Current students

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Connecting kids with nature for a greener future

by Beth Bohnert, Office of Advancement

Splashing through a creek in her rubber boots. Creating leaf pattern transfers with crayons. Enjoying the outdoors with friends. These are just some of the happy memories University of Waterloo staffer Sophia Diebold has of her childhood experiences at the rare Charitable Research Reserve.  

Monday, November 11, 2024

Waterloo alum inspires student innovations in women’s health

by Angelica Marie Sanchez, University Relations

University of Waterloo alum and founder of Hyivy Health, Rachel Bartholomew (MBET ’14), returned to campus as a collaborator of Velocity and FemTech Canada’s Innovation Challenge, where more than 100 students formed teams to address three critical areas of women’s health: menopause, gynecological health and breast health.  

Rachel Bartholomew speaking at the FemTech Innovation Challenge

Friday, November 8, 2024

From small lab to global additive manufacturing powerhouse

by Darren McAlmont, University Relations

In 2004, the Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing (MSAM) Lab at the University of Waterloo was a small, 150 square foot, windowless space. Today, it has expanded to become the largest metal additive manufacturing (AM) academic research lab in Canada, with more than $25 million in infrastructure, and is one of the most comprehensive university-based metal AM facilities globally.  

Friday, November 8, 2024

Waterloo quantum tech launches into space aboard SpaceX flight

by Naomi Grosman, Institute for Quantum Computing

A photon detector module designed, assembled and programmed at University of Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) launched into space earlier this week aboard a SpaceX flight and will soon arrive at the International Space Station. It will be used for quantum entanglement science experiments as part of the Space Entanglement and Annealing Quantum Experiment (SEAQUE) implemented by an international consortium under leadership from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 

In a landscape where well-funded companies with substantial computational resources dominate, student founders must rapidly test their ideas to stay competitive.

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Celebrating 20 years of architectural excellence in the Cambridge community

by Charlotte Danby, Faculty of Engineering

In 2004, the University of Waterloo’s School of Architecture moved from the Waterloo campus to a repurposed silk mill in Cambridge, Ontario, to expand its facilities. The school’s new location in the heart of historic Galt was supported by the City of Cambridge and local businesses who recognized its potential to revitalize the municipality’s downtown core.  

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

New AI chatbot could be the ‘door’ to mental health

by Mayuri Punithan, Cheriton School of Computer Science

A University of Waterloo student developed an AI-powered app to help people exhibiting early signs of a mental health condition. 

Described as “your daily mental health coach,” the app, Doro, offers 30-minute chat sessions where users can express their concerns and feelings about anything. From feeling overwhelmed with an assignment to self-esteem issues, the chatbot can suggest various cognitive and behavioural techniques commonly used by therapists like journaling, exposure or mindfulness.  

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Building a strong community for educational innovation

by Sarah Seabrook, Office of the Associate Academic Vice President and Teaching Innovation Incubator

The University of Waterloo is known for being one of the world’s leading innovative research institutions. However, the University also has a strong commitment to advancing teaching excellence and pedagogical innovation.

Monday, November 4, 2024

Advancing X-ray technology around the world

by Darren McAlmont, University Relations

Since its founding in 2015, KA Imaging, a Waterloo spinoff, has been revolutionizing X-ray technology in Canada and around the world. 

The company was founded by three visionary Waterloo alumni: Amol Karnick (BASc ’95), Sina Ghanbarzadeh (MASc ’14, in memoriam) and Dr. Karim Karim (BASc ’99, PhD ’03) who all had a goal to create significant social impact by advancing X-ray imaging technology. 

Today, KA Imaging has grown to more than 50 employees, with its innovative products being utilized in 10 countries across three continents. 

Monday, November 4, 2024

Researchers help solar power take flight

by Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics

Solar panels have the power to make the aviation industry greener than it’s ever been, but they can also impose challenges for pilots and air traffic control. Fortunately, University of Waterloo researchers are discovering ways to make this vital source of clean energy work for airports around the world.