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Science MattersFall 2023

Dean's Message


The start of the new academic year is filled with rejuvenation and hope for what lies ahead. In Science, there is much excitement over our newest cohort of undergraduate and graduate students. Through our PASS program, we introduced our greatest number of students to the multitude of opportunities we offer to engage them in our classrooms, research labs and community.


Along with students, we also welcomed 12 new faculty across a variety of disciplines including Physics, Environment, Biomedical Sciences, and Mathematics and Statistics, to name a few. We also brought aboard the university’s first set of teaching intensive faculty positions in Computer Science as well as our first Indigenous Knowledge Connector in Integrative Biology.


With this diversity of new faculty, we can expand opportunities for our students, deepen our impacts on research and transform the community around us. So as we look forward to the year ahead, we hope we can count on you as well and join us in LEADing the way in Science at UWindsor!

LEAD the Way in Science Now

Through the “Because of Science at UWindsor” campaign, you have an opportunity to join us in this spirit of giving by supporting the Science LEAD Fund.

 

With your support, we pledge to deliver research opportunities, high impact learning experiences, and integrative outreach programs. Your support will inspire the next generation of young scientists by providing students amazing opportunities to lead, engage, apply and discover.

Give to the Science LEAD Fund Now

Because of Science at UWindsor

We are celebrating our illustrious alumni with a series called 'Because of Science at UWindsor.' Each month we highlight the stories of alumni who share how their experiences as a student in the Faculty of Science at UWindsor contributed to their successes. The latest success story features an Economics graduate.

Devan Rawlings (BA 2020) says a plethora of career doors opened for him thanks to the solid foundation of economics knowledge he built in the Faculty of Science.


Daily News: Economics research skills valuable in job market: grad

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New Initiatives

The University of Windsor National Urban Park Hub will focus on the co-creation of a national urban park in Windsor and provide expert advice as Parks Canada develops its National Urban Park Policy. (Photo by University of Windsor)

Growing the Future: UWindsor Launches Groundbreaking National Urban Park Hub


Rooted in Windsor’s west end, a transformative endeavour has blossomed, poised to redefine the way Canadians think about urban conservation. 



With an unwavering commitment to the environment, reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, and inclusive community engagement, the University of Windsor, in partnership with Parks Canada, proudly announces the launch of the University of Windsor National Urban Park Hub (UW-NUPH). 


Daily News: Growing the Future: UWindsor Launches Groundbreaking National Urban Park Hub

Tour to launch rooftop garden of native plants


Four ecosystems native to our region are represented in plantings atop the Centre for Engineering Innovation.



The project aims to educate, highlight, and provide better access to native species, says Cameron Proctor, an assistant professor in the School of the Environment.


Daily News: Tour to launch rooftop garden of native plants

Students add plants native to the Carolinian ecosystem to the garden atop the Centre for Engineering Innovation.

Experiential Learning

Environmental science students take a measurement during field mapping exercises in Iceland as part of a 10-day study-abroad experience.

Nordic excursion enhances environmental education


The planned activities for a recent study abroad trip included examining rocks and glaciers, visiting geothermal baths, doing some field mapping, and going whale watching. The students got to see various parts of Iceland along the scenic Ring Road, a route that loops around the entire island. From learning about plate tectonics to volcanoes to climate change, students gained a deeper understanding of the earth from a geological perspective.


Daily News: Nordic excursion enhances environmental education

Quest for knowledge leads students to Paris


Professors Dan Mennill and Stéphanie Doucet from the Department of Integrative Biology recently took 14 students on a study abroad expedition to Paris, where they engaged in a mix of lecture learning and hands-on activities.


Daily News: Quest for knowledge leads students to Paris

Integrative biology professors Stéphanie Doucet (top row, left) and Dan Mennill (bottom row, left) led 14 students on a study abroad trip to Paris.

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Successful students

PhD candidate Yunhong Lyu won the Probability Section Student Research Presentation Award at the 2023 Statistical Society of Canada annual meeting.

Economic probability modelling earns prize for doctoral student


PhD candidate Yunhong Lyu won the Probability Section Student Research Presentation Award at the 2023 Statistical Society of Canada annual meeting. The award is given to the student who made the best presentation with substantial novelties in probability and stochastic processes.


Daily News: Economic probability modelling earns prize for doctoral student

Student win recognition for exploration of anti-cancer extracts


Anti-cancer student researchers from UWindsor won top awards at the Natural Health Product Research Society of Canada’s annual conference.

All three undergraduate researchers study the benefits of botanical extracts in treating cancers including breast cancer, glioblastoma, and neuroblastoma.  


Daily News: Students win recognition for exploration of anti-cancer extracts

UWindsor student Hannah Drew took the best poster prize at the annual conference of the Natural Health Product Research Society of Canada.

Winners of the 2023 GA/TA Awards. At top Emily Varga; bottom Mark Potter.

Awards honour GAs and TAs for excellence in teaching


The Centre for Teaching and Learning is proud to announce the winners of the GA/TA Awards.


The winners of the GA/TA award for Educational Practice are Mark Potter, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Emily Varga, Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research.



Daily News: Awards honour GAs and TAs for excellence in teaching

Faculty attracting attention

Ecologist acclaimed for pioneering contributions to science and society


The Royal Society of Canada has elected Christina Semeniuk, an associate professor in the Department of Integrative Biology, to its College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists in recognition of her scholarly achievements.


Daily News: Ecologist acclaimed for pioneering contributions to science and society

Predictive ecologist Christina Semeniuk has been elected to the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists.

Biochemistry professor Siyaram Pandey has been elected president of the Natural Health Products Research Society of Canada.

Prof to presided over national group promoting natural health products research


UWindsor professor Siyaram Pandey has been elected to the role of president of the Natural Health Products Research Society of Canada (NHPRS).


Daily News: Prof to preside over national group promoting natural health products research

Alumni honour faculty members for dedication to teaching


The University of Windsor Alumni Association bestowed its Alumni Award for Distinguished Contributions to University Teaching on three professors during Spring 2023 Convocation, including Tanya Noel of the Department of Integrative Biology.


Daily News: Alumni honour faculty members for dedication to teaching

Biology professor Tanya Noel is one of three faculty members who received the Alumni Award for Distinguished Contributions to University Teaching.

Research

Trevor Pitcher, student Bri Curtis, and Catherine Febria stand in a stream in the Greater Toronto Area home to the redside dace. Photo by Shayenna Nolan.

Researchers seek to reverse decline in fish and mussel species


There are species of freshwater fish and mussels disappearing from the Great Lakes, but University of Windsor researchers and colleagues are working to reverse the biodiversity decline.


Daily News: Researchers seek to reverse decline in fish and mussel species

Federal funding fuels exploration at the frontiers of discovery


Fourteen UWindsor researchers in the faculties of science and engineering received nearly $2.5 million in 2023 Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery grants.


Daily News: Federal funding fuels exploration at the frontiers of discovery

Trevor Pitcher has received a federal Discovery grant to fund his research project “Pre- and post-mating sexual selection and variation in reproductive fitness of alternative reproductive tactics.”

Research into wearable electronics got a boost with a grant to purchase a system that can turn metals into vapours for application to a variety of surfaces.

Evaporation system to advance development of stretchable electronics


A multi-disciplinary research team received $150,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) for a 2023 Research Tools and Instrumentation grant which will help purchase a new tool to help advance their work in designing soft electronics.


Daily News: Evaporation system to advance development of stretchable electronics

University of Windsor receives nearly $200,000 for project to protect the Great Lakes


The University of Windsor is one of 30 projects who will receive funding to clean-up and restore the health of the Great Lakes.


AM800: University of Windsor receives nearly $200,000 for project to protect the Great Lakes

Satellite shot of the Great Lakes (Photo courtesy of Google Maps)


An analysis led by math professor Kevin Granville finds that measures to limit the damage of wildfires caused by forestry operations are working.

Legislation helping to mitigate wildfires in Ontario: study


A protocol in place to prevent and mitigate industrial forestry wildfires ignited on Crown forest land in Ontario is successfully reducing their growth, says researcher Kevin Granville, assistant professor of mathematics and statistics.


Daily News: Legislation helping to mitigate wildfires in Ontario: study

Researcher seeking answers to questions of healthy development


In addition to a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) 2023 Discovery Grant of $33,000 for his lab’s research into miRNAs, Brian DeVeale received an Early Career Researcher award — for faculty in the first five years of academic appointments — of $12,500. He started at UWindsor in January 2023.


Daily News: Researcher seeking answers to questions of healthy development

Donors making a difference

Stephanie Dufour is carrying on the legacy of her father John by raising funds in support of breast cancer research.

 

Athletes fuel cancer research scholarship with energy from high intensity workout.

All Level CrossFit hosted the second annual John Dufour Classic CrossFit Competition on August 26, to raise funds to support UWindsor’s Carl & Gloria Morgan scholarship in breast cancer research.


The $1,000 science scholarship is open to any graduate student involved in breast cancer research, with financial need. Since its inception, 32 students have received the scholarship.



Daily News: Athletes fuel cancer research scholarship with energy from high intensity workout

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Other impressive highlights

For links to all our stories head to the Faculty of Science news list.

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Faculty of Science
University of Windsor
401 Sunset Ave.
Windsor, ON  N9B 3P4
519-253-3000 Extension: 3009