening partnerships and scaling from just a few procedures a day to seven — all while maintaining safety, quality, and patient-centered care."
The event, entitled "The Heart of Innovation: A team's journey to smarter, safer, faster care" takes place on Friday, October 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. virtually on Slido.
"Join moderator Danina Kapetanovic, vice-president innovation and chief health innovation officer, CareNext Coalition, for conversation and reflection as the team shares what it takes to drive innovation from within: building trust, leveraging data, and continuously improving to meet the growing needs of our community."
Speakers
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Dr Umjeet Jolly, Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, WRHN;
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Al Qahwash, Director, Clinical Care and Regional Cardiac Program, WRHN;
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Stefanie Cooper, Program Manager, Procedural Cardiology and the Post Heart Investigation Unit, WRHN; and
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Diana Nguyen, Advanced Clinical Account Specialist, Johnson & Johnson MedTech.
Link of the day
40 years ago: we started playing with power
When 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 registration period, Wednesday, October 1 to Friday, October 31.
Instructional Innovations Week, Monday, October 20 to Friday, October 24.
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.
WIN Distinguished Lecture with Prof. Rohit Karnik, Tuesday, October 21, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, QNC 1501.
Anti-Racism Reads - "Never Whistle at Night," Tuesday, October 21, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Dana Porter Library, Room 338. Register now.
Chemistry Seminar: Kinetic Simulation of Electrochemical Degradation- battery fade and alloy corrosion featuring Penghao Xiao, Professor, Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Tuesday, October 21, 11:00 a.m., C2-361 Reading Room.
Home Routes Folk Concert - Viento South, Tuesday, October 21, 7:00 p.m., Brubacher House - North Campus.
WaterLeadership Workshop | Knowledge Mobilization 101, presented by Elanor Waslander, Knowledge Mobilization Specialist, part of the Water Institute's WaterLeadership training series, Wednesday, October 22, 10:00 a.m., DC 1304.
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.
Accessibility Ally Network virtual presentation, "Data as a tool for accessibility and inclusion," Wednesday, October 22, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
WICI Talk with guest speaker Seanna Davidson, Wednesday, October 22, 2:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m., EV1 225. Please register.
Grebel Gallery DRAFTS 6: Mapping Diasporic Identities launch event, Wednesday, October 22, 7:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel Gallery.
UWSA Annual Meeting, Thursday, October 23, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., PHY 313 or online.
WaterTalk - Beyond the Storm: Water Insecurity and Community Resilience in Puerto Rico, presented by Dr. Anaís Delilah Roque, Professor of Environmental Justice, Duke University, Thursday, October 23, 11:00 a.m., DC 1302.
WIN Distinguished Lecture with Prof. Hideo Ohno, “Spintronics at the Nanoscale: Enabling Green Information Processing," Thursday, October 23, 11:00 a.m., QNC 1501.
NEW - Research Impact Canada’s Dr. RIC session, Presentation #1: Centering Indigenous Voices: Guide Towards Allyship in Indigenous Research with Mariam Hayward, Western University & Presentation #2: To Professionalize or Not to Professionalize KM – that is the Question! With Nadine Quehl and Sarah Paikkar, University of Waterloo, Thursday, October 23, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Contact Nadine Quehl for the Zoom link.
Honorary doctorate recipient Judge Albert Wong (BSc ’80, Kinesiology) on Servant leadership: Reflections and lessons learned from 49 years of service to Canada, Thursday, October 23, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., LHI 1621 (Sun Life Auditorium). Please register in advance.
2025 University of Waterloo Gem and Mineral Show, Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25, CEIT building.
NEW - The heart of innovation: A team’s journey to smarter, safer, faster care, Friday, October 24, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., online via Slido.
Webinar | Towards Trustworthy AI: Cybersecurity and Privacy Concerns, Friday, October 24, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.
We All Belong Here community lunch, Friday, October 24, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College parking lot.
Kids' Science Open House 2025, Saturday, October 25, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Science Teaching Complex.
Computer Museum Open House, Saturday, October 25, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Davis Centre.
UN-Habitat Quality of Life Hackathon, Sunday, October 26, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., E7-1427. Register online.
NEW - Chemistry Seminar: The Accuracy Crisis in Binding and Potency Studies: Hidden Causes, Heavy Costs, and a Call to Act featuring Sergey N. Krylov,P rofessor, Centre for Research on Biomolecular Interactions, York University, Monday, October 27, 11:00 a.m., C2-361 Reading Room.
i2I: Invention to Innovation Grad Student and Post-doc Networking Event, Monday, October 27, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Grad House upstairs lounge.
Responding to a student in distress training sessions: Virtual sessions to feel more confident when supporting students in distress, Tuesday, October 28, 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Register on Portal.
University of Waterloo's Volunteer Fair, Wednesday, October 28, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., SLC Great Hall.
W3+ Yoga Nidra: Guided Relaxation for Better Sleep with Kimberley Luu, Wednesday, October 29, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.
Noon Hour Concert: Ryan Baxter, Piano Music from Sea to Summit, Wednesday, October 29, 12 noon, Conrad Grebel University College Chapel. Free admission.
Showcasing Success: Tracking research and departmental impact with SciVal, Wednesday, October 29, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Teams, Register now.
Social Innovators in Training (SIIT) Demo Day, Wednesday, October 29, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. United College Alumni Hall (UTD 201).
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 Monday, October 20, stair "A" will be entirely closed during the renovation period.
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Centre For Environmental and Information Technology elevator shutdown, Wednesday, October 15 until further notice - the elevator between CEIT and Physics is out of service.
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CEIT, Earth Science & Chemistry, Physics, Chemistry 2 fire alarm testing, Monday, October 20, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Student Village 1 fire alarm testing, Monday, October 20, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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Bright Starts daycare, Toby Jenkins Building, Optometry, Columbia Ice Field fire alarm testing, Wednesday, October 22, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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UWP - Waterloo South, Woolwich South, Beck Hall fire alarm testing, Wednesday, October 22, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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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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East Campus Hall, Engineering 5, 6, 7 fire alarm testing, Friday, October 24, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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UWP - Wilmot South, Wellesley South, Eby Hall, Claudette Miller Hall fire alarm testing, Friday, October 24, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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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.
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Environment 1 and Arts Lecture Hall electrical shutdown, Sunday, October 26, 7:00 a.m. to 12 noon, normal power will be off, including elevators, emergency power will be operating.
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Central Services domestic cold water shutdown, Monday, October 27, 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.