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Keeping Our Members Informed and Connected

June 2024

Member Highlights and Successes

Letting us know about the accomplishments of you and your colleagues let’s us celebrate the great work being done in our region, build further collaborations, and ignite excitement about research in Windsor-Essex! Here are just a few of your latest successes.

Welcoming Jessica to our Team!


We would like to offer a warm welcome to Jessica Flammia, our newest Health Research Associate. Her position is a collaboration between WE-SPARK, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and the Office of Research and Innovation, University of Windsor. Jessica has a Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation and recently completed her Masters of Human Kinetics.


Jessica will oversee, engage and support the research activities of the Windsor Campus medical student learners.


We are thrilled to have her join our team!

New Projects


Adrian Guta, University of Windsor, Carol Strike, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Marilou Gagnon, University of Victoria, Emily van der Meulen, Toronto Metropolitan University ($91,754) SSHRC. Mapping surveillance in harm reduction: A new materialist analysis of emerging practices, technologies, and partnerships.


Caroline Hamm, Windsor Regional Hospital ($75,000) Breast Cancer Canada. Assess the effectiveness and implementation of the CTN program, using navigator-assisted clinical trial enrolment platform.


Loren Kakke, Simon Fraser University, Simon Rondeau-Gagne, University of Windsor, Audrey Laventure, University of Montreal, Sami Khan, Simon Fraser University ($1,096,000) NSERC. Capacitive Direct Lithium Extraction for Sustainable Battery Production.


R. Michael McKay, Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research ($6,500,000 US) National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.


R. Michael McKay, Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, Kenneth Ng, Yufeng Tong, Kendall Soucie, Pooya Moradian Zadeh, Arezoo Emadi, Lisa Porter, University of Windsor, Bill Anderson, Marta Leardi-Anderson, Cross-Border Institute ($15,000,000) Canadian Biomedical Research Fund and the Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund. INSPIRE: Integrated Network for the Surveillance of Pathogens: Increasing REsillience and capacity in Canada's pandemic response.


Lisa Porter, University of Windsor ($75,000) Breast Cancer Canada. Establishing a Biomarker Platform for Postpartum Breast Cancer.


Kristoffer Romero, Patti Fritz-Timmins, University of Windsor ($4,998) Centre for Teaching and Learning Cirriculum Project Engagement Grant. A Psychology undergraduate degree to address current and future challenges.


Simon Rondeau-Gagne, University of Windsor, Yu-Cheng Chiu, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology ($25,000) NSERC. Optimizing Carbohydrate-Containing Semiconducting Polymers for Sustainable Electronics.


Charlene Senn, Sara Crann, University of Windsor ($2,498,088) Public Health Agency of Canada. "Girls - Flip the Script with EAAA" Across Canada.


Eshan Toyserkani, University of Waterloo, Jill Urbanic, University of Windsor ($400,000) NSERC. Holistic Innovation in Additive Manufacturing 2.0.


Schulich - UWindsor Opportunities for Research Excellence Program (SWORP)


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


Janelle Bykowski. Supervisor: Chad Sutherland, University of Windsor. ($5,000). Evaluating the Prevalence of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) Among Varsity Athletes at the University of Windsor.


Jill Chung. Supervisor: Laurie Freeman, University of Windsor. ($5,000). Investigating the effects pre-, during and post- the COVID-19 lockdown on cancer patient self-reported symptoms intensity in a Southwestern Ontario Cancer Center.


Biren Dave. Supervisor: Luis Rueda, University of Windsor. ($5,000). Identifying therapeutically targetable tumour-immune cell interactions in small cell lung cancer.


Pedrom Farid. Marco Herrera Quaijano, Supervisor: Andrea Cervi, Windsor Regional Hospital. ($5,000). A Review of Quality Care Metrics for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease Presenting to Hospital: A Multi-Centre 10-Year Experience.


Chrystal Huynh. Emily Doucet, Supervisor: Mohammad Jarrar, Windsor Regional Hospital. ($5,000). Retrospective Chart Review of Sickle Cell Crisis Management in Pediatric Patients at WRH, ESHC, and CKHA.


Alexander Mung. Supervisor: Swati Kulkarni, Windsor Regional Hospital. ($5,000). Identification of Patient Characteristics Affecting Outcomes in Mono-Immunotherapy Versus Combination Chemotherapy-Immunotherapy Treatment in Stage IV NSCLC Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study.


Kim Nguyen. Temitope Esther Olayemi Akintola, Supervisor: Jennifer Bondy, Windsor Shelter Health. ($5,000). Exploring Emergency Department Utilization Trends Amongst Housed and Underhoused individuals in Windsor, Ontario.


Arani Sivakumar. Supervisor: Paula M. van Wyk, University of Windsor. ($5,000). Clinical Perspectives of Prescribing and Deprescribing Benzodiazepine Receptor Agonists in Older Adults across Southwestern Ontario.


Allison Souter. Supervisor: Phillip Karpowicz, University of Windsor. ($5,000). The Effect of Aberrant Clock Gene Expression of Human Colorectal Cancer Disease Morphology.


Francesco Vito, Rufina Ning, Allyson Ripley. Supervisor: Sahar Khan, Windsor Regional Hospital. ($5,000). Retrospective analysis of the impact of prognostic and mortality scores in post-induction mortality in acute Leukemia Patients treated at Windsor Regional Hospital.


Publications / Articles / Presentations


Alebooyeh M, Urbanic J (2024). Development of robotic automation solutions for limp flexible material handling leveraging a finite element modelling technique. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology.


Algouneh A, Schenider K, Huang K, Hussein A, Pan M (2024). Comparison of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) and Conventional Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Cureus.


Alkhateeb A, Atiukke E, El Keilani A, Elfiki T A, Orlando J, Cavallo-Medved D, Rueda L, Fetz A, Ravid-Einy A, Porter L A, Atikukke G, Misra S (2024). Comparative genomic analysis to identify a signature of sporadic colorectal cancer development in young adults. Journal of Clinical Oncology.


Atikukke E, Velisala P, El Keilani A, Orlando J, Cavallo-Medved D, Rueda L, Ravid A, Elfiki T, Alkhateeb A, Fetz A, Porter L A, Atikukke G, Misra S (2024). Su1134 Targeted Gene Sequencing of Sporadic Young-Onset Colon Cancer Samples Using Trusight Oncology 500 from Illumina Identifies Recurrent Mutations in DDR2 Oncogene. Gastroenterology.


Awan A A, Saunders D, Pond G, Hamm C, Califaretti N, Mates M, Kumar V, Ibrahim M F K, Beltran-Bless A-A, Vandermeer L, Hilton J, Clemons M (2024). Does Pre-Emptive Availability of PREDICT 2.1 Results Change Ordering Practices for Oncotype DX? A Multi-Center Prospective Cohort Study. Current Oncology.


Aydoghmishi F M, Modak S, Abdel-Raheem E, Rueda L (2024). Examining the Performance of Melanoma Classification using Superpixel Segmentation: A Comparative Analysis. IEEE Xplore.


Bailey D M, Bain A R, Hoiland R L, Barak O F, Drvis I, Stacey B S, Iannetelli A, Davison G W, Dahl R H, Berg R M G, MacLeod D B, Dujic Z, Ainslie P N (2024). Severe hypoxaemic hypercapnia compounds cerebral oxidative-nitrosative stress during extreme apnoea: Implications for cerebral bioenergetic function. The Journal of Physiology.


Balint S, Senn C Y (2024). Attitudes toward sex work among young women in Canadian universities: A complex landscape. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality.


Bungay V, Dewar L, Schoening M, Guta A, Leiper W, Jiao S (2024). Co-designing an Outreach Intervention for Women Experiencing Street-Involvement and Gender-Based Violence: Community-Academic Partnerships in Action. Violence Against Women.


Bungay V, Dewar L, Schoening M, Long P, Tait P, Comber S, Leiper W, Guta A, Stones C (2024). Scaling Up STRENGTH: Adaptation in a Pandemic Context. Open Collections.


de Witt L, Pfaff K A, Reka R, Mirza N A (2024). Health care use experiences of ethnoculturally diverse immigrant older adults: a meta-ethnography. International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care.


Duquette A M, Morassutti O N, Gyemi L A, van Wyk P M (2024). Wingate normative-reference values for a large cohort of Canadian university students. Biomedical Human Kinetics.


Edwards J J, Coleman D A, Ritti-Das R M, Farah B Q, Stensel D J, Lucas S J E, Millar P J, Gordon B D H, Cornelissen V, Smart N A, Carlson D J, McGowan C, Swaine I, Pescatello L S, Howden R, Bruce-Low S, Farmer C K, Leeson P, Sharma R, O'Driscoll J M (2024). Isometric Exercise Training and Arterial Hypertension: An Updated Review. Sports Medicine.


Graham K, Bernards S, Abbey A, Banyard V, Donnelly P D, Dumas T M, McMahon S, Senn C, Swartout K M, Trudell A, Wells S (2024). "She Should be Smart Enough to Know, Hey, These Things Can Happen": Identifying Men's Perceptions, Attitudes and Beliefs About Sexual Aggression Toward Women in Drinking Venues and The Implications for Prevention. Feminist Criminology.


Gruben V, Hyshka E, Bonn M, Cox C, Gagnon M, Guta A, Jackman M, Mercedi J, Munga A, Oscapella E, Strike C, Virani H (2024). Urgent and long overdue: legal reform and drug decriminalization in Canada. Facets.


Guta A, Gagnon M, German D, Buchman D Z, Strike C J (2024). Resisting Inadequate Care is Not Irrational, and Coercive Treatment is Not an Appropriate Response to the Drug Toxicity Crises. The American Journal of Bioethics.


Jeffrey N K, Senn C Y (2024). Gender Differences in Sexual Violence Perpetration Behaviors and Validity of Perpetration Reports: A Mixed-Method Study. The Journal of Sex Research.


Kent K, Adly Ibrahim N, Romero K, Baker S, Greenacre M, Boucher C M, Roth R M, Erdodi L A (2024). Compassion Versus Accuracy: Lenient Scoring of the Spatial Orientation Items on the Mini-mental State Exam Lowers Sensitivity. Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders.


Malik M-N, Ramanan N, Upneja S, Brackstone M, Porter L, Fifield B-A, Hamm C (2024). Abstract P03-03-09: Clinical Significance of Grade in Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Cancer Research.


Michaud L, Kolla G, Rudzinski K, Guta A (2024). Mapping a moral panic: News media narratives and medical expertise in public debates on safer supply, diversion, and youth drug use in Canada. International Journal of Drug Policy.


Mirzaee A, Kordestani M, Rueda L, Saif M (2024). Robust Emotion Recognition in EEG Signals Based on a Combination of Multiple Domain Adaptation Techniques. 2023 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics (SMC).


Munirathinam P, Nazemi H, Nathani M U, Raj G C A, Elnemr Y E, Buchanan D A, Emadi A A (2024). Multiple Moving Membrane Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer With Dynamic Control Provision of Effective Capacity Height. IEEE Sensors.


McMurphy S (2024). Research Integrity, Ethics and CORRIE: More than a soap, keynote speaker at the project launch at Munster Technological University in Bishoptown, Ireland.


Murphy J N, Kobti J-L, Dao M, Wear D, Okoko M, Pandey S, Vukotic V N (2024). Therapeutic coordination polymers: tailoring drug release through metal-ligand interactions. Chemical Science.


Nyayachavadi A, Wang C, Vriza A, Wang Y, Ma G, Mooney M, Mason G T, Hu A, Liu Y, Gu X, Chan H, Xu J, Rondeau-Gagne S (2024). Tunable Solid-State Properties and Anisotropic Charge Mobility in Hydrogen-Bonded Diketopyrolopyrrole Polymers via Automated Device Fabrication and Characterization. Advanced Functional Materials.


O'Leary W, Brennan D J, Ashcroft R, Carusone S C, Guta A, Strike C (2024). Analysis of hospital-based healthcare provision for people living with HIV who use drugs in Ontario, Canada: "Beyond my Scope!". Cogent Social Sciences.


Pan M (2024). Metastasectomy and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Colorectal Cancer With Liver and Lung Oligometastases: A Case Report of Complete Remission in a 96-Year-Old Patient. Cureus.


Pollit A A, Garg G, Tahir M N, Nyayachavadi A, Xiang P, Landry E, Ebied A, Rondeau-Gagne S (2024). Supramolecular complexation of C60 with branched polyethylene. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics.


Randeniya D, Senn C Y (2024). Predictors of Rape Myth Acceptance Among South Asian Students in Canada. Violence Against Women.


Renaud-Charest O, Stolijar Gold A, Mok E, Kichler J, Li P, Nakhla M (2023). Suicidal Ideation, Suicide Attempts, and Suicide Deaths in Adolescents and Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Canadian Journal of Cardiology.


Robinson J F, Das S, Khan W, Khanam R, Price J T, Rahman A, Ahmed S, Ali S M, Deb S, DeVeale B, Dutta A, Gormley M, Hall S C, Tarik Hasan A S M, Hotwani A, Juma M H, Kasaro M P, Khalid J, Kshetrapal P, McMaster M T, Mehmood U, Nisar I, Pervin J, Rahman S, Raqib R, San A, Sarker P, Tuomivaara S, Zhang G, Zhou Y, Aktar S, Baqui A H, Jehan F, Sazawal S, Stringer J S A, Fisher S J (2024). High rates of placental inflammation among samples collected by the Multi-Omics for Mothers and Infants consortium. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.


Saghafi M, Urbanic R J, Hedrick B, Ramezani H (2024). Geometry-based decomposition rules and programming strategies for complex components in additive and hybrid manufacturing. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology.


Sarati Das P, Skaf D, Rose L, Motaghedi F, Carmichael T B, Rondeau-Gagne S, Ahamed M J (2024). Gait Pattern Analysis: Integration of a Highly Sensitive Flexible Pressure Sensor on a Wireless Instrumented Insole. Sensors.


Scruton S, Warner G, Kendall C, Pfaff K, Stajduhar K, Patrick L, Dujela C, Fauteux F, Urquhart R (2024). Navigation programs to support community-dwelling individuals with life-limiting illness: determinants of implementation. BMC Health Services Research.


Shepley B R, Bain A R (2024). Is Notch1 a neglected vascular mechanosensor? Physiological Reviews.


Strelkova D, Ubranic R J (2024). Art Meets Automotive: Design of a Curve-Adaptive Origami Gripper for Handling Textiles on Non-Planar Mold Surfaces. SAE International Journals.


Strike C, Guta A, Schmidt R (2024). Diverting attention away from novel approaches to preventing opioid overdose deaths. Drug and Alcohol Review.


Tran Q D, Knight L R, Rui G, Mason G T, Kulatunga P, Bushnell A J, Hou B, Zhu L, Rondeau-Gagne S, Sauve G (2024). Ester Side Chain Functionalization Enhances Mechanical Properties of Poly(3-Hexylthiophene) while Maintaining High Role Mobility. Macromolecules.


Appointments and Awards


Dr. Caroline Hamm, received the 2024 Research Excellence Award, and Dr. Junaid Yousuf, received the 2024 Educator and Mentor Award.


Distinguished Biomedical Sciences Professor, Dr. Lisa Porter, was the recipient of the 2023 Centennial Award given by the Ontario Medical Association.


Dr. Camisha Sibblis has been appointed as the Director of the Black Scholars Institute (BSI).


Psychology Professor, Dr. Charlene Senn, was the recipient of the Mary Lou Dietz Equity Leadership Award, presented by the Windsor University Faculty Association (WUFA).


Masters candidate, Karla Alnajm, received 3rd place at the 2024 University of Windsor Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. For more, visit the University of Windsor's 3MT website.


Recipients of the University of Windsor's Outstanding Scholars program awards include Eeesha Atikukke, Student Research award; Ofelia Jianu and Alan Cieslukowski, Research Mentor award. For more, visit the University of Windsor's DailyNews.


Appointments to the University of Windsor, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Dr. Sara Dalo; Adjunct Clinical Professor, Dr. Martin McFarlane, and Dr. Maryam Zaree.


Associate Dean of Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry - Windsor Campus, Dr. Larry Jacobs, was the recipient of the 2024 Schulich Award of Excellence.


President and CEO of Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Bill Marra, was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.


Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Dr Kevin Milne and Associate Professor in Computer Science, Dr. Pooya Moradian Zadeh, were the recipients of the University of Windsor Alumni Association Alumni Award for Distinguished Contributions to University Teaching.


Psychology Professor, Dr. Rosanne Menna, was the recipient of the Faculty Service Excellence award, presented by the University of Windsor's Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.


Undergraduate student, Halima Mohamed, was the 8th recipient of the Addolorata De Luca Leadership Scholarship, founded by University of Windsor alumni, Cessidia DeBiasio.


Congratulations everyone!

Submit your news items to The Spark! (Pictures/links encouraged)

Research Toolkit

WE-SPARK Health Institute offers support to our researchers. Here are a few of the tools that you may find useful.

Save the Date! WE-SPARKs annual Cheers to Hope event is happening on November 7, 2024 at the Ambassador Golf Club. To donate, buy a ticket, or learn more about this event, visit our Cheers to Hope website.

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 4th @ The Bourbon on Ottawa Street.

The next Think Tank is scheduled for this Friday, June 21, 2024 from 1:00 to 3:00pm via Zoom. Register for free today! Enjoy great discussions regarding new research ideas to end your week!


Have a new idea that you want to share? Email Karen Metcalfe, WE-SPARK Assistant Director, to reserve your spot to present at the October 25th Think Tank.

Share your news with us!

We want to hear about your latest projects, grants, publications, awards, and conferences!

Send your great news to wesparknews@uwindsor.ca

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wesparkhealth@uwindsor.ca

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