Feature

Letter

from the Dean

I am very pleased to share with you the Fall issue of E-Ties—my first as Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics.

How math is revolutionizing medicine

Clinical trials in medicine are slow, expensive, and most fail. Can mathematical models help us find life-saving drugs faster and more efficiently?

Anita Layton is a Canada 150 Research Chair for her work in Mathematical Biology and Medicine and a member of the Department of Applied Mathematics at the University of Waterloo. Recently, she hosted a panel discussion on math in medicine as part of the University of Waterloo’s Alumni Black and Gold Day at Home celebrations. The following is an excerpt from her opening remarks. The full discussion can be viewed here.

Mathematics alumnus Alfred Simpson reflects on a life of rich learning

November is Indigenous Education Month—read on to learn about how the Faculty of Mathematics is supporting Indigenous students at Waterloo

Alfred Simpson is a lifelong learner. When the BMath (’70) grad looks back on his time at Waterloo, he recalls: “I wanted to excel at everything I did for its own sake.”

Launching the Waterloo Women’s Impact Network

On May 12, 2020 - International Women in Mathematics Day - Waterloo did something special to mark this occasion by launching the Waterloo Women’s Impact Network (WWIN).

Igniting the spirit of entrepreneurship in the Faculty of Mathematics

Waterloo’s Faculty of Mathematics is truly uncommon. At most universities, departmental branches of mathematics are typically housed within a faculty of science or a faculty of arts. But at Waterloo mathematics is a faculty. In fact, Waterloo is the only university in North America to have an entire faculty devoted to the study of mathematics and computer science.

Class notes

Alumni on the move and getting noticed…

Alumni on the move and getting noticed…

Recent alumni events

We are virtual and connecting globally!

We are virtual and connecting globally!

Letter from the Editor

My name is Keer Liu and I’m excited to be the guest editor of the Spring issue of Math e-Ties

My name is Keer Liu and I’m excited to be the guest editor of the Spring issue of Math e-Ties

Math alumni and faculty speak out against racism

In the wake of recent events in the US, we asked Nigel Henriques (BMath '83) and Interim Dean Kevin Hare (BMath '97) to share their thoughts on what the Faculty of Math family can do to combat racism on campus, in Canada and across the world.

Math alumni celebrate and inspire the class of 2020

As new graduates prepare to navigate a recession, math alumni shared stories and strategies as part of a day-long virtual event

As new graduates prepare to navigate a recession, math alumni shared stories and strategies as part of a day-long virtual event

Long-time Waterloo donor responds to call to support the Student Emergency Support Fund

Shanku Niyogi (BMath CS '94)

Researchers create a new system to protect users’ online data

Researchers have created a software-based system, called Mitigator, that helps Internet users ensure their online data is secure

Researchers have created a software-based system, called Mitigator, that helps Internet users ensure their online data is secure

Gamifying math to build skill and confidence

Supporting teachers and parents during COVID-19 and beyond

Supporting teachers and parents during COVID-19 and beyond

Women in math are not alone

Waterloo Women’s Impact Network celebrates women in math today, and everyday

Waterloo Women’s Impact Network celebrates women in math today, and everyday

Math celebrates volunteers on National Volunteer Week

Celebrating math volunteers

Recent alumni events

Engaging virtually in the Spring of 2020

Class notes

Alumni on the move and getting noticed…

Alumni on the move and getting noticed…

Letter from the Dean

We are living in a new world

Calculating the future

How a former Waterloo student is helping local retailers prepare and predict the impacts of COVID-19

How a former Waterloo student is helping local retailers prepare and predict the impacts of COVID-19

Applying enterprising ideas from mathematics and computer science to help solve societal and environmental problems

Professor Jesse Hoey, the new Associate Dean of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Faculty of Mathematics, wants to inspire others to apply social entrepreneurship — enterprising, innovative ideas — to solve our most pressing social and environmental problems.

Math is the new microscope

Waterloo researcher is bridging math and medicine to develop future scientists

Mathematicians help build better surgical plans

When doctors wanted the best outcomes, they called on math researchers at Waterloo

Math and health: Focused on prediction, precision, prevention and treatments

The world of health care is rapidly changing as big data, artificial intelligence (AI), new technologies and systems disrupt traditional health care. The future of medicine is being reimagined with these advancements. In the Faculty of Mathematics, researchers, students, and alumni are developing new ways to look at the world of medicine and health care. This is impacting predictions, precision, and prevention and treatment and can help people live healthier lives.

C&O alumnus’ biotech company wins at Velocity pitch competition

Isaac Ellmen (BMath ’19) and his co-founder Danielle Rose (BSc ‘19, University of Guelph) were one of the recipients of the grand prize of direct equity investments worth $50,000 in the Velocity Fund Competition in Toronto on September 19, 2019. SquidBio was started in November of 2018 and later joined Velocity Science.

Alumni events

What is happening in math?

Class notes

Find out what your former classmates are up to now!

Letter from the Dean

At convocation on June 14th, we saw the 40,000th alumnus from the Faculty of Mathematics walk across the stage. After our October convocation proceedings, we can now celebrate 40,878 alumni around the world.

Your "why" matters for meaningful work

Alumnus and entrepreneur Rudy Karsan shares life lessons and his views on the future of work

Immigrating to Canada with his family in 1973, Rudy Karsan (BMath '79) came to UWaterloo to become an Actuary. At the time, it was considered the highest paying job in Canada, and money was a primary driver for Rudy. He graduated a year early, wrote his exams quickly, and became a Fellow by his mid-twenties.

From investment banker to personal finance expert

Alumnae Michelle Hung helps women take control of their financial futures

Where should I invest? A common question Michelle Hung (BMath '08) receives and one she is committed to helping women answer as The Sassy Investor.

Finance programs in the Faculty of Mathematics

We're going beyond

At both the undergraduate and graduate levels, we offer programs that focus on the math behind the financials, and we’re going beyond to include programs that will prepare our students for the future of fintech.

Machine-learning earnings

Novel approach triples investment success

University of Waterloo researchers have developed a new framework that increases the probability of meeting your investment target by threefold.

Stocks 10 to 20 years old could be in investment sweet spot

Researchers have discovered that stocks listed on the market for between 10 and 20 years could be in a sweet spot for investment.

The new study from the University of Waterloo suggests that investing in stocks listed on the market for between 10 and 20 years could – on average – increase your expected returns.

Alumni events

We've been busy!

See where Math has traveled since our last e-Ties edition.

Class notes

Find out what your former classmates are up to now!

Alumni on the move and getting noticed… BMath ’74: John Dark, President of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, is part of the call for discussions by Canadian actuaries on the retirement age 

Letter from the Dean

Looking back at women in math at Waterloo

When I was young, I enjoyed all of my school subjects, but it was my math homework that I always started first. When it came time to choose a field of study at university, there was little question of which route I would take.

Maura Grossman named Director of Women in Computer Science

In January 2019, Professor Grossman became Waterloo's second Director of Women in Computer Science.

I am a transplanted New Yorker who spent the majority of her life in Manhattan — until I moved to Waterloo in June of 2016. While so much of my career — first as a clinical psychologist and hospital administrator, and later as a civil litigator — has been heavily structured, I love the freedom of the road trip.

Waterloo Mathematics Helping to Solve the Problems of Inequity

Professor Anita Layton’s contributions to research, which have included revealing the molecular mechanisms behind different responses to treatments for hypertension among men and women; and uncovering potential side effects of a new “miracle drug” for diabetes, have resulted in her being named the Canada 150 Research Chair in Mathematical Biology and Medicine.

Shattered Secrets

PhD candidate Erinn Atwater, an expert in the Cryptography, Security, and Privacy group at the Cheriton School of Computer Science, has developed an Android app for reporters and activists so they can encrypt their smartphones to protect sensitive information before crossing the border.

Mathematics Grad Brings Style and Service to Senior’s Daily Living Aids

After her mother suffered a stroke, Aries Lee devised an entrepreneurial idea that would change her mother’s life and bring a sense of style to home assistance living aids.

Native to China, Lee came to Canada to complete high school and went on to pursue a Bachelor of Mathematics, graduating in 2005 from the University of Waterloo. “It’s known for being the top school for math, so getting into Waterloo was my ideal goal,” Lee explained.

Recruiting talent around the world

Amelia Burton travels to 16 countries to present math workshops to the next generation of mathematicians and computer scientists.

For Amelia Burton, it’s all about inspiring the next generation of mathematicians and computer scientists. She splits her time between Waterloo and 16 countries across North America, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.

Alumni Events

NOVEMBER 2018 Fall Open House brought over 5,000 prospective students and their families to the Math buildings on November 3. From information sessions to sample lectures, from tours to a contest workshop, faculty, staff and student volunteers introduced to the Faculty of Mathematics to excited high school students.

Class Notes

Find out what your former classmates are up to now!

Alumni on the move and getting noticed… BSC ‘2011: Alex Millar, the founder of the fast-growing startup Bonfire will be in New York City to ring the bell during closing ceremonies Tuesday at the Nasdaq Stock Exchange.

Letter from the Dean

The start of a new academic year brings many new faces to campus. During Orientation we inducted our newest members of the Waterloo Math family during the traditional Pink Tie Ceremony.

An Inspiring Community: Fostering a Creative and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem at Waterloo

Waterloo alumni Henry Shi and Hussein Fazal share the early experiences that helped prepare them to launch SnapTravel

Waterloo launches the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute

The Faculty of Mathematics leads a collaborative institute

The Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute was formed to uncover new approaches to security and privacy and educating Canada’s future leaders to be able to understand and respond to emerging online threats.

Worried about retirement? You’re not the only one.

Today Canadians nearing retirement expect to work longer, and many that have just retired had that same expectation. Within that group, the majority believe they’ll also have low liquid retirement assets.

Entrepreneurship in the Faculty of Mathematics

Mathematicians and computer scientists are natural problem solvers. It is this innate curiousity and tenacity that provides fertile ground for ideation, creation. For the entrepreneurial-minded, the logical outcome is commercialization.

Alumni Events

Be sure to mark your calendar and join us at an upcoming event!

Class Notes

Find out what your classmates have been up to!

Find out what your classmates are up to!

Letter from the Dean

This June, we proudly welcomed 1,141 new alumni, as degrees were conferred over the course of two convocation ceremonies.