News

The European Geosciences Union (EGU), the leading organization for Earth, planetary and space science research in Europe, has awarded the Jim Dooge Award to Water Institute member Juliane (Julie) Mai, Research Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. The award was announced April 16^th at the 2024 EGU general assembly in Vienna, Austria.

A long-standing collaboration between the University of Waterloo’s Earth Sciences Museum and the Earth and Environmental Sciences department involves a trip to Northern Ontario to the Whitefish River First Nations land. Among them was Liam Blaquiere, who shared his love for science with elementary students from JK to grade six at the Shawanosowe School.

Philippe Van Cappellen, professor in the Earth and Environmental Sciences department and Canada Excellence Research Chair Laureate in Ecohydrology, has been appointed a University Professor  by the University of Waterloo. This designation recognizes exceptional scholarly achievement and international pre-eminence. Van Cappellen is the first Earth and Environmental Sciences professor to receive this honour.

Four University of Waterloo researchers, including Earth and Environmental Sciences professor David Blowes, were awarded funding earlier this month from the Ontario government for innovative research that ranges from cleaning up arsenic-laden mine waste, treating potential virus outbreaks, and using artificial intelligence to protect valuable financial data.

Three Awards of Excellence in Graduate Supervision were recently announced. Earth and Environmental Sciences professor David Rudolph was among the faculty members recognized for their contributions to the graduate community.

The Dusseault Bursary in Geology, established by Prof. Maurice Dusseault, supports students in need from the faculties of Science and Engineering.

Ludovico Scorsolini has received the Mary Claire Ward Geoscience Award for his research as an Earth and Environmental Sciences PhD student. Working under Professor Chris Yakymchuk and Professor Cees van Staal, his research focused on understanding the geological history of the Taconic eclogites in Newfoundland's Baie Verte Peninsula.

Congratulations to master’s student Paul Sherk! His video titled, "Permeable reactive barriers: A strategy for acid mine drainage remediation," took a broadcast news approach to share his research and was the 2024 GRADflix showcase winner.  

Professor Chris Yakymchuk is the 2024 recipient of the Geological Society of America Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology and Volcanology (MGPV) Division Early Geological Career Award. This award recognizes Yakymchuk’s groundbreaking early career accomplishments.  

Dr. Stephen Evans is a leader in geohazards research, focusing on landslides in Canada. His contributions to research and public education were recently recognized by the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (USA) and the Canadian Geotechnical Society, who honoured him with this year's Schuster Medal Award.