An artistically sketched diagram of the brain resembles graphics from SPAUN — the world’s largest functional brain model — created by Canada Research Chair Chris Eliasmith, a professor in the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Engineering. In 2013, Eliasmith and his team founded Applied Brain Research: a research and development company focused on producing new information technology inspired by how the brain functions.

Researchers are the ultimate explorers, seeking to break the rules as we know them, discover new knowledge and unlock the secrets of the world.

Pushing the boundaries of the possible, with a defining spirit of innovation and bold discovery, the University of Waterloo is a powerhouse at the forefront of pure and applied research, where researchers share a thirst for new knowledge and a desire to benefit humankind.

This is a place industries, institutions and governments turn to for answers to their most pressing challenges. Waterloo delivers on priorities that matter to Canadians and the world, like water management and aging, and in fields that have the potential to disrupt entire industries, such as quantum computing and nanotechnology.

Research is a key element of the unique Waterloo model, part of a broader system that generates real-world impact with global reach.

Looking forward

Waterloo’s Strategic Plan includes commitments to:

• Increase sponsored and diversified research funding generated and received by Waterloo researchers
• Provide state-of-the-art infrastructure to support research
• Increase research networks in new, emerging and legacy areas or networks that are interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary in nature