$412,714 AWARDED LOCALLY FOR HEALTH RESEARCH Researchers behind 20 projects aimed at tackling local health challenges received a total of $412,714 in funding. Twenty research projects aimed at tackling local health challenges have been awarded a total of $412,714 from the WE-Spark Health Institute and its partners. Lead investigators received their grants August 28, 2024 at the University of Windsor’s Centre of Research Excellence (CORe). “We absolutely need research to keep us moving forward, to make advances in our society and to better the lives of the people around us,” Dora Cavallo-Medved, interim director of WE-Spark, said. The grants are designed to support early-stage health research and education projects in Windsor-Essex. The initiatives aim to address healthcare gaps and spark new ideas across the sector, involving more than 140 researchers, trainees, and thousands of participants. Collaborators include WE-Spark’s five supporting institutions: the University of Windsor, St. Clair College, Windsor Regional Hospital,…
September 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 September 5th from 5-8pm at the Bourbon Tap & Grill, 1199 Ottawa St, Windsor. No RSVP is required. WE-SPARK Health Institute is an innovative partnership between the University of Windsor, Erie Shores HealthCare, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, St. Clair College, and Windsor Regional Hospital. The institute unites health research strengths, expertise, and infrastructure from across the Windsor/Essex region, fostering collaboration and advancing healthcare innovation.
Event challenges youths to engage in science The Cat Chemists team won the Lorna Collins Spirit Award at the annual Let’s Talk Science Challenge. More than 150 enthusiastic young students from across Windsor-Essex gathered at the University of Windsor’s Erie and Dillon halls for the annual Let’s Talk Science Challenge. The event was filled with competitions and hands-on activities designed to ignite a passion for science among young learners. The day began with the “Ultimate Quiz Challenge,” testing students’ science knowledge. In the afternoon, the Design Challenge allowed participants to showcase their problem-solving and teamwork skills. Throughout the day, students engaged in various interactive science activities, further enriching their experience. Hadia Malik (BSc 2024), an organizer and recent graduate in medical physics, participated in the challenge herself during Grades 6 and 7. She noted that her early involvement sparked a lasting passion for science, leading her to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree at…
Study highlights disparities in support for racialized students with ADHD Sanya Sagar’s study of the experiences of university students with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is published in the inaugural issue inaugural issue of the Journal of Critical Race, Indigeneity, and Decolonization. A recent study exploring the intersectional experiences of university students with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) suggests that racialized students are less likely to receive support than their white peers. According to the report, racialized students seek treatment less frequently and tend to receive fewer stimulant prescriptions and academic accommodations. “When I saw this finding, I was a bit baffled,” said University of Windsor alumna Sanya Sagar (PhD 2022), who led the study while working toward her doctorate in clinical neuropsychology. “So I dug into the literature, hoping to find a reason. The literature indicates that clinicians and doctors may have inherent biases that can hinder students from receiving treatment.” The study,…
July 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 July 4th 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 Windsor-Essex region.
Implants explored as way to prevent recurrence of brain cancer The research group of chemistry professor Nick Vukotic (seated in jacket) is exploring biodegradable material to treat brain cancer. Professor Nick Vukotic is helping design a novel biodegradable material that could potentially treat one of the deadliest brain cancers, glioblastoma. Once implanted, the polymeric material would deliver chemotherapy medications. The release rate of the drug would be controlled by how fast that polymer degrades or breaks up. “Brain cancer is very challenging to treat due to the impermeability of the blood-brain barrier and the sensitivity of the organ, with glioblastoma multiforme being one of the deadliest treatment-resistant cancers,” says Dr. Vukotic, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “We want to apply the chemistry to chemotherapy agents so that after the surgeons take out the primary tumour, they could place our drug-embedded polymer materials inside the surgical site to slowly release the chemotherapy agent…
Study exploring sexual experiences of Canadians with endometriosis Psychology professor Dana Ménard is seeking subjects for a survey on the experiences of Canadians with endometriosis. Over one million Canadians suffer from endometriosis, a chronic health condition affecting more than one in 10 women and people assigned female at birth worldwide. Endometriosis is a disease characterized by cells resembling the uterine lining — the endometrium — growing outside the uterus, including around the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the rectum, and other locations. It is associated with painful menstrual cycles, pelvic pain, gastrointestinal and bladder symptoms, and infertility. While the condition is known to have a negative impact on physical and psychological functioning, less is known about sexual well-being among sufferers. Psychology professor Dana Ménard’s current study of sexual well-being among those diagnosed with endometriosis is funded by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and WE-Spark Health Institute. This study is surveying…
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…
