It's time for another special message from someone important regarding the ongoing Federation of Students elections. The Feds' unflappable clubs director, Dave McDougall, stars in a promotional video telling students how important their online vote can be as the voting period for the annual Federation of Students elections continues until 10:00 p.m. this evening.

Back to top

AAAS meeting features Waterloo contingent

a news release from the media relations department

The innovative work of some the University of Waterloo’s top scientists is on an international stage at one of the most widely recognized science events in the world.

Leading Waterloo researchers will share their expertise and the results of their work at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting that runs until February 20 in Vancouver. Researchers, journalists, students and policy-makers from nearly 60 countries will be in attendance. This is the first time the annual meeting has been held outside of the United States since 1981.

“Scientific discoveries have helped us overcome some of the greatest obstacles to the advancement of our civilization,” said president Feridun Hamdullahpur. “The presence of so many Waterloo experts here shows that we have outstanding talent and indicates our ability to address the important challenges facing the world.”

Two Canada Excellence Research Chairs from the university gave lectures in advance of the meeting. David Cory, from Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) and Canada Excellence Research Chair in Quantum Information Processing, presented yesterday, as did Philippe Van Cappellen, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Ecohydrology from Waterloo’s Faculty of Science.

IQC director Raymond Laflamme will give a talk called The State of Quantum Computing in Canada. He will also deliver a lecture entitled Quantum Information Science and Technology: A Global Perspective as part of the meeting on Saturday. Laflamme will receive the distinguished AAAS fellowship as well. Awarded in five program areas, the fellowships engage scientists and engineers in policy-making.

On Sunday, Thomas Jennewein of the IQC will participate in a panel discussion called Quantum Information Technologies: A New Era for Global Communication. Laflamme will moderate.

Earlier that day, President Hamdullahpur, who is also board vice-chair of the Waterloo Global Science Initiative (WGSI), will introduce the launch of the Equinox Blueprint: Energy 2030. Jatin Nathwani, executive director of the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy and an Ontario Research Chair, and Jason Blackstock, senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), will be part of a panel presenting the recommendations of the Equinox Blueprint. The document is based on a multinational, interdisciplinary collaboration in June 2011 that brought together pioneering scientists, policy advisors, entrepreneurs and future leaders. The recommendations offer real-world strategies for a lower carbon energy future, based on the latest thinking.

WGSI is a partnership between the University of Waterloo and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. This report comes out of the first international gathering. WGSI intends to hold similar gatherings every two years on diverse topics, and continue to build on these new ideas to make them a reality.

Back to top

Meet our AAAS participants

Feridun Hamdullahpur will be representing the University of Waterloo at the AAAS annual meeting as its president and supporting the launch of the Equinox Blueprint in his capacity as vice-chair of the Waterloo Global Science Initiative. He will be introducing the launch of the Equinox Blueprint: Energy 2030 at the WGSI's Low-Carbon Innovation for an Electricity-Dependent World panel discussion on Sunday, February 19.

Jatin Nathwani is the Executive Director of the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy, and Ontario Research Chair, Public Policy and Sustainable Energy Management. He led the formulation and development of "The Life Quality Index" at the Institute for Risk Management, and contributed to the development of the Ontario Power Authority's "Integrated Power System Plan" focusing on the environmental and sustainability issues relevant to the planning process. He will be participating as a panelist in the Low-Carbon Innovation for an Electricity-Dependent World discussion on Sunday, February 19.

Raymond Laflamme is the Executive Director of the Institute for Quantum Computing and Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Quantum Information. He is participating in the Quantum Information, Science and Technology seminar on Saturday, February 18, and moderating the Quantum Information Technologies: A New Era for Global Communications panel discussion on Sunday, February 19, and will be awarded an AAAS Fellowship at a breakfast banquet on Saturday.

David Cory is the Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Quantum Information Processing, Institute for Quantum Computing. He is a leading global innovator in experimental quantum physics and quantum engineering with applications that range from the medical field to the oil industry. His past research has involved exploring the challenges of building spin-based examples of quantum processors. He participated in a Pecha Kucha lecture at UBC's Robson Square on Wednesday, February 15.

Philippe Van Cappellen is the Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Ecohydrology. He is known for his stellar international reputation, as well as his expertise in developing a new research area in ecohydrology. He participated in the Pecha Kucha lecture at UBC's Robson Square on Wednesday, February 15.

Thomas Jennewein is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Quantum Computing. Previously, he was a senior researcher at the Vienna branch of the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI), working on quantum photonics experiments. He is a presenter at the Quantum Information Technologies: A New Era for Global Communications panel discussion on Sunday, February 19.

Jason Blackstock is a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation whose research focuses on the interface of science and international affairs, where he has expertise in the areas of climate, energy, and nanotechnology. He is a panelist in the WGSI Low Carbon Innovation for an Electricity-Dependent World panel discussion on Sunday, February 19.

A full program is available online.

Back to top

Librarian launches—not shelves—new book

Geospatial Data Services Librarian Eva Dodsworth (right)launches her new book "Getting Started with GIS" at an book signing and reception this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in South Campus Hall's Laurel Room.

Dodsworth is an expert educator on Geographic Information Systems (GIS). In her book, readers will learn about GIS and its applications through interactive exercises.

Attendees will have a chance to win a copy of Eva’s book. The event is being co-hosted by the Library and the university bookstore.

Back to top