Lakeshore girls hockey team helps spark $400K cancer research investment Lakeshore Lightning Team, Jeff Casey, Stephanie Marshall WECF, Elaine & Harvey Snaden, Dora Cavallo-Medved, Dr. Munir, Lisa Kolody WECF. A youth hockey team’s season-long mission of good deeds has helped bring together a $400,000 investment in local cancer research, marking a first-of-its-kind funding partnership for the Windsor-Essex region. The U11 Lakeshore Lightning girls hockey team earned a national win in the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup, securing a $100,000 charitable award. The team chose to direct the prize to the Cancer Research Collaboration Fund (CRCF) to support cancer research through the WE-SPARK Health Institute. Their donation builds on momentum created by Carson Woodall, whose youth-led “Woody’s Hoodies” campaign has raised $57,000 in recent years. CRCF topped up the youth contributions to reach $200,000, which the Cancer Research Society then matched dollar-for-dollar, bringing the total investment to $400,000. The announcement was made Wednesday night at the…
Q&A with Dr. Lisa Porter: Bringing hope and discovery to communities across Canada Dr. Lisa Porter Dr. Lisa Porter has long been captivated by science and enjoys the challenge of uncovering the unknown. But that’s not the only reason why she’s dedicated her life to cancer research. During her own mother’s cancer journey, Dr. Porter – who is originally from Northern Ontario – witnessed the inequities in access to diagnostics and care that exist across Canada. That experience — coupled with her desire to bring tangible benefits to cancer patients — has driven her career-long mission to not only understand cancer at its most complex, but to also ensure that discoveries in the lab translate into better outcomes for all cancer patients, no matter who they are or where they live. Today, Dr. Porter is a Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Windsor and Core Principal Member at WE-SPARK Health Institute where she was the founding director. As the Windsor lead for the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, she is working to ensure…
Health Researchers Networking Opportunity - WE-SPARK After Dark – December 4th WE-SPARK Health Institute is hosting its next After Dark networking event on Thursday, December 4th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Bourbon Tap & Grill, 1199 Ottawa Street in Windsor. This monthly series brings together researchers, students, professionals, and community members who share an interest in health research. It’s a great opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and learn more about the exciting research happening right here in our community. The event is FREE and open to everyone, whether you’re involved in research or just curious to explore it. Click here to register.
Study probes employer attitudes toward workers with criminal records Dr. Kemi Anazodo, assistant professor at the University of Windsor Odette School of Business in Windsor, Ont. (THE UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR) There is a large labour pool employers could be tapping into, says researcher Kemi Anazodo, and it may offer a solution for industries facing worker shortages. Nearly four million Canadians live with a criminal record, many with skills and experience that could benefit the workforce. A joint research initiative between the University of Windsor’s Odette School of Business, the John Howard Society of Ontario, Saint Mary’s University and St. Francis Xavier University is working to expand fair access to employment for job seekers with records. The project, Advancing Fair Chance Opportunities for Justice-Involved Individuals: A Strategic Intervention with Employers, is funded by the Future Skills Centre through the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Program. “When we look at the Canadian economy and labour market,…
Cheers to Hope Brings Community Together to Support Health Research and Innovation The Windsor-Essex community came together on November 6th at the Ambassador Golf Club for an inspiring evening of connection and celebration at “Cheers to Hope”, in support of WE-SPARK Health Institute’s Grants Program. Hosted by CTV News Windsor’s Michelle Maluske, the event gathered researchers, healthcare professionals, students, and community members from across WE-SPARK’s five partner institutions, Erie Shores HealthCare, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, St. Clair College, the University of Windsor, and Windsor Regional Hospital, to showcase the innovative health research and collaborations improving lives across the region. Guests enjoyed live music, hors d’oeuvres, and interactive presentations highlighting projects that are advancing patient care, driving medical discoveries, and strengthening partnerships across sectors. The evening’s energy reflected a shared commitment to building a healthier future for Windsor-Essex. “Cheers to Hope is about more than fundraising.…
UWindsor professor earns international fellowship to shape the future of human–AI driving research Kinesiology Prof. Francesco Biondi meets with the French research team in Lyon. [Photo courtesy of Francesco Biondi] A University of Windsor kinesiology professor has earned an international fellowship to advance research into the relationship between human drivers and self-driving cars. Through the Mourou-Strickland Mobility Program, an initiative designed by the French Embassy in Canada, Francesco Biondi will collaborate with a researcher at the University of Lyon in France. “This fellowship will lay the foundation for a successful research collaboration that tackles high-impact research topics at the intersection of artificial intelligence, neuroscience and autonomous driving,” says Dr. Biondi. This innovative collaboration will be between Biondi, an associate professor in transportation human factors at the University of Windsor, and cognitive science professor and neuroergonomics expert, Jordan Navarro. “Neuroergonomics would look at possibly using brain sensors for…
Raise a Glass to Local Health Innovation at Cheers to Hope 2025 WE-SPARK Health Institute invites the Windsor-Essex community to an inspiring evening of celebration and connection at its annual Cheers to Hope event, taking place on Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 5:00 – 7:30 PM at the Ambassador Golf Club. Open to all, Cheers to Hope offers a unique opportunity for guests to meet local health researchers and students, discover exciting new projects, and learn how innovation is shaping the future of healthcare across the region. Whether attendees are long-time supporters or new to local health research, this event provides the perfect way to engage with the community’s growing research network. This year, WE-SPARK has set a goal of raising $500,000 to support its research grants program, which fuels groundbreaking health projects throughout Windsor-Essex. Since its launch in 2020, WE-SPARK has awarded 137 grants totaling $2,299,000, creating jobs, sparking collaborations, and positioning Windsor-Essex as a strong competitor for national funding…
Psychology research team explores impact of mindfulness apps Dr. Alexander Daros and the MAST Lab published research showing value in interim supports for those waiting for psychological services (photo care of Alexander Daros) As demand for mental health care rises in hospitals and private practice, waitlists for these essential services continue to grow. That’s why assistant professor of psychology, Alexander Daros, and his research team began investigating innovative interim solutions to support people while they wait. “It is critical to be able to offer some resources while people wait for services,” Dr. Daros explained. “You don't want people to fall through the cracks. One concern is that if someone is not able to get the right support right away, they may not come back or may further deteriorate.” To address this issue, a recent study out of the Mental Health, Affective Science, and Technology Lab (MAST) Lab, led by Daros, explored the effectiveness of a mindfulness phone application in supporting those waiting for psychological…
‘Books from Birth': WE-Spark Igniting Discovery grant to help provide resources and tools for new parents Neelu Sehgal, Chief Nursing Executive, Erie Shores HealthCare, and Dr. Gelsea Pizzuto Serra of St. Clair College Research and Innovation at the WE-Spark grants announcement in August, 2025. (St. Clair College Research and Innovation) A researcher in the Research and Innovation department at St. Clair College has been awarded $20,000 from the WE-SPARK Igniting Discovery grant program to launch a project that promotes literacy beginning at birth. Led by Dr. Gelsea Pizzuto Serra and the Research and Innovation department at St. Clair College, the ‘Books from Birth: Supporting Early Literacy Through Hospital-Based Interventions' program will be implemented at Erie Shores HealthCare in Leamington, Ont., providing new parents with age-appropriate books and resources before they leave the hospital. Dr. Munira Sultana is the collaborator on the project from Erie Shores HealthCare, where the goal is to equip families with the tools and confidence to begin reading with their babies immediately,…
