Thursday, July 6, 2017

No flying under the radar for Aviation professor

This article was originally published on the Faculty of Environment's news site.

Renowned aviation academic Suzanne Kearns has been named to WINGS and Helicopters Magazine’s Top 20 Under 40; a list that includes 2017’s finest young leaders in the aviation and aerospace industry.

According to WINGS, candidates for the annual award are nominated based on their influence at work, leadership in their communities and commitment to their profession. All are boxes editor Matt Nicolls says Kearns checks off in spades.

“She's got such a passion for aviation if you look at her background,” he said, referencing the fact that Kearns began formal flight training at the age of 15, soloed on her 16^th birthday, and had her private airplane and helicopter licenses signed off on her 17^th birthday. “She's just an overall high achiever,” he continued, “and certainly someone who develops the young minds of tomorrow, so I thought she was perfect.”

Kearns completed the Helicopter Pilot Flight Program at Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology before attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where she received a BSc in Aeronautical Science and a MSc in Human Factors and Systems Engineering. She completed her PhD through distance education while teaching full time at Western University, and joined the University of Waterloo as an associate professor in the Geography & Aviation program.

"Aviation at Waterloo is pleased that Professor Kearns has been recognized as one of the top 20 under 40, leaders in aviation in Canada," said Ian McKenzie, Director of Aviation at Waterloo. "It's nice to see her dedication and contributions to the industry recognized in such a significant way."

Kearns’ research explores human limitations and how they contribute to aviation accidents and incidents, as well as educational theory related to aviation, including the shift towards competency-based education practices and the impact of e-learning in aviation.

"I have always felt lucky to be in my profession - teaching an impressive group of future aviation professionals and contributing research findings to support aviation safety and training," says Kearns. "It's an honour to be recognized for work that I care about, and I am thankful to the University of Waterloo and WINGS for the opportunity."

Read the full article on the Faculty of Environment news site.

Don't be a hero if you want to survive, study says

Selfless heroism isn’t the best strategy in life-and-death disaster situations involving groups of people, a new study from the University of Waterloo suggests.

The study, which used computer modeling of a flooded subway station, found overall survival rates were substantially higher when strong people in a 30-member group reached safety themselves before trying to help weaker people.

“Foolhardiness is not a good strategy for rescuing,” said Eishiro Higo, a civil engineering PhD candidate who led the research. “In very critical situations, we have to be kind of selfish, but we can still help others if we have proper equipment and proper strategies.”

In effect, he said, the study showed that when strong members try to help weak members before they are secure themselves, both are dragged down and the group as a whole suffers.

Higo and colleagues built a two-dimensional computer model of an actual three-level underground space in Kyoto, Japan that consists of a subway platform, a parking garage and a shopping mall.

The model simulates severe flooding from a nearby river, with a mix of adults and senior citizens who must reach safety via staircases from the subway platform level to the surface.

Higo repeatedly ran the model using three different evacuation strategies: one in which people only worried about themselves; one in which people immediately worked together as a group; and one in which those capable of saving themselves reached a safe place before trying to save others using a rope.

In most life-and-death scenarios when variables such as the ratio of adults to seniors were adjusted, the rope strategy resulted in the highest overall survival rate.

In a typical scenario that assumed evacuation efforts beginning at a particular point in time, for example, 12 of 30 people survived using the rope strategy, while there were just five survivors using either of the other two strategies.

“We have to identify what is brave and what is reckless,” said Higo. “Helping people from a safe location is still good behaviour and the result is actually much better.”

Crucial to the success of the rope strategy, however, was the availability of simple tools for use by rescuers. Design features including handrails and raised areas on stairs for evacuees to brace themselves or rest also markedly increased the chances of survival.

An extension of work he did for his master’s degree at Kyoto University before coming to Waterloo, his research was motivated in large part by the earthquake and tsunami that devastated east Japan in 2011.

Higo hopes his findings stimulate discussion and lead to the inclusion of relatively inexpensive disaster preparedness features such as ropes and resting areas in public spaces.

Details of the research were recently published in the journal Expert Systems with Applications.

Canada’s self-proclaimed “quantum geek,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, joins IQC anniversary celebration

By Tobi Day-Hamilton

“The quantum revolution is upon us and Canadians are helping lead the way,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau via video remarks at IQC’s 15^th anniversary celebration.

On June 22, IQC celebrated 15 years of quantum research and the leadership of Raymond Laflamme who ended his term as IQC Executive Director on June 30, 2017.

Canada’s Prime Minister, and self-proclaimed “quantum geek,” Justin Trudeau, joined in the festivities via video: “What you do here truly has the potential to transform the world, and I, as Prime Minister and a quantum geek, couldn’t be prouder.”

Former President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Waterloo, His Excellency, David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, also praised the work of IQC and Raymond Laflamme: “Ray…we salute you for all you have done in leading our scientific community,” said Johnston via video, “But also our general community in such remarkable ways.”

University of Waterloo President and Vice Chancellor, Feridun Hamdullahpur praised Laflamme’s leadership across campus and his tremendous contributions to quantum research. Hamdullahpur also announced a new role for Laflamme – a yet to be named university research chair funded in part by Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis.

Professor Kevin Resch is taking on the Interim Director role for a six-month term beginning July 1, 2017 while an international search is underway for the next Director of IQC. Resch joined the University of Waterloo in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and IQC in 2006.

Leadership at the University of Waterloo

A message from Feridun Hamdullahpur, President and Vice-Chancellor

July 1, 2017 was a momentous milestone at the University of Waterloo.   We hosted over 60,000 colleagues, friends and neighbours at Columbia Fields on north campus to toast Canada’s official 150^th anniversary. I would like to thank everyone involved in making this event such a success for the community.  

At the same time, we recognize our indigenous communities as original occupants of this land and their thousands of years of deep history and culture.

We also marked the mid-point of our 60 years of innovation.  And also on July 1, I was honoured to begin my second term as president and vice-chancellor of this great institution. My primary goal not only remains the same: to be recognized as one of the world’s top innovation universities, but to define our role in a disruptive world.

Building on the progress and momentum that we achieved through our current strategic plan, I am committed to building the future framework and support for the University of Waterloo to lead the world in innovation – in academics and teaching, high impact research, experiential education and entrepreneurship.

To achieve this goal requires a strong structure and team. That is why I am so pleased to welcome an accomplished and respected new leader to the University of Waterloo, Charmaine Dean, as vice-president, research. She brings not only an exceptional record of service, scholarship and research, but broad and deep relationships across academia, government and industry.

As we thank George Dixon for his leadership in the Office of Research, we welcomed him back through another door as interim vice-president, academic and provost.  Together with Dennis Huber, Logan Atkinson, Sandra Banks, Joanne Shoveller and Karen Jack, we have in place a team of which I am extremely proud.

The University of Waterloo has demonstrated how we have been able to make a big difference in the world because of our unique approach to education, scholarship and research.  Our goals and ambitions will be even greater as we see a clear place and role for UW in further building our nation and meeting the global challenges ahead of us. I am confident that we have the executive team and brilliant faculty, staff and students to get us there.

I am thankful for our outgoing vice-president, academic and provost, Ian Orchard for his hard work, dedication and service.  I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Professor Susan Tighe as deputy provost, integrated planning and budgeting and  Professor Diana Parry as associate vice-president, Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion to the team.

With this leadership team in place, I am looking forward to an exciting and rewarding fall term where I will have the opportunity to further develop the broad overarching themes of our next five-year strategic plan, which will be informed through broad community consultation.

I hope you enjoy the rest of the summer here at Waterloo.

Thursday's Notes

As part of the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science's 50th anniversary celebrations, the UWaterloo Computer Museum has put together a pretty awesome display of retired hardware in MC 3011. The room is open daily from 10-12pm until July 14 and visitors are welcome to drop by and take a look at the equipment. Additionally, people who weren't able to experience the red room can take a virtual tour and see a 3D rendering of what the room looked like. Everyone is welcome!

The Board of Directors of the The Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE-ACFTS) has endorsed the Statement of Complicity and Commitment to Change. CASWE-ACFTS President, Dr. Susan Cadell of the University of Waterloo has called the Statement "an important step in engaging social work education in the reconciliation process and supporting the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action." Read the full article here.

Mental Health 101 session from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday in DC 1302 will challenge some of the myths and misconceptions that continue to exist about mental health, and describe the work of various professionals who support people with mental health challenges. The session, facilitated by Kiruthiha Vimalakahthan and Chantal Gautreat of the Department of Psychology, will also discuss useful resources available on campus and in Waterloo Region. Register here