On June 11, the University of Waterloo’s Gateway for Enterprises to Discover Innovation (GEDI) hosted its fourth weekly webinar entitled “Rebooting with Research: Tackling real-world problems” in its Post-COVID-19 Reboot series.
Water Institute executive director and professor of economics Roy Brouwer moderated the insightful discussion that featured five expert panelists from the health, water, and climate change sectors discussing how research and innovation have been impacted by, and are responding to, challenges and opportunities presented by the global pandemic.
Daniel Scott, executive director of Waterloo’s Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change and professor of geography and environmental management highlighted the double-edge sword COVID-19 presents for climate action. Although greenhouse gases are down 4-6 per cent this year, Scott explained that this was likely just a temporary reaction in the system which could be followed by a “rebound” to historic emissions.
Susan Horton, CIGI Chair in Global Health Economics and professor of economics; expressed concerns about the lack of testing, diagnostic and medical imaging in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to lack of government funding. While the resulting impact on health and economic outcomes could be dire, it becomes very important that these fundamental issues are not forgotten post-COVID-19.
Shannon Majowicz, professor in the school of public health and health systems described how it is “very difficult to sell the benefits of being prepared for threats that are not immediate” to governments and highlighted how “our global health outcomes are suddenly very intimately connected”.
Lauren Smith, founder, PolyGone Technologies and PhD candidate in the school of environment, resources and sustainability noted that, without having access to their microplastics research lab, the company has temporarily pivoted to producing personal protective equipment for the community. “We will take it as it comes, and try to make the world a better place” said Smith.
Jason Deglint, CEO, Blue Lion Labs and President, Hedgehog Medical, spoke about the progress his company was making using artificial intelligence to analyse water quality and improve people’s lives which has been interrupted placing several pilot programs with water utilities on hold.
