If you're an entrepreneur, you know that protecting your intellectual property should be high on your list when it comes to safeguarding your company. However, as a successful business owner, you also know the steps and costs of filing a trademark in the U.S. can be expensive and arduous.
This conundrum can be even more overwhelming for new business owners who want to do everything possible to minimize the price of securing trademarks. They try to handle complicated tasks like trademark registration on their own, which can be a big mistake - especially when juggling the day-to-day tasks of running a business. You may be thinking, "But what about those set-it-and-forget-it services you can find online? All you have to do is plug in your info, and you're done." Using pre-made templates for trademark filing can be tempting, but doing so can leave you with inadequate protection and hurt you in the long run.
So, what is the easiest, most cost-effective route to consider that also minimizes legal risk? The truth is, before you spend money on an online filing service, it's best to consult with a trademark attorney working with clients in Waterloo, Ontario.
At Sausser Summers, PC, our experienced trademark attorneys can help you understand the trademark process step by step. We can even help with U.S. trademark filing, U.S. trademark responses, and U.S. trademark renewals at a price you can actually afford. That way, you can make an informed decision regarding your business without having to break the bank.
Hiring an attorney can be a daunting task, but at Sausser Summers, PC, our goal is to make the process as simple and seamless as possible for you. That's why we offer a straightforward checkout service. First, you choose your flat fee trademark service and fill out a short questionnaire. Then, we will contact you within 24 hours to discuss the details of our service. From there, one of our experienced trademark attorneys will get to work on your behalf.
Using a trademark attorney for filing in Waterloo, Ontario, can significantly increase your chances of a successful registration. The U.S. government recommends hiring a trademark attorney to help with your application, and our team of trademark lawyers is dedicated to meeting your needs. In fact, we help ensure your application is filed correctly the first time so you can get on with your life and avoid legal risks.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we work closely with our clients to understand their needs and provide them with sound professional advice. We never offer incomplete services, such as simply filing for registration, because that would leave you open to legal risks. You can rely on us to handle your intellectual property matters, and our flat fee services can help protect your business in a simple, straightforward, and affordable way. It's really that simple.
In terms of filing a U.S. trademark, we provide an easy three-step process to protect your intellectual property:
1. You provide your trademark info to our team via an online form.
2. Our team performs a comprehensive trademark search. This search ensures that no other marks will prevent you from registering your trademark in the U.S. Once performed, we'll send you a legal opinion letter that details our findings.
3. Sausser Summers, PC, files your U.S. trademark application. We are then listed as your Attorney of Record on file. From there, we'll provide ongoing updates regarding the status of your trademark as it works through the registration process.
The bottom line? At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.
It's not necessary to be a lawyer in order to apply for a trademark. Anyone can submit a trademark application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). However, registering a trademark involves more than just filling out a form. It's essential to conduct thorough research, accurately identify and clearly explain your trademark to ensure it receives adequate protection. And even after securing a trademark, you've got to monitor it consistently to make sure it's free from infringement.
The big takeaway here is that it's always a good idea to work with a trademark attorney to protect the intellectual property that you've worked so hard to establish. According to the Wall Street Journal, applicants are approximately 50% more likely to secure their trademark than people who file applications on their own. If your trademark application is rejected by the USPTO, you will need to revise and refile it, incurring additional filing fees. To avoid delays and extra costs, it is best to have a trademark lawyer help you get it right the first time.
Great trademark attorneys (like those you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC) will help with every step of filing and enforcing your trademark. Some additional benefits include the following:
Check to see if your proposed trademark is registered by another entity.
Conduct research to see if another business is using the trademark for which you're applying.
Provide advice and guidance on the strength of your trademark.
Draft and submit your trademark applications and application revisions.
Advice and guidance regarding trademark maintenance and protection.
Monitor the market for unauthorized use of your trademark.
Trademark enforcement to protect you against infringement.
Curious whether our trademark attorney services are right for you and your business? Contact Sausser Summer, PC, today. Let's talk about what you need, and how we can help.
Online services, can provide you with basic assistance in filing your trademark. However, they will never be a legitimate substitute for an experienced trademark attorney helping clients in Waterloo, Ontario.
Although online filing services offer a step-by-step process, they take a one-size-fits-all approach to preparing legal documents. Even their advanced service only provides basic attorney assistance in completing your paperwork and helping with minor roadblocks. Online filing services' disclaimer highlights the many limitations of its services, including the fact that communications are not protected by attorney-client privilege. In addition, online filing services cannot provide advice, explanations, opinions, recommendations, or any kind of legal guidance on possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms or strategies.
In other words, online filing services can offer you the necessary forms and point you in the right direction, but they cannot customize their services to your specific needs or help you with serious complications that may arise.
For the most comprehensive trademark service and protection, it's always wise to work with highly rated trademark lawyers, like you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC.
Trademarks in the U.S. can last indefinitely, but did you know that clients in Waterloo, Ontario can file a trademark online, only to lose protection in some circumstances? Trademarks differ from patents and copyrights in that they do not have an expiration date. However, to prevent the cancellation of a trademark, you must maintain it. To ensure that your trademark remains protected, you must actively use it in commerce and renew it with the USPTO every ten years.
The Lanham Act tells us that "use in commerce" is the legitimate use of a trademark in the ordinary course of trade. In other words, you cannot register a trademark solely to reserve the rights to it in the future. In most cases, a trademark must be used continuously in connection with the goods or services it is registered for.
Trademarks are registered with the USPTO and generally need to be renewed every ten years. However, there is one crucial exception that you should be aware of. Within the first ten years of owning a trademark, you must file for renewal between the fifth and sixth year from the date of your initial registration.
During this renewal period, you are required to submit a Section 8 declaration, a specimen that shows how the mark is being used, and pay the required fee. You can also apply for Section 15 Incontestability status, which can strengthen your trademark rights. This application, although not mandatory, can make it harder for others to challenge your ownership of the mark.
After the first renewal, which falls between the fifth and sixth year of ownership, the next renewal filing is due between the ninth and tenth year, and then every tenth year thereafter. In the ninth year you will need to file a Section 8 declaration, attesting to your use of the mark or excusable nonuse. You've also got to file a Section 9 renewal application before the end of the tenth year to keep your registration active.
It is worth noting that the USPTO provides a six-month grace period if you fail to renew your mark within the required time frame, but it is best not to rely on it. If you don't file within the grace period time limits, the USPTO will cancel and expire your mark.
By hiring trademark attorneys helping clients in Waterloo, Ontario, you can avoid the pitfalls and mistakes that can arise and cause you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it.
In the event that you stop using your trademark and have no plans to resume using it in commerce, it may be considered abandoned by the USPTO. This could result in the loss of your protective rights to the mark. Typically, a trademark is assumed to be abandoned if it has not been used for three years. However, you may be able to refute this presumption by providing evidence that you intend to use the mark again in the future.
In addition to trademark abandonment, you should also be wary of improper licensing. It's important to remember that once you allow someone else to use your trademark, you must keep an eye on how they use it. You should monitor the products or services that feature your trademark to ensure that they meet consumers' expectations in terms of quality. Failure to do so can lead to a "naked" trademark license and the loss of your protective trademark rights.
If you're wondering how you can avoid refiling your trademark, the answer is simple: file it correctly the first time around. Filing a trademark isn't inherently difficult, but when doing so, it's very important that certain aspects are filled out accurately in your application. If any information is missing or incorrect, the trademark application may be considered "void ab initio" or void from the beginning, requiring you to file again.
To avoid this, make sure that the information you provide in the application is accurate and complete, including the ownership of the trademark. For instance, if a corporation has multiple shareholders, it should not file under the President's personal name. The rightful owner should be the one/entity that ultimately controls the trademark and the associated goods/services.
It is also important to ensure that the goods and/or services description is precise. For example, if you sell electronic products, you should not file for research and development services despite having a research and development department. The goods/services description should reflect the goods/services you offer to customers, not the departments within your business.
Additionally, providing accurate dates of first use when filing for a trademark is crucial. The USPTO requires two dates to be specified - the date of first use anywhere and the date of first use in interstate commerce. Contact our trademark law office today to learn more about having accurate dates on your filing paperwork.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we often get questions about how to distinguish run-of-the-mill consultants and others from great trademark attorneys. After all - when you're looking for an attorney to file or prosecute your business trademark, you should know their qualifications. Here are three ways you can separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff when it comes to trademark attorneys.
It's crucial to seek legal advice from a licensed trademark lawyer rather than relying on advice from non-professionals like trademark consultants. The USPTO even recommends hiring an attorney to help with the trademark process. Although trademark consultants may provide advice on trademark availability or name marketability, they cannot file the trademark for you or offer legal advice. According to the Rules of Practicing in trademark cases, "Individuals who are not attorneys are not recognized to practice before the Office in trademark matters." This rule applies to individuals who assist trademark applicants.
When searching for a trademark attorney, it's important to find someone with a strong background in trademark law. Look for an attorney who specializes in this area and has significant experience handling trademark-related cases. Avoid lawyers who don't have expertise in this field, as they may not be able to provide the guidance and support you need.
Ensure your attorney provides updates throughout the trademark registration process to avoid missing deadlines, including responding to any Office actions within six months. Failure to do so can result in trademark abandonment. The USPTO will only correspond with the listed attorney of record, so make sure your attorney keeps you informed.
In summary:
Building your brand and gaining recognition for it is a significant achievement, and it's important to protect it. However, there are certain pitfalls and mistakes that can arise, causing you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it. By working with knowledgeable trademark attorneys, you can avoid these issues and file your trademark successfully.
With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Sausser Summers, PC, offers comprehensive guidance, strategic advice, and reliable representation for a variety of trademark matters. Our attorneys have years of real-world experience and, having registered countless trademarks with the USPTO, provide our clients with individualized representation when they need it most.
If you're looking for skilled, adept, and experienced counsel, look no further than our trademark law firm. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and learn how we can help you safeguard your brand.
When Matthew Froggatt and Sunny Xie were on an exchange trip to the Netherlands they saw a lot of people using bicycles to get around.The two had noticed there were bike subscription services in Europe and when they returned to Waterloo, Ont., they thought about whether they could get a similar idea rolling in Waterloo region. They decided to launch Velodel, a company that is set to provide bicycles as part of a subscription service starting in May.Froggatt said they think it's an idea that could work well for students who may ...
When Matthew Froggatt and Sunny Xie were on an exchange trip to the Netherlands they saw a lot of people using bicycles to get around.
The two had noticed there were bike subscription services in Europe and when they returned to Waterloo, Ont., they thought about whether they could get a similar idea rolling in Waterloo region. They decided to launch Velodel, a company that is set to provide bicycles as part of a subscription service starting in May.
Froggatt said they think it's an idea that could work well for students who may not be able to afford their own car or who may only need a bicycle for a short period of time. But the service could be for anyone in the region.
"If I'm a student, that would probably be something like four months. If I'm someone who likes to bike only in the summer, that might be something like from May til October," Froggatt said.
"You keep it for the whole period of time and then contact us, let us know, hey, I'm ready to pack it up for the season or I'm moving to California for my co-op, and then we'll come and pick up the bike from you."
He says they plan to use a seven-speed, Dutch-style bike and people could pick the size they require. Then it would be delivered to their door.
Four months would cost approximately $240. Froggatt said that might be too high for some people, who would go buy a bike for the same price or even cheaper online.
But the benefit of a subscription is people don't have to worry about the bicycle when they have to leave and if something happens to it and it needs repairs, they'd be able to get a replacement.
Xie says she's used inexpensive bikes, but because she's on the shorter side they don't always work for her and it can be uncomfortable.
"I have to constantly be like, oh so I need to stop now and where do I put my feet? How do I stop this bike from making the noises that is so annoying?" she said. "And when I got to the Netherlands, their bikes are ergonomically very comfortable and I was able to find one that fit me super well."
Froggatt says they're also looking at anti-theft devices for the bikes to ensure they don't get stolen from people using the subscription service.
"The important thing for me is just I want to make sure that students can get around," Froggatt said.
"We want to make sure that people can feel comfortable using a bike as their method of transportation. We don't want it to just be sort of something you do for fun on the weekends. We want to make sure that like a student who needs to go and get a bunch of groceries with their bike."
People who want e-bikes or e-scooters for short trips can also use the program through the Region of Waterloo and Neuron Mobility. The orange rental e-scooters and bikes are back on the sidewalks in Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo and will be available to people until later this fall.
With files from Cameron Mahler
Waterloo is one of three cities that make up the Region of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. Home to universities known for their computer science and other STEM programs, Waterloo and the surrounding area attracts graduates looking for employment in the tech sector. Here’s a roundup of some of the top companies in Waterloo that are helping to grow the region’s tech community.Top Tech Companies in WaterlooTop 8 Tech Companies in Waterloo...
Waterloo is one of three cities that make up the Region of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. Home to universities known for their computer science and other STEM programs, Waterloo and the surrounding area attracts graduates looking for employment in the tech sector. Here’s a roundup of some of the top companies in Waterloo that are helping to grow the region’s tech community.
Industries: Software, cybersecurity, cloud, artificial intelligence
EPAM provides digital transformation services to clients around the world. Its offerings cover areas such as product development, quality engineering, digital risk management, responsible AI design and data technology consulting. The company’s work touches industries ranging from media and gaming to energy and life sciences.
EPAM Is Hiring | View Open Jobs
Industry: Fintech
Cash App allows users to instantly conduct peer-to-peer money transfers by using its mobile app. It also offers features like debit cards, direct deposits, stock buying and selling and free tax filing. The company also unveiled a savings feature, as well as capacity for Bitcoin sales and transfers.
Cash App Is Hiring | View Open Jobs
Industries: Cloud, food, hospitality, software
Toast supports thousands of restaurants and other food establishments with products like point-of-sale systems, self-ordering kiosks, online ordering solutions, gift card programs and reservation systems. The company offers solutions and pricing models for eateries of all sizes, from small, single-location businesses to enterprise brands with operations across several locations.
Toast Is Hiring | View Open Jobs
Industries: Software, cloud, productivity
Dropbox is a software company that operates a suite of cloud-based file hosting services. It also provides synchronization and secure storage for large documents and files, and its products integrate with Slack, Zoom and other popular communications and productivity programs.
Industry: Software
OpenText provides business process management and information management for enterprise clients. Its products and solutions allow organizations to manage their data and content and handle regulatory compliance requirements around data and information security. Working with a range of industries from insurance and banking to oil and gas, OpenText can digitize supply chains and improve communication across channels.
Further ReadingTop Tech Companies in Montreal
Industries: Software, cybersecurity
Once known for its signature mobile devices, today BlackBerry is a cybersecurity company that makes secure tech and software for mobile and IoT devices. Its software protects over 500 million devices, including smartphones, computers, tablets and IoT devices, working to prevent cyber threats within that network. The company also secures software in over 200 million connected cars.
Industry: Cybersecurity
Arctic Wolf is a cybersecurity firm that combines its security operations platform with its concierge delivery model to allow clients to specify exactly how they want their security risks managed. Arctic Wolf’s solutions for client companies include managed risk, cloud security posture management and Incident Response.
Industry: E-commerce
Faire is a wholesale e-commerce platform that small businesses can use to sell their goods through local retailers. It is, essentially, a marketplace that pairs makers with stores that will sell their products, in categories that include home décor, beauty and wellness, jewelry, pets, and food and drink.
Waterloo, Ontario Right now, in communities across the country, building the housing we need, especially affordable housing, is too hard. That’s why the federal government is working with municipalities to break down barriers and build more homes, faster so Canadians – whether they are just starting out, growing their families, or aging in security – can find a place to call home, at a price they can afford.The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the federal government has reached an agreeme...
Waterloo, Ontario
Right now, in communities across the country, building the housing we need, especially affordable housing, is too hard. That’s why the federal government is working with municipalities to break down barriers and build more homes, faster so Canadians – whether they are just starting out, growing their families, or aging in security – can find a place to call home, at a price they can afford.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the federal government has reached an agreement with the City of Waterloo, Ontario, to fast-track 650 new housing units over the next three years. This work will help spur the construction of more than 15,000 homes over the next decade and help meet the demand in Waterloo.
Under the Housing Accelerator Fund, this agreement will provide over $22 million to eliminate barriers to building the housing we need, faster. It will create more housing options in the city, including more rentals, affordable units, and housing near university and college campuses. As part of the agreement, Waterloo will allow up to four units as-of-right, and up to four storeys in low-density neighbourhoods. The city will build more homes around public transit, turn city-owned land into new housing, and partner with non-profit homebuilders to create more affordable apartments. It will also modernize city infrastructure – ending zoning restrictions and implementing a new permitting system to cut red tape and speed up approvals. Together, these initiatives will significantly improve the way affordable housing is built and delivered in one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities.
The Housing Accelerator Fund is helping cut red tape and fast-track the construction of over 500,000 new homes for people in towns, cities, and Indigenous communities across Canada over the next decade. It asks for innovative action plans from local governments, and once approved, provides upfront funding to ensure the timely building of new homes, as well as additional funds upon delivering results. Local governments are encouraged to think big and be bold in their approaches, which could include accelerating project timelines, allowing increased housing density, and encouraging affordable housing units.
The Government of Canada is supporting the middle class – and housing is key to that work. Our plan to double the rate of housing construction over the next decade will help build the housing supply we need. We are working with provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, as well as Indigenous partners, to build more homes for Canadians, faster, and make life better for everyone.
“Waterloo needs more homes that Canadians can afford. That’s why we’re working with mayors to cut red tape and change the way we build housing. Today’s announcement with Waterloo will help build more affordable homes, faster, so that every Canadian has a good place to call their own.”
The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
“We are excited and proud to announce this partnership with Waterloo today. By allowing four units as-of-right, partnering with non-profits to create affordable apartments, building more homes around public transit, and working to turn city-owned lands into new housing developments, the City will ensure that Waterloo has more of the kinds of homes we need to tackle the housing crisis. We will continue working with cities, towns, mayors, and all levels of government to get more homes built for Canadians at prices they can afford.”
The Hon. Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
“The Government of Canada’s investment is a game changer in addressing the housing crisis in our community. People are at the heart of the housing crisis – people who need affordable, inclusive, sustainable, and diverse housing options. Working with partners in the private, non-profit, and academic sectors, the City of Waterloo is advancing housing projects which support our vision for complete communities with a high quality of life for all. We’re grateful to the Government of Canada for this Housing Accelerator Fund investment. It will change the future of housing for people in the City of Waterloo.”
Her Worship Dorothy McCabe, Mayor of Waterloo
A rare solar event is taking place next week and organizations across the Kitchener-Waterloo area are working to make sure as many people as possible can experience it safely.On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse — during which the moon will pass in front of the sun, and block out its light — will be visible from Canada, Mexico, and the United States.In the Waterloo region, about 99 per cent of the sun will be covered just after 3 p.m.While eclipses occur about once every 18 months, ...
A rare solar event is taking place next week and organizations across the Kitchener-Waterloo area are working to make sure as many people as possible can experience it safely.
On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse — during which the moon will pass in front of the sun, and block out its light — will be visible from Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
In the Waterloo region, about 99 per cent of the sun will be covered just after 3 p.m.
While eclipses occur about once every 18 months, a total solar eclipse is only visible from a small area of Earth's surface; any particular spot on Earth only experiences a total solar eclipse about once every 375 years.
"There's lots of excitement about this," said Ian Findlay, resource development coordinator with Yorklands Green Hub. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Yorklands Green Hub is partnering with Guelph Stargazers for an eclipse-viewing event at 785 York Rd. in Guelph. Participants will be able to view the eclipse using scopes and special eyewear.
"We do have a registration online," Findlay said. "We have already sold out, but we're willing to allow few more folks to come in."
"We only have two scopes, so everyone will sort of have to share the scopes, but we'll have lots of other eyewear for folks to use."
Guides will also be providing information about solar eclipses and Findlay said the group will also be discussing the 785 York Rd. site itself, which is a former correctional centre.
The Yorklands event is not the only one happening to mark next week's eclipse. Cambridge's Idea Exchange also has some activities planned.
"We have a solar eclipse party at the Old Post Office, and we're going to have a variety of activities and crafts in our Children's Discovery Centre, and they're going to be themed around the sun and the eclipse," said Valerie Wettlaufer, manager of the Old Post Office.
"We're also going to have our blinds all closed so you can avoid seeing the sun unexpectedly," she said. "But we have an outdoor terrace, so we'll allow people to go out there and have a safe viewing experience as long as they have some eclipse glasses."
"We also have some pinhole viewers that we'll be able to provide. We have very limited quantities of everything, but we'll try to to provide some of that for people coming into the event."
Meanwhile, the Old Post Office will also be showing eclipse livestreams.
"If you really want to be extra safe, you can look at all the eclipse information from that streaming video that we'll be providing," Wettlaufer said.
"We also have another location in Cambridge at Idea Exchange, Clemens Mill. They're also hosting an eclipse party, and they'll have their own set of some eclipse glasses, some pinhole viewers activities and crafts all themed around the eclipse."
There are several other events planned across the region and Guelph on April 8, including:
All of the events have one thing in common: a focus on safety.
Looking at a solar eclipse without proper eye protection will cause serious eye damage. Concerns about student safety have prompted some Ontario school boards to sending students home early on the day of the eclipse, cancel classes for the day, or to reschedule a planned PD day, moving it to April 8.
"This is a unique opportunity," University of Guelph science educator, Orbax, said. "We're so close to seeing a total solar eclipse."
"We're going to get about 99 per cent coverage," he added. "Physically 30 minutes down the road in Hamilton, they're going to be in the path of totality."
"The difference there is that when you have a total solar eclipse, the moon completely blocks out the sun's light altogether, and you can just see the sort of outer edge of the corona of the sun peeking out from behind it. We're going to get 99 per cent coverage, which will, for all intents and purposes, get as dark as it will in the path of totality, but we're not going to be able to see that little kind of peaky bits coming out from behind the moon."
As for the safety precautions, Orbax said they're not necessarily tied to the eclipse itself.
"It's the idea that you're not supposed to stare at the sun, regardless of whether it's partially-covered or not," he said.
"Even partially-covered, the sun is still bright enough to cause damage to your eyes if you stare at it for any prolonged period of time."
Orbax said solar eclipse glasses or viewers allow people to safely view a solar eclipse, but care must be taken when choosing a pair given their recent popularity — legitimate glasses are quickly selling out as it's been nearly 100 years since a total solar eclipse has been viewable in the area.
"Counterfeit glasses are also fairly common, and they're incredibly dangerous," Orbax said, adding they won't protect the eyes when viewing an eclipse.
"The [American Astronomical Society] has a list of approved vendors," he said. "They all have the same ISO certification for the International Safety Standard on them."
People who can't get a pair of glasses can also use a pinhole viewer, Orbax said.
"Holding that up to the sun, turning your back to the sun and looking at the projection that's coming through those little pin holes,"
The Morning Edition - K-W4:51With a solar eclipse on the way in April, Orbax offers tips to prepare to look at it safely
<p>A solar eclipse is set to take place on April 8 and will be visible in Waterloo region. University of Guelph science educator Orbax offers advice on how to prepare for the event, including the proper eyewear needed to view it.</p>
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Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Faculty of Mathematics Doctoral Prize: Computer Science PhD Nils Lukas (first prize), Applied Mathematics PhD Cameron Meaney (second prize) and Actuarial Science PhD Qiuqi Wang (third prize).The prizes, which come with respective awards of $1500, $1000, and $500, are given annually to recognize the achievement of graduating doctoral students in the Faculty of Mathematics. As the first prize winner, Lukas has also been nominated for the University-wide Governor General Gold Medal, which is awa...
Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Faculty of Mathematics Doctoral Prize: Computer Science PhD Nils Lukas (first prize), Applied Mathematics PhD Cameron Meaney (second prize) and Actuarial Science PhD Qiuqi Wang (third prize).
The prizes, which come with respective awards of $1500, $1000, and $500, are given annually to recognize the achievement of graduating doctoral students in the Faculty of Mathematics. As the first prize winner, Lukas has also been nominated for the University-wide Governor General Gold Medal, which is awarded at spring convocation.
Lukas graduated this February with a PhD from the Cheriton School of Computer Science. His dissertation is titled “Analyzing Threats of Large-Scale Machine Learning Systems.” He is currently working with Borealis AI, and this August will be starting a position as an assistant professor at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in the United Arab Emirates.
“Receiving this year’s Mathematics Doctoral Prize Award is a tremendous honour, and I am truly humbled that my work has been recognized,” Lukas says. “I am eagerly looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead and remain committed to advancing secure and private machine learning methods.”
“Nils has an outstanding publication record and a level of academic excellence rarely seen among even applicants for faculty positions,” says Florian Kerschbaum, professor of Computer Science and Lukas’s advisor.
“I want to express my deep gratitude to Dr. Kerschbaum, whose guidance and support were crucial to my journey,” Lukas says. “I am also immensely thankful to my committee members N. Asokan, Yaoliang Yu, Arie Gurfinkel, and external member Alina Oprea for their invaluable contributions and insights.”
Meaney graduated with his PhD from the Department of Applied Mathematics last summer, and now works as a QSP/QST Modelling Scientist at Simulations Plus, Inc., a medical research software company in California. His dissertation is titled “Applications of Deep Learning to Differential Equation Models in Oncology,” and involves using mathematical and computational models to model cancer progression and treatment.
“It is wonderful to be recognized by an institution which has shaped so much of my academic and career journey,” Meaney says.
“Cameron’s publication record, work ethic, experience working in interdisciplinary teams, and knowledge of applied mathematics, numerical computing, and cancer medicine have made him stand apart from his peers as a talented researcher with high potential,” says Dr. Mohammed Kohandel, professor of Applied Mathematics and Meaney’s graduate supervisor. “He is a brilliant young researcher with a bright future.”
“I would like to extend a huge thank you Dr. Kohandel,” Meaney says. “He was a key part of my academic journey from start to finish and gave me lots of opportunities to succeed and grow.”
Wang graduated with his PhD from the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science last summer, and now holds a position as a tenure-track assistant professor in the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Science at George State University. His dissertation is titled “Characterizing, optimizing and backtesting metrics of risk,” and deals with applications to insurance and finance.
“I feel pretty honored to be selected as one of the recipients of the award,” Wang says. “The University of Waterloo is one of the top-notch universities in mathematics. This award must be one of the most memorable recognitions of my work in my life.”
“I was very fortunate do work with Qiuqi,” says his supervisor, professor Ruodu Wang. “He also recently won the Pierre Robillard Award for the best PhD thesis in Statistics and Probability defended in Canada in 2023 (awarded by the Statistical Society of Canada), clearly showing his excellence.”
Wang is particularly thankful to Dr. Wang “for his patient advice and endless support,” and also expresses his thanks to “my parents, my friends, and everyone who helps me during my PhD.”
You can read more about the Doctoral Prize, and see a list of past winners, on the Graduate Studies website.
The build-up of ice on an airplane in flight can seriously impair its ability to fly and, in extreme cases, lead to catastrophe. In Dr. David Del Rey Fernández's lab, algorithms and software are being developed to understand these processes and enhance future aircraft designs to prevent negative outcomes.Del Rey Fernández, a professor in the University of Waterloo's Department of Applied Mathematics, leads research teams at the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA), focusing on developing simulation softw...
The build-up of ice on an airplane in flight can seriously impair its ability to fly and, in extreme cases, lead to catastrophe. In Dr. David Del Rey Fernández's lab, algorithms and software are being developed to understand these processes and enhance future aircraft designs to prevent negative outcomes.
Del Rey Fernández, a professor in the University of Waterloo's Department of Applied Mathematics, leads research teams at the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA), focusing on developing simulation software algorithms to design safer, more aerodynamic and fuel-efficient aircraft that are environmentally friendly.
Funded by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the WISA research team uses algorithms to solve partial differential equations, simulating aircraft flight under a range of conditions, instead of creating traditional physical models. algorithms to solve partial differential equations, simulating aircraft flight under a range of conditions, instead of creating traditional physical models.
“We live in a physical world, and we develop mathematical models to predict how the physical world works,” Del Rey Fernández explains. “With math you can push into aircraft designs that could not otherwise be considered.”
One major problem he’s trying to solve involves the buildup of ice on an aircraft’s wings and body, which happens when atmospheric water droplets are super-cooled then freeze and accumulate.
“This is hugely problematic because an aircraft’s performance depends on the shape of its wings and fuselage — both of which can be impacted by ice. Ice accretion can make it harder for a plane to take off, more likely to stall, interfere with its vital sensors and may result in aircraft failure,” Del Rey Fernández says.
Del Rey Fernández, along with Waterloo master’s student Donze Li, postdocs Dr. Sarah Nataj, and Dr. Anita Gjesteland, are addressing the challenge of ice accretion for Canadian business jet manufacturer Bombardier Inc. They aim to enhance understanding of ice formation on aircraft and strategies to mitigate it by developing software for three-dimensional ice accretion simulations.
“Computer simulation is the third pillar of science today,” Del Rey Fernández says.
For decades, aviation engineers used simple math formulas to draft preliminary aircraft designs which were used for testing scale models in wind tunnels, then refined into finished products. However, such physical experimentation is labour intensive, time consuming and expensive. Today’s engineers employ computer software to quickly and economically produce thousands of designs that are turned into select physical models that undergo tests.
"For the last several decades, state-of-the-art computer simulation software has effectively predicted ice accretion in two dimensions. Our group seeks to advance this by developing software capable of three-dimensional predictions, because an aircraft is a three-dimensional object," Del Rey Fernández explains.
“Partial differential equations are key in this process since they describe how physical systems evolve and let us predict how they will work,” he says. “Most partial differential equation models can’t be solved with a pen and paper. We approximately solve them, using computers and numerical methods.”
Such advances in computer simulation could address a range of challenges related to aircraft design.
Del Rey Fernández and Nataj are collaborating with Ansys, a company specializing in advanced simulation software for designing, testing and operating products. They aim to improve the software's ability to simulate complex interactions, like how air flows and interacts with airplane wings during flight. This work is vital for aviation, as understanding these interactions helps in designing better performing and safer aircraft.
“If a wing vibrates too wildly, it can break off,” Del Rey Fernández says. “Our work will enable Ansys to improve the efficiency of its current approaches to fluid-structure interaction by providing mathematical guarantees on solver performance. The resulting gains in efficiency will improve turnaround time of simulations, and therefore, time to market and refined designs.”
Del Rey Fernández and project leader Dr. Hans De Sterck are collaborating with Pratt & Whitney Canada, a company that designs, manufactures and services aircraft engines, to enhance the performance of its gas turbines. With the help of master’s students Andrew Gray and Adam Vieno, they're focusing on innovative approaches using machine learning and simplified modeling to speed up design processes, such as optimizing the shape of parts. These methods allow for a deeper dive into engine design possibilities, paving the way for improvements. The aim of their work is to boost the efficiency of gas turbine engines, reducing their fuel use, weight, and the emissions contributing to climate change.
While Del Rey Fernández and his team have seen encouraging early results, their projects are designed for the long haul. For example, he anticipates that completing his work for Bombardier will require three to four years of dedicated effort.
“With computer simulation you can push the envelope on design to get better performance and a better product,” he says. “And it significantly reduces the time for development and saves money.”
WISA received nearly $9.2 million from FedDev Ontario in 2023. The funding is supporting 38 Research-for-Impact projects, including $176,925 for these projects.
A list of things to do in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region including free, fun family & kids’ activities, live music, theatre & performing arts, sports, and exhibitions: Friday, May 3 – Sunday, May 5, 2024.Join us and travel back in time for an authentic heritage train ride through Woolwich Township and Waterloo Regions’ famous Mennonite farm country on our historic rail line that has been in service since the 1880s. ...
A list of things to do in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region including free, fun family & kids’ activities, live music, theatre & performing arts, sports, and exhibitions: Friday, May 3 – Sunday, May 5, 2024.
Join us and travel back in time for an authentic heritage train ride through Woolwich Township and Waterloo Regions’ famous Mennonite farm country on our historic rail line that has been in service since the 1880s. Details
Thursday, Saturday, April 25 – May 30, 2024 & Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, June 1 – August 31, 2024
Northfield ION, St Jacobs Farmers Market, and St. Jacobs Village
Don’t miss this high-energy concert featuring over 140 adult performers with a live band singing chart-topping songs made famous by superstars like Miley Cyrus, Ed Sheeran, ABBA, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Kelly Clarkson, and more! Details
HH – J.G. Hagey Hall of the Humanities, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo
$36.30
Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this roarsome interactive show for all the family. Details
Centre in the Square, 101 Queen Street North, Kitchener
The most unique show of its kind, ONES is a chronological masterpiece that presents every number one Beatles hit, from The Ed Sullivan Show to the Apple Rooftop. Details
Centre in the Square, 101 Queen Street North, Kitchener
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Join us for a fundraiser concert in support of THEMUSEUM. It will be an afternoon of music celebrating Disney’s 100th Anniversary. The concert will be filled with selections from classic Disney animations & films, and all-time favourites performed by the Kitchener Musical Society Band! Details
THEMUSEUM, 10 King Street West, Kitchener
This is a benefit concert in support of The House of Friendship Food Hamper program. The music will be an eclectic mix of traditional, originals and covers of songs spanning folk, country, bluegrass and rock. Details
The Registry Theatre, 122 Frederick Street, Kitchener
Grand River Opera returns to TWB for an evening of Opera & Musical Theatre favourites. The Lord of the Tacos will be hosting a food pop-up onsite! Enjoy authentic delicious Mexican food, and delicious craft beer (or cider or wine) while the singers from GRO serenade you. Details
TWB Brewing, 300 Mill St, Unit 1, Kitchener
pay what you can
Spring Ayr Market returns to the North Dumfries Community Complex in Ayr with lots of vendors. Details
North Dumfries Community Complex, 2958 Greenfield Road, Ayr
Plan to join McDougall Cottage staff on Saturday, May 4th for an enlightening half-hour Jane’s Walk. We’ll travel the path of the levee to explore this excellent example of human adaptation to flooding hazards, and learn how the levee continues to preserve the community around us. Details
89 Grand Ave. S. Cambridge
In a galaxy not too far away, join us in celebrating May the Fourth in an EPIC way with Hacksmith Industries and their Lightsabers!! Details
10 Huron Rd, Kitchener
Included with admission
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A chilling ghost story about 3 brides who find they were all married to the same man. A compelling and witty play based on a true story. These 3 women bring numerous characters to life to share their story. Did their husband get his comeuppance? Join us to find out! Details
Elmira Theatre at St James Church, 60 Arthur St S, Elmira
This hilarious comedy satirizes our habit of showing less interest in an artist’s work than the meaningless details of their private lives, from eating habits to their sex lives. Franz Kafka nearing the end of his life makes his famous request to faithful friend & biographer Max Brod, that all of Kafka’s works be burned after death. Flash forward to a modern-day suburb where Sydney, insurance salesman and devoted Kafka fanatic, is laboring away at his article on Kafka for the company Insurance Journal “Small Print”. Details
Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre, 9 Princess Street East, Waterloo
Join us on Sunday May 5th, as we lace up our shoes and walk for Children’s Mental Health at Lutherwood’s annual Steps for Kids fundraising event. Steps for Kids is a free family friendly event. It’s dog friendly too! The 3-5 km beautiful route will take you through the farms and trails of North Waterloo. Details
Lutherwood Children’s Mental Health Centre, 285 Benjamin Road, Waterloo
Featuring International jazz acts that play the world’s top clubs (the Saturday program features artistic direction from Mark Kelso). Details
Stretch Orchestra on Friday, May 3, 2024 | 8:00 PM Mandy Lagan & Origins on Saturday, May 4, 2024 | 8:00 PM
The Jazz Room, Huether Hotel, 59 King St. North, Waterloo
Join the KW Titans at The Aud. Details
PLAYOFFS – KW Titans vs TBD (Game 1) on Saturday, May 3, 2024 | 7:00 PM PLAYOFFS – KW Titans vs TBD (Game 2) on Sunday, May 5, 2024 | 2:00 PM
The Aud, 400 East Ave, Kitchener
We do try to make the listings as accurate as possible, but there may be typographical/oversight errors or events may be cancelled or postponed without any notice. Verify all details from concerned event Websites/officials.
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