Feature

Letter from the Dean

Stories of impact

After a memorable 2023 for the Faculty of Mathematics community, the new year is off to an impressive start.

Using technology to help humans flourish

Opinion: Prioritizing purpose and values over moving fast and breaking things when it comes to new technology

Edith Law explains how we can ethically harness the power of new technologies for the betterment of humanity.

Black History Month

The University of Waterloo is proud to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black alumni and friends in our global community. As we celebrate their impact on the University and the world, we continue to work together to ensure that everyone belongs at UWaterloo.

Using deep learning for personalized cancer vaccines

Deep learning technology is making immunotherapy treatment more accurate and affordable

Dr. Ming Li, a Canada Research Chair in Bioinformatics and University Professor in the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science, is using deep learning technology to make personalized cancer vaccines accessible to everyone.

Q&A with the founders of the Computer Museum

The museum brings Waterloo’s storied computer history to life and provides insight into our relationship with technology

E-Ties spoke to the founders of the Computer Museum to find out what inspired them and why it’s so important to preserve our computer heritage. 

New dimension of the genome discovered

Distantly related organisms that live in extreme temperatures and pH conditions develop similar DNA

Researchers at the University of Waterloo have discovered that the DNA of some species called “extremophiles” living in comparably harsh environments is strikingly similar despite these organisms being only very distantly related.

Class notes

Find out what your former classmates are up to now!

Alumni on the move and getting noticed, kudos, what's happening in math, newly named scholarships, and in memoriam.

Events

Join us for fun and engaging events

Alumni events are a great way to stay connected to the Faculty of Mathematics and your fellow University of Waterloo alumni.

Dean's Letter

Celebrating commuity

We’ve had an exciting start to the fall term here in the Faculty of Mathematics.  

Russell Hiscock creates new statistics and actuarial science lab in M4

The former President and CEO of the CN Investment Division wants to see the Faculty take the next step in its evolution

When Russell Hiscock (BMath ’75) speaks to current students about his time at Waterloo, he tells them about having to wait in line in the Red Room, punch card in hand, to test a small snippet of code. Or about not being able to afford a calculator until his third year and having to do complex calculations, like standard deviation, manually.

Exploring the marvels of mathematics

Professor David McKinnon shares his perspective on the beauty, purpose and fun of pure mathematics

David McKinnon, chair of the Department of Pure Mathematics, is known throughout the Faculty of Mathematics for his sense of humour and enthusiasm for teaching.

Building community through puzzles

Q&A with Key Clues Principal Enigmatologist Ty Ghaswala

Ty Ghaswala (PhD ’17) is a Lecturer in the CEMC, an adjunct professor in Pure Math and the organizer (or Principal Enigmatologist) for the Key Clues Competition. Key Clues, which ran from September 27 to October 3, is a team-based community engagement and development activity that encourages undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, alumni, staff and faculty members to work together in groups of 3-6 to solve a series of puzzles.

CEMC's Ian VanderBurgh visits India

The Director of the Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing shared a message of the magic of math.

The trip was organized along with colleagues from the Faculty of Mathematics Undergraduate Recruitment team to attend conferences and special events. A highlight of this trip was VanderBurgh’s talk at the International Career and College Counseling (IC3) Conference and Expo, which took place late August in Hyderabad.

Why Waterloo's “man of all seasons” supports the CEMC

Distinguished professor emeritus Alan George builds on his remarkable legacy with a recent gift to the CEMC

Distinguished Professor Emeritus Alan George used to joke that he couldn’t keep a job. In truth, he so excelled in his many roles with the University that he was continually offered new ones. In his long and illustrious career, he was Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics twice (1980-1986, 1998-2005); Vice-President, Academic and Provost (1988-1993); Associate Provost, Information Systems and Technology (2003-2012); interim Vice-President, University Research (2006-2007); and interim Dean of Graduate Studies (2007-2009).

Events

Join us for engaging, informative and fun events

Alumni events are a great way to stay connected to the Faculty of Mathematics and your fellow University of Waterloo alumni.

Letter from the Dean

The future of Math

As we head into the summer, the University of Waterloo and the Faculty of Mathematics are looking to the future. Throughout 2022, the University of Waterloo asked the question: What do we aspire to be known for by our 100th anniversary in 2057?

A trick of the hat

The story of how a Waterloo computer science professor helped find the elusive einstein tile

A nearly 60-year-old mathematical problem has finally been solved.

Waterloo students pilot portable milk pasteurization device in Rwanda

Startup Safi tapped entrepreneurial resources including Velocity and Math Innovation Office to bring their idea to life

Waterloo student-founded company Safi – from the Swahili word for “pure” or “safe” – is a startup with an ambitious mission. They want to empower East African farmers to pasteurize milk cheaply and easily, with the ultimate goal of ending milk-transmitted disease.

Co-op students are crucial to the global growth of e-commerce startup

In four years, e-commerce startup Perpetua expanded from Canada to Asia, Europe and South America. Co-op students help to drive that growth.

Founded in Waterloo, Perpetua has grown from 40 employees to more than 200. Today, the e-commerce advertising software company is building tools to support giants like Amazon, Walmart, Instacart and Target.

Glow turns 50

Over 50 years, the Glow Centre has made a difference to thousands of LGBTQ+ folks. Three alumni share their stories.

For 50 years, the Glow Centre (previously GLOW, GLLOW and WUGLM) has fostered a supportive network for folks on campus and in the wider community. Throughout that time, it’s offered social events, peer support, advocacy and resources for anyone who needs it.

Indigenous History Month

This June, we have an exciting range of events planned in honour of National Indigenous History Month

It is our hope this month and every month that we move beyond words and take meaningful and direct actions on this shared journey towards reconciliation and decolonization.

Using generative AI to solve problems

Alexander Hudek (PhD ’10) shares his expert opinion on the future of large language models (LLMs) and guidance on how best to use them.

AI has captured the world's attention and imagination, fueling fears and excitement alike. Will it take our jobs? Bury us in fake content? Take over the world? What can individuals do in the face of such questions?

Game changers

How Waterloo Mathies are using data and new technology to change the way we play, officiate and watch sports

Propelled by new technology and the advance of big data, the sports industry has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. And at the forefront of this revolution are talented students, faculty and alumni from the University of Waterloo's renowned Faculty of Mathematics. From optimizing player performance to enhancing fan engagement, Mathies are using their mathematical expertise to forge the future of sports.

Events

Join us for in-person and virtual events

Alumni events are a great way to stay connected to the Faculty of Mathematics and your fellow University of Waterloo alumni.

Event recap: WWIN celebrates International Women in Mathematics Day

The event featured a keynote presentation by Professor Hilary Bergsieker about creating inclusive cultures in STEM

On May 12, the Waterloo Women’s Impact Network (WWIN) celebrated International Women in Mathematics Day with round-table discussions and a presentation by Hilary Bergsieker, associate professor of psychology at the University of Waterloo, about how to create inclusive cultures in STEM. The event is open to alumni, faculty, students, and staff.

Letter from the Editor: Celebrating alumni achievement and impact

One of the greatest pleasures of my role as Associate Dean Operations and Academic of the Faculty of Mathematics is getting to meet with our talented alumni. It is inspiring to hear about their innovative work–how they’re using their mathematical training in highly creative ways to solve big problems­.

Announcing the 2022 Alumni Achievement Medal winners

For this special anniversary year, the Faculty of Mathematics is recognizing 10 remarkable Mathies

The awards committee chose 5 winners for each award this year: one for each year from 2019 to 2021 and two for 2022 in recognition of it being the 20th anniversary of the Alumni Achievement Medal and the 10th anniversary of the Young Alumni Achievement Medal. The medallists will be presented their medals at an event during Alumni Weekend on June 3, 2023.

Representing your authentic self in digital space

Waterloo alum who co-founded Bitmoji hopes personalizing your avatar will bring you closer to the people you communicate with online 

Among the great liberating qualities of the digital world is that it allows many people to express themselves, free from the constraints of the physical world.  David Kennedy's BitmojiFor David Kennedy (BMath ’02), vice-president and co-founder of the digital avatar company Bitmoji, the ways people represent themselves and identify online should be about empowerment and breaking free of constraints. 

Student-produced mathNEWS turns 50

The first issue, published January 25, 1973, was introduced as an informal alternative to existing student publications, containing “not much math and even less news.”

mathNEWS (the title styling has remained both consistent and deeply insistent) featured a mixture of hand-drawn comic strips, fiction, nonfiction pieces on everything from mathematical proofs to cafeteria food, and classified ads. Students advertised intramural sports teams and looked for missed connections, conducted interviews with experts and wrote long musings on failed romantic endeavors.

Black History Month

The University of Waterloo and the Faculty of Mathematics celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black community members during Black History Month and throughout the year.

Read stories about Black alumni and community members.

These 5 Math alumni are blazing trails for women in mathematics

With International Women’s Day just around the corner, we celebrate exceptional alumni who identify as women

International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. To mark the occasion, we are sharing the stories of the 5 pioneering Waterloo alumni who identify as women.

Can your Wi-Fi devices be used to spy on you?

The many Wi-Fi devices that pervade our homes, workplaces and lives use an encrypted network to communicate securely, yet despite cryptographic protection they may be leaking sensitive information.

The many Wi-Fi devices that pervade our homes, workplaces and lives — from phones and smartwatches to TVs and voice assistants to desktops, laptops, tablets, security systems, and more — use an encrypted network to communicate securely, yet despite cryptographic protection they may be leaking sensitive information.

Optimizing surgical plans: an update on donor-supported research

Safer, quicker surgeries for babies with craniosynostosis are possible thanks to Waterloo alum’s generous support

Our donors make possible research that improves, and sometimes even saves, lives. That may sound like an exaggeration, but it’s true. Case in point: Steve Cheng (BMath ’77), the Founder, Chair and Executive Director of Telefield International (Holdings) Limited, is generously funding research that enables more precise and effective surgical plans.

Class notes

Find out what your former classmates are up to now!

Alumni on the move and getting noticed, kudos, what's happening in maths, newly named scholarships, and in memoriam.

Alumni Events

Join us for in-person and virtual events

Alumni events are a great way to stay connected to the Faculty of Mathematics and your fellow University of Waterloo alumni.

Is there a formula for success?

Alex and Heather Hoff share how they’ve used the same approach to build two very different businesses

What does it take to become a successful entrepreneur? According to Alex Hoff, founder and chief product officer at Auvik, and his wife Heather Hoff, founder of Amarok IP law firm, there are some constants: good ideas, hard work, and commitment. But for this family, the optimized variable is balance.

Help the Faculty of Mathematics unlock over $15,000 this Giving Tuesday!

Giving Tuesday is a worldwide 24-hour celebration of generosity

Three donors have come forward to be Challenge Champions for the Faculty of Mathematics. If 20 people donate to the fund they are championing, it will unlock their gift.

Later.com co-founder Ian Mackinnon helps launch the Entrepreneurship Fund

MacKinnon (BMath ’06, MMath ’08) gave to the Fund with the aim of strengthening the culture of entrepreneurship in the Faculty of Mathematics

The Faculty of Mathematics has been a home to bold and visionary creators since day one.

Alumni Events

Join us for virtual and in-person events

Alumni events are a great way to stay connected to the Faculty of Mathematics and your fellow University of Waterloo alumni.

Class notes

Find out what your former classmates are up to now!

Alumni on the move and getting noticed, kudos, what's happening in maths, newly named scholarships, and in memoriam.

Don Cowan receives honorary J.W. Graham Medal in Innovation and Computing at Graham Symposium

On Saturday, October 1, distinguished professor emeritus Don Cowan (MSc ’61, PhD ’65) received an honorary J.W. Graham Medal in Innovation and Computing at the Wes Graham Symposium.

Co-op student uses computer science and psychology skills to help bring people joy through a mental health app

When Colorful Zone needed a helping hand to launch their mobile app Joyi, they looked to emerging talent like co-op students for solutions.

Waterloo math alumnus helps develop world's fastest computer

Noel Chalmers (PhD ’15) wrote the LINPACK benchmarking code for Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Frontier, establishing it as the world’s first exascale computer

How did Waterloo alumnus Noel Chalmers end up a key member of the team responsible for the world’s fastest computer?

Letter from the Dean: Wes Graham and the future of computing at Waterloo

At the beginning of October,I had the great pleasure to participate in the Wes Graham Symposium. What struck me about the event was that, while celebrating and remembering the ‘father of computing’ at Waterloo, the occasionfelt uniquely forward-looking. Graham Research Fellows shared their groundbreaking work and gave us a glimpse of the future.

PureFacts CEO, Robert Madej: Dream big and go for it!

One family’s spirit and resilience led them to Waterloo – now they’re helping others

Robert Madej, CEO of PureFacts Financial Solutions Inc., was a young man with a plan. His dream was to study mathematics and start a business, and he was going to make it happen. But his high school guidance counselor had doubts and encouraged him to become a math teacher or an actuary instead, both lucrative professions with job security. Despite the counselor’s best efforts, there was no changing Madej’s mind.

How co-op alumni founders are shaping the future through innovation

The road to entrepreneurship begins with an idea. For Pooja Viswanathan (BMath ’06) and Joseph Lee (BMath ’99), their journeys began with ideas that sparked during their co-op student work term experiences.   Viswanathan (she/her), CEO and founder of Braze Mobility, provides navigation solutions for wheelchair users. She has spent over a decade researching smart wheelchairs to make them safer and increase user independence.  

Letter from the Editor

Building on an entrepreneurial tradition

The Faculty of Mathematics’ entrepreneurial prowess is no secret. We’re known in Canada and across the world as a hotbed for innovative new ventures. I like to think the entrepreneurial spirit is embedded in our institutional DNA and thus central to who we are and how we see the world. Our early visionaries—giants like Don Cowan and Wes Graham—were among the first to recognize the revolutionary potential of the computer. Unwavering in their conviction that computing would shape the future and that Waterloo could be one of its birthplaces, they worked tirelessly to bring an IBM 360/75 mainframe—the most powerful computer in Canada at the time—to the Davis Centre.

From bars to the boardroom, building a startup at UWaterloo

Waterloo’s unique education helped Ronuk Raval (BMath ’15) become the successful founder of Encircle. Now he’s training the next generation of math entrepreneurs.

Ronuk Raval had a mix of hardware and software focus in high school and felt it was a tie between computer science and mechatronics when deciding what to study at university, but the flexibility of computer science really won him over. Ronuk specifically applied to Waterloo because the idea of trying out six different jobs through co-op in a short time frame was a unique experience and something you seldom get the chance to do in your professional career.

Innovation and entrepreneurship for a better world

Faculty of Mathematics student Jason Amri takes on global plastic waste with his company 3cycle

Jason Amri is an undergraduate student and Schulich Leader in the Faculty of Mathematics, currently working on a double degree in computer science and business administration. Along with taking classes and working 9 to 5 for a co-op employer, Amri is an entrepreneur and a shining example of Waterloo’s spirit of innovation. The star student is a natural leader and has tirelessly worked to create opportunities to make the world a better place.

Class notes

Find out what your former classmates are up to now!

Alumni on the move and getting noticed, kudos, what's happening in maths, newly named scholarships, and in memoriam.