News

The Faculty of Mathematics has named Matthew Satriano as one of its Research Chairs for the 2021-2022 academic year.

The award recognizes exceptional scholarly achievement and outstanding contributions to a field of knowledge. Some of the most prolific scholars in the Faculty of Mathematics have held Research Chairs, and Satriano continues the trend of excellence.

We are very pleased to announce the winners of the 2020/21 Pure Mathematics Silver Awards and the Undergraduate Research Prize.

The Pure Mathematics Silver Award recognizes mathematical excellence in Pure Math and Mathematical Finance. This year's recipients are:

• Xinyue Xie
• Anzo Zhao Teh
• Weixi Zhuo
• Ziyu Chi

The Pure Mathematics Undergraduate Research Prize is awarded to a student who has demonstrated outstanding research accomplishments. This year's recipient is:

Brian E. Forrest, professor of Pure Mathematics, has been named a Fellow of the Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS). The fellowship is awarded for outstanding contributions in research, teaching and learning and service in fulfillment of CMS mandates and goals.

"It's an honour and something I'm pretty proud of," says Forrest. "This is a wonderful way to stay connected to the Canadian Mathematical Society, a group that's been a valuable part of my career."

His unwavering commitment to excellence and outstanding academic performance makes Spencer Whitehead (BMath ’21) the recipient of the Alumni Gold Medal for the Faculty of Mathematics.

Spencer Whitehead, a Pure Mathematics major with and a minor in East Asian studies, is the recipient of the prestigious Jessie W.H. Zou Memorial Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research.

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.”

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, George attended Dalhousie University to complete both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Following his graduation, he headed West and taught undergraduate math at Victoria College and the University of British Columbia where he completed his doctorate in 1958.