University of Waterloo - Faculty of Science

10/01/2026

Curious what it’s really like to be a Science student at University of Waterloo?

Come experience it for yourself! Shadow one of our Science students for a day, explore campus, experience university life, and find out what being part of the Waterloo Science community is really like. 🔗 Sign up for a Shadow Day using the link in our bio!

09/28/2026

09/23/2026

Heading to the Ontario Universities’ Fair this weekend? Stop by the Waterloo Science booth and say hi! 👋💙

Ask us your questions, meet the people behind the programs and get a feel for what your future in Science could look like. See you soon!

09/22/2026

60 Seconds of Science! 👁️ Meet Dr. Austin Roorda, a Professor at University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry and Vision Science!

His lab combines adaptive optics with retinal tracking to target light to individual cone cells in the living human eye, essentially “hacking” the visual system.

By stimulating only M cones, which are most sensitive to green, researchers generated a super-saturated teal colour they called “Olo.”

Stay tuned for more bite-sized science from researchers!

09/21/2026

Three University of Waterloo students are conducting research in Dr. Zoya Leonenko’s lab, searching for answers to Alzheimer’s disease at the nanoscale.

Charlotte Baur, Hugh Hossfeld, and Isabella Barichello, are Research Assistants investigating how epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a plant antioxidant found in green tea, might help protect against cell damage that leads to this neurodegenerative disease.

“We’re looking at the lipid membrane of a cell,” Baur says. “We model it after a neuron and study its electrophysiology, which means we look at how the membrane conducts ion currents and how certain molecules can effect that ability.”

Building on previous studies where compounds such as melatonin and trehalose have been examined for their potential protective effects, the research team is focused on understanding how EGCG can help protect neuronal cell membranes.

More: https://uwaterloo.ca/news/science/could-green-tea-extract-fight-alzheimers-disease |

09/18/2026

2027 Ontario university applications are OPEN!💙🥽
 
Big questions. Bold ideas. A future full of possibilities. If you’re ready to turn your curiosity into impact, Waterloo Science is ready for you.
 
Apply using the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre portal today!

09/17/2026

Thinking about grad school? Register to attend the Science Grad School Fair happening on Tuesday, September 29, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the STC Main Commons.

Get all your questions about master's and PhD programs answered by faculty members and admissions experts, and enjoy free soft pretzels, popcorn and candy! Save your spot: https://uwaterloo.ca/science/events/science-grad-school-fair

09/17/2026

In an era when AI can produce answers in seconds, a pressing question is emerging in university classrooms: What does it really mean to learn something?

Associate Professor and Senior Teaching Fellow Robert Hill says learning isn't about copying or mimicking information. It's about developing the ability to think critically, solve problems and apply knowledge in new situations.

That's the philosophy behind student-centred learning in Waterloo Science classrooms, where students actively engage with concepts through peer review, collaboration, and hands-on learning experiences.

Learn how this approach is helping students build the skills they'll need to thrive:

Associate Professor and Senior Teaching Fellow Robert Hill believes learning is not the ability to copy or mimic, but the ability to internalize information and apply it to new contexts.

09/16/2026

What does undergraduate research look like? For Miles Yoshida, it meant designing and calibrating a fibre-optic oxygen sensor system to measure soil oxygen levels.

A fourth-year Environmental Sciences student in the Water Science specialization, Miles completed the project with support from the Faculty of Science's Summer Undergraduate Research Fund. Along the way, he gained valuable research experience, built confidence as a scientist, and prepared for his future goal of pursuing graduate studies in water and environmental science.

Learn more about his undergraduate research experience: https://uwaterloo.ca/science/news/developing-new-tools-measure-soil-oxygen-levels

09/16/2026

Is planting more trees always the answer to climate change?

New research from the University of Waterloo suggests that, when it comes to building climate-resilient forests, planting the right trees matters more than planting more trees.

In a recent study, Dr. Julie Messier, Sabina Henry, and collaborators discovered that black spruce trees thrive in warmer, drier climates only when they possess a specific combination of traits. The findings could help guide future forest restoration and tree-planting efforts across Canada as our climate continues to change.

Read the story to learn how understanding tree traits can help future-proof Canada's forests.

Waterloo researchers highlight how targeted tree selection can support Canadian forests facing rising temperatures.