News

Dr. Catherine Burns, a professor in the Department of Systems Design Engineering and Canada Research Chair in Human Factors in Healthcare Systems, has received the University of Waterloo’s Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision.

As director of the Advanced Interface Design Lab, Burns has built an internationally recognized research program in human-centred design and artificial intelligence in healthcare, attracting more than $27 million in funding and producing more than 330 publications.

The Vision and Image Processing (VIP) Research Group at Waterloo Engineering is one of Canada's most productive AI research engines — generating more than $12 million in research funding, launching more than 10 spin-off companies and training hundreds of students.

Led by Drs. David Clausi, John Zelek, Paul Fieguth and Alexander Wong in the Department of Systems Design Engineering, VIP applies computer vision and machine learning to real-world challenges in health care, sports, climate monitoring, robotics, smart cities and manufacturing.

A Waterloo Engineering professor was among a select group of experts recognized this year with one of the most prestigious honours in the electrical and computing fields, an award reserved for fewer than one-tenth of one per cent of eligible members worldwide.

Dr. David Clausi was elevated to the grade of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Fellow for his contributions to computer vision and machine learning for automated interpretation of remote sensing imagery.

A systems design engineering professor at Waterloo was elected as a new fellow of an international society that recognizes leaders improving the quality and impact of software worldwide.

Dr. Alexander Wong was named a Fellow of the Institution of Analysts and Programmers (IAP), an honour that acknowledges individuals who advance software practices that benefit industry and communities. He joins a global network of professionals committed to strengthening how software serves society.

University of Waterloo alumni David J. Cornfield (BASc ’85, LLD ’24) and Linda Archer Cornfield (LLD ’24) visited campus to announce their transformational investment of $10.5 million to the Faculty of Engineering’s Department of Systems Design Engineering. 

The gift advances the department's educational impact, equipping engineers to bridge systems thinking with design practice to create integrated, participatory and human-focused solutions to pressing global challenges.

Celebrating this fall’s convocation, the University of Waterloo recognized five graduate valedictorians who exemplified academic excellence and community impact. Among them, one Faculty of Engineering graduate stood out for her contributions to human-robot interaction and global youth empowerment.

Andrea Chakma (MASc ’25) was named valedictorian for the Faculty of Engineering after completing her Master of Applied Science in Systems Design Engineering. 

Two students have been recognized nationally for their leadership, service and character as recipients of one of Canada’s most prestigious undergraduate awards.

First-year students Edna Nortey and Aishwarya Tandon were named 2025 Loran Scholars, an honour granted annually to just 36 individuals from thousands of applicants across the country. 

Urban planners, architects and filmmakers could all benefit from new technology developed by a research team led by Waterloo Engineering.

The automated system can generate 3D computer models of buildings or entire cities using only 2D aerial photographs, a much cheaper, faster way than relying on specially trained 3D artists and computer graphics programs.

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology developed at Waterloo Engineering gives baseball scouts a powerful new tool to accurately analyze pitcher performance and biomechanics using low-resolution video.

The system, known as PitcherNet, is the product of a three-year partnership between researchers at the Vision and Image Processing (VIP) Lab and the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB).