News

A study of more than 2,000 streams around North America found that those altered by human activity are at greater risk of flooding.

The study from the University of Waterloo analyzed the seasonal flow patterns of 2,272 streams in Canada and the U.S. and found that human-managed streams – those impacted by developments like dams, canals, or heavy urbanization – had significantly different flow patterns compared to streams in natural watersheds.

Congratulations to Professor Linda Nazar , who was awarded the 2022 E.W.R. Steacie Award by the Chemical Institute of Canada. The award is presented to “a scientist who has made a distinguished contribution to chemistry while working in Canada."

Professor Scott Hopkins has been named the winner of the 2022 Keith Laidler Award for his outstanding early-career contributions to physical chemistry in Canada.

The team includes members from organizations across Canada and several University of Waterloo departments. Left to right: Moses Tetui, Kelly Grindrod, and Nancy Waite from the School of Pharmacy.

Decisions about COVID-19 vaccinations often come down to trust.

Trust in peer networks, in the information available to a person and in the health-care system as a whole.

Congratulations to Professor Jozef Nissimov from the Department of Biology who has been awarded John R. Evans Leaders research infrastructure funding from the Government of Canada through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

In the quest for the perfect battery, scientists have two primary goals: create a device that can store a great deal of energy and do it safely. Many batteries contain liquid electrolytes, which are potentially flammable.

As a result, solid-state lithium-ion batteries, which consist of entirely solid components, have become increasingly attractive to scientists because they offer an enticing combination of higher safety and increased energy density — which is how much energy the battery can store for a given volume.

Eugenia Dadzie, a master’s student from the Department of Biology, won first place in Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA)’s GRADflix showcase for her video Microbes and enzymes: sustainable plastic degradation, describing her research into finding microbes that can break down plastics in the environment.

Nitrogen fertilizers are critical for growing crops to feed the world, yet when applied in excess can pollute our water for decades. A new study provides six steps to address nitrogen pollution and improve water quality.

Congratulations to Professor Trevor Charles for being recognized with a Research Innovation and Impact Award from the BE-STEMM 2022 conference hosted by the Canadian Black Scientists Network!

Southern Ontario wetlands provide $4.2 billion worth of sediment filtration and phosphorus removal services each year, keeping our drinking water sources clean and helping to mitigate harmful and nuisance algal blooms in our lakes and rivers.

A new study from the University of Waterloo uses economic valuation to help us understand the importance of Southern Ontario’s wetlands for water filtration – particularly as these sensitive ecosystems continue to be lost by conversion to agriculture or urban development.