An interdisciplinary team of researchers at the University of Waterloo have won $265,000 in funding to develop a palm-sized device capable of detecting COVID-19 infection within 30 minutes. The funding from the Government of Canada, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, along with provincial partners is in response to their continued efforts to address the health challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada and around the globe.
The “Class of 2020” may have the most appropriate name possible for a graduating class of optometrists. The fourth year and final year of Waterloo’s optometry program is unique in that it focusses almost entirely on practical “hands-on” training. COVID-19 not only made that impossible, it also prompted the postponement of board exams in both Canada and the US and forced a detour on graduates’ career paths. Waterloo optometry graduates are resilient and flexible. They have found ways to give back to their communities, keep their skill sharp and for a few find a way to start their careers.
Dave Rudolph, Chair and a professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, is the recipient of the 2020 Robert N. Farvolden Award for his research in groundwater management and innovative methods to monitor water resources in the face of changing land use and climate.
Online learning is the new norm at the School of Pharmacy this Spring Term as a result of COVID-19. Like other faculty members, William W.L. Wong is exploring a variety of innovative methods to deliver content and assessments in a virtual space. Together, he and Pharmacy support staff devised a solution to continue offering a hands-on learning experience to his remote students.
As the Government of Canada focuses on responding to the challenges of COVID-19, it also recognizes the invaluable contributions of Canadian researchers in the natural sciences and engineering. That is why the Government continues to support the discovery research being done at Canadian universities to help build the foundation for innovation and economic growth.
The Faculty of Science hosted its virtual Anti-Racism Town Hall yesterday to listen to the Waterloo Science community about their experiences, ideas and suggestions for future change. The Town Hall was the first of many steps that Science will be taking to address issues and problems related to racism.
The recipients of the 2020 Amit and Meena Chakma Awards for Exceptional Teaching by a Student were announced this week by Associate Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs Jeff Casello. Dania Abuleil and Amy Chow, two PhD candidates from the School of Optometry and Vision Science, were among the four winners.
Last week, this year's Vanier Scholarship award winners were announced. Among the prestigious group were Finnian Gray, Christian Ieritano, and Spencer Weinstein, three Faculty of Science graduate students.
An experiment that began by testing the properties of quantum entanglement has led to the discovery of a new diagnostic tool that could help optometrists detect macular degeneration much earlier than was previously possible.
A new mechanism to greatly boost the immune defense system with a specific class of drugs may be the key to treating COVID-19 and other diseases or viruses, such as HIV and cancer.
