Research

When Dr. Mihaela Vlasea’s (BASc ’08, PhD ’14) high school teacher encouraged her to apply to Waterloo’s inaugural mechatronics program, she didn’t imagine that less than 20 years later, she’d be a renowned expert in additive manufacturing (3D printing). 

“I didn't really know what mechatronics was, and there was nothing to base my enthusiasm around at that time,” she says, “but I was really intrigued that Waterloo had put this together because every time they put a new program together, it skyrockets into success.” 

Global and individual health care is experiencing disruption through a variety of technologies. Building disruptive technologies is at the core of what we do, and since our inception, the University of Waterloo has also been disrupting the boundaries of health. In 2024, the University opened the doors of the Innovation Arena, a new collaboration space within the Health Sciences Campus in downtown Kitchener, to further streamline commercialization pathways for businesses, fast-track delivery of health technologies and drive Canada’s next wave of economic growth.

Imagine controlling apps with your feet while you walk. This concept is the focus of new research which explores using gait gestures – intentional variations in how you walk – as controls for augmented reality (AR) devices.

Microplastics can go right through wastewater treatment plants, and researchers have engineered bacteria commonly found in there to break down this pollution before it can persist in the environment.

Researchers from the University of Waterloo added DNA to several species of bacteria found in wastewater, allowing them to biodegrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a common plastic found in carpet, clothing and containers for food and beverages.

Glitter is all over. The ubiquitous sparkles are synonymous with glamour and celebration, but that shimmer comes at a significant cost. Dr. Christian Euler, a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo, uses microbes in his lab to create sustainable swaps for non-biodegradable materials. He says there’s more to glitter than meets the eye.

Choosing a real Christmas tree is a cherished tradition in many families and a proven environmentally friendly choice. But like all agriculture sectors, Canadian Christmas tree farmers are facing the impacts of climate change on their growing operations.

Pests plague both the trees and farmers who work the land. Rising temperatures affect summer labour conditions, extreme storm events have triggered crop losses, and reduced snowfall in winter impacts families' experiences when selecting and bringing home their trees during the holiday season.

This past year, students, alumni, researchers and staff made significant strides in addressing global challenges and advancing technology. These top 12 stories of 2024 highlight some of Waterloo’s transformative work shaping the future.

It’s the stuff of holiday movies: relations coming together to celebrate the festive season, only for the gatherings to have more of grudges than gravy about them. Dr. Rob Danisch, professor of communication arts at the University of Waterloo and co-author of Radically Civil: Saving Democracy One Conversation at a Time, shares tips for more productive conversations.

Twenty-two researchers at the University of Waterloo have been awarded more than $10 million to support their research from the Ontario Research Fund (ORF).  

The ORF Research Excellence program provides up to one-third of the total value of a research project with major strategic value to the province.