Last year at this time, my family and I were at a crossroad, considering whether or not to uproot ourselves and relocate from the West back to Eastern Canada. The challenges and rewards associated with transitioning to new communities has helped me appreciate the risks that students and faculty experience when they relocate.
This Christmas, I am able to spend time with my siblings and their families, something I have not done for nearly three decades. My return to Ontario, however, is bittersweet because my children have lost both sets of grandparents. As the matriarch, I now look forward to reinforcing family traditions, and establishing new ones as our young adults expand their circles of support and friendships. This year, we are also blending cultures by hosting an international student. While we cannot replace her family, we can share similar values that transcend cultures.
As I reflect back on the year, I deeply appreciate the opportunity to get to know so many of you in AHS. I wish for each of you a joyful holiday season that allows you to recharge and connect with relationships and activities that bring you meaning and happiness.
Best,
Lili Liu
AHS this month I Events I Tips and reminders
AHS THIS MONTH
AHS Strategic Planning update
Many thanks to everyone who joined the collaborative forum on strategic planning last week, and to those who filled out the survey beforehand. You provided stories, insight and useful feedback about the proposed mission, vision, values and priorities, which the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee will now use to develop and finalize the plan. The coming months will provide a few more opportunities to engage with the Faculty's strategic plan for 2020-25, which we hope to release and begin to implement by summer. We'll be sharing those opportunities here and by email. We also owe many thanks to Alannah Robinson and John Fedy from Organizatonal and Human Development for doing such a great job facilitating the event.
Apply for a Takeover Tuesday
Students love to see their professors and frontline staff on Instagram. If you are adventurous and would like to connect with students on this platform, consider doing a Takeover Tuesday, in which you can share how you are applying your knowledge to protect and promote health and well-being on Instagram Stories. The Takeover Tuesday application takes only a few minutes to complete.
GRADtalks features public health student
Congratulations to Amanda Raffoul, PhD candidate in the School of Public Health and Health Systems, for being one of two doctoral students chosen to present at GRADtalks: The future of healing, last month. She spoke about the unintended consequences of public health approaches to weight.
Work in women's health
Do you know of alumni or students who are doing incredible work in women’s health? Please send their information to Advancement Coordinator Clare Stevens, who is collecting ideas for a possible alumni panel.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Holiday closure: December 24 - January 1
As of December 23 at 4:30 p.m., UW Police Services will begin locking the outside doors to all our buildings (BMH, LHS, LHN, AHS, and TJB), and will re-open them Thursday, January 2 at 7 a.m. The heat will be turned down during this period. If you are working in a lab during shutdown, you must have arranged supervisor and departmental chair or director approval, have keys issued before the closure, and your name must be on an authorized persons list that Julie Cassaubon will provide to Police Services.
Note that Starbucks and Frsh will not open until the first day of classes, Monday, January 6, at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. respectively.
Nanotechnology award recipient presentations: January 7
The Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) and AHS are presenting an event to announce the second round of the WIN Interdisciplinary Research Funding Program. Winners from the previous round – Michaela Devries-Aboud and Robin Duncan (both Kinesiology) – will present their project results that were supported by this award. January 7, 2:30 p.m., AHS 1686.
NSERC research photo contest: January 13
Researchers from any field of study can win up to $2,000 by submitting a captivating research photo for the Science Exposed contest. Please see the Office of Research page for details. Deadline is January 13.
GRADflix final showcase: January 15
Are you a graduate student interested in your peers' research as it is presented in short, catchy videos? Register to attend the GRADflix final showcase, where you can vote for the People's Choice award.
UWaterloo Teaching and Learning Conference deadline: January 22
The theme of the 2020 UWaterloo Teaching and Learning Conference is “Learning Through Assessment.” Please submit proposals for presentations, panel discussions, workshops, poster presentations and assessment showcase items by January 22. The conference takes place April 29.
Health Innovation Series: January 29
The second Health Innovation panel will take place in Vancouver on January 29. Dean Lili Liu will moderate the panel and meet with alumni while in town. If you know any AHS alumni in the Vancouver area, please share with Sherri Sutherland, Director of Advancement.
TIPS AND REMINDERS
Fire warden training
Are you a fire warden? Please check that you have taken the fire warden online training so that we can increase the safety of employees during a fire or emergency situation.
Have you downloaded the WatSAFE app?
WatSAFE is a free safety and emergency notification app that provides immediate access to personal safety and campus emergency resources. Download the WatSAFE app to your device to stay informed and get safety resources.
Green Tip: HEPA all the way
If you have a new vacuum on your wishlist this season, look for one that has a HEPA filter. These filters capture particles more efficiently and remove more allergens and contaminants from the air than the alternatives, keeping you healthier, and the environment greener.
Do you have a news item to share? Please email it to Eugenia Xenos Anderson.