The Entangler | Winter 2022

The Winter 2022 edition of The Entangler will update you on exciting research developments and accomplishments by our students, faculty, and alumni. Enjoy, and stay well.

Brianna Thomas was recognized as a Schulich Leaders Scholars, awarded to encourage the next generation of technology innovators. She was drawn to the Life Physics program and the University of Waterloo's innovative and experiential learning opportunities.

Mathematical Physics student Parshant Utam co-founded Wombo.ai, the artifical intelligence powered lip-synching smartphone app that has been downloaded over 50 million times. His company has attracted nearly $6 million (US) in seed funding.

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!”

Professor Melanie Campbell, a Physics professor with a focus on optics, brings a multidisciplinary perspective to the field. She balances teaching and research with a lifelong commitment to service.

Professor Campbell’s group works in a relatively new research field called biophotonics which applies recent discoveries in optics to the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. Her group uses biophotonics to improve both imaging of the eye and the diagnosis of diseases of the eye and brain, including Alzheimer’s disease.

An exceptional teacher and colleague, Firas dedicated his professional life to physics education and to the well-being of his students. With a larger than life personality replete with wit and charm, Firas had a passion for physics and physics education.
He will be sorely missed.

Innovations from faculty and students continued remotely as lockdowns and restrictions continued throughout 2021. Highlights include a Vanier Scholarship, the Pontifical Academy of Science, evidence of a fifth dimension, baryons, and qubits in space.

Can you solve it? The Sir Isaac Newton Exam, as we all know and love it, continues to offer challenging problems to high school students around the world. Flex your Physics brains with this problem from a past Sir Isaac Newton Exam!