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This is an excerpt of an opinion piece by Dr. Mary Wells, dean of Waterloo Engineering, and Dr. Suzanne Kresta, former dean of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, published today in the Toronto Star. 

34 years ago, 14 women lost their lives because a man who had not been accepted into the École Polytechnique de Montréal was convinced that he had the right to kill women who had earned their place. This killing was an act of unprecedented violence against women and our profession. 

We are two deans of engineering faculties and we each have a daughter in engineering; We pause together on December 6 to remember this tragedy, celebrate the present and reflect on the future.  

December 6 marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada.

Each year, the University of Waterloo hosts a ceremony of remembrance to reflect on and respond to the murder of 14 female engineering students who were murdered at École Polytechnique de Montréal (now Polytechnique Montréal) in an act of gender-based violence on this day in 1989. 

An interdisciplinary research team from the University of Waterloo is using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify microplastics faster and more accurately than ever before.

Led by Dr. Wayne Parker, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, the research team’s advanced imaging identification system could help wastewater treatment plants and food production industries make informed decisions to mitigate the potential impact of microplastics on the environment and human health.

An interdisciplinary research team from the University of Waterloo aims to tackle CO2 emissions in the value chain by transforming CO2 into valuable chemicals needed by industry.  

Led by Dr. Luis Ricardez-Sandoval, a professor of chemical engineering, the research team aims to develop a computational framework that will accelerate the design and discovery of novel materials that will facilitate the transformation of CO2 into useful industrial gases using atomistic modelling, advanced optimization, machine learning techniques and laboratory experiments. 

The Waterloo Engineering community rallied for Giving Tuesday on Nov. 28 to support two funds that empower students with the means to pursue their academic ambitions and prepare for professional success.  

In total, 183 donors supported the Waterloo Engineering funds with $61,230 in donations. 

Waterloo Engineering professor Dr. Omar Ramahi leads a research team pioneering a method to detect breast cancer in women early enough for them to receive life-saving treatment.

The innovative technology aims to be more accurate as well as cheaper to provide than today’s most common diagnostic tools such as X-ray mammography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Test runs have been completed in two minutes and used less energy than a smartphone. It would also be safer than X-rays, which expose patients to high-level radiation that can damage DNA and cause cancer.

At least five Waterloo Engineering alumni have made the impressive Forbes 30 Under 30 lists for 2024.  

Peter Gokhshteyn, Kevin Michael, Tom Storwick, Kelly Zheng and Chee Hau Teoh are among 600 young changemakers in North America who have been recognized for their standout entrepreneurial achievements in 20 categories. 

The Waterloo Engineering community came together to celebrate the exceptional achievements of four alumni and an industry supporter of the Faculty at this year’s Engineering Awards Dinner.  

Hosted by Dr. Mary Wells, dean of engineering, the event recognized an advocate of applied biotechnology research, a tech business leader, an expert in novel medical devices and stem cell therapy, a globally renowned luthier and a valued friend of the Faculty. 

The University of Waterloo’s Women in Engineering (WiE) program recently hosted 76 students at its Mini Hackathon on campus. 

Established in 2017 to provide a safe and welcoming ‘hack’ environment for women and non-binary students, the WiE Mini Hackathon gave participants the full experience of a full hackathon on a smaller scale, with no prior experience required.  

Engineers from the University of Waterloo are harnessing artificial intelligence to help doctors better see and control a non-invasive cancer treatment and, in the process, save lives.

Project leader Moslem SadeghiGoughari, a research associate in the university’s Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, said the imaging system will allow for the safer and more effective use of high-intensity, focused ultrasound to destroy a wide range of cancerous, often deadly, tumours.