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The Faculty of Mathematics recognizes three graduate students for their outstanding research papers. Sam Harris from Pure Mathematics and Ahmad Abdi from Combinatorics and Optimization each receive the 2018 Huawei prize, while Michael Cormier from the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science wins the Murray Martin prize. The three PhD award winners include:

When an election is held we often employ a peculiar kind of logic. As we mull over the candidates we may have a top choice, but if we think our preferred candidate isn’t going to win we might vote for our second choice. Or maybe we cast a ballot for our second choice because we want to make sure that a frontrunner who doesn’t represent our view loses.

The Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo’s Equity Committee has awarded a 2018 Equity and Inclusivity Award to Women in Computer Science — a group of dedicated undergrad students, graduate students and faculty members that promotes women who are interested in studying computer science and who are pursuing careers in computing.

At 14, Mubina Chunari hadn’t chosen her dream job, but she knew she loved math. At the time, she couldn’t figure out how to make a living by loving math and it was holding her back. The only adults she’d met with careers in math were either university professors or her own teachers. Although teaching interested her, she wanted a career outside of academics that would fit more into her personal growth goals.

Professor Samer Al-Kiswany, one of two researchers at the University of Waterloo among 186 recipients nationally, received $50k in funding through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund.

Khuzaima Daudjee has been elevated to the grade of Senior Member by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, an honour bestowed to IEEE members who have made significant contributions to the profession.

Waterloo graduate student David Qian, under the guidance of the Faculty of Mathematics’ Ricardo Fukasawa and Jochen Koenemann, introduced optimization techniques based on integer and dynamic programming to surgeons at SickKids hospital. By applying mathematical optimization algorithms, Qian and team advised doctors on the best surgical cut points to minimize the volume-difference between the surgically modified skull, and an ideal skull.

PhD candidate Mike Schaekermann is one of 39 recipients globally and the only candidate from Canada to receive a prestigious 2018 Google PhD Fellowship. Established in 2009 and awarded annually since, Google PhD Fellowships recognize and support exceptional doctoral students as they pursue their research, as well as connect them to a Google Research Mentor.