Dan Ursu, a PhD student in the Department of Pure Mathematics has received the 2021 Huawei Prizes for Best Research Paper by a Mathematics Graduate Student. Ursu is one of two students to receive this prestigious award.
Every mathematician solves math problems, but only a handful of mathematicians study the logical reasoning that they and their colleagues use to solve problems. They focus on the journey, not just the destination.
Rahim Moosa, a professor in the Department of Pure Mathematics, was pursuing a degree in liberal arts at McMaster University when a philosophy professor introduced him to model theory, which applies logic to algebra, geometry, number theory and other core areas of math.
“Two of my high school math teachers were alumni of Waterloo Math, and they constantly raved about the university,” remembered Gurtaj Dhaliwal. In spite of his teachers’ occasionally excessive cheerleading, the Brampton native pursued his passion for mathematics to the Department of Pure Mathematics within the Waterloo Faculty of Mathematics. “I love that moment where a difficult abstract concept just clicks,” he expressed. “Pure Math lets me delve deeper and deeper into the mental challenge of solving puzzles.”
“While working as an instructional support assistant (ISA), I remember the first time a professor asked for a volunteer to teach a lecture while he was at a conference,” remembers Josué Kurke. “My hand shot up. I donned a professorial kind of jacket with the elbow patches and went all out. Over time, I’ve realized that I feel most at home in front of a classroom. I want to spend my career talking to people about math.”
Learn more about this student studying Pure Mathematics and Combinatorics & Optimization.
The Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS) has recognized Professor Kathryn Hare as part of the Third Inaugural Class of Fellows.
One of nine women named a CMS Fellow, Hare has been a faculty member in the Department of Pure Mathematics since 1988. Since that time, she has received several honours and awards including:
Early in his second year of medical school, Jose Luiz Avilez realized he wanted something different than medical school could offer. In his heart, he knew he wanted to study mathematics. It was a difficult decision, but by 2016 he was applying to universities.
“A friend of mine who studied at Waterloo told me about its program in Mathematical Finance and that it has a co-op program,” remembered Avilez. “I was sold.”
Learn more about Avilez's experience.
Zhenyuan Zhang, a pure mathematics major at the University of Waterloo, has received an honorary mention for the 2020 Jessie W.H. Zou Memorial Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research.
Wanchun (Rosie) Shen, a pure mathematics major at the University of Waterloo, has been awarded a 2020 Jessie W.H. Zou Memorial Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research. Shen has focused much of her work on the multifractal analysis of self-similar measures of finite type.
At the Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS) Winter Meeting Banquet in Toronto on December 8, 2019, the CMS will recognize Cameron Stewart as part of the Second Inaugural Class of Fellows.
One of 11 of the 2019 fellows, Stewart has been a faculty member in the Department of Pure Mathematics since 1978. Since that time, he has received several honours and awards including:
Pure Mathematics PhD students Boyu Li and Ruizhang Jin won second and third places respectively in the inaugural Mathematics Doctoral Prize competition at the University of Waterloo. This new prize will be awarded annually to recognize the achievement of graduating doctoral students in the Faculty of Mathematics. Li will receive a $1,000 award and Jin will receive $500.