"Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat." The line from that old carol was apt on Monday morning as Mathematics student Amber Al-Itawi snapped this pic of geese grazing on the grass between the SLC and M3. No word on whether David Mallard was among the flock.

Back to top

Science dean to serve second term

Terry McMahon (left) will serve for another term as dean of the Faculty of Science, the president announced Monday.

"It is my pleasure to announce the reappointment of Professor Terry McMahon as dean of the Faculty of Science for a second term of three years, commencing on July 1, 2012," president Feridun Hamdullahpur wrote in a memo distributed to all students, faculty, and staff in Science. "This reappointment was recommended by the nominating committee established under Policy 45 and has been approved by Senate and the Board of Governors.

"Prior to accepting the position of dean in 2007, Professor McMahon was already a highly regarded scholar and educator, and experienced administrator and leader. During his first term as dean, he established himself as a valued member of the senior administrative team. As such, his reappointment enjoys support, both within and outside of the Faculty of Science.

"I am delighted that Terry is willing to continue as dean and look forward to working with him for a second term. I know that he can count on the support of the university community as the Faculty of Science continues to strive towards even greater national and international prominence."

McMahon has been a Waterloo chemistry professor since 1984 and has held several administrative positions, including director of GWC2 and chair of the Department of Chemistry. He was named University Professor in 2005.

Back to top

Postdoc part of Breakthrough of the Year

by Colin Hunter

Physics World has named its Breakthrough of the Year — and Krister Shalm (right), a researcher at the Institute for Quantum Computing, is one of the scientists behind the discovery.

An experiment conducted by Shalm and colleagues at the University of Toronto early this year earned top honours from Physics World for providing an unprecedented glimpse into the quantum world.

The team employed a novel technique to reveal the hidden goings-on inside the so-called “double-slit” experiment — a famous demonstration of quantum phenomena.

While the laws of quantum mechanics forbid actually observing quantum phenomena as they happen, the researchers employed a unique measurement technique to skirt these laws.

Shalm likened the technique to shaking a wrapped Christmas present in hopes of discerning its contents.

The research "stood out because it challenges the widely held notion that quantum mechanics forbids us any knowledge of the paths taken by individual photons (in the double-slit experiment)," explained the Physics World article.

"Using an emerging technique called "weak measurement," the team is the first to track the average paths of single photons passing through a Young's double-slit experiment – something that Steinberg says physicists had been ‘brainwashed’ into thinking is impossible."

Shalm said the Breakthrough of the Year recognition was "humbling" and "an unexpected surprise,” and acknowledged his U of T collaborators for their ingenuity and creativity.

"I am delighted to see the study of quantum foundations get such prominent recognition," said Shalm.

"I hope this encourages people to continue investigating fundamental issues in quantum mechanics using techniques like weak measurements, which allow us to ask questions many of us previously thought were impossible."

Back to top

Award honours staff member, other notes

A student award has been established in memory of Science staff member Richard Vollans, who died in October. The Richard Vollans Science Leadership Award, valued at $1,000, "is awarded annually to an undergraduate student enrolled in the Faculty of Science who has demonstrated their volunteerism and leadership in science recruitment and/or outreach activities," reads the award citation. "Interested students should submit an application by March 15th."

"This fund is made possible by an initial donation from Dr. Mario Coniglio and several colleagues and friends to honour the numerous contributions that Richard Vollans made to the Faculty of Science as the Recruitment and Marketing Coordinator from 2005 until his sudden passing in 2011."

For those who wish to contribute to this award, there is a secure site available. According to Science senior development officer Rosie Triebner, donating is simple. "Select Faculty of Science as the area of giving and the award will come up in a drop box. All donations will be issued a charitable tax receipt."

Go-Logix Technologies, the university's provider of web-based shipping solutions, will be discontinuing their operations on March 31, 2012, "or possibly sooner," according to a memo being circulated by Central Stores. "Economic circumstances" are being cited as the cause. The Go-Logix paperless shipping system has been in place since 2007 and "the overall efficiencies gained from this online process have proven to be an asset for the University of Waterloo."

But the demise of Go-Logix is not the end of web-based shipping on campus. "Through the University's Request for Proposal process, AgileElite has been selected to provide a replacement shipping system," says the memo prepared by the Shipping System Transition Team. "The implementation team's goal is to have the new system up, running, and users trained by no later than March 31, 2012."

"Your patience during this time will be greatly appreciated," concludes the memo.

And a note from Finance: "Following the retirement of David Peters on Dec. 31, 2011, Jamie Mahony, Financial Reporting & Insurance Analyst, will be responsible for the university’s insurance program. All inquiries pertaining to property, general liability, auto etc. insurance should be directed to Jamie at jsmahony@ uwaterloo.ca or by phone at 519-888-4567 extension 33686." General information regarding the university's insurance procedures is available online.

Back to top