Reducing lab waste through innovation and community action Pavithra Prasad (MSc student), Vivian Peng (going into 4th year undergrad), and Elham Pourian (PhD candidate), properly disposing of lab gloves for recycling in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department. To support sustainability and reduce the volume of laboratory waste sent to landfills, the University of Windsor has launched a new initiative aimed at recycling uncontaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) from labs across campus. Gloves, masks, gowns, and hairnets that are free of contaminants are collected and sent to a specialized facility, where the materials are repurposed into new plastic products. This process not only reduces reliance on virgin materials but also supports the development of a more circular, sustainable economy. In its first year, 28 labs from nine academic departments participated in the program, diverting more than 700 kilograms of single-use PPE from landfill — a mass equal to that of seven full-size refrigerators. This effort reflects the University’s…
Schulich medical students embark on transformative health research projects in Windsor-Essex BioMed students at a lab in the University of Windsor. Thirteen future physicians are tackling pressing health challenges — from cancer care to vaccine hesitancy — through hands-on research projects grounded in the Windsor-Essex community. Supported by the Schulich-UWindsor Opportunities for Research Excellence Program (SWORP), these innovative projects give first- and second-year medical students early exposure to research while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration with University of Windsor faculty and clinical leaders. “SWORP nurtures a culture of inquiry and community impact,” said Shanthi Johnson, Vice-President, Research and Innovation at the University of Windsor. “Through mentorship and meaningful engagement, students are addressing complex health issues and building skills that will shape their future contributions to evidence-informed healthcare.” Now in its 11th year, SWORP has funded more than 80 student-led projects, with this year’s cohort receiving…
Charity hockey tournament raises $230K for local cancer research Play for a Cure Pro-Am Hockey Tournament raised over $418,000 for local cancer research, of which WE-SPARK Health Institute received $230,000 Funds raised at a charity hockey event will in part go straight to WE-SPARK Health Institute to support cancer researchers at the University of Windsor and across Windsor-Essex. This year’s Play for a Cure Pro-Am Hockey Tournament raised over $418,000 for local cancer research, of which WE-SPARK Health Institute received $230,000 to support the following three new cancer research grants: Cancer Research Igniting Discovery Grant worth $30,000 Cancer Research Incentive grant of $50,000 Cancer Research Program Lead valued at $150,000 over three years Researchers will benefit with the seed funding to advance innovative cancer research and elevate their projects for national funding. Support for a Cancer Research Program Lead will help recognize research excellence and lead the growth of the WE-SPARK cancer research program across our region.…
About 20 per cent of drivers caught distracted, new study finds In a recent article in the Conversation, kinesiology professor Francesco Biondi says human error may have contributed to the Key Bridge disaster. With summer fast approaching, it’s not just the temperature that’s rising — so are the risks on the road. A new study suggests drivers are more likely to be distracted this time of year. Francesco Biondi, a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and an expert in driver behaviour, led a study with Windsor Police Service examining rates of distracted and aggressive driving in school zones and business improvement areas (BIAs) around the city. We designed and adopted a mixed-method approach, using both quantitative and qualitative data collection, to get a better idea of how prevalent driver distraction is in Windsor, especially in areas that exhibit a greater prevalence of vulnerable road users,” Dr. Biondi explained. Researchers conducted roadside observations in summer and fall 2024 and winter 2025, tracking driver behaviour in…
Local cancer researchers receive $230,000 from Play for a Cure Pro-Am The Play for a Cure Pro-Am event has officially kicked off with two huge funding announcements. On Thursday afternoon, the Cancer Research Collaboration Fund, the Play for a Cure Fundraiser in partnership with the WindsorEssex Community Foundation announced $230,000 in local cancer research investments. These funds will be distributed across three major initiatives aimed at advancing cancer research, fostering innovation, and supporting local scientific research. $50,000 will be provided to the Cancer Research Incentive Grant to support local cancer research scholars, $30,000 will be provided to the Igniting Discovery Grant to fund projects that align with the WE-SPARK Health Institute's mission, and $50,000 will be provided for three years to the Cancer Research Program Lead to support a scientist or clinician to lead WE-SPARK's Cancer Research Program. On top of this funding, Windsor Spitfires' Carson Woodall, who launched Woody's Hoodies and donates 24 per cent of…
Minor hockey team tours labs after raising $100K for cancer research Chevrolet Good Deed champions visit labs at the University of Windsor to thank the Lakeshore Lightning for their efforts to raise $100,000 toward cancer research. Do-gooders raising money for local cancer research got a closer look at the kind of work their efforts could support during a campus visit Thursday. WE-SPARK Health Institute invited the winners of the national Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup to tour cancer research labs at the University of Windsor and meet the scientists working behind the scenes as a thank-you for their community contributions. The Lakeshore Lightning hockey team was welcomed by university president Robert Gordon and Dora Cavallo-Medved, interim director of WE-Spark, to the Essex Centre of Research (CORe), where they toured five cancer research labs and received some WE-Spark swag. “WE-Spark invited the girls team to campus to congratulate and celebrate with them,” says Cavallo-Medved. “We had them tour our cancer research labs so that they could see first-hand…
Gathering a chance to connect with expanding network of health researchers WE-Spark Health Institute hosts WE-Spark After Dark, a monthly networking event designed to bring together individuals with a shared interest in health research. An opportunity to connect with members of the research community through both informal conversation and structured networking, the event will take place Thursday, May 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bourbon Tap & Grill, 1199 Ottawa St. Whether participants are actively involved in health research or simply curious to learn more, the event provides a welcoming environment to build meaningful connections. The first hour will focus on casual networking, giving attendees a chance to meet like-minded individuals in a relaxed setting. This month’s event will also celebrate the launch of institute’s new strategic plan, highlighting the future of health research in the region and the continued growth of the WE-Spark community. Registration is encouraged but not required. Guests are welcome — feel free to bring a friend or colleague.…
Dr. Phillip Karpowicz Awarded $460,000 Grant for Groundbreaking Research on Circadian Rhythms and Colorectal Cancer In 2024, the Cancer Research Society (CRS) formed a groundbreaking partnership with Worldwide Cancer Research, a UK-based organization, to offer Canadian researchers a unique opportunity: access to international competition for funding to support their innovative cancer research projects. We are now witnessing the fruits of this collaboration. We are pleased to announce that Dr. Phillip Karpowicz from the University of Windsor stood out among numerous applicants from several countries and has been awarded a $460,000 grant over three years for his pioneering research on the role of circadian rhythms in colorectal cancer. This funding, made possible through international contributions and the support of our organization, will directly help advance cancer research here in Canada. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, and its incidence is increasing at an alarming rate among younger adults. In this context, Dr. Karpowicz is exploring an under-researched area: the influence…
WE-SPARK Partnership Renewal Paves the Way for Continued Health Research Excellence Mike Silvaggi, President St. Clair College; Andrea Steen, Vice President Medical Affairs, Quality, and Research and Chief of Staff Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare; Robert Gordon President & Vice-Chancellor University of Windsor; Kristin Kennedy, President & CEO, Erie Shores HealthCare; Karen Riddell, Acting President & CEO, Windsor Regional Hospital WE-SPARK Health Institute is proud to announce the renewal of its partnership agreement, reaffirming the commitment of Windsor-Essex’s leading healthcare and academic institutions to advancing local health research, innovation, and education. On April 28, 2025, Erie Shores HealthCare, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, St. Clair College, the University of Windsor, and Windsor Regional Hospital signed a renewed five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement continues the collaboration that has positioned WE-SPARK as a catalyst for transformative health research in our region. Since officially launching on March 9, 2020, WE-SPARK has…
