June 2025

Every edition of The Spark captures the momentum of our growing research community. By sharing accomplishments - from new grants and publications to awards and appointments - we celebrate the impact of your work, foster collaboration and amplify research excellence across Windsor-Essex. This edition brings together recent research activity and member successes that continue to move our region forward. This edition highlights:

$1,711,501 in grant funding

35 publications

6 awards

New Projects

Mohammed Jalal Ahamed, University of Windsor, Stathera Inc. ($150,000) NSERC, Alliance Mitacs. Development of high precision quantum photonic sensing based temperature compensated MEMS timing device.

Jeffrey Dason, University of Windsor ($245,000) NSERC - Discovery. Roles of lipids in synaptic function and activity-dependent synaptic plasticity.

Phillip Karpowicz, University of Windsor ($460,000) Cancer Research Society. The timing of cancer: An investigation of the circadian clock and photoperiod on tumorigenesis in the APCmin mouse.

Festus Moasun, Jayashree Mohanty, University of Windsor ($5,000) Diversity, Indigeneity, and Anti-Racism Professional Development Fund. Towards building an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and decolonized UWindsor School of Social Work.

Carol Strike, University of Toronto, Adrian Guta, University of Windsor, Becky Genberg, Danielle German, John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Mohammad Karamouzian, Gillian Kolla, University of Toronto, Cassidy Morris, Greg Nash, London InterCommunity Health Centre, Katherine Rudzinski, University of British Columbia, Andrea Sereda, London InterCommunity Health Centre, Marysia Waraksa, Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre Safer Opioid Supply Program ($535,501) CIHR. Examining the impact of unregulated fentanyl adulterated with non-medical benzodiazepines and xylazine on the health of people who use drugs: A sequential explanatory mixed methods study.

John Trant, University of Windsor ($141,000) NSERC, Mitacs, South Essex Fabrication. Quantifying fusarium toxins in greenhouse-derived matrices.

Ian Zenlea, University of Toronto, Rachel Reeve, Diabetes Canada, Dianne Fierheller, University of Toronto, Jessica Kichler, University of Windsor, Elizabeth Moreau, Canadian Pediatric Society, Tracy McQuire, Sara Abdullah, Diabetes Action Canada, Angela Alberga, Concordia University, Elizabeth Cummings, Dalhousie University, Dana Greenberg, Marley Greenberg, Diabetes Action Canada, Cilia Mejia-Lancheros, Delilah Ofosu-Barko, Institute for Better Health, Rani Sanderson, StoryCentre Canada, Anais Vega ($125,000) CIHR - Operating Grant: Knowledge Mobilization in Diabetes Prevention and Treatment. Supporting High School Students with Type 1 Diabetes: Mobilizing Experiential Knowledge to Combat Diabetes-Related Stigma.

Schulich - UWindsor Opportunities for Research Excellence Program (SWORP)

Congratulations to the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry - Windsor Campus students for their SWORP awards.

Naziha Ali. Supervisor: Adriana Duquette, University of Windsor ($5,000). The Impact of "Race Correctors" in Spirometry Based on Racial Identification.

Rachel-Ann Dixon. Supervisor: Kenneth Ogah, Erie Shores HealthCare ($5,000). Suboptimal Prenatal Care and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Retrospective Study at Erie Shores HealthCare.

Hayden Hartwick. Supervisor: David Andrews, University of Windsor ($5,000). Assessing Differences in Youth Hockey Helmet Fit Between Female and Male Players.

Frank Mazza. Supervisor: Abdul Naeem, Windsor Regional Hospital. Assessing the Triaging and Diagnostic Accuracy of ChatGPT in Neurosurgical Cases.

Ida-Ehosa Olaye. Supervisor: Anthony Bain, University of Windsor ($5,000). Effects of Acute Insufficient Sleep on Cerebrovascular and Respiratory Function.

Kendra Prasad, Jocelyn Veals. Supervisor: Andrea Cervi, Windsor Regional Hospital ($5,000). Developing a Multidisciplinary Program for the Prevention of Venous Thrombosis in Ambulatory Cancer Patients.

Hyun Ryu. Supervisor: Kemi Anazodo, University of Windsor ($5,000). Shaping Fair Chances: Mental Wellness and Employment Prospects for Individuals with Criminal Records.

Gracie Sun, Reyad Elzaanoun, Michael Nakhla. Supervisor: Jennifer Bondy, Windsor Shelter Health ($5,000). Understanding Risk Factors for Vaccine Hesitancy Among People Experiencing Homelessness.

Isha Suri. Supervisor: Paula van Wyk, University of Windsor ($5,000). Enhancing Patient and Caregiver Engagement During Care Transitions in Southwestern Ontario.

Eva Vieira. Supervisor: Caroline Hamm, Windsor Regional Hospital ($5,000). Automated Matching of HER2 Positive Breast Cancer and Sarcoma Patients in Ontario Using Artificial Intelligence.

Publications / Articles / Presentations

Ahmad S, Pan M, Hayward JJ, Sementilli M, Porter LA, Trant JF (2025). Boron in My Mind: A Comprehensive Review of the Evolution of the Diverse Syntheses of 4-Borono-L-Phenylalnine, the Leading Agent for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy. ChemMedChem.

Alkassab MB, Shaikh FA, Hamm C, Rahim MMA (2025). Adaptive NKG2C+ NK cells in cytomegalovirus seropositive individuals predominantly lack NKR-P1A receptor expression. European Journal of Immunology.

Bain AR (2025). From bedside to seaside: An academic's attempt at freediving. Experimental Physiology.

Balint S, Armstrong N, Sterling M, Cheek O, Morgan V, Menard AD (2025). "It's messy, but it's real, and it's so wonderful": understanding resilience, self-exploration, and advocacy through drag performance. Journal of Gender Studies.

Behnia F, Souq SSMN, Schuelke-Leech BA, Mirhassani M (2025). Enhancing public transportation sustainability: Insights from electric bus scheduling and charge optimization. Sustainable Cities and Society.

Biondi F, Sahoo P, Jajo N (2025). The distraction potential of driving a partially automated vehicle through a construction zone. Scientific Reports.

Chakera HA, Bykowski JF, Sivakumar A, Ahmed MM, Lenz J, Asuncion J, Djekic U, Warkentin T, Seesahai J (2025). Reducing Head Facing Preference in At-Risk Neonates: A Quality Improvement Project, presented at the London Health Research Day 2025 in London, Ontario.

Corathers SD, Malik FS, Gutierrez-Colina AM, Lowry SJ, Yi-Frazier J, Beal SJ, Kichler JC (2025). READY 2.0: A Multisite Analysis and Update to the Readiness for Emerging Adults Diagnosed With Diabetes in Youth Transition Tool. Clinical Diabetes.

Daros AR, Patel A, Otevwe O, Sotelo S, Saab BJ, Quilty LC (2025). Acceptability, engagement, outcomes, and dose-response associations of a mindfulness-based meditation app in individuals waiting for psychological services. BMC Digital Health.

Driscoll K, Trojanowski P, Williford D, O'Donnell H, Fylnn E, Mara C, Wetter S, Himelhoch A, Manis H, Pardon A, Reynolds C, Shaffer E, Tanner B, Kichler J, Smith L, Westen S, Albanese-O'neil A, Corathers S, Jacobsen L, Poetker A, Schmidt M, Modi A (2025). Intervention to reduce barriers to type 1 diabetes self-management: Diabetes Journey study design and participant characteristics. Contemporary Clinical Trials.

Dziura D, Dib IJ, Gbadamosi O, Castillo SR, Dziura M, Murphy RP, Kelley EG, Marquardt D (2025). Determining the rates of α-tocopherol movement in DPPC vesicles using small-angle neutron scattering. Biophysical journal.

Fernandez-Codina A, Valois MF, Bartlett SJ, Wahed M, Allard-Chamard H, Bessette L, Hazlewood G, Hitchon CA, Kuriya B, Throne C, Bykerk V, Pope J [on behalf of the Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort (CATCH) Investigators] (2025). Use of Parenteral Compared to Oral Glucocorticoids in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis is Superior for Chance of Being Off Steroids and Escalation of Therapy at 1 Year, presented at the 2025 European Rheumatology Congress (EULAR 2025) in Barcelona, Spain.

Guo C, Zhu B, Chen C, Xie G, Wang BA, Winn R, Zheng J, Tong Y, Wang H (2025). Beyond ubiquitin: reinforcing the intrinsic link between USP16 and the immune response. Epigenetic Reports.

Hargreaves K, Jaber L (2024). "We Need a Tissue Budget": Trauma-Informed Practice in University Writing Centers. Praxis: A Writing Center Journal.

Katz A, Shulkin A, Fortier MA, Yardley JE, Kichler J, Housni A, Talbo MK, Rabasa-Lhoret R, Brazeau AS (2025). Strategies to reduce hyperglycemia-related anxiety in elite athletes with type 1 diabetes: A qualitative analysis. PLOS One.

Menard AD, Sterling M (2025). Podcasting to mobilize knowledge in psychology: A personal account and beginner's guide. Canadian Psychology.

Menard AD, Trant JF (2025). Analysis of Safety-Related Incidents Reported at a Major North American Petrochemical Processing Facility between 2016 and 2020. ACS Chemical Health & Safety.

Motaghedi F, Rose L, Wu Y, Carmichael RS, Ahamed MJ, Rondeau-Gagne S, Carmichael TB (2025). All-Textile Wearable Capacitive Pressure Sensors Based on Cut-Pile Fabrics with Integrated Electrodes. Surfaces, Interfaces, and Applications.

Ning R, Charif M, Sullivan C, Chang M, Simons L, Frezell A, Kichler J, Seesahai J, Yeung T (2025). The Biopsychosocial Impact of a Nutrition Follow-Up Program on Families Discharged from the NICU with a Nasogastric Tube, presented at the Canadian Pediatric Society Conference.

Olding M, Rudzinski K, Schmidt R, Kolla G, German D, Sereda A, Strike C, Guta A (2024). Perspectives on Diversion of Medications From Safer Opioid Supply Programs. JAMA Network Open.

Perri M, Guta A, O'Campo P, Kolla G, Strike C (2024). Gendered Experiences of Ontological Insecurity Among Women Who Use Drugs and Experience Housing Insecurity: A Critical Narrative Analysis. Contemporary Drug Problems.

Pourjafari PM, Sadek M, Paramasivan T, Daros AR (2025). How Well Does the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale Measure Emotion Dysregulation Beyond Psychopathology? A Scoping Review and Synthesis of its Construct Validity. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment.

Rahimi N, Schuelke-Leech BA, Mirhassani M (2025). Cyber Threat Susceptibility Assessment for Heavy-Duty Vehicles Based on ISO/SAE 21434. IEEE Open Journal of Vehicular Technology.

Ramanan N, Malik MN, Upneja S, Farooq H, Kulkarni S, Gupta R, Mathews J, Nasser A, Bocicariu A, Arayan L, Porter L, Fifield BA, Luo R, Brackstone M, Hamm C (2025). Clinical Significance of Tumor Grade in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis. Biomedicines.

Rose L, Nagesh G, Das P, Skaf D, Motaghedi F, Rondeau-Gagne S, Ahamed MJ (2025). Exploring mesoamerican pyramidal micro-structures in soft capacitors for positive and negative pressure sensing. Flexible and Printed Electronics.

Rothera JG, Taing H, Cruz M, Dmitrienko A, Vukotic VN, Ryno SM, Risko C, Raj AM, Skene WG, Eichhorn SH (2025). Panchromatic Absorption of Unsymmetrical Donor-Acceptor Dyes Based on a Meta-Conjugated 1,3,5-Heteroaryltriazine Core. Chemistry - A European Journal.

Rothera JG, Yu J, Alnajm K, Butrus R, Ahangari-Bashash E, Watanabe LK, Rawson JM, Dmitrienko A, Vukotic VN, Eichhorn SH (2025). Core-Only Calamitic Liquid Crystals: Molecular Design and Optoelectronic Properties. Chemistry - An Asian Journal.

Salters D, Scharoun Benson S (2025). Physical Education-Based Interventions Contribute to the Development of Fundamental Movement Skills in Primary School-Aged Children: A Systematic Review. Journal of Motor Learning and Development.

Schmidt RA, Guta A, Rai N, Sereda A, O'Reilly E, Hales J, Kolla G, Strike C (2024). Safer Opioid Supply programs: Hydromorphone prescribing in Ontario as a harm reduction intervention to combat the drug poisoning crisis. Canadian Journal of Public Health.

Skaper SJ, Shepley BR, Wafai IA, Ainslie PN, Bain AR, Smith KJ (2025). Regional cerebral pulsatile hemodynamics during isocapnic and poikilocapnic hyperthermia in young men. Physiological Reports.

Synder SN, Voronka J, Guta A, Pilling MD (2024). Policing harm reduction: A case study of who counts as human. Crime, Media, Culture: An International Journal.

Tahir MN, Sur AK, Eid J, Kulatunga P, Eichhorn SH, Rondeau-Gagne S (2025). Thermal Conversion of Acetylene-Containing Cyclotriphosphazene to Graphitic Materials: Controlling Solid-State Morphology through Heating Rates. Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics.

Tang T, Kichler J, Anders Z, Raffray M, Shepherd T, Wicklow B, Bannister J, Gupta M, Hailman A, Klein G, Lewis J, Linklater S, Mankikar S, Pope C, Ryan K, Rabasa-Lhoret R, Tourigny C, Vallis M (2025). Preparing a New Generation of Providers in Canada: The Mental Health+ Diabetes Training Program. Canadian Journal of Diabetes.

Taylor C, Pedri N, Ghai S, Mohamad J, Patel D, Sultana M (2025). Impact of Dedicated Nursing Education Days on Nurse Job Satisfaction and Retention: Survey. Fortune Journals.

Vanner C (2025). Gender transformative education as explained by youth feminist activists. Gender and Education.

Vasta N, Biondi F (2025). Effect of Partially Automated Driving on Mental Workload, Visual Behaviour and Engagement in Nondriving-Related Tasks: A Meta-Analysis. Human Factors.

Wang J, Segar M, McGowan C, Brandt EJ, Bryant J, Fink S, Gnatiuk EA, Rubenfire M (2025). Variations in Cardiac Rehabilitation Experiences by Gender. Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Warner Rj, St Onge PBJ, Shaw A, Gomes TC, Kulatunga P, Gu X, Rondeau-Gagne S (2025). A versatile synthetic strategy for non-symmetric isoindigo polymers via modular sidechain engineering. Polymer Chemistry.

Appointments and Awards

Windsor Regional Hospital, Internal Medicine Specialist, Dr. Andreu Fernandez-Codina, received the 2025 Researcher of the Year award from the Windsor Regional Hospital Professionals Staff Association.

University of Windsor, Distinguished Biomedical Professor, Dr. Lisa Porter, received the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

University of Windsor, Associate Professor in Nursing, Dr. Jody Ralph, received the 2025 Excellence in Graduate Nursing Education Award from the University of Windsor's Graduate Nursing Society.

University of Windsor, Director of the Black Scholars Institute, Dr. Camisha Sibblis, received the Mary Lou Dietz Equity Leadership Award from the University of Windsor's Faculty Association's Status of Women, Diversity and Equity Action Committee.

University of Windsor, Associate Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Dr. Edwin Tam, received the Ring of Integrity from the University of Windsor's Engineering Society.

University of Windsor, Associate Professor in Kinesiology, Dr. Sarah Woodruff, received the Women of Excellence in Sport Fitness and Recreation from the YMCA.

Congratulations Everyone!

Stay informed and involved! This section highlights what's ahead for our members.

Want to make some new connections, eat great food, and converse with others involved in health research? Join us for our next WE-SPARK After Dark on July 3rd @ The Bourbon on Ottawa Street. Register here!

Join the next Think Tank scheduled for Friday, October 24, 2025 from 1:00 to 3:00pm via Zoom. Register for free today! Enjoy great discussions and new research ideas!

Save the Date! WE-SPARK's annual Cheers to Hope event is happening on November 6, 2025 at the Ambassador Golf Club. To learn more about this event, visit our Cheers to Hope website.

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