University of Waterloo - Faculty of Science

Convocation marks a significant milestone for University of Waterloo graduates. The point where late-night study sessions, co-op interviews and campus traditions all converge into what’s next.

This year, 14 exceptional students have been selected as valedictorians, each representing the innovation, resilience and community spirit that define Waterloo. Their journeys reflect more than academic achievement. They capture the curiosity to try something new, the perseverance to take on new challenges and the drive to make an impact.

Congratulations to our 2026 Waterloo valedictorians and fellow graduates, who now join a powerful network of more than 263,000 alumni who are shaping the future.

More: https://uwaterloo.ca/news/celebrating-waterloos-class-2026-valedictorians |

When Karen E. Nelson addresses the Faculty of Science class of 2026 as this year’s Honorary Doctorate, graduates will hear from a scientist who helped redefine how we understand the human body itself.

For more than two decades, Nelson has been at the forefront of microbiome research, revealing the vast and diverse communities of microbes that play essential roles in health and disease. Her pioneering work in the mid-2000s helped launch the NIH-funded Human Microbiome Program, laying the foundation for modern microbiome science

By identifying millions of previously unknown microbial species, her research has transformed our understanding of digestion, metabolism, and overall human health. Read more about her work and her message to the class of 2026: https://bit.ly/4xqAwjn

When molecular physicist Dr. Gerard Meijer addresses the Faculty of Science class of 2026 as this year’s Honorary Doctorate, graduates will hear from a scientist whose career began not in a world-class laboratory, but on a farm in the Netherlands.

Today, Meijer is internationally recognized for pioneering techniques that allow scientists to slow, trap, and precisely control molecules. His team’s development of the Stark decelerator marked a breakthrough in molecular physics, giving researchers unprecedented control over molecular motion and opening entirely new areas of discovery.

Read more about his work and his message to the class of 2026: https://bit.ly/3S0naKu

As a Master of Biology student, Jordan Francis (MSc ’26) used a mouse colon made from stem cells to research a key gut protein called ESRP1.

When diseases like inflammatory bowel disease occur, the expression of the ESRP1 protein becomes dysregulated. Despite its importance, scientists still don’t fully understand what ESRP1 does in the intestine, and that's where Jordan's important research comes into play.

Full story: https://uwaterloo.ca/science/news/science-matters-masters-student-uses-mouse-colon-made-stem |

Soapbox Science is coming to Kitchener–Waterloo!

Join us on Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 12–3 PM in Victoria Park, where leading University of Waterloo scientists will step onto their soapboxes to share their research with the community.

This free, family-friendly event celebrates the voices of underrepresented scientists and challenges who we picture when we think of “a scientist.”

Come curious - questions are encouraged! 📍Find us near the playground and water park.

Join us at TWB Brewing on June 2 at 6:30 PM for Science in the City: Skies & Eyes.

🔭 Dr. Lisa Dang is exploring exoplanets with the James Webb Space Telescope, studying lava worlds and what it might be like to visit them.

👁️ Dr. Austin Roorda is pushing the boundaries of human vision, working toward the discovery of entirely new colours through Oz Vision.

From distant galaxies to the way we see the world, this event highlights groundbreaking research happening right here at the University of Waterloo. Secure your spot today: https://bit.ly/4dIrgxL