The University of Waterloo has seen an increase in the number of researchers included in this year’s Highly Cited Researchers™ 2025 list recently published by Clarivate. The list highlights the world’s most influential researchers and scientists.
Those selected have authored multiple Highly Cited Papers which rank in the top one per cent by citations in their field. Citations and peer review are the lifeblood of academic research, ensuring both integrity and innovation. The Highly Cited Researchers™ list recognizes only one in 1,000 researchers from around the world.
While several researchers across the University of Waterloo are featured on this year’s list, this article highlights the honourees from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). Readers can explore the full list of Waterloo researchers on the University’s website.
“This recognition is a testament to the exceptional research being done at Waterloo,” says Charmaine Dean, vice-president, Research and International at the University of Waterloo. “Their work not only exemplifies the diversity and breadth of research being done at our institution, but its impact. It also supports the advancement of our Global Futures initiative. We see some stellar intersections here with sustainability, technology and health.”
The evaluation and selection process is intended to look beyond solely volume or visibility, by placing an emphasis on trust. The list’s criteria and process are openly shared with the research community for transparency.
The Waterloo researchers on this year’s Highly Cited Researchers™ 2025 list from Clarivate include:
Xuemin (Sherman) Shen
Dr. Xuemin (Sherman) Shen is a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His research focuses on a wide range of topics in wireless communication networks, including network resource management, network security and privacy preservation, AI for Networks, 5G and beyond, and vehicular networks. Shen has pioneered fundamental and critical advancements in engineering solutions that significantly enhance data transmission speed, accuracy, reliability, and information security within wireless communications networks.
A Fellow of IEEE, the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, Engineering Institute of Canada, and the Engineering Academy of Japan, Dr. Shen has also served as the President of IEEE Communications Society, Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Internet of Things Journal, and IEEE Network.
Weihua Zhuang
Dr. Weihua Zhuang is a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and University Research Chair. Her research includes network virtualization, network architecture for both wireless and wireline domains, adaptive networking algorithms and protocols, and multi-dimensional resource allocation for data transmission, processing and caching, with applications to connected autonomous vehicles, industrial IoT, and intelligent communities.
Zhuang is a Fellow of the IEEE, the Royal Society of Canada, Canadian Academy of Engineering and Engineering Institute of Canada. She recently served as the President of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society during 2023–2024.
Congratulations to Drs. Shen and Zhuang on this outstanding recognition. Their achievements bring prestige to our department and highlight the world-class research excellence within electrical and computer engineering at the University of Waterloo.