In the News

Hundreds descend from downtown rooftop in support of cancer patients

Hundreds descend from downtown rooftop in support of cancer patients Kaitlyn Ferraro rappels down CIBC Building at Brave Day event. (Photo courtesy of Kaitlyn Ferraro) Eyes were trained skyward Saturday morning in downtown Windsor as hundreds of people took part in Brave Day to support cancer research fundraising. More than 100 people rappelled down the CIBC Building on Riverside Drive as part of a Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation Show Us Your Brave campaign event. Fundraising participants were invited to put away their own fears in support of cancer patients. Participants were outfitted with safety harnesses, helmets and smiles that likely hid the butterflied stomachs of those set to descend from the roof of the 170-foot building in what was called a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. WE-Spark Health Institute’s Lisa Porter, Windsor Cancer Centre medical oncologists Dr. Sindu Kanjeekal and Dr. Caroline Hamm were among those taking part in support of the patients they treat every day. Lisa Porter, Houida Kassem and Caroline Hamm prepare to rappel at Brave…

Online forum focused on public health improvements and efficiencies

Online forum focused on public health improvements and efficiencies UWindsor researchers are pushing public health forward — and inviting the community along. Last week, over 50 participants from across regional public health organizations took part in an online forum presented by WE-Spark Health Institute. The Think Tank, WE-Spark’s second such forum this year, offered an opportunity for researchers, students, health-care professionals, and community organizations to come together to solve local health related problems and work together to move ideas forward. Presenters looking for community input included University of Windsor’s Catherine Vanner and Ziad Kobti, along with Roger Fordham, Coordinator & Founder of Feeding Windsor Essex. Fordham’s presentation focused on how community partnerships and research can support sustainable food programs with the ultimate goal of working with partners to submit a Trillium Grow Grant. Dr. Kobti shared the University of Windsor’s capacity for supporting local healthcare organizations through better data…

UWindsor medical gaslighting study brings patients’ painful truths to light

UWindsor medical gaslighting study brings patients’ painful truths to light HEAL Lab researchers (L to R: Niksha Venugopal, Ananya Sood, Marissa Rakus, Dr. Kendall Soucie) review survey results highlighting the impact of medical gaslighting on patients across Canada [DOUG DROUILLARD/University of Windsor] University of Windsor researchers were flooded with so many responses to a medical gaslighting survey, they had to take breaks from reading the heartbreaking stories about patients being overlooked by medical providers for serious health concerns they were facing.  “A lot of people carry their pain in their thoughts, and through telling their stories,” says Ananya Sood behaviour, cognition and neuroscience student and one of the undergraduates on the project.  “It’s heavy as people share some of the worst moments of their life sometimes with you. But it has been powerful in that they were able to share their voice with us now.”  Researchers with the HEAL lab, led by psychology professor Dr. Kendall Soucie, and including co-investigator Dr. Jessica…

Connect with Health Researchers at WE-SPARK After Dark – July 3

Connect with Health Researchers at WE-SPARK After Dark – July 3 WE-SPARK Health Institute is hosting its next WE-SPARK After Dark event on Thursday, July 3, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Bourbon Tap & Grill (1199 Ottawa Street). This monthly networking series is designed to bring together researchers, students, professionals, and community members who share an interest in health research. The event provides a welcoming space to build new connections and exchange ideas. The first hour will feature informal networking, followed by opportunities for more structured conversations. Whether participants are actively engaged in research or simply curious to learn more, all are welcome. Registration is encouraged but not required, and guests are invited to bring a friend or colleague. Click here to register.

Virtual Think Tank to Ignite Health Research Collaborations

Virtual Think Tank to Ignite Health Research Collaborations The next WE-SPARK Think Tank will take place on Thursday, June 20, offering opportunities for researchers, students, healthcare professionals, and community organizations to come together and explore innovative solutions. This virtual session will be hosted on Zoom from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring fresh ideas, engage in problem-solving discussions, and help foster meaningful collaborations that advance impactful health research initiatives. Featured Projects: Sustainable Solutions: Strengthening Feeding Windsor Essex Through Collaboration and Research Presenter: Roger Fordham, Coordinator & Founder, Feeding Windsor Essex This session will explore how community partnerships and research can support sustainable food programs. Input is welcome from anyone working in public health, food security, and social services. The goal is to submit a Trillium grant to help fund community-driven solutions. Leveraging AI for Data-Driven Innovation in Health Care Presenter:…

Explore Clinical Research & Training Opportunities: Join WE-SPARK's Virtual Info Session with CANTRAIN on June 10

Explore Clinical Research & Training Opportunities: Join WE-SPARK's Virtual Info Session with CANTRAIN on June 10 WE-SPARK Health Institute is hosting a virtual information session on June 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. featuring representatives from CANTRAIN. The session will give researchers, clinicians, and trainees an opportunity to learn how CANTRAIN supports clinical research and workforce development, explore training and collaboration opportunities, and connect with a national research community. Registration is required to receive the meeting link. Please click here to register. In February 2025, WE-SPARK officially joined CANTRAIN—a national training platform dedicated to strengthening Canada’s clinical trial and research capacity. CANTRAIN provides comprehensive support for clinical trials, including training for research professionals, tools for study implementation, and access to national networks that foster collaboration across institutions and disciplines.  To learn more about CANTRAIN, visit wecantrain.ca.

Dramatic arts student and brain tumour survivor drives research support

Dramatic arts student and brain tumour survivor drives research support Karen Metcalfe, Blake and Mckenna Lumley in the CORe atrium at the University of Windsor.    Fifteen years ago, everything changed for Mckenna Lumley.  At just four years old, Lumley was diagnosed with a juvenile benign pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA), a rare childhood brain tumour.  Her family started to notice something was off when she was in the bath and unable to move her head back. This limited mobility progressed into her screaming due to neck pain and vomiting. While doctors were convinced Lumley was suffering from a flu bug, her mother, WE-SPARK assistant director Karen Metcalfe, knew something more was going on.  After some tests to further investigate, they received the news.  “My mom was roasting beets in the oven — I remember this because she hasn’t since — and she got the phone call saying, ‘She has a giant mass in her cerebellum. You need to get her to the hospital. We’re sending her to the Children’s Hospital in London,’” Lumley said.  While she doesn’t…

Researchers probe link between mealtimes and cancer

Researchers probe link between mealtimes and cancer Graduate student Rachna Patel is working with the research team in professor Phillip Karpowicz’s lab to determine how eating patterns that conflict with circadian rhythms may contribute to development of colorectal cancers. Your eating patterns could be throwing off your circadian rhythms. Biomedical sciences professor Phillip Karpowicz says this negatively affects your health — specifically your gut health — which could result in an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Circadian rhythms are 24-hour physiological changes that include sleep-wake cycles, metabolic changes, hormone oscillations, and cycles of feeding-fasting. These are driven by the circadian clock, a molecular timer that enables our cells to anticipate daily events. “Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer that is notably increasing in younger people,” Dr. Karpowicz says. “It has been suggested that circadian disruption due to lifestyle contributes to this trend.” For his research, Karpowicz has received…

Connect with the Dynamic and Expanding Network of Health Researchers

Connect with the Dynamic and Expanding Network of Health Researchers WE-SPARK Health Institute invites you to attend WE-SPARK After Dark, a monthly networking event designed to bring together individuals with a shared interest in health research. This engaging evening offers a unique opportunity to connect with members of the research community through both informal conversation and structured networking. The event will take place Thursday June 5th, from 5-7pm at the Bourbon Tap & Grill, 1199 Ottawa Street. 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. Registration is encouraged but not required. Guests are welcome—please feel free to bring a friend or colleague. Click here to register.

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