Current students

Friday, March 15, 2024

Just hold on

by Wendy Philpott, Faculty of Arts

When the organizers of a violence prevention program for children and youth invited Dr. Adam Ellis to contribute a recorded lecture to their array of teaching resources, he wasn’t all that keen. Instead, he pitched a hip hop song.

“From a communication standpoint, it was really important for me to get the message out this way,” says Ellis, an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology and Legal Studies.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Sustainable farming practices vital for Ontario's environmental health

by Jordan Flemming, University Relations

Ontario's agricultural sector plays a significant role in the province's economy. In 2021, agriculture contributed nearly $10 billion to Ontario's GDP, employing 67,000 people directly and over 740,000 in related agri-food industries. However, the environmental impact of modern farming practices cannot be overlooked. Especially, large-scale industrial farming practices can contribute to soil erosion, water and air pollution and biodiversity loss.

And as climate change impacts continue to escalate, the imperative for sustainable farming practices becomes ever more pressing.

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Inspiring inclusion at Waterloo

by Angelica Marie Sanchez, University Relations

“International Women's Day is a celebration of ideals such as diversity, equity and inclusion, and it is a celebration of the achievements of all women,” said Vivek Goel, University of Waterloo’s president and vice-chancellor, in his opening address at the International Women’s Day (IWD) breakfast event held at Federation Hall. 

Monday, March 11, 2024

Snow study takes flight

by Jordan Flemming, University Relations

A research team led by Dr. Richard Kelly, a professor in Geography and Environmental Management at Waterloo, uses a novel radar-based technology to provide more insight into snowpacks and their implications for climate change, water resource management and hazard prediction.

Snowpacks form in cold regions and high elevations, accumulating due to layers upon layers of snow. As they melt, snowpacks serve as vital water resources — feeding streams, rivers and reservoirs.

Friday, March 8, 2024

Empowering future engineers through diversity and sustainability

by Val Maloney, Faculty of Engineering

Dr. Nadine Ibrahim, a professor in the University of Waterloo’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Turkstra Chair in Urban Engineering, never misses a chance to inspire her students to think about how the application of their knowledge could create solutions that improve and sustain our humanity and prosperity.  

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Helping women take charge of their health

by Nicola Kelly, Faculty of Engineering

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. It’s almost always caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) which can be passed from one person to another during sex. The Pap test (or Pap smear) screens women for cervical cancer but regular testing can be difficult to access — in Ontario, women are only eligible for the test every three years. This is cause for concern as early detection is key to treating cervical cancer successfully.

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Growing connections with community organizations

by Angelica Marie Sanchez, University Relations

On March 5, eight local charities pitched their organization’s story and impact at the Perfect Pitch 2024 event, presented by the philanthropic organization, Social Venture Partners Waterloo Region (SVPWR). The Perfect Pitch workshop series provided each charity with a team of dedicated coaches, including University of Waterloo alumni, who offered personal coaching, practice opportunities and feedback, all leading up to their final pitch at Federation Hall.  

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Four takeaways from Digital Health 2024

by Jordan Flemming, University Relations

Digital Health 2024 at Stanford University showcased successful collaborations among tech and life science companies, government organizations and academia in advancing digital health solutions. As health technologies evolve, they present unprecedented challenges and opportunities to improve patient care and individual health outcomes. From remote monitoring to artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostics, these technologies facilitate data collection, analysis and innovative life-changing therapies.