Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Jeff Casello named Associate Provost, Graduate Studies

"I am pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Jeff Casello as Associate Provost, Graduate Studies for a five-year term commencing 1 July 2016," says a note from Vice-President, Academic & Provost Ian Orchard circulated last week.

Jeff Casello completed his BSE (1992) in civil engineering systems at the University of Pennsylvania, continuing on to further add a MSc in transportation engineering (1997) from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and another MSc (2000) in systems engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, before earning his PhD (2003) in electrical and systems engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. A faculty member at Waterloo since 2004, he currently holds the position of associate professor with appointments to both the School of Planning and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Prior to joining the university, he was a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering, University of Pennsylvania (2004). His past administrative service includes two appointments as associate dean for undergraduate studies in the Faculty of Environment (2010-12, and January 2014 to present) and he previously held a concurrent appointment as adjunct professor at the Land Transportation Academy / SIM University, Singapore.

Casello's research interests include transportation system impacts on urban vitality; multimodal transportation planning, design and operations; travel forecasting models; and non-motorized modes. His research program (as principal or co-investigator) has secured funding exceeding $2 million, and he has supervised or co-supervised 25 graduate students with eight more in progress. In addition to his university responsibilities and peer-reviewed research, he has significant engagement in professional studies and reports for municipalities on matters relating transportation modelling and investment, as well as serving as associate editor and referee for a variety of publications. He has sat on numerous external grant allocation/review committees, and has provided technical consulting services in Canada and internationally.

"The appointment of Jeff Casello received strong support from the nominating committee struck to conduct the search for this key position within the university’s academic leadership," Orchard wrote. "I wish to add my own support for Professor Casello’s appointment. His reputation as a respected administrator combines with his exemplary teaching and strong research activity to provide a robust foundation to lead and strengthen Waterloo’s graduate studies and postdoctoral research programming. Additionally, his input as a senior member of my group will be highly valued."

SLC/PAC expansion to go ahead

The results are in for the SLC/PAC Expansion Project referendum, and both the undergraduate and the graduate students voted in favour of the project. This means the project will go to approval at the University Board of Governors. The University, the Federation of Students, and the Graduate Student Association appreciate all the students who voiced their opinions throughout this process.

In the coming months, refinements to the design will be undertaken by the University, the Federation of Students, and the Graduate Student Association. Students will be kept informed at each stage of the process, and can contact either the President, Federation of Students or President, Graduate Studies Association. Questions can be sent by email.

Alumni Achievement Award winners named

by Alumni Relations.

Congratulations to our 2015 alumni award recipients for making impact every day by envisioning opportunities and making them a reality!

Across Canada and around the world, Waterloo alumni are making significant contributions to their University, their professions and their communities. The Alumni Awards recognize these individuals for changing the world the Waterloo way.

Check out this year’s award recipients:

• Robert MacIsaac (Faculty of Arts)
• Vanessa Pinelli (Faculty of Arts)
• Upkar Arora (School of Accounting and Finance)
• Meng Wang (School of Accounting and Finance)
• Dan Latendre (Faculty of Applied Health Sciences)
• Christina Marchand (Faculty of Applied Health Sciences)
• Marc Morin (Faculty of Engineering)
• Ryan Gariepy, Patrick Martinson, Matt Rendall, Bryan Webb (team alumni medal, Faculty of Engineering)
• Brent Tweddle (Faculty of Engineering)
• Fangjin Yang (Faculty of Engineering)
• Carol Layton (Environment)
• Taarini Chopra (Environment)
• Raess Hussain-Aamir (Mathematics)
• Erik Demaine (Mathematics)
• John C.R. Hele (Mathematics)
• Tom Duff (Mathematics)
• Leslie Dunning (Science)
• Greg Dick (Science)
• Arshad Siddiqui (Science)
• Paul Boutros (Science)
• Jim Reimer (Science)
• Johnny Wideman (Conrad Grebel)
• Catherine Horgan (St. Jerome’s)
• Leslie Woo (Renison)
• Brian Drew (Renison)
• William Pristanski (St. Paul’s)

Congratulations all!