From sustainable additive manufacturing and climate change to quantum molecular dynamics and human health, Waterloo researchers are leading future-focused researchers projects
Nine researchers at the University of Waterloo have been awarded $7.5 million in funding to support their research as part of the illustrious Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program.
Each year, the CRC program invests up to $311 million to attract and retain some of the world’s most accomplished and promising minds.
The announcement was made by the Honourable Yasir Naqvi, Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry at Carleton University in Ottawa.
Waterloo’s five newest CRCs represent some of Canada’s top researchers in their respective disciplines. They join a large network of established Chairholders who are working across the University’s six interconnected faculties to transform societies, economies, technologies, sustainability and health for humanity to thrive in our complex future.
“Congratulations to Waterloo’s new and renewed Canada Research Chairs. This year’s awardees represent an exciting array of excellent work advancing important topics,” says Charmaine Dean, vice-president, Research and International. “These projects are aimed at improving the lives of Canadians, for example, the development of wearable sensors for those with Alzheimer’s disease, improving manufacturing and keeping critical infrastructure safe.”
Meet Waterloo’s four new Canada Research Chairs:
Dr. Mina Tahmasbi Arashloo | Faculty of Mathematics Tier 2 NSERC CRC in Minimizing Human Error in Operating Modern Networks
$500,000 + $100,000 Federal Research Fund
The online services used for work, banking, shopping, learning and media access rely on complex computer networks with thousands of sophisticated and evolving software and hardware components that handle millions of concurrent data transfers. As such, the operators who manage this complexity can make mistakes. Dr. Mina Arashloo’s research aims to minimize human error in operating modern computer networks. Her team will develop novel techniques and systems that draw from theoretical and practical areas of computer science to conduct automated formal analysis, efficient implementation, and monitoring of network components. Her research will equip network engineers and operators with rigorous and automated assistance in detecting and preventing errors, helping to make networks robust, reliable and efficient.
Dr. Juewen Liu | Faculty of Science Tier 1 NSERC CRC in Biosensors and Bionanotechnology
$1,400,000
DNA has excellent stability and is relatively easy to modify via chemical synthesis, which can overcome the inadequacies of proteins. Dr. Juewen Liu’s research on aptamer-based biosensors and drug delivery will provide a solid understanding of aptamers and innovative, practical, and cost-effective solutions for critical healthcare and environmental problems. Further, Lui’s research in biosensors and bionanotechnology will allow him to strategically expand his team to recruit needed expertise and establish new collaborations to enable a high-impact research trajectory towards wearable biosensors, ocular drug delivery systems, and diagnostic tools for diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Rebecca Saari | Faculty of Engineering Tier 2 NSERC CRC in Global Change, Atmosphere, and Health
$500,000 + $100,000 Federal Research Fund
Dr. Rebecca Saari’s research will develop tools to evaluate climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies’ impacts on health while addressing gaps identified by Health Canada. Additionally, this research focuses on the health implications of air pollution and climate variability, evaluating the costs and benefits of solutions like carbon pricing, alerts, and improved building codes to reduce health risks, including from heat and wildfires. The insights will help policymakers equitably protect Canadians from air pollution, supporting sustainable policy solutions amid climate change.
Dr. Mihaela Vlasea | Faculty of Engineering Tier 2 NSERC CRC in Sustainable Additive Manufacturing
$500,000 + $100,000 Federal Research Fund
Dr. Mihaela Vlasea’s research will address sustainability in manufacturing by advancing binder jetting additive manufacturing (BJAM), an efficient, scalable and cost-effective technology for part production. With a focus on sustainable solutions, the research involves three key objectives: processing innovation through the development of advanced BJAM systems, creating digital twins for process monitoring and optimization, and developing sustainable materials for BJAM. By overcoming barriers like quality and material limitations, this work aims to enable BJAM for industrial-scale use, enhancing eco-friendly production that aligns with global environmental and economic goals.
The following are Waterloo researchers who had their CRC funding renewed.
Dr. Christine Dow | Faculty of Environment Tier 2 NSERC CRC in Glacier Hydrology and Ice Dynamics
$500,000
Ice sheets and glaciers are poised to contribute significant volumes of water to the ocean, causing global sea level rise, Dr. Christine Dow’s research will improve our understanding of the interactions between ice dynamics and hydrology by using coupled models of subglacial hydrology and ice dynamics to examine Antarctic ice flow drivers, determining the role of hydrology in past and future Antarctic ice dynamics to improve sea level rise estimates, evaluating the impact of surface water input on basal systems for both the Greenland Ice Sheet and for Antarctica as air temperatures warm and surface water becomes more prolific, and developing improved mass estimates of Canadian glaciers for sea level rise projections and water resource evaluation using geophysical techniques.
Dr. Nicole Nolette | Faculty of Arts Tier 2 SSHRC CRC in études des minorités (Minority Studies)
$500,000
Addressing hopes and fears of French-speaking minorities about the future of their language and cultures in Canada, Dr. Nicole Nolette's research will contribute to sustainable frameworks for systemic change for francophone and other minoritized theatre artists, educators and learners. Her research draws on theatre studies and digital humanities to document and amplify sites of minority artistic production, circulation and training. By bringing together minoritized and non-minoritized artists, artist-educators, students, arts associations, and researchers, the CRC program will improve the working and learning conditions of minoritized artists, educators and students in Canada.
Dr. Juan Moreno-Cruz | Faculty of Environment Tier 2 SSHRC CRC in Energy Transitions
$500,000
Societies around the world need to shift towards economies that emit zero emissions. This shift is crucial for mitigating the effects of climate change and air pollution on the environment and economy. The transition to a low-carbon energy system represents a monumental challenge for the current generation. Dr. Juan Moreno-Cruz’s research in energy transitions addresses this challenge. His research focuses on understanding the development of the existing energy system, the influence of energy accessibility on the formation of present-day urban systems, and the future role of energy and urbanization in impending energy transitions.
Dr. Pierre-Nicholas Roy | Faculty of Science Tier 1 NSERC CRC in Quantum Molecular Dynamics
$1,400,000
Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Quantum Molecular Dynamics
Dr. Pierre-Nicholas Roy’s research focuses on understanding the dynamics of complex molecular systems through theoretical approaches and numerical algorithms for computer simulations. He simulates large biomolecular systems down to extreme quantum mechanical situations where both dispersion and quantum statistical effects must be accounted for, as is in the case of quantum clusters and fluids. His most recent research is focused on discovering a quantum phase transition in the water molecule and using spin conversion to preserve quantum information.
Dr. Ehsan Toyserkani | Faculty of Engineering Tier 1 NSERC CRC in Intelligent Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing
Amount: $1,400,000
Dr. Ehsan Toyerskani’s research program advances laser-based metal additive manufacturing (AM) for industrial applications, focusing on quality, sustainability and resilience in production. The two main objectives driving his work are (1) developing AI-driven quality assurance for in-situ monitoring to detect anomalies during AM processes and (2) integrating life cycle assessment into design and quality algorithms to support sustainable AM. This research aligns with the University of Waterloo’s strategic goals, emphasizing sustainable manufacturing. The program will enhance Canada’s AM capabilities by training skilled professionals and supporting the transition to scalable, reliable and environmentally conscious AM technologies in sectors like aerospace and automotive.
These projects are made possible by the Canada Research Chair program.
The University of Waterloo also received $10,016,457 as part of the Government of Canada’s Research Support Fund. Another $1,824,183 was awarded to the University through the Incremental Project Grants program, and $756,809 through the Research Security Grant program.
