Thursday, July 20, 2023

Alexandru Nica and Peter A. Buhr win awards for distinction in teaching

This article was originally published on the Faculty of Mathematics website.

Congratulations to Alexandru Nica, professor of Pure Mathematics, and Peter A. Buhr, associate professor of Computer Science, the recipients of this year’s Faculty of Mathematics Awards for Distinction in Teaching. Up to two awards are given each year to teachers who have “consistently demonstrated outstanding pedagogical skills and a deep commitment to our students’ education.”

Alexandru Nica has been in the Department of Pure Mathematics at the University of Waterloo since 1997. He does research into free probability, but has also developed a reputation as a brilliant and kind teacher, especially of undergraduate classes. “He showed me…how to learn, how to think and how to be a good mathematician” says one of his former students.

“Nica is a talented and dedicated teacher from whom I have learned a great deal over the years,” says his colleague Brian Forrest, professor of Pure Mathematics. “He has an incredible knack for getting the most out of his students, even when they did not feel they had it in themselves.”

“I was honoured and very happy to get an Award for Distinguished Teaching,” Nica says.

Peter A. Buhr has been at the University of Waterloo since 1986. His primary research area is programming languages: he studies concurrency, polymorphism, monitoring/visualization/debugging and persistence.

In his more than thirty years teaching at Waterloo, Buhr has mentored hundreds of undergraduate students and researchers. Former students describe him as an “engaging and effective lecturer,” with a “strong dedication to student success” and a commitment to “continuous improvement.”

Buhr emphasizes that the teaching and instructional assistants, instructional support coordinator and computing staff all share in the credit for the award. “I am just one component in a multi-part effort for delivering an amazing learning experience at Waterloo,” he says. 

Co-op student publishes children's book

By Namish Modi . This article was originally published on Waterloo News.

Unzila Shahzad, a University of Waterloo co-op student, recently wrote and published her own children’s book following a work term at SickKids Hospital. Shahzad’s book, Hasseb and Teddy: From Magic Boots to Magical Feet, adds a touch of magic to empower children with clubfoot while shedding light on the congenital condition. Clubfoot is present at birth which causes an infant’s foot to turn inward or downward because of a shortened Achilles tendon.  

As a health studies student, Shahzad saw many children come in with clubfoot during her work term at Toronto’s SickKids Hospital. She was inspired to go beyond her role as a research assistant to create awareness of the condition.   

“I never thought I would actually publish a book,” Shahzad says, who worked at the hospital in fall 2022 and winter 2023.   

The book follows seven-year-old Haseeb who has clubfoot. For his birthday, he receives a teddy bear named Teddy, who bears the same clubfoot condition as Haseeb. The child’s job is to support Teddy through the clubfoot treatment journey, which includes casting, tenotomy and bracing.   

“I want children with clubfoot to see that representation in children’s books,” she says. “But I also want children of all diverse backgrounds to see the lessons that are taught by Haseeb and Teddy through friendship, compassion, empathy and supporting loved ones through tough times.”  

Shahzad saw many young patients during her co-op term,  from infants to five-years-olds, who came into the hospital with clubfoot. There were also children who came in with relapse clubfoot and were more aware of their condition.   

Shahzad published her book in May 2023 with the goal of helping children to understand the condition and what to expect as a child with clubfoot. A high school classmate of Shahzad’s illustrated the book which is available on Amazon.  

The process to complete the book began in November and wasn’t an easy one. It required several versions, a manuscript and a thorough editing process. The hospital played a big role in the process as physiotherapists, research assistants and Shahzad’s supervisor helped in the review process.   

Shahzad believes her journey through the development of the book will help her in future endeavours.  She is planning to pursue a career in medicine. 

“I want to be a doctor, but more importantly than that I want to be a good person,” Shahzad says. “I want to be a better person. When I leave this world, I want people to advocate for the person I was. That’s the type of clinician I want to be and the type of person I want to be.”  

As part of her regular duties at the hospital, Shahzad conducted research and worked on coordinating data with hospitals across Europe. During previous co-op work terms, she also worked with LifeLabs and the Toronto Raptors.  

In March 2020, Shahzad was working at a daycare when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. She used the design platform, Canva, to create a book which helps kids have a better understanding about the pandemic while conducting virtual workshops. This project helped inspire her to eventually write Haseeb and Teddy: From Magic Boots to Magical Feet.   

Shahzad doesn’t think this will be the only book in the Haseeb and Teddy series. She hopes to continue to publish more books on children’s topics. As she continues her path to becoming a physician, Shahzad believes her unique and creative angle on patient care and health awareness will help.