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Science Matters Fall 2017

Dean's Message Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Science Matters newsletter, from the Faculty of Science at the University of Windsor. Science Matters will feature stories highlighting achievements, challenges and the innovative solutions that our faculty, students and staff meet each day.     There is much to celebrate in the Faculty of Science: We have the best faculty to student ratio in the Province of Ontario, one of the highest participation rates of undergraduate students in research, and internationally recognized research strengths in the areas of environment, health and biomedical sciences, advanced materials, and data analytics and visualization. This summer 11 new faculty joined the Faculty of Science and we are searching for another 10 faculty this year through the SPF 50 program and retirement replacements. These new faculty members were responsible for a >25% increase in NSERC funding in one year, and we expect our research funding to continue to increase over the next couple of years. Several of our new faculty will have an opportunity to work in a yet to be named, scientifie research and innovation facility, slated for completion next spring.   Over the last year, we have also placed a greater emphasis on the student experience, and have implemented several new programs to support the recruitment and retention of students. This year we will be celebrating our first LEAD Medallion Scholars in recognition of undergraduate students who have demonstrated Leadership, Engagement, Application and Discovery during their time at the University of Windsor, and we will be implementing the Extension Science program, to increase the number of students who graduate with a work-integrated experience. Our focus on the student experience has resulted in a 9% increase in the number of first-year and transfer students, in addition to a substantial increase in the number of graduate students. We are quickly becoming a destination Science program!    To keep you up to date on what is happening in the Faculty of Science, we plan to deliver  Science Matters to your inbox quarterly. Please share your stories and accomplishments with Sara Elliott, Communications Coordinator for the Faculty of Science, at  Sara.Elliott@uwindsor.ca, and join us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram and Snapchat.

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Dr. Loeb is the Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UWindsor. Learn More Faculty Spotlight Dr. Stephen Loeb was elected as Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, in September.  Dr. Loeb is a world leader in the design of molecular machines and supramolecular chemistry. His group has developed a wide variety of methodologies for the preparation of mechanically interlocked molecules with novel switching mechanisms. He was the first to demonstrate that molecular machines could be organized at the nanoscale and made to function inside the pores of solid-state materials.

Student Spotlight Kyle Stokes (BSc 2015) had a fantastic summer at Keio University in Japan learning highly-specialized gene-editing techniques. “The high calibre researchers working in Dr. Sato's lab had an amazing work ethic, which I intend to emulate in Canada," says Stokes. "I went there knowing very little about what I was doing, so I believe they were impressed that I picked up on the technique fairly quickly."

Stokes works with Dr. Phil Karpowicz and uses stem cells to grow organoids, three-dimensional mini-versions of organs, allowing him to study tissue without having animals in the lab. Read More

New Additions Science at UWindsor is currently building a scientific research and innovation facility that is yet to be named. The 46,000-sq-ft facility will contain flexible scientific lab spaces as well as social and collaborative spaces. It will meet LEED standards for environmental sustainability, and incorporate innovative solutions to provide world-class wet and dry lab facilities for materials chemistry, biochemistry, biology and medical physics. The space will create an environment for personal relationships to create exciting collaboration opportunities for students and faculty, as well as between various science departments and industry professionals. Construction is expected to be completed in Spring 2018.  Read the full story Video

Science in the News

Citizen Scientists joined researchers from the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research for a massive water quality testing event at Essex County beaches this summer. Read the CBC online article

The Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation and the TELUS Ride for Dad organizers donated $42,443 for Dr. Siyaram Pandey to research prostate cancer. Read the Windsor Star article

S imon Rondeau-Gagné and Tricia Carmichael discuss their research into creating new synthetic polymers, the first step in creating wearable electronics. Read the Windsor Star article

New Hires Dr. Sherif Saad Ahmed, Computer Science Laura Chesterfield, Faculty of Science Dr. Jill Crossman, Earth & Environmental Sciences Dr. Shajid Haque, Physics Judy Janzen, Biological Sciences Dr. Tongzhe Li, Economics Dr. Drew Marquardt, Chemistry & Biochemistry Dr. Ahmed Nassar, Earth & Environmental Sciences Dr. Abdelnasser Ouda, Computer Science Dr. Steven Ralph, Biological Sciences Dr. Saeed Samet, Computer Science Abirami Subapriya Thirugnanasambantham, Faculty of Science Dr. Dan Xiao, Physics Dr. Pooya Moradian Zadeh, Computer Science

Events Dean's Reception - First-year science students entering UWindsor with exceptional entrance averages are recognized, September 14, 2017. Dean's Honour Roll -Returning science students registered on the 2016-2017 Dean's Honour Roll are recognized, September 15, 2017. Geophysics Survey - WEDigHistory historical archaeological project invites community volunteers to geophysics survey September 23-24, 2017. EES 50th Reunion weekend - Alumni of Earth and Environmental Sciences celebrate the 50th anniversary November 3-4, 2017. Science on Tap: Birds & Beer - An evening of fun with UWindsor bird researchers at 7 p.m. on November 23, 2017.

The Faculty of Science has helped students achieve their promise since founding of the University in 1963. The Place of Promise campaign will help us attract and empower the finest faculty, staff, and, students through new capital projects, multidisciplinary research and the student experience. Investments in our  strategic funding priorities  will helps us achieve our goals to advance the Faculty of Science to a new unprecedented level. For more information, contact  Gemma Grey-Hall  at gemmagh@uwindsor.ca or 519-253-3000 ext. 3957.

Contact Us

Faculty of Science University of Windsor 401 Sunset Ave. Windsor, ON  N9 B 3P4 519-253-3000 Extension: 30 09 science@uwindsor.ca