Dr. Dayan Ban

The field of terahertz technology has become increasingly identified as a rich potential source of semiconductor-based laser imaging applications. Dr. Dayan Ban, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Waterloo, is developing novel and compact semiconductor-based terahertz sources that could eventually have a profound impact in the areas of pollution monitoring, biological spectroscopy, medical imaging, security and high-speed optical wireless communications.

Dr. Hans De Sterck

Dr. Hans De Sterck is an assistant professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics at the University of Waterloo who is developing efficient algorithms and software for scientific research on large distributed computing systems. Using Ontario’s advanced computer networks, SHARCNET and ORION, Dr. De Sterck will pursue research in two intriguing areas: investigating how planets become hospitable to the development of early life forms and investigating the origins of primitive ribonucleic acid (RNA) metabolisms. The pursuit of these areas requires algorithms that efficiently use computational resources to solve the problems of research interest - a focus of Dr. De Sterck’s research.

Dr. Ehab F. El-Saadany

Rising energy prices, for electricity in particular, are creating a demand for new energy technologies and energy efficiency improvements. Advances in electricity generation, transmission and distribution will play a critical role in the future of our energy supplies. Dr. Ehab El-Saadany, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Waterloo, believes increases in electrical energy production will be realized through widespread installation of distributed generation - decentralized energy sources. The focus of his research is to develop interfacing and control algorithms to increase distributed generation deployment into current distribution systems.

Dr. Thorsten Hesjedal

As technology progresses and the amount of information grows, the importance of quantum computing applications increases. Molecular beam epitaxy is the method of choice for designing quantum devices and that is the focus of the research project being undertaken by Dr. Thorsten Hesjedal, an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Hesjedal is establishing materials growth capabilities for spintronics and quantum computing applications, which will help advance the leadership of the university – and the province – in the growing research area of quantum computing.

Dr. Brian Ingalls

Systems biology is an emerging discipline devoted to understanding the biochemical networks that molecular biologists are uncovering within the cell - and their functions. Dr. Brian Ingalls, an assistant professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics at the University of Waterloo, is researching tools to develop and analyze models of biological phenomena that can be used to investigate cellular behaviour. His work will lead to improved treatments for diseases and will be of economic benefit in agriculture, bioremediation and bioprocess engineering.

Dr. Jochen Konemann

Developing efficient approximation algorithms for problems in combinatorial optimization is the focus of research being conducted by Dr. Jochen Konemann. The field of combinatorial optimization investigates and determines the best arrangements for sets of objects, such as protocols in network design.  Dr. Konemann is an assistant professor in the Department of Combinatorics and Optimization at the University of Waterloo and his research is of great interest to companies in the information technology sector, where problems in combinatorial optimization relating to the internet are common.

Dr. Qing-Bin Lu

By investigating how anti-cancer drugs work at a molecular level, Dr. Qing-Bin Lu, an assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Waterloo, hopes to improve our knowledge of how to treat more challenging types of cancers. Using ultrafast biophotonics - a technology that works like a high speed camera capturing real-time observations of cancer drugs at work - Professor Lu expects to be able to gauge the effectiveness of existing treatments and to develop new cancer therapies. This research will not only improve the life and health of Ontarians, it will contribute to the province’s reputation as a global leader in biophotonics technology and cancer research and treatment.

Dr. Brendan McConkey

So much is still unknown about the basics of cell function. Predicting how a cell responds to changes such as environmental conditions or exposure to a drug are critical questions. The fundamental processes involved in the functioning of the cell - and in particular the interactions involved in regulating cell division and replication - are the focus of research being done by Dr. Brendan McConkey, an assistant professor in the Departments of Biology, Computer Science and Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo. His research could lead to potential applications in medicine, agriculture and biotechnology.

Dr. Carolyn Ren

Bacterial outbreaks can have devastating results and demonstrate the importance of improving water and food quality control. Currently, food and water control requires expensive equipment and costly sample transport from the field to the lab. Dr. Carolyn Ren, an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo, is developing a palm-sized, battery-powered lab-on-a-chip device which would be used in the field. Not only would it produce results on the spot, the device would significantly reduce the cost of testing.

Dr. Daniel Smilek

Collaboration among individuals is a critical component in many health and safety-related situations. Dr. Daniel Smilek, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Waterloo, proposes to investigate how two or more individuals collaboratively share their attention resources as they engage in health and safety tasks. The research could lead to new regulations and procedures for improving safety and performance in collaborative settings.

Dr. Arne Storjohann

Algorithms, a well-defined set of rules, are used to solve large-scale problems. Dr. Arne Storjohann, an assistant professor with the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo, is discovering new algorithms that will make efficient use of computer time and memory. If successful, rigorously tested new algorithms will be available to researchers and practitioners in the mathematical, scientific and engineering communities in Ontario in the form of computer algebra software. As a result, users will be able to solve larger, more complex problems at greater speed and increased efficiency.

Dr. Ehsan Toyserkani

To stay competitive, Ontario’s advanced manufacturing industry has to find ways to reduce costs. Dr. Ehsan Toyserkani, an assistant professor with the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo, is developing new leading edge technology for the fabrication of “smart” tools. These tools will have superior mechanical and physical properties and be created with dramatically less raw material and significantly less final finishing, making them much less expensive to produce.

Dr. Matthew Smith

The delivery of proteins to the numerous compartments, or organelles, found within cells by intracellular protein trafficking systems is essential for their function and overall cell survival. However, the mechanisms of protein recognition are not well understood. Dr. Matthew Smith, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University, is developing his understanding of the mechanisms of protein targeting and import into chloroplasts, which serve as a model organelle. His research will contribute to our fundamental understanding of cell biology.