Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Meet Sihang Liu, a professor who studies computer systems and architecture

This is an excerpt of an article that originally appeared on the School of Computer Science website.

Sihang Liu joined the Cheriton School of Computer Science as an Assistant Professor in 2023. He has a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Virginia, where he was advised by Professor Samira Khan. His doctoral research focused on building system support for a new memory technology called persistent memory, spanning both the software and hardware stacks. He has a B.S. degree from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Michigan through the dual-degree program.

Before joining Waterloo, Sihang was a visiting faculty member at SystemsResearch@Google, a group of computer scientists who accelerate the invention and deployment of new technologies for the next generation of hardware and software systems.

What follows is a lightly edited transcript of a Q&A interview.

When did you become interested in computer systems and architecture?

My interest in computer systems and architecture can be traced to my undergraduate experiences at the University of Michigan, where I took a series of computer systems and architecture classes and participated in several undergraduate research programs in the area of computer architecture. My education experience inspired me to continue my education at the doctoral level and eventually become a professor. 

What attracted you to the Cheriton School of Computer Science?

The University of Waterloo is a strong university in many fields — in computer science, in mathematics, and in many areas of engineering — both in Canada and internationally. My cousin did his master’s degree in engineering at Waterloo, so I knew about the university from him as well as from other people.

Read the rest of the interview on the School of Computer Science website.

Lessons in teamwork, tenacity, and triumph

Team L-R: Philbert Chan, Jennie Lin, Sonia Balani, Joyce Ren, Rocky Luo, and Faculty advisor: Steve Balaban, CFA Industry mentor: Jeannine LiChong, CFA (not pictured)

By Ellen Hou. This is an excerpt of an article reprinted with permission from The Analyst, the magazine published by the CFA Society Toronto and sent to 11,000 finance professionals.

Every year, teams from universities and colleges worldwide compete in the CFA Institute Research Challenge. I contacted the winning team from the local CFA Society Toronto and CFA Society Ottawa Research Challenge and their advisor to get their thoughts on the challenge and their advice for future participants as they prepared to move on to the sub-regional semi-finals in April 2023.

This annual global equity research competition tests each team's ability to value a stock, write an initiation-of-coverage report, and present their recommendations. The four top-scoring teams advanced to the local finals, where they presented their research on February 16, 2023.

The team moved on to the sub-regional competition, where teams competed to move on to the sub-regional semi-finals on April 7, 2023, the regional finals on April 14, 2023, and the global final on May 3, 2023.

How did everyone enjoy the challenge?

It was a fantastic experience. This research project taught us how to conduct equity research and has significantly improved our knowledge as investment professionals. It was also an enjoyable experience to see how far we have come and how much better we have become. Throughout this challenge, we learned a lot about each other personally and have gained four close friendships.

What did you learn about yourselves during the process?

We learned how to balance different priorities and overcome challenges as a team. One of us was on exchange in a foreign country, two of our members were pursuing master's degrees, and some were working. We had to balance coursework, office work, and this project and overcome time zone differences. It took a lot of hard work, sacrifices, and flexibility. The challenge taught us the importance of teamwork: finding each others' strengths and weaknesses and building upon those. As we enter the real world, we know exactly where to improve, where our strengths lie, and how to work effectively and efficiently as a team. As a team, we have each others' backs and trust each other.

What would you have done differently?

We were very fortunate that we had a network of peers who helped us prepare for our presentations. We wish we had done that well in advance of the local final. We started a week or two before the local finals. If we were to do it again, we would do more mock presentations and get the practices in well in advance in order to have more time to incorporate the feedback and changes into our final presentation and make it even better! We were all nervous near the beginning of the week. The more practice we did, the more confidence we gained. The practice in the last 24 to 36 hours boosted our confidence and character. This will transfer to presentations at school or work settings. We are ready to take on the next round!

Read the rest of the article on The Analyst’s website

Faculty of Environment presents CAUGHT: An Age of Union and Sea Shepherd documentary

The Faculty of Environment invites the University of Waterloo community to a special screening of CAUGHT on July 27 at The Eglinton Grand in Toronto. View the official trailer. 

As part of the 2022 Wildscreen Festival's official selection, this short documentary by environmental alliance Age of Union reveals the critical impacts of dangerous fishing methods and dolphin bycatch off the coast of France, while the French government does little to intervene. Through a raw, unfiltered look at boots-on-the-ground activism by the Sea Shepherd crew of the M/Y Age of Union, the film also pinpoints the potential catastrophic ripple effects of overfishing, jeopardizing sustainability for all life on earth in the foreseeable future. 

Donna Strickland gives Einstein '23 lecture and other notes

On June 1 and 2, Professor and Nobel Laureate Donna Strickland travelled to Sweden to commemorate the 100^thanniversary of Albert Einstein's Nobel Lecture in Gothenburg. One of four Nobel Laureates participating in the special anniversary event, Dr. Strickland joined Serge Haroche, Didier Queloz, and David Wineland in delivering lectures that highlighted their innovative, ground-breaking physics research. 

On July 11, 1923, renowned physicist Albert Einstein travelled to Gothenburg, Sweden and delivered his Nobel lecture at the famed Liseberg amusement park, which had just opened as part of the city's 300^th anniversary celebrations. Read the full article published by the Chalmers University of Technology about the event.

Plant Operations has announced a pair of construction notices relating to pedestrian pathways on campus:

• The pathway behind Tutors Houses from REV to V1 is closed for construction. It is expected that the closure will be for approximately two weeks.
• The path from UC to Lyle Hallman and stairs from M lot to main path will be temporarily closed for paving starting July 12. Paving work will also affect the driveway into UC and part of M lot. The expected duration of work will be from July 12 to 14, weather permitting.

The Writing and Communication Centre (WCC) is hiring undergraduate peer tutor ambassadors from all faculties for the fall and winter terms. "Are you interested in supporting your peers with a wide range of writing and communication assignments and helping to promote the WCC’s services across campus?" asks the WCC. "Join our team today! Applications are due by July 24 at 9:00 a.m."

A Celebration of Life for IST staff member Cassie Bechard will be held this Saturday, July 15 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Notre Dame Chapel in St. Jerome's University. Parking is available in St. Jerome's Parking Lot B. Flags on the University campus will be lowered on Saturday to mark the event.