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The Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science is pleased to congratulate the University of Waterloo team on their success at the 2026 Munich Re Cup. The Munich Re Cup is the premier actuarial science student case competition in North America, with a total of $20,000 of prize money handed out each year. The University of Waterloo team delivered an impressive performance, winning second place and $6,000 of prize money.

Out of 22 initial teams, the University of Waterloo team – consisting of actuarial science students Joanna Li, Adrian Lock, and Michelle Ng, and faculty advisors Emily Kozlowski and James Adcock – was one of six finalist teams that competed against teams coming from top-tier actuarial programs across North America at the two-day, in-person final round of the case competition in Toronto.

This year’s case topic was GenAI, and teams were tasked with creating a comprehensive AI-driven technology solution to transform the underwriting and claims processes at a medium-sized life insurer. The depth of the Waterloo team’s technical knowledge, cost-benefit analysis, and understanding of different stakeholders’ perspectives – along with their excellent handling of questions during the Q&A portion – were all praised by the judges at Munich Re. Congratulations to the team on this well-earned achievement!

The event was aimed at girls and students from underrepresented groups, but welcomed any students from Grades 10-12 across the Waterloo Region who were interested in exploring statistics and data science. 

“I expect my main role will be to help build up our reputation in AI-related research for the Math Faculty,” Zhu says. 

Full story on the Faculty of Mathematics site.

UWaterloo researcher Tony Wirjanto finds that investment strategies built on ESG principles deliver stronger, more resilient returns — even during times of economic stress. 

Read the full story on the School of Accounting and Finance website. 

In honour of Math 4, we’re looking back at the other buildings on Waterloo’s “Math Campus,” and how they came to be.

Read the full story on the Faculty of Mathematics site.

The University of Waterloo is proud to announce that Cindy Forbes was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Mathematics, one of the university’s highest honours, in recognition of her exceptional leadership, professional achievement, and profound service to both the university and broader society.

The honorary degree was awarded during the Faculty of Mathematics convocation ceremony on Friday, October 24, 2025, where the University community celebrated Forbes’s outstanding contributions to both her profession and society.

Created in 2005, the Outstanding Performance Awards recognize excellence in teaching and scholarship from faculty members across all of the University of Waterloo’s Faculties. 

Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman, the first Black female president of the Ontario Medical Association, is a clinical immunologist and allergist who sees herself as a bridge builder. Her MMath in Biostatistics (’03) from the University of Waterloo has given her a unique perspective, complementing her passion for patient communication and clinical care.

Read the full story on Waterloo News.

Check out the @waterloomath Instagram to learn more about Dr. Abdurrahman. 

The Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science is happy to announce that the Statistical Society of Canada has approved its courses for the purposes of A.Stat. Accreditation. Accreditation enhances the professional practice of statistics, facilitates professional development, and provides mentorship for new graduates through work with Accredited Professional Statisticians. The approved course list removes barriers for both undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in applying for an A.Stat. Accreditation and helps to streamline the process. For more information about accreditation and the application, please visit the SSC’s website.

The Department proudly congratulates PhD students Laura Bumbulis and Tianyi Panfor receiving the Student Research Presentation Award in Biostatistics at the 2025 Statistical Society of Canada (SSC) annual meeting. These awards recognize graduate students who demonstrate excellence in both the conduct and communication of impactful research. This year, both Biostatistics awards went to University of Waterloo students, an exceptional achievement that highlights the strength and innovation of our graduate research community.

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