Future students

As the triumphant last notes of Frédéric Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 rang out, the packed auditorium filled with thunderous applause.

Catherine He, the pianist performing the concerto, is not a professional musician, or even a music major, but rather an undergraduate computer science student at the University of Waterloo.

Waterloo’s Sustainability Office hosted its tenth-annual Eco Summit on November 22, 2023, to showcase sustainability achievements, celebrate progress and build connections with our campus community.  

The summit focused on how we can — and must — continue to accelerate sustainability action in our teaching and research activities. Action is also required in how we operate our campus, and in the ways we engage with one another as departments and individuals. 

Dr.

Blake Patterson’s first time pitching his business Landscape Direct was at the Velocity Pitch Competition last fall. Now, the online plant distributor has expanded into the U.S. market, selling plants through a distributor in Chicago to customers in Illinois and Wisconsin.  

The Waterloo Engineering community came together to celebrate the exceptional achievements of four alumni and an industry supporter of the Faculty at this year’s Engineering Awards Dinner.  

Hosted by Dr. Mary Wells, dean of engineering, the event recognized an advocate of applied biotechnology research, a tech business leader, an expert in novel medical devices and stem cell therapy, a globally renowned luthier and a valued friend of the Faculty. 

The recipients of this year’s awards are: 

Baoling Chen — Rising Star Alumni Achievement Medal 

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a top global threat to both human health and food security — with significant negative economic impacts — yet most people are unaware of the harm it is causing to society.

Ahmad Mahfoud has experienced many hardships and losses as a refugee from Syria. Now, though, thanks in part to the Waterloo Eye Institute at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science, he’s on the cusp of gaining something he never thought he’d have – a driver’s license.

The University of Waterloo welcomed Royal Society of Canada (RSC) academics from across Canada, as they participated in a full-day symposium on Health and Well-being for All by 2030: Application of technology to global health problems, held at Federation Hall on November 16. 

The RSC and Waterloo share a common goal of addressing local and global challenges through future-focused solutions that have real-world impact. So, it was fitting that Waterloo hosted this year’s RSC Celebration of Excellence and Engagement conference (#COEE2023) to discuss the future of health.  

Ten University of Waterloo faculty members have been named on the annual Highly Cited Researchers™ 2023 list from Clarivate.

In addition, one former postdoctoral researcher and a PhD candidate also made the list.

Highly Cited Researchers™ are influential researchers at universities, research institutes and commercial organizations around the world who have demonstrated significant and broad influence in their field(s) of research.

The University of Waterloo welcomes eight new postdoctoral scholars, as the inaugural group funded through the Provost’s Program for Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars and the Provo