In This Issue:� From the Dean

page 2� Breaking New Ground

page 3� Faculty News

page 4� A Novel Career

page 6� Teaming Up

page 7� Creating Viruses to

Develop Vaccinespage 8

� High-Flying Camerapage 9

� Designing Experiencepage 10

� Managing Real-WorldProjects Onlinepage 12

� Class Notespage 13

� Upcoming Eventspage 18

� Engineering for theBenefit of Otherspage 20

September 2008 • Number 54

WATERLOO ENGINEERING ALUMNI LETTER

Some of the mechatronics graduates celebrate with their director atspring convocation. From left to right: Giselle D'Souza, GregFitzGerald, Toni Carlisle, mechatronics program director SanjeevBedi, James Rigsby and Wayne Miranda. Photo by Chris Hughes.

Sanjeev Bedi thinks of Waterloo Engineering's firstmechatronics engineering graduates like membersof his family. � “I'm very proud of them, like a

father would be. I've taught most of these students twoto three courses and I've seen them grow intoprofessionals,” says Bedi, director of the mechatronicsprogram. � During spring convocation, 91 studentsgraduated from Waterloo in the first program of its kindin Canada. � New alumnus James Rigsby agrees therewas a close bond between the mechatronics faculty andthe students who began the program together. “Our classfelt connected because we were the only mechatronicsstudents on campus the first year.” � Eight years ago, agroup of professors from Waterloo’s mechanical,systems design, and electrical and computerengineering departments set out to design themechatronics curriculum. A set of courses was selectedfrom the participating departments to provide studentswith the best combination of skills. Whenever anexisting course did not meet the desired requirements, adifferent one was designed. � The mechanical

engineering department launched the new program in2003. Three years later the department was renamedmechanical and mechatronics engineering to reflect thedepartment’s growing strength in the new field. � Bedidescribes the program as “appropriate for the times.There are multi-million dollar companies that do nothingbut mechatronics work.” � Graduate Toni Carlisle saysshe was “very fortunate to have been surrounded bysuch talented peers.” Carlisle is now working for ExxonMobil in Houston, Texas as an instrumentation engineer,designing control systems for oil rigs and terminalsacross the globe. � Bedi names the other majorcorporations where his students worked as co-opemployees and are now on permanent staff. The listincludes Toyota, Texas Instruments, NationalInstruments, Morgan Stanley and many more. Some ofhis students, including Rigsby, have headed in anotherdirection. Rigsby has started a master's program atWaterloo in mechatronics engineering, specializing inautomation controls. Fittingly enough, Bedi is hisgraduate supervisor.

FIRST MECHATRONICS CLASS GRADUATES

I’m writing this column as Iget ready to take asabbatical from my

position as dean of WaterlooEngineering. Preparing toleave my role for a year hasprovided me with anopportunity to take a look atthe faculty’s accomplishments

since I arrived as dean in 2003 and especially since ourVision 2010 strategic plan was launched in 2006.�

Excellent progress has been made in faculty and staffhiring and in our undergraduate and graduate programenrolments. We currently have approximately 250professors, 185 staff members, over 5500 undergraduatestudents and 1400 students in our master’s and doctoralprograms. And we’re quickly closing in on an alumnicommunity of 30,000 members.� I’m delighted withthe substantial gains we’ve made toward increasing theintensity and impact of the research undertaken inWaterloo Engineering. What’s particularly impressive isthat our external research funding has more than keptpace with our faculty member growth. It reached over$44 million in fiscal year 2006/07, an increase of almost$12 million or 37 per cent over the previous year.� AsI’ve noted in past issues of WEAL, our significant growthhas elevated our need for more space. Numbers illustratewhy adding to our physical plant is critical: over the lasttwo decades, our undergraduate student population hasincreased by over 75 per cent and our graduate studentenrolments have grown by 95 per cent, but our space hasincreased by just 20 per cent.� The exciting news is

that more room for classrooms, offices and studentdesign teams is becoming a reality. Renovations andbuilding additions are ongoing, and in June shovels wentin the ground for both Engineering V, the first of ourthree planned new engineering buildings, and the Mikeand Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre.� One ofthe most ambitious initiatives we will undertake nextyear is launching two of our undergraduate programs,chemical engineering and civil engineering, in theUnited Arab Emirates. We expect to enrol 60 students ineach program. They will study for two years in ourplanned UAE campus and then come to Waterloo foryears three and four. As with all our other programs,students will gain valuable on-the-job experiencethrough our co-op program, which will be offered at bothcampuses.� It’s an extremely energizing time for all ofus in Waterloo Engineering. Although it’s difficult for meto leave my role with so much happening, it’s easierknowing the faculty will be in very capable hands – LeoRothenburg, who was the chair of civil andenvironmental engineering until this past spring, willserve as acting dean. In my absence, Leo will work toensure further progress is made on our goals. I lookforward to returning as dean for a three-year term inJuly 2009 and seeing our vision through to 2010…and beyond.

Sincerely,

Adel S. SedraDean, Faculty of Engineering

Dean of Engineering AdelSedra breaks ground for

Engineering V with, from left,WEEF directors Brandon

DeHart and Alexandre James,EngSoc B president AmandaHoff, UW president David

Johnston, WaterlooEngineering dean’s advisorycouncil members Rod Coutts

and Fred Grigsby, andKitchener-Conestoga MPP

Leeanna Pendergrast.Photo by Chris Hughes.

Leo Rothenburg, acting dean,Faculty of Engineering.

FROM THE DEAN

2

With the turn of a few shovels of dirt on June 5,Waterloo community members ceremoniouslybroke ground on the faculty’s newest building:

Engineering V.� Slated for occupancy in January 2010,Engineering V is the first phase of what will be thelargest physical expansion in Waterloo Engineering’shistory. Our space plan, developed to support the growthoutlined in our Vision 2010 strategic plan, includes threenew engineering buildings on campus.� Engineering Vwill provide space for the departments of electrical andcomputer engineering, mechanical and mechatronicsengineering, and systems design engineering. At itsheart will be a two-floor student design centre tosupport and showcase the work of our world-classstudent teams.� At the groundbreaking ceremony, theWaterloo Engineering Endowment Foundation (WEEF)announced an historic commitment of $1 million towardthe student design centre. Other pacesetting gifts to

Engineering V include an anonymous donation of over$4 million and a $1-million gift from Rod Coutts(Elect ’64), for whom the J.R. Coutts Engineering LectureHall is named in recognition of an earlier gift.� But thesod-turning didn’t end there: just a few days laterground was broken for the Mike and Ophelia LazaridisQuantum-Nano Centre (QNC). With an expectedcompletion date in late 2010, the QNC will be home totwo forefront areas of science and engineering –quantum information technology and nanotechnology –housing the Institute for Quantum Computing, theWaterloo Institute for Nanotechnology and ourundergraduate program in nanotechnology engineering.� Funding for the QNC comes in part from a $50-milliondonation from Mike Lazaridis (DEng ‘00), the Universityof Waterloo’s chancellor and president and co-CEO ofResearch in Motion, and his wife Ophelia. An anonymousdonor has also provided a significant gift to support thecentre and nanotechnology research.

Making our vision a realityThe ceremonial ground-breaking for Engineering Vmarked the launch of another Waterloo Engineeringinitiative – the Vision 2010 Campaign. With a $120-million goal, this fundraising campaign aims to helpmeet the ambitious goals of our strategic plan. We’reraising money to build unparalleled facilities, attractexceptional graduate students, support pioneeringresearch and provide outstanding student experiences.As of May 31, $51.3 million had been raised,accomplishing almost 43 per cent of the campaign goaland supporting a number of important steps towardmaking our vision a reality.

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UWWEALSeptember2008

3

BREAKING NEW GROUND

A crane rises above parkinglot B as work begins onEngineering V.Photo by Andrew Smith.

Engineering V represents the firstphase of what will be the largestphysical expansion in WaterlooEngineering’s history.

Vision 2010 ProgressWaterloo Engineering has made significant strides toward meeting its ambitiousVision 2010 goal to be counted among the leading engineering schools in NorthAmerica. Highlighted below are a few accomplishments in our major priority areas.

210.8150.4

225.8159.8

244.3183.9

2005/06

2006/07

2007/08

2004/05

2005/06

2006/07

I

$27,980,000

$32,329,000

$44,052,000

� FTE Staff� FTE Faculty

Staff and Faculty Complement Growth2005/06

2006/07

2007/08

460.0 418.0 223.0

510.0 440.0 258.0

562.0 506.0 344.0

2

Graduate Enrolment Growth

� Total Sponsored Research Funding

2005/06

2006/07

2007/081290 98

1225 69

1282 100

2

� CPR Admissions� Int’l Admissions

Increased Research Funding

� PhD Enrolment� Research Master Enrolment� Professional Master Enrolment

Increased InternationalUndergraduate Admissions

Carty Returns to Lead Nano InstituteAfter 14 years in Ottawa working insenior science positions, Arthur Cartycame back to the University ofWaterloo in May as the first executivedirector of the new Waterloo Institutefor Nanotechnology. Carty was

Canada’s national science adviser from 2004 to 2008,and president of the National Research Council of Canadafor the decade prior. Previously, he had spent 27 years asa Waterloo chemistry professor. In his new role he isproviding scientific and managerial leadership to thenanotechnology institute, reporting to the deans ofengineering and science who oversee it. He is alsoserving as a special adviser to the university oninternational science and technology policy and is aresearch professor in the chemistry department.

Civil Professor Is An Amazing WomanAccording to Chatelaine magazine Susan Tighe (MASc ’97and PhD ’00, Civil) is worth keeping an eye on. The civiland environmental engineering professor was named“one of 80 amazing Canadian women to watch” in themagazine’s May 2008 issue that marked its 80thanniversary. The honour recognizes the WaterlooEngineering alumna’s pavement expertise. “Fromhighways to airport runways, the University of Waterlooprofessor brings her expertise to the design,construction and improvement of the country'sinfrastructure,” says the magazine.

Ng Receives University HonourChemical engineering professor Flora Ng has receivedthe University Professor designation – the highestacademic honour given on campus. Ng, who earlier thisyear was awarded the Catalysis Award from the ChemicalInstitute of Canada (CIC) for her distinguishedcontribution to the field, was recognized for her latestachievement at engineering’s spring convocation.� Ngjoined three other Waterloo Engineering facultymembers who are also University Professors: Keith Hipelof systems design engineering, Garry Rempel ofchemical engineering and Robert Jan van Pelt ofarchitecture. A total of 13 University of Waterloo facultymembers have been named University Professors sincethe honour was introduced in 2004.

Water Research Chair RenewedPeter Huck’s NSERC IndustrialResearch Chair in Water Treatment hasbeen renewed for a fourth five-yearterm. The chair’s goal is to conductleading edge research on criticalissues related to water treatment and

quality. Earlier this year Huck became the firstresearcher outside the United States to be honoured withthe American Water Works Association’s A.P. BlackResearch Award.

Researchers Developing Greener, Safer CarsRoad safety improvement. Fuel cells for automotiveapplications. These are just two of many areas to beinvestigated by five mechanical engineering professorswho are leading projects to develop safer and moreenvironmental cars. The University of Waterloo receivedabout $2.4 million in funding from the AUTO21 Networkof Centres of Excellence for a total of seven projectsheaded by campus researchers. The engineering facultywho will head up projects are Michael Worswick, NormanZhou, Xianguo Li, Jan Huissoon and Steve Lambert.

Solar Collector GeneratesInternational InterestA unique solar sculpture is lighting up attention aroundthe world. Co-creator Rob Gorbet, an electrical andcomputer engineering professor, his brother Matt andsister-in-law Susan created the work of art,commissioned by the Region of Waterloo and set in front

4

Flora Ng and Adel Sedra atspring convocation.

Photo by Chris Hughes.

FACULTY NEWS

of the Regional Operations Centre in Cambridge. Duringthe day the sculpture's solar panels collect the sun’senergy in a battery within 12 metal shafts and at dusk aperformance begins of all the compositions collectedthat day. The public is able to choreograph the show byuploading patterns available on the Solar Collector'swebsite. Since the sculpture’s launch on June 21,hundreds of patterns have been received from as faraway as Europe and Brazil. To create your own patternlog on to www.solarcollector.ca.

Awards For Architecture Building,Faculty And GradsWaterloo Engineering’s School of Architecture buildingand its architect, Janna Levitt of Levitt GoodmanArchitects, won one of 15 Design Excellence Awards fromthe Ontario Association of Architects (OAA). Levitt is alsoan adjunct professor of design at the school. The projectarchitect was David Warne, a Waterloo architecturegraduate. At least four other Waterloo architecturealumni are named as architects on other projects thatwon the award: Victor Jaunkalns, Stephen Teeple, MartinKohn and John Shnier.� Two other OAA award winnerswith Waterloo architecture connections are JonathanWong, an architecture master’s student who won theImage Award of Excellence for his Camera Obscura

Image of a Church Inside a Room, and alumna AndreaLing, who won the Artifact Award of Excellence for herinstallation of The Girl in the Wood Frock.

Part-Time MBET Option Starts This TermBeginning this month, students have the option ofcompleting Waterloo’s Master of Business,Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program parttime over three years. Until now, it’s only been offeredfull time over 12 months. Howard Armitage, director ofthe Centre for Business, Entrepreneurship andTechnology says the part-time degree will appeal toworking entrepreneurs and corporate intrapreneurs.

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UWWEALSeptember2008

FOR THE LATEST NEWSFROM WATERLOOENGINEERING,VISIT WWW.ENGINEERING.UWATERLOO.CA/NEWS

Millionth Textbook Presented – and DonatedIn 1982, Adel Sedra and Kenneth Smith wrote an electricalengineering textbook that Oxford University Pressexpected would sell 30,000 copies. The publisher’sestimate turned out to be, in a word, modest. Duringspring convocation Waterloo Engineering Dean Adel Sedrawas presented with the one-millionth copy ofMicroelectronic Circuits. Sedra, in turn, donated thespecial leather-bound edition to the University ofWaterloo’s Dana Porter library. The best-selling textbookof its kind has been required reading for third-yearelectrical and computer engineering students at hundredsof universities over the years. Sedra, who says writingMicroelectronic Circuits has been a “tremendouslygratifying experience,” is hard at work on the bestseller –he’s taken a year-long sabbatical to write the sixth editionof the textbook.Photo ©2008, The Waterloo Region Record,Waterloo Region, Ontario Canada

The Solar Collector inCambridge, Ontario.

Jon Evans shudders when he thinks about the firstnovel he wrote at 15. “I wince even now. It was badlyplotted, badly written, pure slush,” says the Waterloo

electrical engineering alumnus who was raised inWaterloo. “But finishing it taught me a very importantlesson: writing a novel is actually not that huge andintimidating a feat.”� Evans, now a published author,managed to complete his second novel while anengineering student. He says he didn’t find jugglingschool and writing that difficult. “I have the ‘math gene,’so I didn't have to slave all day and night during schoolterms, except for lab courses. Co-op terms offered meplenty of free time.”� In 1996 he graduated fromWaterloo Engineering and moved to California to work inthe software industry. He left the company after eightmonths and for the next five years worked at a number ofothers, quitting each after a few months to travel theworld. His travel lust took him to Japan, China, Indonesia,South Africa, Hong Kong, India, Nepal and many other

places.� “I like the buffet analogy,” Evans says.“Staying in one place is like eating the same food overand over again at every meal. Also, travel, more thananything else, sparks story and character ideas thateventually grow and crystallize into books.”� His ideas

did grow, and crystallized into Dark Places, the first draftof which Evans wrote in Montreal. In 2003 he sold thenovel and rewarded himself by going skydiving. Aftertravelling to the Balkans to research his next novel andto Egypt “for fun,” he moved to San Francisco to write thefirst draft of his novel Blood Price.� The Calgary Heralddescribes Evans, who has also written Invisible Armies,Beasts of New York and The Night of Knives, as havingcreated a new genre, “the travelogue as fast-pacedaction thriller.”� Currently living in Montreal, Evans hasalso had nonfiction published by CBC.ca, The Globe andMail and The Guardian Online. He has a graphic novelcoming out next year from Vertigo Comics, is working ontwo screenplays, and is planning to write another bookthis fall after travelling to Colombia to do some researchfor it.� Evans chose to pursue an engineering degreeinstead of one related to writing for a number of reasons.“I was good at engineering and it seemed wise to have apractical skill that would actually make me money. It alsotaught me a certain hard-headed pragmatism that is

useful in all professions. And I don't think novelists canor should be trained, certainly not at the undergradlevel.”� While Evans calls himself “a writer, adventuretraveller and recovering techie” he isn’t discountingworking as an engineer again in the future. “In fact I'mlooking forward to it: the left half of my brain is itchyfrom disuse, and as much as I love writing, it's a verysolitary profession. I miss working with other people ona communal problem. I'm not sure exactly when, mindyou, but maybe as soon as next year.”

Travel, more than anything else,sparks story and character ideasthat eventually grow and crystallizeinto books.

6

Jon Evans on a tripto Mongolia. A NOVEL CAREER

It’snot alwayseasybeinggreen, butWaterlooEngineeringstudents areworkingwithother disciplines and, in somecases, other universities tomake it happen.

Solar DecathlonImagine designing a house, building it, dismantling it,moving the pieces – then building it again. That’s exactlywhat students from the University of Waterloo, SimonFraser University and Ryerson University plan to do inthe 2009 Solar Decathlon competition in Washington,D.C.� The team of Canadian architecture andengineering students is among 20 finalists set to design,build and operate the most attractive and energyefficient solar-powered home. The team’s concept,called North House, boasts innovative window glazingand dynamic shading devices.� “I’m learning so muchfrom the mechanical engineering students,” saysarchitecture master’s student Lauren Barhydt, the team’sstudent co-ordinator. “We’ve got some great studentswho are doing some really groundbreaking work.Everyone brings so much to the table.”

Challenge X: Crossover toSustainable MobilityWhen Chris Haliburton, a recent mechanical engineeringgrad, signed on for the University of Waterloo’sAlternative Fuels Team to compete in Challenge X, heknew he was in for a ride. What he didn’t expect waslanding a job.� In fact, by the time he’d completedfour years working with engineering students fromdifferent departments to develop a car running on zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell technology, three job offerscame his way. He’s now working for General Motors inhybrid research and development.� Out of 17 teams,UWAFT placed first overall in the first year and fourth inthe final stage of the four-year challenge. Next up forUWAFT? EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge, a new internationalcollegiate vehicle engineering contest kicking off thisfall. Student teams will set out to a build a vehicle thatnot only handles well, but boasts improved fuelefficiency and reduced emissions.� Haliburton saysChallenge X was a perfect opportunity to learn how towork well with a team. “It was a really interdisciplinaryproject. No one engineering department covers a carstart to finish.”

Google Android Developer Challenge“Guys, I have a brilliant idea.” For anybody in the middleof a multi-day brainstorming session, these words aregolden. But for Jeff Kao, Robert Lam and TaneemTalukdar, recent Waterloo systems design engineeringgrads, they’re worth $25,000.� The team, which hasjoined forces with two University of Toronto students,won a Top 50 spot in the Google Android DeveloperChallenge, a high-tech mobile phone competition. Theirwinning project helps users accurately measure theircarbon footprint and suggests detailed alternatives todriving.� Working out of a house in Scarborough, theteam is now running full-tilt to place in the top 10 andget a shot at the $275,000 grand prize. “It’s going to bea wild ride if we make the top 10,” says Kao.

Students In Free EnterpriseNot every great multidisciplinary team at Waterloo isfocusing on going green. University of Waterloostudents, including engineering students, took thirdplace at the regional Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE)competition, before heading to the nationals in May. Theinternational program challenges student teams tocreate economic opportunities in their communities byhelping others find ways to use market economics,entrepreneurship skills, business ethics and financialliteracy to achieve success.The Waterloo team’spresentation focused on the myriad ways student groupson campus are making a difference. Although the teamdidn’t place at the national level, Geoff Malleck,assistant director of student development in the Centrefor Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology, saysstudents gained exceptional experience. “It was anopportunity to present, give feedback, share a bit of ourstory and learn from others. Ultimately it’s thenetworking that counts,” he says.

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UWWEALSeptember2008

TEAMING UP

An artist’s rendering ofNorth House.

Marc Aucoin is standing at an exciting crossroad, aplace where chemical engineering and virologyintersect. “I want to get more students excited

about how to control biological systems,” says Aucoin, aWaterloo chemical engineering professor.� Aucoin’sinterest in biology is specific to viruses because of theirability to take over the control of cells. He believeschemical engineers, with their background in design andprocess, are well suited to study viruses and theirpotential uses. Viruses and virus-like products, saysAucoin, often need to be mass-produced for use invaccines. “This reason alone has created a huge amountof interest in producing these viruses,” says Aucoin, alsoa Waterloo alumnus with a BASc and MASc in chemicalengineering.� Aucoin says one of the engineeringissues being tackled is how to produce a lot of the virusin the most economical way. This is especially importantif vaccines are to be accessible worldwide. “Obviously,

you want to get vaccines to as many people as possibleand to do this you need to keep costs down. We have tomake sure we’re able to produce these products reliably,quickly and at a reasonable cost,” says Aucoin, whojoined the Waterloo Engineering faculty in 2007 afterreceiving his PhD from the University of Montreal.�

One way Aucoin is inspiring chemical engineeringstudents to pursue research in this area is through his

involvement with the Waterloo International GeneticallyEngineered Machines Competition (iGEM) team. Aucoin,one of the team’s advisers, recruits students to work aspart of the team on their co-op work terms. Thecompetition was founded five years ago by MITprofessors and is part of an emerging field known assynthetic biology. While Aucoin’s interest is specific toviruses, teams from around the world create all kinds ofliving organisms that are designed to perform specifictasks.� “Students have found it to be a phenomenalwork term,” says Aucoin. The team now has about fivechemical engineering students – in past years it wasdominated by students studying biology, mathematicsand computer engineering.� Aucoin was happy toreturn to campus last year because of the “strong historyof biochemical engineering” at Waterloo. He feels thechemical engineering department – with more than athird of the faculty members pursuing bio-relatedresearch – is a great place for someone who has alwaysbeen fascinated with how biology works, especiallyviruses. ”Viruses are neat little organisms that teeter onthe wall between the living and the non-living,” he says.“They’ve survived by making sure that they can infiltratecells, deliver their genetic payload and replicatethemselves.”� Aucoin is currently researching“enveloped viruses,” a group that includes influenza,herpes, HIV and the virus that causes severe acuterespiratory syndrome (SARS).� The more researchersunderstand cellular processes the better they can designproducts like vaccines that can ultimately be used toimprove human health, says Aucoin. The more precisetheir knowledge the safer vaccines will be. “It’s anextremely important field,” says Aucoin. “That’s whythere’s a strong drive to advance it.”

CREATING VIRUSES TODEVELOP VACCINES

Viruses are neat little organisms thatteeter on the wall between the livingand the non-living.

8

Marc Aucoin has alwaysbeen fascinated with viruses

and how they work.

Photos by Chris Hughes.

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UWWEALSeptember2008

Flying robots may sound like the stuff of a youngchild’s dreams, but three Waterloo Engineeringalumni have managed to take their passion for all

things aerial into the business world with the high-techstartup, Aeryon Labs Inc.� In fact, Dave Kroetsch (BASc’02, Comp, MASc ’07, Mech) says the long hours he putsin developing the Aeryon Scout, a flying camera, havemostly been fun. “I believe you have to do what you loveand try to find a way to make money doing it,” saysKroetsch. “If you really enjoy it, it’s never a burden.”�

His passion for aerial robotics is shared by co-foundersMike Peasgood (BASc ’98, MASc ‘02, PhD ’08, SD) andSteffen Lindner (BASc ’92, MASc ’95, SD).� Kroetschwas in his first year of engineering in 1997 when hedecided to organize the Waterloo Aerial Robotics Group(WARG) to compete in an international competition. Heand Peasgood were members of WARG at the same timeand all three Aeryon Labs Inc. founders worked togetherat two video software companies - the former PixStreamInc. and VideoLocus. “We knew after that we could workreally well together,” says Peasgood.� It was only amatter of time before they established Aeryon Labs inLindner’s basement. Last year, the three engineersbegan working out of an office on Colby Drive inWaterloo.� The Aeryon Scout is basically fourconnected foam rings with a rotor inside and a camera

attached. The flying camera produces high resolutiondigital imagery and real-time digital video. It can beused for everything from crime scene surveillance tobuilding inspections.� Part of the appeal of the AeryonScout is that it’s safer to use than other alternatives.“Radio-controlled helicopters have long blades that cancause serious injury,” says Peasgood. Radio-controlledhelicopters are also very difficult to use and requireextensive training to master, adds Peasgood. The AeryonScout is fully autonomous with flight planning softwareand on-board computers. “The Scout is electronic. Itturns on and it works every time,” says Kroetsch.� The

Aeryon Scout will also improve worker safety becausethere will be no need to climb office towers, smokestacks or bridges for routine inspections, says Peasgood.The flying camera can take pictures remotely withworkers safely on the ground, focusing on the video andphotography.� There also may be considerable savingsfor farmers who can use the Aeryon Scout to monitortheir fields and irrigate only those parts that need water.Police are interested in using the Aeryon Scout for crimescene surveillance or automotive accidents, even fordetecting illegal drugs being grown in farmers’ fields.“The more people we talk to,” says Kroetsch, “the morepotential uses we see.”

Mike Peasgood steadies theAeryon Scout. With him areDave Kroetsch, left, andSteffen Lindner, centre.

©2008, The WaterlooRegion Record, WaterlooRegion, Ontario Canada

HIGH-FLYING CAMERA

The more people we talk to, the morepotential uses we see.

Siva Venkat spent a co-op term at Microsoft workingwith a quadriplegic man who typed on a keyboardusing a stick in his mouth.� His colleague was on

Venkat’s mind when he and Mayunthan Nithiyanantham,Timothy Szeto and Sunit Mohindroo met to come up withan idea for their fourth-year systems design engineeringproject at the end of last year. “We wanted to create alow-cost, user-friendly assistive device for quadriplegicsto allow them to control multiple electrical appliances toimprove the quality of their lives both at work and athome,” says Nithiyanantham.� The team’sbrainstorming session resulted in the creation ofQuadrAssist. The small lightweight computer system witha microcontroller allows an individual to do everythingfrom type on a computer to turn electronic equipment onand off by simply sipping or puffing into a tube attachedto a headset.� QuadrAssist is just one of dozens offourth-year projects Waterloo Engineering studentsdesign each year. More than just a degree requirement,the projects help round out the education undergraduatestudents have had both in the classroom and on co-opwork terms.� “Students receive fantastic real-worldexperience,” says Duane Cronin, the faculty adviser forthe Waterloo Off-Road Mini Baja team. “Not only do theylearn how to work with their peers in a teamenvironment, they also learn how to carry a projectthrough from start to finish. Without going through thatonce, they don’t know what it really takes to design as anengineer.”� Cronin, who has a BASc, MASc and PhD inmechanical engineering from Waterloo, says fourth-yearprojects also provide practical business skills. “Studentsfind out how important it is to keep things simple. They

also begin to understand the implications of finance,budgeting and planning.”� Katie Chakhova, LoretaBrazukas, and Tracy Page of civil and environmentalengineering and Chris Carrasquilla and Elisa Jansen ofarchitecture designed an innovative retrofit solution toreduce energy consumption in an existing officebuilding in Phoenix, Arizona. Team members consideredsolutions with the local climate in mind – the retrofitsystem included switching the traditional airconditioning system to one including radiant coolingpanels and a dedicated outdoor air system.� “We alsoadded window overhangs to shade the windows fromdirect sunlight and took advantage of the space byplacing photovoltaic panels on the overhangs – Arizonais one of the highest potential solar areas in the UnitedStates,” says Chakhova.� The team’s project not onlylanded them a major award at the annual InternationalEnvironmental Design Contest at New Mexico StateUniversity but, perhaps more importantly, a differentoutlook on environmental choices. “In the eight monthsthat we worked on the project we learned a lot about theenergy consumption of buildings and the little and bigchanges we can make to decrease it. That is something

we will hopefully remember and apply ourselves,” saysChakhova.� For their fourth-year design project, ateam of mechanical and mechatronics engineeringstudents developed technology that could revolutionizelandmine detection. Using scalable teams of co-operating robots, the innovative design with its flexibleintelligent software allows for optimal mine-searchingperformance. “Our project provides a fast, cheap andeffective detection solution,” says team member MattRendall, who graduated from mechatronics last springand has recently begun Waterloo Engineering’s master ofbusiness, entrepreneurship and technology program.And it’s a solution that is needed – there are anestimated 50 million landmines throughout the world,and every year thousands of people are killed or maimedby them.� But not all student design projects areintended to improve mobility, clean up the environmentor save lives. Some are created for pure entertainment.

Not only do they learn how to work withtheir peers in a team environment, theyalso learn how to carry a projectthrough from start to finish.

10

Siva Venkat, left, andMayunthan Nithiyanantham,

right, demonstrateQuadrAssist.

DESIGNING EXPERIENCE

� Any pinball wizard would be proud of The IncredibleFoosball Machine four electrical and computerengineering students invented this year. Evan Murphy,Adam Neale, Christopher Olekas and Richard Winograd,inspired by hours of playing foosball in WaterlooEngineering’s POETS pub, are the inventors of a machinethat allows people to hook up its controller to theirpersonal computer or Xbox and play foosball using theirsoftware.� “Our foosball machine is a product ofmechanical, electrical, software and systems designengineering. We designed and built four customcontrollers that mimic two rods within a classic foosballtable,” says Olekas.� When players move the rods onthe controllers, they can see that movement in real timeon the screen. By simply hitting a button, players canchange gravity, shrink balls, resize players or even dropa wall in front of their own net.� Like many WaterlooEngineering fourth-year projects, The IncredibleFoosball Machine was part of a public showcase onWaterloo’s campus with projects judged for best overalldesign. The foosball team was awarded the electrical andcomputer engineering projects’ top prize – the Infusion

Cup sponsored by Infusion Angels, an angel investmentgroup located at the Waterloo Research and TechnologyPark.� Two of Infusion Angels’ management staffknow a thing or two about the value of fourth-yearengineering projects: In 2001 Alim Somani and SheldonFernandez, both Waterloo electrical and computerengineering students at the time, won provincial andnational awards for their design project, a productdesigned to help evaluate the eyesight of children whoare unable to communicate with their optometrist.

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UWWEALSeptember2008

Civil and environmentalengineering studentscelebrate after their designproject win in New Mexico.From left are KatieChakhova, Loreta Brazukasand Tracy Page.

Take five Waterloo Engineering students with a great idea. Add valuable co-opexperience plus the lessons of a fourth-year student design project. The result?Polar Mobile, a technology that provides interactive mobile versions of magazinesand other content.� Polar Mobile is the brainchild of recent graduates GauravJain and Kunal Gupta, software engineering, Pratik Rathod, electricalengineering, Rahul Agarwal and Michael Russo, computer engineering, and CarloBarrettara, a Waterloo arts graduate. The group launched their product while stillstudents at Waterloo. In May, the University of Waterloo joinedMaclean's and

Canadian Business as publishers of Polar Mobile’s free weekly mobile news digest,becoming the first public-sector organization to use the new technology. The digestdownloads to your BlackBerry on Mondays, stores automatically and appears instantlywhen the small black-and-gold university icon is clicked.� Jain says findings fromRusso and Agarwal’s fourth-year electrical and computer engineering project WaveSensewere used when developing Polar Mobile. WaveSense provides a unified solution forlocation-based services on mobile phones, allowing a new breed of wireless applications,such as mapping, directory listing and proximity search, to be tailored to the user’s currentlocation.� While the company’s mobile digests are currently designed specifically for the

BlackBerry, Polar Mobile intends to expand to include other smartphones in the near future. Jain’sadvice to future fourth-year engineering project team members is to ask themselves whetherthere’s a market for the product they’re considering designing. “That’s the difference between acool product and a cool successful business,” he says.

The Polar Mobile team includes, from left:Gaurav Jain, Kunal Gupta, Carlo Barrettara,Michael Russo and Rahul Agarwal. Missingis Pratik Rathod. Photo by Chris Hughes.

When Jessica Abbott, a business systems analystworking in Ottawa, signed up for an electivegraduate class offered by Waterloo

Engineering’s management sciences department earlierthis year, she was looking for a way to spruce up herproject management skills. � But the unique 13-weekinternational project management course did much morethan simply teach Abbott the ins and outs of developingscope documents. Instead, she worked closely withNetHope Inc., a non-profit IT consortium serving non-governmental organizations ranging from Save theChildren to World Vision and the Red Cross. Workingentirely online, the class collaborated on a real-worldproject with global appeal: examining Internet

connectivity from some of the most depressed regions ofthe world.� Put simply, the group of five students,hailing from all over the planet themselves, gathereddata to find the best way toconnect online evenin the middleof a

raging crisis. If all major charities shared thatinformation with each other, they could get computersfired up quickly .� The course, which launched inSeptember 2007, has been run twice with each classbeing assigned a project. The second class worked on aproject that looked at information technology bestpractices and the challenges charities face. Beyondonline collaboration, each week the students dialed intoa conference call with NetHope employees.� “Ithought it was an amazing opportunity,” says SofiaSilberberg-Pochtaruk, a math professor at AlgomaUniversity College who worked on the first project. “Itwas very collaborative and there was collective learning.I got a lot out of the project.”� Peter Carr, director ofthe master in management sciences online program, ispleased students are taking away much more than just,say, organizational strategy theory. Working on projectswith NetHope means students get an accurate sense ofwhat project management is really about, he says. “Inthe real world, the issues are about people being able towork together and deal with problems that crop up.”�

And if students, many of whom are experiencedprofessionals with their own skills and insights, are ableto learn new ways of giving back to the community, allthe better.� “A good management education is alsoabout your social responsibility,” says Carr, who travelledto Kenya twice this summer to help relief organizationWorld Vision introduce handheld computers to their aiddistribution. “The contribution we all should make tosociety is very important.”

MANAGING REAL-WORLDPROJECTS ONLINE

In the real world, the issues are aboutpeople being able to work together anddeal with problems that crop up.

12

Peter Carr shows studentRaymond Kwong the regions

of the world his classconnects with in theinternational projectmanagement course.

Photo by Chris Hughes.

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UWWEALSeptember2008

CLASS NOTES� 1962Gerald L. Beebe (Elect ’62) retired in1990 from Northern Telecom and BellCanada where he worked for 32years. Gerald was the chairman ofthe Brampton and District Chapter ofAPEO from 1971-1972. You can reachGerald at 905-877-8862.

� 1963Class Reunion: September 27-28,2008

� 1967PC (Dims)Dimantha (Civil’67) has been inaerospaceengineering sincereceiving his MAScfrom Waterloo and

has worked for Belcan since 1998.Dims has three other degreesincluding a BSc (engrg) from theUniversity of Ceylon and an MA andMBA from McGill University. He hasbeen living in Cincinnati since 1980with his wife Amodanie and sonShawn, who graduated from theUniversity of Pennsylvania in 2007 inbio-medical engineering andbusiness. dimanthapc@yahoo.com

Peter Ridout (Elect ’67) retired fromCanadian Standards Association buthe is still very busy. He just finishedserving on the board of directors ofthe Technical Standards and ServicesAuthority. He is also the co-chair ofHabitat for Humanity North Simcoein the Midland, Ontario area and isthe vice-chair of Habitat forHumanity Canada. Peter invites otheralumni to get involved with Habitateither at the local or national level.

� 1968Class Reunion: September 27-28,2008

Peter Gevorkian (Elect ’68) haswritten two technical books thatwere published by McGraw-Hill:Sustainable Energy Systems

Engineering and Solar Power IBuilding Design. He donated thosebooks plus his previous one,Sustainable Energy Systems inArchitectural Design, to theUniversity of Waterloo. He iscurrently in the process ofcompleting a comprehensivetextbook for graduate studiesentitled Renewable Energy SystemsEngineering and Science Studieswhich is scheduled for release byMcGraw-Hill in the first quarterof 2009.vectordeltadesign@charter.net

Al Moldon (Elect ’68) retired fromIBM Canada after 36 years and isnow the “PC Doctor” in theBallantrae Golf & Country Clubcommunity where he and his wifeMarna live. amoldon@rogers.com

� 1969Steve Russell (MSci’69) has spentmost of his careerin healthinformationtechnology. Semi-retired, he is

involved in the IT planning projectfor the Lacor Hospital, a 500-bedfacility in Gulu, Uganda. The hospitalstarted in 1959 and has a Canadian-Italian connection. The highlight ofhis visit to Uganda was climbingMurchison Falls on the White Nile.The picture here was taken at thebottom of the falls.

� 1970Raj K Gupta(Elect ’70) saysthat afterreturning toIndia in 1970 heworked in private

industry manufacturing electriclamps for six years. Raj then workedon solar energy projects at CEL, agovernment firm near New Delhi. Healso patented a solar snow meltingsystem for use in cold climateregions. He recently retired and hassettled near New Delhi with his wife

Nita who works educatingunderprivileged children. Raj andNita have a daughter and a son,living in different cities. They wouldlike to hear from anyone planning tovisit India. rkg2020@yahoo.co.in

Tadahjiko Ozawa (Mech ’70) recentlystarted his second termas chair of the Japan FluidPower Association.

� 1971Gerald (Rick) Ionita (Chem ’71) saysthat after two retirements and amove to the west coast to golf, skiand sail, he finds himself back atwork helping a Canadian companygrow in the United States andinternationally. “It’s great fun beingback in manufacturing again wherethe biggest challenge is stayingahead of the growth curve,” hereports. GARIonita@aol.com

� 1972Ray Quan (Chem ’72) says “Icontinued my hike on theAppalachian Trail this year beginningat Springer Mountain and ending upat Harpers Ferry. With new trekkingpoles, backpack, hiking boots anddown sleeping bag the third hike waseasy. In April, the down sleepingbag, long underwear and warmfleece were essential. In June inVirginia, these should have beenswapped out for summer gear. Theheat made mid-day siestasmandatory. Numerous scratchesrequired slathering with anti-itchcream and made the nightsinsufferable. Interesting, during theday, when you are hiking, your mindis just on the trail.”

Wayne Miller (Chem ’72) recentlyretired after 36 years –19 years withAllied/General Chemical and 17 yearswith Windsor Utilities Commission aschief engineer of its drinking waterdivision. Wayne enjoys good healthand plans to golf, travel and spendtime with his two (soon to bethree) grandchildren.nancywayne@xplornet.com

� 1973Class Reunion: September 27-28,2008

Eric Williams (Mech ’73 and ’78) andLynda Williams (BA ’72) continue toreside in Tiverton, Ontario. Ericretired in 2006 after 33 years at theBruce Nuclear Generating Stationwith Ontario Hydro, Ontario PowerGeneration, and Bruce Power. Ericcontinues to work as a consultant. Heis the current president and CEO ofthe Canadian Nuclear Society, thegroup behind the Canadian nuclearindustry, and is the past-presidentof Paddle Canada. He is participatingin this year’s 3,600 kilometre re-enactment of David Thompson's1808 historic paddle from theRockies to Lake Superior.canoe.about@bmts.com

� 1974Al McClughan(Mech ’74) hasbeen retired fortwo years. He andSuzette are

enjoying their second “careers” –they spend their winters on the westcoast of Mexico in their RV and travelin Canada during the summers. Theyare eagerly awaiting the birth oftheir first two grandchildren whoshould have arrived by the time ofthis WEAL’s publication!al@almcclughan.com

� 1975David H. Green (Elect ’75) says heand his wife Anne are now emptynesters. They moved to Collingwood,Ontario in February 2008 after 23years in Mississauga. David is stillworking and travels to Mississaugathree to four days a week, stayinglocally, unless travelling for workthroughout Canada, Central/SouthAmerica or Australia. David and Anneenjoy Collingwood visits from theirchildren, two-year-old grandson andsoon-to-arrive granddaughter. Theylook forward to teaching theirgrandchildren how to ski and hike

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the Bruce Trail nearby. Friends arewelcome to visit “chez Green” anytime.david_hugh@rogers.com

Henri J. Socha (Elect ’75) reports thatafter having worked in softwaredevelopment in Texas for 10 years andCalifornia for 20 years he is now atMicrosoft in an OS Test group. Henri andwife Kalva have one son in grad schoolat NYU and another son who lives in theVancouver, WA area with his wife andtwo daughters.Socha@alumni.uwaterloo.ca

� 1977Pierre Mihok (Elect ’77) is employed asan electronics design consultant onceagain. He is still married to the sameWaterloo alumna and their daughter isnow 21. Pierre received a cochlearimplant two years ago and is stilllearning how to use it.

James K. Simpson (Chem ’77) says “aftermore than 30 years of marriage my wifeJudy died in February, 2008. She waitedfor a lung transplant for almost threeyears but a match was never found.Judy faced her challenges with courage,dignity and humour. Please considersigning your donor card.”jimksimpson@gmail.com

Ian Stewart (Elect ’77) is now retiredfrom corporate life. He is keeping busywith a bit of business developmentconsulting and lots of photography.You can contact Ian by phone:919-274-3432.

� 1978Class Reunion: September 27-28, 2008

Sandor Weinacht(Elect ’78) has threenew grandchildren:his daughter hadtwin girls, Sophieand Emma, lastNovember, and hisoldest son is the

father of Daniel who was born in March2008. Sandor and his wife are enjoyingtheir six grandchildren and are travelingconstantly, visiting their homes in NewDundee, Montreal and on Long Island

New York. Sandor continues to work asthe PDEng alumni mentor co-ordinatorfor Waterloo Engineering’s PDEngprogram, which teaches soft skills toengineering co-op students throughdistance education. Engineering alumniact as experienced, trusted mentors,providing advice and support on-line. Ifyou are interested in becoming amentor contact Sandor at:sweinach@engmail.uwaterloo.ca.

� 1979Manfred Kupjetz (Elect ’79) reports thatafter 30 years working in the federalpublic service he retired in January2008. His advice to all his classmates isto retire as soon as you can and startenjoying the fruits of your labour.m.kupjetz@rogers.com

� 1980Akbar Manoussi (MSci ’80) is a CarletonUniversity professor ofbusiness/management. He has beenelected as the Green Party of Canadacandidate representing Ottawa-Vanierfor the next federal election.manoussi@magma.ca

� 1981Ross Mair (Mech ’81) says “It would begreat to hear from university friendsand even better to share some storiesover a beer.”more@rossmair.com

� 1982Horst Hueniken (Mech ’82) is off totackle his next challenge. Afterfounding the investment bankWestwind Partners in 2002 along withhis partners, and then having grown thecompany to over 100 employees, it wasacquired by Thomas Weisel PartnersGroup of San Francisco. Horst is nowbusy building up a financial servicespractice within the merged firm.

� 1983Class Reunion: September 27-28, 2008

Jeff Bennett (Chem ’83) has beenpromoted to customer service rep forCanfor Pulp's three pulp mills in PrinceGeorge BC, after 23 years inprocess/control engineering andtraining positions. Jeff is active in

Nordic skiing and ski patrol in thewinter and with cycling and kayaking inthe summer. Jeff and his wife Gillcelebrated their 25th anniversary inJuly. Son Chris, 21, is an apprenticecarpenter and daughter Laura, 19, isentering a business program at college.jeff.bennett@canforpulp.com

Judy Farvolden (SD ’83) reports that onthe weekend of May 3, the systemsdesign class of '83 held a 25th reunionin Prince Edward County. A total of 35out of 57 classmates attended, manytravelling from afar to reconnect withfriends, reminisce about the fun theyhad and sample county wines. “Janet Hoand Brian Lee – we didn't find you intime! And those who did not attend, wemissed you!”

Alan Lomax (Elect ’83) is pleased toannounce the apple does not fall farfrom the tree – his daughter Heatherhas chosen Waterloo Engineering forher undergraduate studies. Alan and hisfamily are now settled back in Ontarioafter spending a few years in Houston.dlomax@cogeco.ca

� 1986Barry Cott (Chem ’86) has justcompleted a five-year assignment inHouston as global research anddevelopment leader for Shell’s globalsolutions process control, optimizationand modeling group. His nextassignment is as regional manager forEurope and the Middle East, workingout of Amsterdam.barry.cott@stationstudios.ca

Eric Dormer (Elect ’86) retired fromactive engineering and management in2001 shortly after he sold hisengineering services firm. He has beena stay-at-home single dad with histhree sons since 2001, living justoutside Ottawa. He is currently in aparalegal training program and expectsto be licensed by the law society inearly 2009. Eric provides divorcecoaching services and a men'smovement website. He also runs adivorce support group for separatedparents and gender relations retreats.eric_dormer@divorcesupportservices.ca

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UWWEALSeptember2008

� 1988Class Reunion: September 27, 2008

Jan BrorFellenius (Civil’88) is selfemployed,contracting site

work for environmental clean-upsfor retail gas station closures. Jan ismarried to Nelly Lam Tom-Kee who isan IT project manager. Jan has twostepsons, Alexander and Christopher,and two dogs, Alberta and Patrick.He rides scooters – modern andvintage Vespas – and also has aVelosolex that’s still in pieces. “Thisphoto was taken when I jumped onmy scooter as part of the Vancouver2006 Scooter Rally Gymkhana. I atethe windshield,” Jan reports.jan@felcor.ca

Karl Piirik (Civil ’88) is working inThunder Bay for Ontario PowerGeneration. He completed a master’sdegree at the University of Torontoand has done some hydrologylecturing at Lakehead University.Karl has two children, Alex, 16, andLuke, 12, who are both into skiingand biking.

� 1989Brian Alton (Mech ’89) is enjoyingthe near completion of therenovations to his 100-year-oldhouse in Toronto's beautifulRiverdale neighbourhood. Brian sayshis back patios are finally ready toreceive long lost friends for a drinkor barbecue.Brian@SpyketheKat.com

George Dyer (Civil ’89) says hello tohis fellow Mission Imposcivilclassmates! After several years ofworking in the Toronto area forProctor and Redfern, FencoMcLaren/SNC Lavalin, Shiu andAssociates, and Marshall MacklinMonaghan, he has found himself inTaiwan! He and his wife Fanny havetwo children, Norman, 13, andJulianne, 4. George’s mission haschanged considerably – he received

a BEd from the University of Torontoin 1998 and works with aPresbyterian church.ghdyer@yahoo.ca

� 1990Jim Kilpatrick (SD ’90) reports that18 years after graduation he is stillwith Deloitte where he is a partnerresponsible for the company’soperations and supply chainmanagement consulting practice inCanada. When not on the roadworking with clients, he enjoysspending time with his wife Marianand their two children, Julia, 7, andJames, 3. Jim also still enjoys havinga pint and telling stories about the“old days” at Waterloo.jimkilpatrick@deloitte.ca

Tom Lee (SD ’90,Mech ‘96) hasbeen appointedchief evangelistfor Maplesoft,moving into thatposition from

his past role as vice-president ofmarketing. He has also beenappointed an adjunct professor inWaterloo Engineering’s systemsdesign engineering department. Notto be outdone, his wife Sharonrecently completed her PhD inphilosophy at the University ofWaterloo. Tom and Sharon live inWaterloo with their two children, Ericand Maddie. tleegm@gmail.com

Jim Mikell (Mech ’90) is theexecutive vice-president for globalsolutions for Stage-Gate Inc., theworld's leading provider of productinnovation solutions. The companyenables organizations of all sizesand types around the world toimprove their new productdevelopment performance. Jimoversees delivery of both productsand services to Stage-Gate's clientsand enjoys working with some of thebrightest minds in leadingcompanies. He lives in Mississaugawith his wife Gail and childrenAlexandra and Andrew.jim.mikell@stage-gate.com

Darryl O'Neill (Comp ’90) reports heand his wife Lori celebrated their20th anniversary in April. Darryl hasbeen working in Waterloo at NCR as aprogrammer analyst since April1992. His daughter Corrinegraduated in honours history fromthe University of Waterloo in 2006.This month his son Nathan startsmechanical engineering hereat Waterloo.

Peter Tan (Elect’90) worked at anumber ofOttawa start-upswith the last oneacquired byAlcatel-Lucent.

Currently he is working as a seniorhardware designer again at Alcatel-Lucent. He enjoys spending his timewith his better half, Nancy, andtheir two daughters, Audreyand Gabrielle.peter_tan1966@hotmail.com

� 1991Stephen Barrett (Geo ’91) says thatin 2005 his family decided to makethe move down under and is nowbased in Melbourne, Australia. “Ifany fellow classmates are ever downthis way feel free to give me a call toget together and catch up.”sbarrett@golder.com.au

Jean-Marc Patenaude (Elect ’91)recently left his previous employer,Rambus, to start a company in thefire and home safety industry. Jean-Marc is very excited about his careerchange. He currently lives inSunnyvale, California with his wifeDiane and two daughters, Lisa, 4,and Zoe, 2.

� 1993Class Reunion: September 27, 2008

John Hrycyk (Mech ’93) says that ithas been a quick 15 years since heleft Waterloo for Calgary. John hasbeen married for 10 years and hasthree daughters – he is hoping touse his biker-looking father-in-lawto screen potential mates while he

smokes on the front porch. John stilllives in Calgary, enjoying the area’sskiing, mountain biking and hiking.He has worked for a junior oil andgas company for the last two years.hrycykj@asme.org

Craig McQueen(SD ’93) ispleased toannounce herecently joinedone of hisclassmates,

Kevin Walker, at Agora, a boutique ITconsulting firm. Craig lives inOakville with his wife Sophie (Chem'93) and their three children.cmcqueen@agorainc.com

� 1994

Alan Armstrong (SD ’94)congratulates professor Jim Reimeron his retirement from Conrad GrebelUniversity College. Alan says Jim washis mentor as he wrestled with thephilosophical and theologicalpurpose of his undergraduateengineering training. To honour Jim,Alan and his wife established the A.James Reimer Award in 2002 with thevision of providing $12,500 annuallyto a doctoral student of Mennonitetheology. With the help of additionaldonors, the endowment has reachedthe goal of $250,000. For moreinformation you can contact Alan at:awarmstrong@gmail.com

Mark Davis (Elect ’94) and ShirleySyed (Elect '94) had their secondchild, Evan, in April. Mark now worksat Google in its Mountain Viewheadquarters as a software engineerin the search quality group. Shirleytook some time off when Evan wasborn, but recently returned to herhardware engineer position at

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Credence Systems. You can stay intouch with Mark and Shirley bychecking their website:http://www.markandshirley.com

Georgia Lee (Civil ’94) andMalcolmCatto (Civil ’94) have just celebratedtheir 11th anniversary. They have twoboys, Zachary, 4, and Tyson, 7 months.Malcolm is the principal of SCSConsulting Group and Georgia teacheshigh school math and physicaleducation in York Region.cattolee@sympatico.ca

Andrew Allen Martin (SD ’94) has beenhappily married since 2003 and has abeautiful little girl, Emma, born inMarch 2007. Andrew.Martin@jci.com

� 1995Jeff Croxall (Civil ’95) says after 11years of marriage he and LindaEzergailis (Mech ’96) are thrilled toannounce the birth of their daughter,Emma, in September 2007. Sincegraduation both Linda and Jeff havetravelled extensively, completed MBAdegrees and made several careerchanges. Jeff is currently director, realestate investments at Sun Life Financialand Linda is vice president and director,institutional equity research at TDNewcrest. They live in Toronto.jeff.croxall@gmail.com

Jaimie Ross Handscomb (Mech ’95) isemployed at Design Systems CanadaLtd in Windsor, Ontario as a programmanager in its HVAC/processengineering group. In June 2007 hereceived his designation as a consultingengineer from the ProfessionalEngineers of Ontario. Jaimie movedback to Windsor in 1997. He marriedTiffany MacDonald and they now havetwo sons, Blake, 5, and Dean, 3. You cancontact Jaimie through LinkedIn or atjrhandscomb@sympatico.ca

André Reif (Chem ’95) says that afterseven years in Germany and anotherfive in Ontario working in petrochemicalmaintenance and capital projects, he isnow residing in Ontario and working inAlberta on a 12-on 9-off rotation.Currently André is preparing for

Suncor's firebag oil sands project 2008turnaround. reifa@ft-serv.com

� 1996Rajesh Gokhale (SD ’96) is happy to beback in Toronto after an eight-year stintworking in the United States and theUnited Kingdom and completinggraduate studies in France andSingapore. He now works as anexecutive recruiter for the search firmEgon Zehnder International, conductingsenior-level placements in a variety ofsectors, but with a focus on financialservices. He and his wife Parinita areexpecting the arrival of their first child.rajesh.gokhale@alumni.insead.edu

Keith Lau (Comp ’96) recently ended a10-year career with Microsoft, where hespent most of his time working insoftware product development at thecompany’s headquarters in Redmond.He spent the last 18 months withMicrosoft based in Shanghai, China aspart of a three-person incubation teamto help start up a new subsidiary and tospearhead a restructuring andstandardization effort for MicrosoftChina software outsourcing practices.He left the company a few months agoand returned to North America to pursuehis dream of becoming an entrepreneur.His new company focuses on Internetand social media ventures.

� 1997Leigh Boyd (Mech ’97), his wife Petra,and their children, William andAlexandra, are busy travelling back andforth between Örsnköldsvik, Swedenand Toronto. Leigh has been working inSweden for the last five years. Currentlyhe is in Mississauga on parental leave.He has one patent under his belt for anenergy-saving heat exchanger for usein the shower. leighjboyd@yahoo.com

Cherie Nixon (Civil ’97) says that aftergraduating she lived in Seattle,travelled through Europe and moved toAustralia where she lived in a beachhouse for two months. Cherie latermoved to Sydney where she attendedthe Olympics. While in Sydney sheworked in engineering for a year before

taking a year off to do a graduatediploma in biochemistry/ molecularbiology. She’s now living in Venice,California and is working as a civilengineer for Arup. She also recentlyjoined Facebook and asks that formerclassmates contact her through it.

� 1998Class Reunion: September 27, 2008

Frederick Godbolt (Chem ’98) marriedChristina (neeMackowski, Chem ’99) in2000. They moved back to Fred'shometown of Exeter, Ontario in April2007 to take over his family's business.Fred is the third generation to ownGodbolt, Ciufo Insurance and FinancialServices. Fred and Christina had theirfirst child, William George, in January2008 and are enjoying life in a smalltown. fred.godbolt@sunlife.com

� 1999Mark Griffioen (Mech ’99) says he andhis wife Stephanie welcomed a newaddition to their family in March 2008 –Aliya Marie. Mark reports that everyoneis healthy and big sister, Emma, isthrilled with her new sister.markgriffioen@hotmail.com

Patrick Tam (Elect ’99) reports thatsadly his sister, Carolyn, has beendiagnosed with leukemia.pkktam@alumni.uwaterloo.ca

� 2000Michael Hermann (SD ’00) and his wifeKara are the new parents of Jack DavisHermann born in March 2008. Michaelreports Jack is happy, healthy andgrowing quickly. Michael, Kara, andJack are living in San Jose, California.michael.hermann@nuvation.com

� 2001Marek Krzeminski(Elect ’01) reportsthat in May he andVanessa took a trip toEgypt to celebrateVanessa finishing herMSW at Wilfrid

Laurier University. They chose Egyptbecause one of their goals in life is tovisit every continent on earth – they’ve

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UWWEALSeptember2008

already been to Europe and Australiaso they thought they’d tackle Africa.They started off in Cairo visiting thepyramids, sphinx and museumsbefore heading south to Abu Simbeland then back to Aswan for a relaxingcruise on the Nile to Luxor. Marek,who works with haptics for Novint, canbe contacted at:marek.krzeminski@gmail.com

� 2002Mark McCans (Mech ’02) reports thatmuch has changed since he leftWaterloo in 2002. After two years ofworking as a software developer Markreturned to school to obtain his lawdegree and is currently finishingarticling at a major law firm on BayStreet. After being called to the bar,Mark will be moving to California topursue a master of laws degree with aspeciality in technology law at UCBerkeley.mjmccans@alumni.uwaterloo.ca

Jin Zhang (SD ’02)and Jenny aredelighted toannounce the arrivalof their second childEmma in November2007. Emma is a

sister to big brother Eugene. Jin workswith quantitative risk management atthe National Bank in Montreal.john.zhang@tres.bnc.ca

� 2003Class Reunion: September 27, 2008

Dana Christensen (Chem ’03)successfully defended his PhD thesisat Delft University of Technology inthe Netherlands in January 2008. Hisdoctoral work focused on usingnature-inspired concepts to improvethe performance of fluidized bedreactors. Since October 2007, Danahas been working for AltranNetherlands as a consultant in itssustainability group.

Vahid Garousi (ECE’03) Vahid marriedShilan in early 2007.They now have ababy girl namedMaral, which means

young deer in Azeri. Vahid, a facultymember in software engineering atthe University of Calgary, is planningto recommend to Maral that sheattend Waterloo when she grows up!

� 2004David Ho-Yin Lam(Comp ’04) attendedlaw school at theUniversity of Ottawaafter graduating fromWaterloo. David was

called to the bar of Ontario in June2008 and is now practisingintellectual property law at Ridout &Maybee LLP in Toronto. David hasn’tseen some of his UW classmates inages, so if you’re in Toronto and wantto chat or say hello he’d love to hearfrom you. uwalumni@davidlam.ca

Marc Rizkallah (SD ’04) had twodreams: to live on the Italian coastand to get a job where he neverstopped travelling. Currently he liveson the Adriatic Riviera and works ininternational sales for his friend'scompany, traveling around Asiaselling high-speed multilane verticalsachet packaging machines.marc@rizkallah.ca

� 2005Akashdeep Singh (MSci ’05) works inToronto with the Investors Group Inc.as a financial consultant. He lovesevery minute of his job because itinvolves dealing with people, has anentrepreneurial feel to it, plus, it paysgood money!akashdeep.singh@investorsgroup.com

Yang Wang (Mech ’05) is with MagnaClosures and says hello to all hisformer classmates.sunnywong68@hotmail.com

� 2006Melissa Cesana(Chem ’06) andChris Taylor (Civil’06) were marriedon August 2,2008.They arehappily living

together in their new townhousein Woodbridge.

Aaron Chree (Enviro ’06) is working atConestoga-Rovers & Associates inCalgary on upstream oil and gasenvironmental projects in northwestAlberta. achree@craworld.com

Syed Hussain (MSci ’06) has a newaddition to his family, a baby boyborn in February 2008. Syed and hiswife are enjoying having little feet intheir house again with this, theirsecond child. khurram77@gmail.com

� 2007Class Reunion: September 27, 2008

Robert Lovell (SD ’07) and SaraRaichyk (SD ’07) were engaged inMarch 2008. They are the secondcouple (so far) from the 2007 systemsclass to become engaged.robertlovell@gmail.com

Shahryar Rahnamayan (SD ’07) is in apostdoctoral program at Simon FraserUniversity. He recently startedworking as an assistant professor atUniversity of Ontario Institute ofTechnology in the softwareengineering group. shahryar@sfu.ca

Benjamin Sanders(Elect ’07) isassembling anexpedition crew tojourney fromAntarctica to theNorth Pole underhuman power

which includes skiing, cycling,kayaking, sailing, climbing, canoeingand hiking. He hopes to embrace amore eco-friendly lifestyle and reachfor a greener and more sustainablefuture. For more information on theexpedition contact Benjamin at:benjamin@poletopole.ca.

In Memoriam

Peter A. Boughton, Mech ’62Edward L. Cooper,Chem ’70 and ’77

Omer Fereig, Civil ’04Brian Grace, Elect ’69Gregory H. Hanel,Mech ’68Erik Hansen,Mech ’72H. Lotar Krein,Mech ’79John R. Lathey, Chem ’77

Robert T. McCormick, Civil ’75Shigeo Noda, Chem ’66

John A. Nyenhuis,Mech ’02Walter J. Pfanner, Elect ’70Thomas C. Rymer, Elect ‘66Robert A. Sehl,Mech ’64William E. Shelfantook,Chem ’70

William Snowdon,Mech ’77Todd B. Teasdale,Mech ’76Stephen A. Wilson, Chem ’70

Kenneth Wong, Chem ’80

18

Class Reps Wanted!Please help encourage your former classmates to attendreunion. Register to be a class rep for 2009 by emailingeng_alumni@uwaterloo.ca or calling519-888-4567, ext. 37827.

Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest EventDate: Friday, October 17, 2008Time: 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.Location: Concordia Club, Kitchener

Prost! Join other engineering alumni in a reservedWaterloo Engineering section at the Concordia Club,known as Kitchener-Waterloo’s ‘home of Oktoberfest.’Guests must be 19 years of age or older. Tickets are $17each and admission is guaranteed until 7 p.m. on October17. All sales are final. Buy your tickets atwww.engineering.uwaterloo.ca/alumni/events.

Date: Saturday, October 18, 2008Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.Location: Rod Coutts Building (RCH),

University of Waterloo

Go Eng Girl! is an annual event hosted by schools ofengineering across Ontario for girls in grades 7, 8, 9, and10. The Waterloo event includes special guest speakers,an information fair, opportunities to meet current femaleWaterloo Engineering students, cool hands-on activitiesand a free lunch. The only cost to attend istransportation to the university. Register by contacting519-888-4567, ext. 37066 orskawalec@engmail.uwaterloo.ca.

Engineering Alumni NetworkingReception in ThornhillDate: Wednesday, October 29, 2008Time: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.Location: Marshall Macklin Monaghan, Thornhill

Alumni and friends in the Toronto area are invited toattend this networking reception hosted by MarshallMacklin Monaghan in its new Canadian headquarters.The $10 registration fee includes hors d’oeuvres and ahost bar. To register visitwww.engineering.uwaterloo.ca/alumni/mmm.

Class ReunionsClasses of ’63, ’68, ’73, ’78 and ‘83September 27 and 28, 2008Classes of ’88, ’93, ’98, ’03 and ’07September 27, 2008Reunions are a great time to catch up with yourclassmates, relive memories of your university daysand see how the campus has changed since you lastvisited. This year’s reunion coincides with theUniversity of Waterloo’s Homecoming, offering youadditional programming and family-friendlyactivities. Register for reunion events atwww.engineering.uwaterloo.ca/alumni/reunions.

Joe Pok, director of planningand development at SuncorEnergy Inc., showed Suncor’sfacilities to engineering facultymembers while they were on analumni visit to western Canada.Pok, second from left,graduated from WaterlooEngineering with a BASc andMASc in chemical engineering.

Alumni, faculty andstudents attended a

Waterloo Engineeringreception in Detroit

during April’s SAE WorldCongress. From left areAlex Proracki, GurhariSingh, Charles Hua,Stephen West and

Hung Nguyen.

UPCOMING EVENTS

19

UWWEALSeptember2008

Having just returned from mysecond maternity leave, I wasdelighted to hear of the many

enhancements to our alumniprogramming that took place over thepast year.� The winter and springseasons were chock full of networking

events that happened around the world and the summermonths were spent preparing for reunion which we’ll becelebrating at the end of this month. We have manyevents planned for the upcoming months and with thelaunch of engineering alumni’s new publication eWEAL Iwill be able to keep you updated as new ones areplanned.� I look forward to meeting you at anupcoming event.

Sincerely,

Gosia Brestovacki, Alumni Officer

Alumni enjoy the annualcurling funspiel held inApril at the Dixie CurlingClub in Mississauga.

GREETINGS ALUMNI

FOR THE LATEST WATERLOOENGINEERING EVENTS,VISIT WWW.ENGINEERING.UWATERLOO.CA/ALUMNI

Waterloo Engineering Alumni Ski DayDate: Friday, January 16, 2009Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Location: Osler Bluff Ski Club, Collingwood

Join us for this annual event hosted by Steve Vokes(BASc ‘77 Civil). The day includes races, prizes and lunchat this private ski club. Register by email toeng_alumni@uwaterloo.ca or by phone at519-888-4567, ext. 37827.

Engineering Alumni Networking Reception inSan FranciscoDate: Tuesday, February 10, 2009Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.Location: Marriott Hotel, San Francisco, CA

Engineering alumni in the San Francisco area and thoseattending the 2009 ISSCC are invited to attend thisannual reception. Register by email toeng_alumni@uwaterloo.ca or by phone at519-888-4567, ext. 37827.

WEAL is going green!Starting in 2009 we will be introducing a newelectronic newsletter for alumni. eWEAL will circulatethree times a year, allowing us to provide you withtimely Waterloo Engineering news on a more regularbasis.

To reduce the environmental impact of ourpublications and to avoid duplicating news, we willreduce the number of hard copy WEALs from thecurrent two per year to one. We’ll continue to mailyou the Waterloo Engineering Annual Report eachApril and WEAL every September. We’re also proud toreport that starting with this issue of WEAL we’ll beusing Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-approvedpaper for all of our print publications.

Don’t miss an issue of eWEAL! To make sure we haveyour email address visit:alumni.uwaterloo.ca/alumni/ecomm/ecomm.htm.

Publications Number 40065122

WATERLOO ENGINEERING ALUMNI LETTER

Engineering Alumni AffairsUniversity of WaterlooCPH 4301200 University Ave. W.Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1

Return Postage Guaranteed

Workingas consultingengineers for agroupofcharityhospitals inNorth India is about as farawayasyoucanget fromthe roles JennandRob

McArthur playedwhen theymet in 1999: Jennwasa“ScuntGod”andRobwasa“Scunter” in aWaterlooEngSocevent.� Jenn, then Jenn Motuz, and Rob were bothundergraduate Waterloo Engineering students at thetime – Jenn majored in mechanical engineering andRob in chemical engineering.� The couple becameinterested in working in a third world country duringan Engineers Without Borders conference at whichJenn participated on a landmines panel. A conferencespeaker recommended participants attend BarefootCollege, a non-governmental organizationestablished in India to improve such things asdrinking water quality and health and sanitation inrural parts of the country.� “We had both alwaysfelt we wanted to use our degrees to benefit others,”says Jenn of their decision to enrol in the college aftergraduating from Waterloo.� Since 2004, the couplehas worked as engineering consultants in North India.Their initial job descriptions included assistinghospitals to reduce their energy bills through solartechnologies and energy management practices, andhelping solve water shortages with methods such asrainwater harvesting and greywater recycling.� Themost challenging aspect of their work has been the

lack of resources. “Many of the labourers we workwith are illiterate and only speak Hindi or a regionaldialect. The hospitals have very little money so weneed to be creative in our problem-solving,” Jennsays.� The McArthurs have been able to see first-hand the results of their creativity. Their energy-conservation plan has helped a hospital save about 20per cent in operating costs, and several villages havesafe and reliable drinking water for the first time.They’ve also been called in as consultants ondisaster-relief and post-disaster projects after the2004 tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the2007 Bihar floods.� Jenn and Rob returned toCanada for the birth of their son Dominic, now two.And they’re planning to return to Canada on a morepermanent basis in two years – Rob would like topursue a master’s degree in water treatment and bothwant to become licensed by Professional EngineersOntario. “Jenn will be looking for a job, so if anyoneneeds a mechanical engineer at that time, we'd loveto hear from them,” Rob adds with a laugh.

ENGINEERING FOR THEBENEFIT OF OTHERS

Contact UsEngineering Alumni AffairsUniversity of WaterlooCPH 4301200 University Ave. W.Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1

Phone: 519-888-4567, ext. 36838

Fax: 519-746-1457

Emaileng_alumni@engmail.uwaterloo.ca

URLwww.engineering.uwaterloo.ca/alumni/

We respect your privacy andcommunication preferences.To learn more, please go tohttp://alumni.uwaterloo.ca/privacy.

WEALWaterloo Engineering Alumni LetterSeptember 2008 Number 54WEAL is published once a year byEngineering Alumni Affairs at theUniversity of Waterloo.Circulation: 27,500

EditorCarol TruemnerWritersMartha FouldsBeth GallagherCarol TruemnerKira Vermond

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