Thursday, April 2, 2026

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• Friesen Prize Lecture featuring Brenda Andrews on April 7

• Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision winners named

• What's open and closed on the Easter long weekend

• Thursday's notes

Friesen Prize Lecture featuring Brenda Andrews on April 7

A message from the Office of Research.

University of Waterloo faculty, staff, students, alumni, and retirees are invited to the Friesen Prize Lecture and panel discussion on April 7 featuring Dr. Brenda Andrews, recipient of the 2025 Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research, awarded by Friends of CIHR.

Attendees can register for any or all of the three sessions:

• 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon – Panel discussion: Unpacking the complexity of human health and disease with Dr. Andrews and three Waterloo panelists (Dr. Bernie Duncker, Dr. Natoya Peart, and Dr. Valerie Ward)
• 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Lecture by Dr. Andrews: Accelerating discovery – The catalytic impact of interdisciplinary environments and collaboration on basic biomedical research
• 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. – Meet and greet with Dr. Andrews and panelists

The event will be held in Needles Hall 3407. Please register as seating is limited.

Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision winners named

A message from Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.

Graduate student success is built on strong mentorship, and this year’s Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision winners exemplify what it means to be outstanding mentors, advisors, and role models.  

Each year, the University of Waterloo recognizes faculty members who go above and beyond in guiding, supporting, and inspiring their graduate students. Please join us in celebrating this year’s winners: Catherine Burns, Amelia Clarke, and Chris Yakymchuk.

This year’s winner will be celebrated at the Celebration of Teaching Excellence and Innovation event in October.

Read more about the winners.

What's open and closed on the Easter long weekend

Easter weekend is upon us, with the Good Friday statutory holiday set for tomorrow. Good Friday is part of the Easter observance (also known as Pascha outside the English-speaking world), when Christians around the world mark the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Good Friday is preceded by Lent, a 40-day season of fasting and prayer, which ends on Maundy Thursday (today, if you're keeping count). Other celebratory traditions have become part of the broader cultural landscape, such as the Easter Bunny, egg-painting and the associated hunts, and, as you may have guessed, chocolate in all its varieties.

In addition, the Jewish celebration of Passover runs from Wednesday, April 1 to Thursday, April 9. Passover commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from Egyptian captivity as told in scriptures. Passover is celebrated with seder meals, candle-lighting, songs, and the eating of matzah. Passover and Easter often overlap, as both observances are based on lunar calendars.

There will be a number of closings and service modifications to note for the long weekend, including:

Most Food Services locations will be closed Friday, including Brubaker's, Starbucks STC, Tim Hortons DC, Tim Hortons SLC, Browser's Café, CEIT Café, Ev3rgreen Café, Jugo Juice CIF, Jugo Juice SLC, Liquid Assets Café, ML's Diner, and Rolltation HLTH. Exceptions include The Market at CMH (open Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.), Mudie's in V1 (open Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.), and REVelation in REV (open Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.) Check the locations and hours page for more details.

The PAC and CIF will be closed on Friday and Sunday, but open on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

As for the Libraries, Dana Porter and Davis Centre will be closed on Friday, along with other locations, with DP and DC reopening on Saturday and Sunday. Check the opening hours page for more information.

W Store and W Print locations will be closed on Friday. Check the locations and hours page for more details.

The Student Life Centre, Flock Stop and Turnkey Desk will remain open 24/7 on Friday. However, Turnkey@DC will be closed on Friday and over the weekend.

Enjoy the long weekend, everyone!

Thursday's notes

Tributes have been circulating widely after news broke that Canadian politician and activist Stephen Lewis had died at the age of 88 on Tuesday, March 31, including one from University of Waterloo President Vivek Goel. "I join many across Canada and around the world in mourning the passing of Stephen Lewis, a tireless champion for global health, human dignity and justice," President Goel wrote in a post on LinkedIn. "From his leadership in Ontario public life to his service as Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations and his advocacy as UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, Stephen devoted his life to standing with those most affected by injustice."

Lewis, whose father David was leader of the federal New Democratic Party from 1971 to 1975, led the Ontario New Democratic Party from 1970 to 1978. His son Avi Lewis was elected leader of the federal NDP this past weekend. Lewis was founder of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa, served as a UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, was deputy executive director of UNICEF, and co-director of AIDS-Free World.

He was no stranger to the University of Waterloo, making repeated visits to campus over the years, including keynote addresses at the Kerr-Saltsman Lectures in Canadian Studies in 1998, the 2003 Engineers Without Borders national conference, the 30^th anniversary of the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group (WPIRG), also in 2003, and at Waterloo's 2006 Homecoming festivities. The University of Waterloo granted Lewis an honorary doctorate in 2013.

"Stephen Lewis’s legacy of courage, compassion and moral clarity will endure," Dr. Goel's statement continued. "On behalf of UWaterloo, our deepest condolences to his family, friends and all whose lives he touched."

The E.D. Soulis Memorial weather station has announced the winner of its annual weather station contest. The contest ended on Monday, March 30, at 3:34 p.m. when the temperature first hit 20°C, which meant that Sarah Nichol's guess of 3:30 p.m. was the closest. Congratulations to Nichol and runner-up Jeff Pacosz.

"And a special note that this year's contest was dedicated to the memory of Jayson Innes," says a note from weather station coordinator Frank Seglenieks. "Jay was instrumental in the early days of the station and, in particular, with the setup and implementation of the contest. Sadly, he lost his battle with cancer late last year."

Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars are invited to Becoming a Public Scholar: Navigating the Media today from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. in DC 1302. "Want to build confidence in the public eye and share your research with a broader audience?" asks GSPA. "Join Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs for a panel and presentation featuring a media expert, a faculty member, and a postdoctoral scholar who have been in the spotlight. They’ll share insider tips, real‑world experiences, and practical advice to help you navigate interviews, media requests, and public communication." Speakers include Pamela Smyth, Media Relations Manager, University Relations, Nandita Basu, Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Jeff Casello, Professor, School of Planning and Krystle Shore, Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Sociology and Legal Studies.

This event is open to all graduate students and postdocs. Light food and beverages will be provided.

The Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) is hosting a Politics without the Podium event tonight from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Bomber. "Ever wish you could talk to local leaders without the formal speeches or staged events?" asks WUSA. "Politics Without the Podium creates a relaxed space for students to connect directly with the people shaping the Waterloo community. Join fellow students for an informal evening with Dorothy McCabe, Mayor of Waterloo, and Colleen James, Regional Councillor for the Region of Waterloo. Ask questions, share your perspective, and hear about the issues affecting the region, from housing and transit to community priorities."

This event begins with a short introduction and moderated Q&A, followed by open mingling where students can chat directly with the Mayor and Councillor in a casual setting.

The Grebel Gallery will be displaying a new exhibit called ‘Looking at the Sky’ featuring a collection of art by Nina Bailey-Dick beginning this weekend. "Her powerful batiks and collages are a feminist declaration of love for the land, sky, and self; an invitation to embrace both the beautiful and the broken parts of ourselves," says a note from Conrad Grebel. "This exhibit is a call to action to speak up, take up space, make art, and share vulnerability – skills needed for personal and collective action and healing."

This exhibit will run from Saturday, April 4 to Wednesday, April 29 at the Grebel Gallery at Conrad Grebel University College on the top floor.