The Royal Society of Canada has elected Christina Semeniuk, an associate professor in the Department of Integrative Biology, to its College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists in recognition of her scholarly achievements.

Dr. Semeniuk, a Faculty of Science Research Chair, is cross-appointed to the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research and director of the Fisheries management and conservation Careers in Science and Technology (FishCAST) program. Funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) Collaborative Research and Training Experience Program (CREATE), it trains graduate students across multiple Canadian universities in the fisheries and aquatic sciences.

Founded in 1882, the Royal Society of Canada recognizes excellence, advises the government and the larger society, and promotes a culture of knowledge and innovation in Canada and with other national academies around the world. Its college is intended to provide multigenerational capacity to help Canada and the world address major challenges and seize new opportunities.

In announcing Semeniuk’s election, the society called her an internationally recognized predictive ecologist and continued: “Her pioneering contributions are developing leading-edge interdisciplinary solutions for conservation science within coupled human-and-animal systems in conflict over resources. She embraces social justice and EDI measures to innovate responsible scientific and knowledge exchange to ensure successful conservation for all.”

Shanthi Johnson, UWindsor vice-president, research and innovation, welcomed the honour.

“I am absolutely delighted that the Royal Society of Canada is recognizing Christina Semeniuk’s stellar contributions and impact on her field by electing her to the college,” Dr. Johnson said. “College membership is among the most prestigious honours bestowed on Canadian academics in the earlier stages of their careers.”

Royal Society of Canada president Alain-G. Gagnon said the class of 2023 have been recognized by their peers for exceptional contributions to the world of science and culture.

“The impact of their work will continue to be felt in the development of public policies for years to come, while adding greatly to the enrichment of public life,” he said.

Semeniuk and other new members of the college will be formally inducted in a ceremony Nov. 16 in Waterloo.

The Centre for Engineering Innovation atrium filled Aug. 4 with engineering students and faculty as first-year students of “cornerstone design” displayed their efforts and competed for cash prizes.

The mandatory course tasks students with designing, programming, and building a product to address a real-world issue. Solutions ranged from a sustainable greenhouse to an electromagnetic brake system, a sensor-augmented white cane, or an autonomous vehicle.

Harshan Bharat, Bruce Ye, and Vikashan Vivekanathan took the task to heart and created something off the beaten path. They found that white canes used by the visually impaired haven’t changed as much as other medical-related technology.

“Users of a white cane are more limited than you think,” said Ye. “They only have one meter of reach, and think what happens after that one meter” overhead obstacles, far away obstacles, or obstacles that approach you. They are all difficult to detect.”

He and his teammates came up with ultrasonic sensors to extend the range of the cane. The frequency would change depending on how close the user is from the object.

Professor Hassan Nameghi was pleased with all the resulting projects.

“I am proud of the accomplishments of students and their creativity in addressing important issues,” he said. “We as course facilitators put questions in the minds of future engineers, and they make great innovations.”

The students vied for a total of $3,000 in prize money.

Claiming first-place honours and $1,500 was the Sustainable Greenhouse Design team of Sarah Beneteau, Phylicia Krainz, and Naomi Nsoko. Bharat, Ye, and Vivekanathan finished second and received $1,000 for their Sensor-Augmented White Cane. The third-place team, Gravity Battery by Gravity Mastea team, Almughdad Fadlemola, Jason Holdaway, Aldin Malkic and Jenil Maniya, won $500.

—Naomi Pelkey

Food Services invites students, staff, and faculty to kickstart each day with a fresh cup of coffee from these campus locations that open at 8 a.m.:

• Tim Hortons - Centre for Engineering Innovation
• Tim Hortons - Odette School of Business
• Tim Hortons - CAW Student Centre Marketplace
• Starbucks - CAW Student Centre
• Starbucks - Toldo Lancer Centre
• Origins Café - Toldo Health Education Building
• C&B - in the Ron W. Ianni Faculty of Law Building’s Donald and Amber Rodzik Family Café

For comprehensive information about all on-campus dining options, including operating hours, meal plans, and the latest updates, visit the newly launched Food Services website.

The University has declared a bundle of videography accessories for sale by bid as Disposal File 2016.

Included are a Dana Dolly 360 camera mount and a Syrp Magic Carpet camera tracking mount.

Click here for item photographs and details on submitting bids.