The Faculty of Science would like to congratulate Will Percival on his election to co-spokesperson for the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI).
Nithin Aaron is a theorist at heart, currently studying quantum computing as a Master of Science in Physics (Quantum Information) student at the University of Waterloo. Aaron knew he excelled at math, physics, and chemistry, and particularly enjoyed physics, but it wasn’t until he took an introductory quantum mechanics course in his second year that he discovered quantum computing and was instantly fascinated. This realization led him to focus most of his upper-year electives on math and physics courses and to eventually pursue his education further in graduate school.
Kaylee Biggart, a PhD student in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is making significant strides in experimental condensed matter physics while reclaiming her cultural heritage.
Congratulations to Subha Kalyaanamoorthy, Scott Hopkins, and Roger Melko for being named winners of the 2024 Excellence in Science Research Award winners!
Grant Brassem is part of the third cohort of students to embark on the Quantum Technology specialization within the Master of Science in Physics program. This new 12-month, course-based degree lets him utilize the state-of-the-art IQC laboratories for independent projects and make meaningful connections with industry mentors, startups, and a community of over 300 quantum researchers.
For the past five years, the Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics (WCA) has created a research-rich atmosphere where the sky is (literally) the limit. Whether they are exploring dark matter, dark energy, black holes, or mapping the unknown parts of our universe, the researchers at the WCA are pushing boundaries daily and exploring unchartered territory, so we can better understand our world.
Professor Mark Matsen is set to receive the Polymer Physics Group Founders’ Prize. Only 11 scholars have been awarded this prize since its inception in 2001. Matsen, who holds a joint position as a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is being honoured for his remarkable work on molecular self-assembly in polymeric systems involving block copolymers.
The University of Waterloo was thrilled to welcome students and researchers from across the country over the weekend for the 59th annual Canadian Undergraduate Physics Conference (CUPC). The conference provided a platform for over 100 students to showcase their research through co-op work terms and internships to leaders in the industry.
It is with great sadness that the Faculty of Science shares that two-term Dean Don Brodie passed away in October.
Andree Coschizza’s research revolves around low-temperature physics for quantum computing applications. One of the main barriers in quantum computing is that the necessary two-level quantum systems only become prominent at very low temperatures (often below 100 mK).