Meet our people

Coding the Future: Mirko Vucicevich’s Journey from Physics Undergrad to Science’s Lead Developer

If you’ve been present at the University of Waterloo within the last decade, whether staff, student, or faculty you’ll have encountered some of Mirko Vucicevich’s work. Learn about how he used his Physics degree to solve problems on campus through code!

The lifers

The alumni of the University of Waterloo Department of Physics and Astronomy go on to do a wide variety of things after Convocation. Many of our graduates go into work in physics- related jobs in the private sector (no doubt with some thanks to our great co-op programs) while others choose a career in public service or continue their education to graduate studies and even into academia. However, there is a small number of our graduates that just didn’t leave the University of Waterloo! These people did their undergraduate education at the University of Waterloo and then never left…ever.

Jessica Jago

We all have an idea what comes to mind when we think of someone wanting to do physics! That imagination is even more stereotyped when we think of theoretical physics (Big Bang theory did not help the image here at all). Well, not all physicists or physics students fit that image, and 4th year Physics and Astronomy student Jessica Jago is anything but a stereotypical physics student. We caught up with Jessica and asked her to tell us her amazing story.

Dr. Melanie Campbell

A Leader in Her Field Balances Research, Teaching and Service

Professor Melanie Campbell, a Physics professor with a focus on optics, brings a multidisciplinary perspective to the field. She balances teaching and research with a lifelong commitment to service.

Dr. Michel Fich

Making a career from your hobbies

Astronomer Dr. Michel Fich didn't always know that he wanted to study Physics, but always loved problem solving. Today, Dr. Fich's is one of the leading researchers in his field, and his work aims to solve some of the biggest problems facing contemporary Physics.

Introducing Dr. Alan Jamison

Researching Ultracold Atoms to Learn about Quantum Information

Dr. Alan Jamison is a new Assistant Professor, who joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Institute for Quantum Computing at Waterloo in 2020, following graduate studies at University of Washington and post graduate work at MIT. He did his undergraduate studies at Harvard University and the University of Central Florida. He has a passion for experimental research in atomic physics. Focusing on ultracold atoms and molecules, he explores a broad range of interests within the larger field of quantum simulation. His goal is to realize the potential of molecules and atoms for quantum computing.

Introducing Dr. Brenda Lee

Dr. Brenda Lee, a new continuing lecturer in the Department of Physics & Astronomy, has always been passionate about seeing things through a different perspective. Combining her love of Physics and Biomedical Sciences allowed her to pursue Nanobiophysics research and teaching opportunities to share her passion with future generations of students. Learn more about Dr. Lee, her work, and her journey from student to faculty at UofWaterloo.

Donna Strickland

Science is Borne of Curiosity

The combination of curiosity and rigorous inquiry will lead to our next great invention.

Raymond Laflamme

Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis “John von Neumann” Chair in Quantum Information

The University of Waterloo's newly created Chair in Quantum Information, Prof. Raymond Laflamme, has been the shaping the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo

Professor Will Percival

Distinguished Research Chair in Astrophysics in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo's newly created Distinguished Chair in Astrophysics, Prof. Will Percival, coming from the Institute of Cosmology & Gravitation at the University of Portsmouth, is leading an effort to understand why the Universal expansion is accelerating.

Christine Muschik

Christine Muschik joins the University of Waterloo as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and as a faculty member in the Institute for Quantum Computing.

Dmitry Pushin

Dmitry Pushin's work has been recognized by the American Physical Society as a “Top Ten Physics Newsmakers of 2016”, and 2018 Science Prize of the Neutron Scattering Society of America.