What if a children's book could take the fear out of cancer? Three UWindsor grads hope it can From left, Fatima Hamad, Lauren Oschanney and Olivia Wahby drew on their science backgrounds to co-author a children's book about cancer. (Photo supplied by the authors/University of Windsor) Cancer is a difficult subject to approach, both emotionally and academically. Explaining it to children makes that challenge even greater. University of Windsor alumnae Fatima Hamad, Olivia Wahby and Lauren Oschanney set out to make these conversations easier and more meaningful. What began as an assignment in the Cancer Undergraduate Research Education (CUREs) became Cellville Stands Up to Cancer, a children’s book designed to make cancer biology understandable without making it frightening. “The idea came from recognizing that much of the fear surrounding cancer comes from not understanding it,” says Oschanney. Instead of avoiding the topic, the authors wanted to create something that helps children approach it with clarity and confidence. “We didn’t want to shield children from reality,” says Hamad. “We wanted to help them…
UWindsor nursing professor leads cross-border study highlighting lung transplant care Jane Simanovski (left) and her team of colleagues and students stand with their research poster at the WE-SPARK conference in March, highlighting a cross-border study on caregivers supporting lung transplant patients. (SUBMITTED BY EDWARD CRUZ/University of Windsor) It takes more than medical expertise to support a patient after a lung transplant. As April marks Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Month, a new cross-border study examines an often-overlooked part of the transplant journey — the family members and friends who provide care after surgery. Jane Simanovski, a nurse practitioner and professor in the University of Windsor Faculty of Nursing, is leading a first-of-its-kind cross-border research study examining the experiences of informal caregivers supporting lung transplant patients in Ontario and Michigan. Her work is grounded in years of clinical experience in transplant care. “My clinical expertise informs my research interests,” she said. “Transplant is such a scarce…
Precision Oncology in action: How WE-SPARK is transforming local cancer research Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope brought Canadians together to help find a cure for cancer. His legacy continues through partnerships spurred on by the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, which includes WE-SPARK Health Institute. (Graphic courtesy of Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network) In cancer research labs and hospitals, a powerful transformation is reshaping how the disease is understood, studied and ultimately, treated. At the centre of this shift is precision oncology, an approach that moves beyond one-size-fits-all care to deliver treatments tailored to each individual patient. It represents one of the most promising advances in cancer care today. By analyzing a patient’s genetic profile alongside clinical data, researchers and clinicians can better understand how a cancer behaves and more importantly, how it can be treated most effectively. For patients, this means therapies that are more targeted, more personalized and potentially, more successful. In Windsor-Essex,…
Two campus labs just earned the first Green Lab designations Undergraduate researchers work in the lab of biomedical sciences professor Dr. Lisa Porter, which recently earned platinum designation through the Green Lab program.(Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Fidalgo da Silva/University of Windsor) Two campus labs have become the first in UWindsor’s history to earn Green Lab designations, recognized for their commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency in research and teaching. The designations were announced in time for Earth Day. Biomedical sciences professor Dr. Lisa Porter’s lab received platinum designation, led by their Green Lab representative Elizabeth Fidalgo da Silva. Biology professor Dr. Catherine Febria’s Healthy Headwater Lab earned silver, led by their Green Lab representative Alyssa Frazao. The Green Lab program recognizes sustainability and energy-efficiency practices within lab spaces as well as a culture of sustainability among undergraduate and graduate students, researchers and faculty. …
Interview With Dr. Lisa Porter: Advancing Breakthroughs in Cancer Research and Health Innovation Dr. Lisa Porter is a Canadian cancer researcher and biomedical scientist whose innovative research is transforming our knowledge of normal aging and cancer. As a distinguished professor at the University of Windsor and the founding director of WE-SPARK Health Institute, she has fostered innovative collaborations between researchers, healthcare providers, and community partners, turning Windsor-Essex into a hub for cutting-edge health research. In this interview, Dr. Porter discusses her latest work on brain cancer, the challenges with treating aggressive cancers like glioblastoma, and her influential role in health research across Canada. Q: Your recent research on Spy1 has received a lot of attention. Can you tell us more about this protein and its significance? Dr. Lisa Porter: Spy1 is a protein found in a small population of cells in the adult brain, neural stem cells, and is critical to the proper functioning of our memory and learning. Early evidence suggests that it can also support…
Biology researcher wins UWindsor thesis pitch competition with study on breastfeeding and cancer risk The top three winners in the 2026 University of Windsor Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition are (from left) Alex Stoinescu, Dora Strelkova and Isabelle Hinch. (DAVE GAUTHIER/University of Windsor) Biology PhD candidate Isabelle Hinch earned first place at the 2026 University of Windsor Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition with a three-minute pitch on breastfeeding and breast cancer risk. Judged on comprehension, communication and engagement, Hinch took the top prize at the April 1 final. In addition to a $1,000 cash prize, she will represent UWindsor at the provincial competition hosted by Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont., on May 6, 2026. For the second year in a row, Dora Strelkova placed in the top three. The mechanical engineering PhD candidate won first place in 2025 and finished second this year with a presentation on defects in 3D printing, earning $500. Third place and $250 went to Alex Stoinescu, a master's student in chemistry and biochemistry, who…
New infrastructure funding to strengthen research at UWindsor Dr. Simon Rondeau-Gagné works in his materials chemistry lab in Essex Hall. (SARA ELLIOTT/University of Windsor) New research infrastructure funding for science and engineering will advance four University of Windsor research projects. This Ontario Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security (MCCURES) has awarded $438,699 to UWindsor research teams through the Ontario Research Fund (ORF) – Research Infrastructure program. This investment is matched dollar for dollar by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) awards, bringing the total to nearly $900,000. A variety of projects will benefit with research teams focusing on cancer research, conservation of migratory birds, climate-resilient planning and advanced materials research. “These matching investments are critical to ensure our researchers continue to have access to state-of-the-art infrastructure to drive discovery, innovation and…
UWindsor inventors secure U.S. patent for innovative biosensor technology Dr. Mitra Mirhassani secured a U.S. patent for an electronic chip that could precisely detect viruses. (KYLE ARCHIBALD/University of Windsor) Research out of a University of Windsor engineering lab has generated an electronic chip that could precisely detect viruses such as COVID-19 — at a cost of just pennies to produce. The electronic device has received a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Dr. Mitra Mirhassani says the idea emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, inspired by her former PhD student, Dr. Hamidreza Esmaeili Taheri. “He was working on hardware security when COVID happened,” says Mirhassani. “There was a shortage of chemical COVID tests, and my student came to me and said, ‘What if we developed a COVID sensor that can actually be adjusted?’” Unlike traditional chemical-based tests, the electronic biosensor’s sensitivity levels can be recalibrated to match identifiers across different applications. “We wanted something…
AI infotainment systems: Just another distraction for drivers? Faculty of Human Kinetics professor Dr. Francesco Biondi studies distracted driving (DAVE GAUTHIER/University of Windsor) Twenty years ago, the cockpit of the average car was a lot less complicated. Knobs and buttons turned on the heat and air conditioning, adjusted vents or changed the radio station. Today, touch screens are the norm, and manufacturers compete to add the latest in technological advancements. The high-profile announcement of artificial intelligence (AI) applications such as ChatGPT and Gemini being added to vehicle infotainment systems is just the latest in this ongoing trend toward driver tech. While manufacturers may promise that this addition will allow drivers to keep more of their attention on the road while AI handles navigation, phone calls and other tasks, Dr. Francesco Biondi, a professor in the University of Windsor’s Faculty of Human Kinetics, says the effect is likely to be the opposite. “We’re sold the sort of reality…
