Chair's Message
Welcome to the Spring 2026 edition of the Entangler
Research
Scientists observe distant jellyfish galaxy for first time
New astronomical find is 8.5 billion years old and reshapes our understanding of early cosmic evolution
Astrophysicists from the University of Waterloo have observed a new jellyfish galaxy, the most distant one of its kind ever captured.
Eyes as a window to hidden brain diseases
Researchers show retinal images can accurately differentiate ALS and Alzheimer’s, increasing possibility of earlier diagnosis
A retinal image could help doctors quickly distinguish between similar neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and Alzheimer’s disease, and with remarkable accuracy, according to new research.
New theory reshapes quantum view of Big Bang
Researchers show how the universe’s earliest expansion may emerge directly from quantum gravity
Waterloo scientists have developed a new way to understand how the universe began, and it could change what we know about the Big Bang and the earliest moments of cosmic history. Their work suggests that the universe’s rapid early expansion could have arisen naturally from a deeper, more complete theory of quantum gravity.
Meet our students
Student-built rockets take flight at Waterloo
A Physics and Astronomy student helps propel Waterloo Rocketry to record heights
Waterloo’s Rocketry team is gaining national attention for a liquid bi-propellant student rocket that soared to 38 thousand feet, setting a new apogee record for Waterloo Rocketry and for Canadian liquid rockets.
Charting the quantum unknown
PhD student Sijia Wang explores the intersection of gravity, quantum mechanics, and information theory to illuminate the mysteries of quantum gravity.
Student-Prof Night Returns to the Huether Hotel
After several years away, one of the department's most beloved traditions has officially returned – the Physics Student-Prof Night at the Huether Hotel! The evening brought together students, staff, and faculty (with some alumni in the mix) for a relaxed and memorable night filled with fun games, conversations, and in-depth physics discussions – plus lots of food and drinks.
Awards
Science researchers receive grants through NSERC Alliance Quantum
Researchers in the Faculty of Science have been awarded funding through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Alliance Quantum grants program. This funding supports projects that aim to advance quantum computing, quantum communications, and quantum sensing.
Learn more about the newly funded projects and how they’re helping to implement Canada’s National Quantum Strategy.
Professor Michel Fich awarded Dunlap Award for Innovation in Astronomical Research Tools
Congratulations to Professor Michel (Mike) Fich on being named the recipient of the 2026 Dunlap Award for Innovation in Astronomical Research Tools. This award recognizes Fich’s sustained and visionary leadership in developing and ensuring Canadian participation in groundbreaking infrared and mm-scale astronomical instrumentation.
Students honour Brenda Lee with inaugural SciSoc Excellence in Teaching Award
Dr. Brenda Lee has been awarded the inaugural Excellence in Teaching Award presented by the Science Society (SciSoc).
Lee was overwhelmingly selected as the award’s first honouree. Read more about this new award and Lee's impact on her students.
Outreach: Stories from the community
Expanding access to science literacy
Promoting science literacy is a passion for Dr. Rajibul Islam, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo. In 2014, Islam, along with friends from the science community, launched Bigyan, a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to making science accessible in Bengali, their mother language.
At 105 years old, Violet Sykes is still reaching for the stars
The Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics brought Waterloo’s portable planetarium to Luther Village on the Park to celebrate a resident's 105th birthday
After visiting WCA in December 2025, Violet Sykes left with a deepened curiosity about the universe and a clear desire to keep learning. That curiosity became the catalyst for bringing the Centre’s outreach programming directly to her and her neighbours’ home.
Clubs corner
Spring 2026: FemPhys Updates
Spring is a season of growth and new beginnings, and what better way to grow and celebrate fresh starts than in camaraderie with your fellow undergraduates? FemPhys recently celebrated ten years of bringing Physics students together to discuss physics (and related topics) through feminist perspectives. Check out what we’ve been up to!
Season of Community: MNS Society Winter Highlights
Winter term brought a renewed sense of energy within the Materials and Nanoscience (MNS) community, which was reflected in events and the many ways students connected throughout the term.
PhysClub Winter 2026 events
During the Winter 2026 term, the PhysClub hosted several events that brought students together through social activities, community engagement, and academic support. These events were open to both Physics students and the wider Science community, helping create a welcoming and inclusive environment throughout the term.
SIN bin
Can you solve it? The Sir Isaac Newton Exam, as we all know and love it, continues to offer challenging problems to high school students around the world. Flex your Physics brains with this problem from a past Sir Isaac Newton Exam!
Sin Bin: 2018, Problem 2
The true leaders of the world, the Freemasons, grow weary of the constant bickering at the United Nations. As a team building exercise, they kidnap each world “leader” at the UN General Assembly, and place them in a giant escape room together...
SIN Bin: 2009, Problem 12
Worried about future economic downturns, Isaac Newton hides a gold brick at the bottom of a large bucket filled with water. The brick has dimensions 20.0 cm x 10.0 cm x 5.00 cm, and the bucket is cylindrical with height 1.00 m and radius 0.250 m. If the density of water is 1.00 g/cm3 and the density of the gold brick 19.3 g/cm3, what is the total force acting on the gold brick?