News

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.

Associate Professor Benoit Charbonneau is one of three recipients of the Faculty Association’s Equity Committee Equity and Inclusivity Awards.

Charbonneau is committed to improving the lives of members of equity-seeking groups on campus, in particular through political, legal, and collective bargaining advancements, as well as organizational leadership.

Associate Professor Matthew Kennedy has been appointed a University Research Chair in recognition of his outstanding research contributions to the field of operator algebras and functional analysis. Waterloo’s designation of University Research Chair recognizes exceptional achievement of faculty and their pre-eminence in a field of knowledge.

Pure Mathematics PhD student Ruizhang Jin was one of the six students who won the 2019 Huawei Prize for Best Research Paper by a Mathematics Graduate Student. This award recognizes the impact of his paper, Constructing types in differentially closed fields that are analysable in the constantswith a prize of $4,000.

Professor Cameron Stewart is respected and admired for the care, knowledge, insight, and wisdom that he has provided to his students throughout his 40-year long career at the University of Waterloo. Over his career, 22 Master’s students and 11 doctoral students obtained degrees under his supervision and he provided guidance to 18 postdoctoral fellows.

At the Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS) Winter Meeting Banquet, the CMS announced the Inaugural Class of Fellows. Kenneth Davidson was one of 49 members named.

Davidson has been a faculty member in the Department of Pure Mathematics since 1978. Since that time, he has received several honours and awards including:

Associate Professor Matthew Kennedy received a $120,000 Discovery Accelerator Supplement from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) for his work within the field of operator algebras.

Professor Ross Willard has been awarded the Faculty of Mathematics Award for Distinction in Teaching. This award is given annually to teachers in the Faculty of Mathematics who have consistently demonstrated outstanding pedagogical skills and a deep commitment to our students’ education. Up to two awards are given annually. Professor Matthew Scott (Applied Mathematics) also received the award this year. Congratulations!

Akshaa Vatwani has been chosen to receive the inaugural Department of Pure Mathematics Post-Doctoral Fellow Teaching Award! This award will be given annually to one post-doctoral fellow and is based on outstanding teaching. Congratulations, Akshaa!

Bailey Gu has won the Governor General Silver Medal! This medal is awarded to an undergraduate student graduating with the highest academic standing. Information on past winners can be found at this link: https://uwaterloo.ca/math/medal-winners/governor-general-silver-medal.

Bailey was honoured by Dean Stephen Watt and Associate Dean Serge D'Alessio at the Faculty of Mathematics Convocation Dinner. Congratulations, Bailey!