News

This article was originally published on the Faculty of Science's website.

Past and present members of the Department of Biology are saddened to announce the passing of Professor Emeritus Colin Ivor Mayfield. He was with the University of Waterloo for more than three decades. Mayfield was one of Biology's pioneering faculty who helped establish microbiology as a strength of the University of Waterloo.

Six Nations Polytechnic partners with McMaster University and the University of Waterloo to explore STEM field work in the Grand River.

On June 15, grade nine students from Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) and the STEAM Academy program donned their waders to join researchers Charles de Lannoy, Karen Kidd and Waterloo Biology Professor Mark Servos to conduct experiments in the Grand River.

Three Water Institute researchers have been awarded funding by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to support research on effective governance for climate change, data sovereignty and pro-poor policy approaches.

Congratulations to several outstanding water colleagues being recognized with honorary degrees and distinctions at the University of Waterloo convocation ceremonies this week.

On Tuesday, June 14, Dianne Saxe will receiveaDoctor of Environmental Studies, honoris causa, the highest honour conferred by the University, recognizing outstanding achievement through service to society.

Mylène Ratelle, University of Waterloo and Jessie Yakeleya

In Indigenous communities that have lacked access to safe water for years, getting access to a safe water supply is crucial. However, perceptions of the water supply — not just how it tastes and smells, but also trust in the source’s safety — affect consumption.

It is estimated that Canada is in eighth position of the most renewable freshwater resources per capita on the planet. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to safe drinking water. In particular, water security is a challenge for Indigenous communities. Twenty-eight First Nations still have long-term drinking water advisories, meaning no home access to safe drinking water.

The Faculty of Environment hosted a TD Walter Bean high school lecture titled, Water Future: A New Generation of Sustainability Leaders on Thursday June 9, 2022. The lecture is followed by a workshop from June 13 to 15 that will feature Professor Dustin Garrick, University Research Chair of Water Governance at University of Waterloo and member of its Water Institute, along with participants from across Canada and internationally. 

Waterloo recognizes PhD student Thelma Abu for innovative research and earning the highest academic status within the Faculty of Environment.

For graduating PhD students, completing their dissertation defence is a significant milestone and convocation is an exciting time to celebrate their accomplishments with friends and family.

By Jon Parsons. This article was originally featured on Waterloo News.

Researchers need to raise their game in light of new NSERC emphasis on knowledge translation

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) recently released a set of revised guidelines for what can be considered contributions to research.

Roy Brouwer, Executive Director of the Water Institute and University Research Chair in Water Resources Economics, contributed to an article recently published by Great Lakes Now, an initiative of Detroit Public TV and PBS.

The article is part of a two-part series looking at the cost of water in Ontario and Michigan.

Earlier today, the Water Institute and the University of Waterloo’s Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change welcomed over 60 students to the 2022 offering of the three-week virtual summer school, “Climate Change and Water Security in Urbanized Watersheds: An I