Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Doing health research? The Health Research Hub wants to hear from you
A message from the University of Waterloo Health Research Hub (HRH).
Researchers who work with human health, health-related, or biomedical data are invited to complete a brief survey and share their perspectives.
This survey seeks input from academic health researchers at the University of Waterloo on current practices, barriers, needs, and opportunities related to health data storage, management, and access.
For the purposes of this survey, health research is defined broadly to include scholarly work focused on human health, healthcare systems, public health, biomedical sciences, and health-related social sciences. This includes primary, secondary, and synthetic data sources, as well as fundamental, clinical, population-based, and translational research.
Survey findings will inform HRH’s strategic planning in support of a university-wide health data strategy. Results will also be presented to the Health Futures Council to help guide future infrastructure, policy, and support initiatives.
HRH is an integrative hub that brings together all six faculties at the University of Waterloo. Its purpose is to strengthen health research and innovation by addressing barriers and gaps, improving coordination and efficiency, raising awareness, and building relationships within and beyond the university.
Sign up to complete the survey
Provost announces Executive Officer transitions across faculties
"Each faculty of the University has an Executive Officer (EO) who plays a key role in supporting the faculty’s vision and strategic priorities," wrote Tom Duever, interim vice-president, academic and provost in an email circulated to the University's Executive Council on Wednesday. "The EO is the most senior staff member within the faculty and is responsible for overall business operations, administrative infrastructure, and the advancement of strategic initiatives. Reporting to the Dean, the EO is also integral to planning, policy development and implementation, and business continuity in times of transition, including Dean appointments."
"I am pleased to share several recent changes within EO roles across faculties:"
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Mona Skuterud has transitioned to EO in the Faculty of Mathematics, having previously served as EO, Faculty of Science.
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Tara Charlton has replaced Mona as the EO in the Faculty of Science, having previously served as EO, Faculty of Environment.
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Janice da Silva will be joining the Faculty of Environment as EO effective March 9, 2026. Janice is currently the Administrative Officer in Psychology within the Faculty of Arts.
"Please join me in congratulating Mona, Tara, and Janice on their new roles," the provost's memo concludes.
Office of Indigenous Relations releases Momentum Report
A message from the Office of Indigenous Relations.
The Office of Indigenous Relations has released the University of Waterloo’s first Indigenous Momentum Report, marking the beginning of annual reporting tied to the Indigenous Strategic Plan.
This inaugural edition highlights key milestones led by OIR over the past year. In future years, the Momentum Report will expand to include updates from the Indigenous Action Plan, as well as stories and initiatives from Faculties, Academic Support Units, and partners across campus.
For future editions, we invite stories, not just statistics. Sharing these stories strengthens accountability while recognizing and celebrating the work of Indigenous students, staff, faculty, community partners, and the allies working alongside them. This is aboutvisibility, respect, relationships, and acknowledgment.
Our Momentum Report encourages the University to pause, reflect, celebrate, and recommit—grounding institutional change in relationships, accountability, and ongoing action rather than performative statements.
If you would like your work to be included in a future report, please reach out to the Office of Indigenous Relations at indigenousrelations@uwaterloo.ca.
The full report is available now on the OIR website.
Nourish to flourish: March is Nutrition Month
A message from Campus Wellness.
During the month of March, Registered Dietitians (RD) across the country come together to celebrate the diverse field of nutrition and to help Canadians build knowledge and understanding of the connections between food, nutrition, and health.
This year’s Nutrition Month theme, Nourish to Flourish, focuses on the powerful role nutrition plays in helping individuals and communities thrive. Over the month of March, we will be focusing on the concept ‘Nutrition by Addition’ with the goal of diving deeper into specific foods and/or nutrients that can help us flourish by supporting long-term health and wellbeing.
Our first ‘nutrition by addition’ profile is on pulses!
Flourish with Pulses
Protein is getting a lot of attention these days, with a significant focus on animal sources such as chicken, fish, eggs and cottage cheese. With all the hype around protein, Nourish to Flourish is the perfect opportunity to focus on the power of plant proteins. While there are many plant-based foods that can provide a source of protein, pulses are one that is often underappreciated for the nutrition powerhouses they are!
So, what is a ‘pulse’ anyways? Pulses are the edible seeds from the legume family and include beans, peas, chickpeas and lentils. Not only are they a good source of protein providing 9g per serving on average, but they are also an excellent source of fibre, and contain key micronutrients like folate, iron and potassium. Incorporating pulses in your regular diet can help reduce the risk of chronic disease through more stable blood sugar, lowering cholesterol and reducing blood pressure. Pulses are also a source of prebiotic fibre which contributes to a healthy gut microbiota.
In the kitchen, beans, lentils, chickpeas and dry peas are chameleons and can be a great addition or substitute for traditional protein foods. Try adding lentils or chickpeas to your next power bowl, swapping ½ or all the meat in tacos for black beans, or swapping mayo for a creamy chickpea hummus on your sandwich. Pureed beans can also add a creamy texture and flavour to your favourite soups, boosting not just flavour but also protein and fibre!
Pulses are not only good for human health, they have a significant environmental benefit too. As nitrogen-fixing crops, they naturally enrich soil which can improve the environmental sustainability of cropping systems. Canada is one of the largest pulse producers in the world with four main types of pulses grown in Canada: dry peas, lentils, chickpeas and beans.
Resources to check out
Documentary explores effects of perimenopause
A message from the Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office (SVPRO).
Join the Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office (SVPRO) on Wednesday, March 11 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.at a campus screening of The [M] Factor 2: Before The Pause (Perimenopause). View the trailer.
Menopause is a transitional stage in many people’s lives and affects not only people experiencing this stage in life, but those around them including colleagues, family and friends. Education, resources and support have the potential to create more comfortable and inclusive communities and workplaces and empower people through this transition.
Everyone is welcome, all genders, all ages, as we can all benefit from learning more about Menopause. If you are in a leadership role you are encouraged to attend to learn how to better support people in menopause.
Location: DC 1302
Agenda:
- 11:45 a.m. - Introduction
- 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. - Documentary screening
- 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. - Discussion and Q&A
Please register on Eventbrite. Seating is limited.
Also join UWaterloo’s next workplace Menopause Café on Tuesday, March 24 from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. in the DC 1301 Fishbowl.
At a Menopause Café people gather to eat, drink and discuss menopause. Open for all, regardless of gender or age. There’s no intention of leading people to any conclusion, product or course of action.
Menopause can be an isolating experience; our hope is that a menopause cafe can provide some of the support and care people deserve.
No registration required, just drop in.
More information about Menopause Cafés is available online.
Contact Stacey Jacobs with any questions at s3jacobs@uwaterloo.ca.
Upcoming office closure
The Office of the Vice-President Research and International, including the Office of Research, will be closed on Monday, March 9, for professional development. The doors will be locked. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, March 10.
Upcoming system outage
Link of the day
35 years ago: A Roller Skating Jam Named "Saturdays"
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.
Warriors Winter Youth Camps, registration is now open for multi-sport and games, baseball, basketball, eSports, football and hockey camps for boys and girls ages 5 to 18. Register today!
SIGNAL Summit, Wednesday, March 4 to Friday, March 6.
The Value Crisis & the Science of Happiness, Friday, March 6, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., United College Alumni Hall. Register now.
International Women’s Day 6th Annual High Tea Social, presented by the Faculty of Science. Friday, March 6, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., virtual discussion on Zoom. Register today.
Home Routes folk concert: Onna Lou and Keri Latimer, Friday, March 6, 7:00 p.m., Brubacher House - North Campus.
Jude Abu Zaineh artist talk and closing reception, Saturday, March 7, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., University of Waterloo Art Gallery.
Agri-Food Innovation Challenge, Monday, March 9 to Friday, March 20.
Systematic and Scoping Reviews: Systematic Screening using Covidence and Zotero, Monday, March 9, 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon, online.
Agri-Food Innovation Challenge kick-off event, Monday, March 9, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., South Campus Hall second floor cafeteria.
Unlock the Power of Linear Regression, Tuesday, March 10, 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon, DC 1568.
Chemistry Seminar Series, “From accidental to intelligent: easy-to-build complex chemical systems that sense proteins, tissue samples, and illicit drugs,” featuring Dr. Fraser Hof, Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Tuesday, March 10, 11:00 a.m., C2-361.
Faculty of Health International Women’s Day panel event, Tuesday, March 10, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.
GIS Speed Run: Creating Map Layouts, Tuesday, March 10, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., online.
2026 GRADflix showcase, Tuesday, March 10, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Fed Hall.
Menopause documentary screening: The [M] Factor: Before The Pause (Perimenopause), Wednesday, March 11, 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., DC 1302. Register on Eventbrite.
Master of Taxation Virtual Information Session, Wednesday, March 11, 12 noon.
WICI Talk - "Systems Mediation" with Dr. Maryam Mohiuddin Ahmed, Wednesday, March 11, 2:00 p.m., M3 3127.
Science in the City - Health Futures, Wednesday, March 11, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Velocity Innovation Arena.
Lectures in Catholic Experience presents Micah True, “Anne of Austria's Surgeon: François Gendron, the 17th-century Jesuit Mission to the Wendat, and the History of Medicine,” Thursday, March 12, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., St. Jerome’s University.
NEW - Horizon Europe Roadshow for faculty, Friday, March 13, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Please register to attend.
43rd MacKinnon Dinner, Friday, March 13, 6:00 p.m., St. Jerome’s University atrium.
5 Poets Breaking into Song (#21): Black Magic Friday the 13th in the Great Middle East/Mediterranean North, Friday, March 13, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Notre Dame Chapel, St. Jerome's University.
PAIR Speculative Futures Visiting Writer Series: Storytelling & Social Justice, Monday, March 16, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., online.
PAIR Speculative Futures Visiting Writer Series: Storytelling & Social Justice (cont’d), Monday, March 16, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., online.
Noon Hour Concert: Between Grace and Fire, Wednesday, March 18, 12 noon, Conrad Grebel Chapel. Free admission.
Anti-Racism Reads Series: Algorithms of Oppression, Thursday, March 19, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., Dana Porter Library Room 338.
PAIR Speculative Futures Visiting Writer Series:WISH Reading Group Short Story Discussion, Thursday, March 19, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Modern Languages Building, Room 245 or online.
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:
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Energy Research Centre, Math 3, Burt Matthews Hall fire alarm testing, Friday, March 6, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Minota Hagey, Mackenzie King Village, Ron Edyt Village fire alarm testing, Friday, March 6, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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Biology 2 electrical panel shutdown, Sunday, March 8, 7:00 a.m. to 12 noon, several rooms and corridors affected.
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Modern Languages fire alarm device verification, Monday, March 9, 6:00 a.m.
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Engineering 2 and 3, Davis Centre, Math & Computer fire alarm testing, Monday, March 9, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Physical Activities Complex, Student Life Centre, RAC 1 and 2, Federation Hall fire alarm testing, Wednesday, March 11, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Environment 1, 2 and 3, Modern Languages, Dana Porter Library, Needles Hall fire alarm testing, Friday, March 13, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Hagey Hall electrical panel shutdown, Thursday, March 19, 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., will affect power in room HH 1033.
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Optometry electrical panel shutdown, Friday, March 20, 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., will affect power in room OPT 1121.