Alumni profiles

Physics and Astronomy’s Taylor Pacholko is helping bring quantum science to classrooms across Canada through the Quantum Explorations Student Toolbox (QuEST) project. In collaboration with IQC and the University of Toronto, the team secured USD$25,000 from the APS Innovation Fund to design hands-on kits that introduce students (from middle school to high school) to core quantum concepts like interference and superposition.

As a world-leading expert in quantum and artificial intelligence, University of Waterloo Science alum Dr. Roger Melko, BSc ’00 (Physics), MSc ’01 (Physics), consistently draws inspiration from recent technological revolutions and applies them to his innovative work in quantum science. Now, as a professor in Waterloo’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, his research uncovers new, unique connections between physics and machine learning.

If you’ve been present at the University of Waterloo within the last decade, whether staff, student, or faculty you’ll have encountered some of Mirko Vucicevich’s work. Learn about how he used his Physics degree to solve problems on campus through code!

When I think back to when I was a student roaming the halls and classrooms of UW Physics (let’s be honest, I was playing 500 in Phys Club), there are many people to remember. One of the most notable was professor, ground-breaking astrophysicist, and undergraduate advisor, Gretchen Harris – always busy while always having time for you; always with knitting nearby, always quick to laugh, and always offering good advice. 

Let’s take a walk down memory lane together and explore the changes that have unfolded since the dawn of our Department back in the 1960’s. Through a collection of then and now pictures, let’s take a look at what our building spaces used to look like, and some of the activities our faculty, staff and students participated in. If you are an alumni from generations past, you may recognize some of these spaces as the same ones you took a class, or presented a poster in. For recent alumni and current students, you can take a glimpse at what our spaces used to look like, and how time has changed our décor, our vibe, our demographics, and our fashion trends!

Leo Baldwin is one of those lucky people who has found a way to build a successful career that is centered squarely on his passions, something he encourages and recommends. When asked if he had any advice for an undergraduate today, Leo said “If you are interested in something, add it to your program. Why only study within your program? The best stuff is happening at the interface!”

Farnoud Kazemzadeh, BSc ’08, wended his way from an undergraduate “love for extragalactic astrophysics”, through a PhD in system design engineering, to become VP Engineering at Vital Bio – the second of the two startups he co-founded – where the techniques they are developing may one day allow your physician to replace an entire slate of tests at Labcorps with a 20-minute in-house test.

How does undergraduate study in Physics and Software Engineering translate to eCommerce? Mike Rossi's path to success sheds light on this unique connection.

With today’s complicated and ever-changing smart technology dominating the marketplace, it’s become increasingly rare to find someone enjoying the simple pleasures of a radio.  And even moreso to find someone who not only collects antique radios, but repairs and fully restores them to their former glory.

From Mathematical Physics to Highlining, Brent Plumley integrates his physics background into an exciting outdoor business activity.

George Pinho entered UWaterloo as a Physics Undergraduate und left as accomplished PhD. Now he is a successful business leader.

CarolAnne started her career as undergrad student in Physics, now she writes stories about the ocean.

During his PhD  studies in Waterloo Sattar Taheri Araghi studied antimicrobial peptides, now he is a faculty member at CSUN.

From manufacturing and industry, robotics, healthcare and more, eleven of Waterloo’s alumni and former students have earned spots on the 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Among the group is Kartik Talwar, an alumnus of our department.

Beyond a rewarding career as a physics teacher, John Caranci (BSc ’72) makes his mark through creative writing.

University of Waterloo alumnus Kate A. Ross receives the prestigious George E. Valley Jr. Prize, awarded in 2016 by the American Physical Society, for her groundbreaking work on "The elucidation of quantum frustrated magnetism and its expression in the ground state selection of pyrochlore magnets."

Zahra Fakhraai is the recipient of 2015 Sloan fellowship in Chemistry, 2017 Journal of Physical Chemistry B Lectureship Award, and 2017 University of Waterloo Young Alumni award. Zahra identifies as a material scientist interested in materials properties in small length scales and extremely slow dynamics.

Rob Myers graduated in Physics at Waterloo in 1982. Unknown to him at the time was the journey that would bring him touring the best academic institutions around the world and that he would be brought back to Waterloo in 2001 as founding member of the Perimeter Institute.