Wednesday, February 18, 2026

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• Global Futures: MAPflow helps pharmacists provide exceptional health care

• Fostering belonging and inclusion in Ramadan

• Tentative agreement between University and CUPE 5524 ratified 

• Douglas Wright Engineer-in-Residence for 2026

• Grade 10 Info Night tomorrow and other notes

Global Futures: MAPflow helps pharmacists provide exceptional health care

This article is published as part of the Global Futures: Innovation Update.

A Waterloo health-tech platform is reshaping how Canadians access care by helping to modernize pharmacy practice and elevate patient care across the country.

Dr. Nardine Nakhla, pharmacist and co-founder of MAPflow, served on the Ontario College of Pharmacists’ Minor Ailments Advisory Group that informed regulatory changes enacted in the province in 2023. The changes allow pharmacists to autonomously prescribe medications for 19 minor ailments, with 14 more under consideration for 202​6​.​

​​Recognizing the need for a solution to help pharmacists work within the new regulations, Nakhla and her co-founders developed MAPflow to support pharmacists in assessing and prescribing for minor ailm​​ents​.

Read more on the Global Future: Innovation Update 2026​​

Fostering belonging and inclusion in Ramadan

A message from the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-racism.

With the holy month of Ramadan just around the corner, many members of the University of Waterloo Muslim community are preparing to observe this month of fasting and prayer. Ramadan is expected to begin around February 18 or 19, 2026, depending on the sighting of the moon. During Ramadan, those observing refrain from food and water from dawn to sunset each day, which can mean fasts can last 11.5 to 13.5 hours. Many also participate in late-night prayers and community gatherings, making this a deeply spiritual and communal time.

The month concludes with Eid al-Fitr, a joyful celebration when Muslims gather with family and friends, wear festive clothing, share meals, and exchange gifts. Eid can last up to three days, and because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the exact date may vary across communities.

In keeping with the University of Waterloo’s values of inclusivity and working together, here are a few ways we can all show up during Ramadan:

• Offer flexibility with deadlines, meetings, and schedules where possible.
• Be mindful of Eid when planning exams, key deadlines, or events. Similarly, Muslim may need time off to observe Eid.
• Support flexible break times for prayer and rest.
• Take a moment to learn more about Ramadan traditions and practices.

Visit our website to learn more and find ways to show your support during Ramadan.

Tentative agreement between University and CUPE 5524 ratified

A message from Tom Duever, Interim Vice-President, Academic and Provost.

The University of Waterloo and CUPE 5524, the union representing sessional instructors, have ratified their collective agreement. This agreement is retroactive to 2023 and expires on April 30, 2027. 

Thank you to the CUPE 5524 and University bargaining teams for their thoughtful, constructive work. Ratification of this agreement provides stability for our campus community and supports our shared commitment to high-quality teaching and research. We look forward to implementing the agreement and continuing to work collaboratively in support of our students and instructors. 

Full implementation details will be provided to academic leaders and administrators. 

Douglas Wright Engineer-in-Residence for 2026

The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering is delighted to welcome Leigh McDermott, Director of City Utilities, Integrated Planning & Public Works, in the City of Waterloo as the 2026 Douglas Wright Engineer-in-Residence. The Douglas Wright Engineer-in-Residence (EIR) program is very fittingly named after the first Dean of Engineering at the University of Waterloo, Douglas Wright. With oversight by the Turkstra Chair in Urban Engineering, Nadine Ibrahim, the selection of a practicing engineer who serves in a leadership role in industry takes place every year to fulfil the position and hold this title. Engaging EIRs is one way that the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering fosters a diversity of perspectives in the education of future and current graduate engineers.

The Engineer-in-Residence program, more broadly, is an avenue for mutually beneficial engagement between the academic community and the engineering practice community. The Turkstra Chair’s activities are grounded in educational collaboration with the practice community, where the EIR is selected to foster and develop industry-academic engagements as they promote leadership among engineering students for the betterment of our cities now and into the future.

Past Engineers-in-Residence that have held this title include the following professionals:

• 2020: Mike Murray, Chief Administrative Officer, Region of Waterloo
• 2021: Erin Mahoney, Commissioner of Environmental Services, York Region
• 2022: Kealy Dedman, Commissioner of Public Works, Peel Region
• 2023: Kelly Scherr, Deputy City Manager, Environment & Infrastructure, City of London
• 2024 & 2025: Andrew Farr, Chief Administrative Officer, Halton Region

Looking forward to doing more with Leigh on campus, and to collaborations with the City of Waterloo.

About Leigh McDermott, MESc., P. Eng.

Prior to joining the City, Leigh worked for the Region of Waterloo delivering complex capital projects for over 5 years, and for Stantec Consulting as the Water Sector Leader in the local area for over 10 years. Leigh started his career in the water industry with Pall Water (now part of Trojan Technologies) as Director Water Processing, responsible for membrane systems in the Canadian market for over 5 years.

Leigh holds a Bachelor of Engineering Science in Biochemical Engineering from Western University and a Master of Engineering Science in Chemical Engineering from Western University. He is licensed as a Professional Engineer in Ontario (Professional Engineers of Ontario) and Alberta (The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta).

Leigh has contributed over his career to water and wastewater industry associations and is a current member of the Water Environment Association of Ontario. He has participated on several associations, including as the previous chair of the Membrane Systems Subcommittee of the American Water Works Association’s Technical and Education Council.

Leigh is a strong advocate of charitable work and is the President and Chair of the Board for the Nice Day Shining Charity based in Waterloo, Ontario. The charity is focused on supporting education in the fine arts and supporting and awareness of mental health.

About the Douglas Wright Engineer-in-Residence program

The Douglas Wright Engineer-in-Residence (EIR) program is an initiative in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, which falls within the mandate of the Turkstra Chair in Urban Engineering, who leads the selection and oversight of the Douglas Wright Engineer-in-Residence.

Grade 10 Info Night tomorrow and other notes