Treat-A-Gram 2015 is here

February is almost here, and that means it’s time to order your Keystone Campaign Treat-a-Grams for friends and colleagues at Waterloo. Treat-a-Grams are a fun way to say “thank you” to a friend or to recognize the hard work of a colleague who works on campus.

Order yours now!

Treat-a-Grams are on sale as of today, and will be available for purchase until Thursday, February 5 at noon. This year, choose between one gourmet chocolate cake pop for $3, or a bouquet of 3 cake pops (red velvet, vanilla, and chocolate) for $5. Or, if you’d like to send someone a treat but know they’d prefer to forgo  the dessert, or they don’t always work on campus, consider sending them a Treat-a-Gram postcard instead. Either way, you’ll make someone’s day and have the opportunity to send a personalized message along with the treat.

Treat-a-Grams will be delivered on Thursday, February 12 to University of Waterloo offices. This year, all proceeds and additional donations will support student physical and mental health through the General Student Wellness Fund.

Back to top

A (networking) night to remember

by Christine Bezruki.

On Tuesday, more than 150 Applied Health Sciences students braved the winter weather to attend the Faculty’s career speed networking night. Held each January, the event gives current students the chance to connect with professionals in a variety of fields ranging from sports management to midwifery.

This year, in addition to 25 alumni in attendance, students could connect virtually with two kinesiology grads working at Nike in Oregon. Shivam Bhan (pictured below) works in the shoe giant’s research department looking at the biomechanics of high velocity movements.

His goal? To make some of the world’s fastest athletes even faster.

Back to top

Aging well by getting smart

Wearable devices designed to prevent bedsores and sensors able to track night wandering are just two of the projects researchers from the University of Waterloo will lead for AGE-WELL, one of five new Networks of Centres of Excellence in Canada. Today, the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), announced that AGE-WELL will receive $36.6 million in funding over the next five years for research that creates and evaluates technology to benefit older adults.

Professors Joon Lee and John Hirdes, both of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at Waterloo, will use the funding to work with Engage Biomechanics to test sensors that can detect movement in bedridden persons in order to prevent pressure ulcers. The wearable sensors will collect data and link with other health information using advanced algorithms to assess the sleeper’s condition and make clinical recommendations. Users can access this information on computers, smartphones or tablets and connect directly with telemedicine services. The project will also involve collaboration with other AGE-WELL researchers working with pressure-sensitive devices in mattresses. The research has the potential to reduce the burden on the health care system by keeping seniors in their homes longer and minimizing visits to doctors’ offices.

“Smart mattresses are just one example of how we can apply technology to solve health challenges associated with the aging population,” said Professor Lee. “We can really empower older persons and their caregivers to continuously monitor their health by leveraging recent advances in mobile devices, sensor technology, cloud computing and Big Data analytics.”

Professor Jesse Hoey of the Faculty of Mathematics at Waterloo will lead a project investigating the types of technology caregivers can easily install in seniors’ homes to improve security. Working in collaboration with the Université de Sherbrooke, Professor Hoey will develop and assess customizable sensors that can automatically assist older adults, or link directly with caregivers to alert them of unusual behaviour. One of the project’s first applications will explore how sensors can gather real-time information to track and prevent wandering or problematic nighttime behaviour. 

“The idea of building your own version of a smart home is something that is becoming more and more of a commercial reality,” said Hoey. “We want make it easy for elderly people, including those with cognitive impairments, and their caregivers to benefit from this trend.”

In addition to overseeing three projects for AGE-WELL, Professor Paul Stolee of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at Waterloo will help determine how new health technologies for seniors can be more quickly adopted into existing policy.

“New technologies offer many possible benefits for the health and quality of life of older persons, but it is often difficult to make decisions about which technologies should be approved, how their use should be monitored and how they should be paid for,” said Professor Stolee. “Without efficient policy frameworks, seniors will not be able to benefit from all the new innovations and technologies becoming available.”

AGE-WELL is a pan-Canadian network of partners that aims to help older Canadians maintain their independence, health and quality of life through accessible technologies that increase their safety and security, support their independent living, and enhance their social participation.

Back to top

Thursday's notes

The next installment of the Environment Seminar Series will feature Michael O'Rourke, professor of philosophy and faculty member in AgBioResearch at Michigan State University on Friday, January 23 at 12:00 p.m. for a talk entitled "Understanding, Communication, and Environment: Introducing the Toolbox Approach." Professor O'Rourke will be discussing cross-disciplinary communication related to environmental scholarship. There will be a complimentary, locally-sourced lunch served at noon. Follow the conversation online using the hashtag #envlecture. The event takes place in HH 1104.

Human Resources is reporting that retiree Betty Beaver died December 28, 2014. Betty started working at the University in September 1990 as Receptionist/Secretary for the Computer Systems Group. In 1993 she transferred to the Engineering Society as Society Secretary, and retired in August 2008.

Here's a message from the Healthy Workplace Committee: "As part of our ongoing commitment to employee health, the Healthy Workplace Committee is pleased to offer employees a free noon hour Yoga session on Wednesday, January 28 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Physical Activities Complex, Small Gymnasium room 1106."

The instructor for the session will be Mohit Verma from the Sahaja Yoga Meditation Club.

All employees are welcome. Attendees can register by emailing uwworkwl@uwaterloo.ca.

"We hope you are able to come out, support our initiative, get active and learn a great technique to help reduce stress."

Fine Arts is offering free Life Drawing Sessions with a nude model every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in ECH 1224A. The sessions began on January 14 and run until April with the exception of February 18. The sessions are non-instructional, but a coordinator will be present to supervise.

Participants will need to bring their own paper and pencils, but Fine Arts will provide the easels and the life models.

Back to top