Conference provides a chemical bond for industry and academe About 100 scientists, students, and industry professionals attended the May 16 ChemiConn. Chemists and biochemists were in full networking form at UWindsor’s fifth annual ChemiConn on May 16. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry hosted around 100 scientists, students, and industry professionals. “This unique networking event aims to introduce the high-quality research being carried out at our institution and establish new ties with industrial communities,” says conference founder Simon Rondeau-Gagné, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “The annual event has been fostering collaborations between our institution and industry partners since 2017.” Several industrial participants from varying areas of chemical and biochemical sciences discussed research and development in the industry and related challenges. There was also a networking session and mixer to connect academics, potential future employees, and students. “This year, we are proud…
Prof recognized for contributions to health care The Ontario Medical Association has conferred its Centennial Award on biomedical sciences professor Lisa Porter. The Ontario Medical Association has recognized biomedical sciences professor Lisa Porter with the 2023 Centennial Award, which honours non-physicians for outstanding achievements in advancing the health and welfare of the people of Ontario. “I’m so grateful and humbled that my physician colleagues at Windsor Regional Hospital and Essex County Medical Association would take their valuable time to nominate me for this award,” says Dr. Porter. “It speaks to their passion for health research and the incredible potential for growth in our region.” Windsor physician Padmaja Naidu says she nominated Porter for her notable research as well as her involvement with WE-Spark Health Institute. She calls Porter an international leader in understanding unique aspects of cell growth that lie at the interface of healthy development, aging, and the initiation and progression of diseases…
UWindsor partners land $6.5 million in U.S. federal funding to continue Great Lakes research Mike McKay, director of the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, is pleased his collaboration with the Great Lakes Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health at the University of Michigan will continue. A Great Lakes research centre that studies the link between climate change, harmful algal blooms, and human health is getting $6.5 million US to continue its work and relocate to the University of Michigan, bringing it closer to its research partners in Windsor. The Great Lakes Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health will be able to continue its work, thanks to funding from the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Mike McKay, director of UWindsor’s Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, is a co-investigator with the center. Before coming to GLIER, McKay was a principal researcher at the center when it was founded at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and has continued his research partnerships with scientists…
Project to advance sensor combining cancer detection and treatment Simon Rondeau-Gagné is part of a team seeking to develop an implantable device that could detect and treat brain cancer. A UWindsor-led research investigation is looking to create degradable electronics that could detect and treat brain cancer. The implanted electronics would detect cancer growth and then degrade and release medicine. “The goal is to use materials chemistry, device engineering, and polymer science to get these little devices, which are sensors, to be physically placed at the site of the brain cancer that has been surgically removed,” says Simon Rondeau-Gagné. “When there are biomarkers of the cancer relapsing, it triggers, and we could selectively degrade those devices which would liberate a drug for treatment — we call that E-Theranostic.” The researchers received a grant of $250,000 over two years through the Tri-Agency New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) - Exploration program for their project “Implantable Electronics and E-Theranostics: A Paradigm Shift…
June networking event to bring together health research community WE-SPARK Health Institute hosts monthly networking events for members of the Windsor-Essex health research community to get to know one another through fun and casual conversations. There is no formal agenda, and all are welcome. This is an opportunity for anyone interested in health research to make connections in an informal and enjoyable atmosphere. The next event will be held Thursday June 6 from 5-8pm at the Bourbon Tap & Grill, 1199 Ottawa St, Windsor. No RSVP is required. WE-SPARK Health Institute is supported by an innovative partnership between the University of Windsor and Erie Shores HealthCare, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, St. Clair College, and Windsor Regional Hospital that brings together health research strengths, expertise, and infrastructure from across the WindsorEssex region.
Fundraiser to connect community with research superheroes May is brain tumour awareness month, and the local community is coming together to raise funds for research. Research saved her life, says Mckenna Lumley, a 14-year brain tumour survivor who just completed her first year of studies in the School of Dramatic Art. “I recognize the diagnostic technology, surgical techniques, innovations, medications, and expertise that went into me having the wonderful outcomes and life I have now,” she says. “I’m proud of the research taking place at the University of Windsor and am excited to play a small role in supporting local researchers.” Lumley and her mother Karen Metcalfe, assistant director of the WE-Spark Health Institute, are among the organizers of Connecting for a Cause, a fundraiser in support of the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation. The event, 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 31, in the Essex Centre of Research atrium, will offer a chance to meet brain tumour researchers and tour their laboratories, connecting with local superheroes. “I…
Online session to spark health research collaborations Researchers, students, and health care professionals in all disciplines interested in discussing new ideas, solving problems, and making new connections are invited to WE-SPARK Think Tanks. A session on Zoom scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, June 21, will ask participants for input on three presentations: Parent bias during pregnancy: The impact of dysregulated imprinting on maternal-fetus health Brian DeVeale, PhD, Faculty of Science, University of Windsor Dr. DeVeale is seeking partners to research parental bias during pregnancy, specifically focusing on the impact of imprinting, and is looking for the opportunity to work with local perinatologists and related specialists, especially those with interest and access to full-term placentas. Boosting Public Health by Adding a Mobile Lab: Collaborating on a Customized Solution for Windsor-Essex Jackie Fong, MSc - INSPIRE Program Manager, University of Windsor Funding has been secured for a mobile lab to add to the successful mobile health…
Medical research program marks 10th anniversary by funding 10 projects Fifteen medical students will pursue research supervised by UWindsor professors with the support of a grant program celebrating 10 years. The Schulich-UWindsor Opportunities for Research Excellence Program is marking its 10th anniversary with grants to 15 medical school students. The students are pursuing 10 research projects, each under the supervision of a UWindsor professor. Each project is awarded $5,000, funded jointly by the University of Windsor and Western University. “SWORP has provided a valuable opportunity to explore research within my community,” said Mihir Modi, a second-year student at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry’s Windsor campus. “Under the guidance of my research supervisor, I acquired essential skills for conducting clinical research, while also establishing connections and honing my expertise through conferences and presentations. “Clinical research is a long and lengthy process, but the program has provided me the support to make significant…
Windsor-Essex motorcyclists rev engines to help fight prostate cancer Photo Credit: Windsorite.Ca Motorcyclist enthusiasts hit the local open roads Sunday to rev their engines in support of the fight against prostate cancer. “When I started this ride, there was no prostate cancer that I was aware of in my family,” said Shane Miles, co-chair for Windsor Motorcycle Ride for Dad. “My dad is now living with inoperable prostate cancer and that is because he did not get checked. Don’t do what he did. The 18th annual fundraiser attracted more than 100 riders who travelled together through parts of Windsor and Essex County after rolling out from their starting point at Thunder Road Harley-Davidson on Huron Church Road in Windsor. The event has raised more than $1.1 million so far for prostate cancer research and awareness. This year, $30,000 is being donated to the University of Windsor research team of biomedical sciences professor Lisa Porter. The funds will help Porter’s lab investigate the prevention and treatment of an aggressive form of metastatic…
