A group of high school students took a deeper look at the mechanics of underwater gliders during a visit to RAEON (Real-Time Aquatic Ecosystem Observation Network) earlier this month, gaining hands-on experience with the high-tech devices used to monitor the Great Lakes ecosystems.

About 21 students from Assumption College Catholic High School’s Technological Design (Robotics) class, grades 10 to 12, visited RAEON to learn about what they do, how the autonomous gliders work, and the mechanics behind them.

“We opened one up so you could see inside and understand how the mechanics work,” said research and operations director Katelynn Johnson. “We put another glider in the tank with the computer screen up and let a few of the students type commands. Lydia (Paulic), who runs the gliders, walked them through the mechanics step by step, which was very interesting to them.”

RAEON, part of Global Water Futures Observatories (GWFO), and based out of the University of Windsor supports Canadian researchers with advanced tools and data management to study, monitor, and forecast freshwater ecosystem conditions. This work helps identify the causes of ecosystem changes, addresses current and future threats, and provides science-based insights to inform policy decisions.

During their visit, students attended a presentation about RAEON's work, explored additional research equipment, toured the lab, and took part in a demonstration.

Students from Assumption College Catholic High School visit RAEON at the University of Windsor

Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board teacher Dave Bose, who had previously connected with Johnson for guest lectures in his classes, said the students enjoyed the field trip and getting hands-on experience in the lab.

“I wasn't expecting to be able to put the AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) in the tank, and I really didn't expect that the students would be allowed to handle some of the equipment,” Bose said.

“They learned how RAEON is working to help southern shore towns get early warnings when algae blooms are on the way, so they can switch to reserve water storage while the bloom is there. I thought that was really cool. We also found out that the AUV uses its buoyancy system to move in the right direction without relying on its propeller—super efficient!”

With a keen interest in robotics, the students learned about the many ways robots intersect with fields like science, engineering, and other disciplines, sparking ideas about the possibilities in robotics.

“They really enjoyed seeing the glider operate in the water. Being able to interact with such a high-tech, expensive piece of equipment is exciting for them. The fact that maybe it opened their eyes to what types of careers are out there—Lydia mentioned how she was taking something medical-related at first but changed paths somewhere along the way. I think it’s good for them to hear that there is flexibility and that if they don't know what they want to do right now, that's okay,” Bose said.

Johnson said the visit was a treat for RAEON staff as well. The students were very interested and engaged, asked thoughtful questions, and one student even requested a pen and paper to take notes.

“I hope the students came away with an understanding of how this equipment is used in real-world applications. It’s great that they’re learning about building and understanding mechanics in their robotics class, but seeing how this technology is used to measure water quality—and how that impacts our drinking water, for example—adds a whole new layer of meaning to what they’re doing,” she said.

Third-year mechanical engineering student Michael Altenhof has been awarded the 2024 Board of Governors In-Course Medal, marking the second consecutive year he has received this honour.

The award is presented to the undergraduate student with the highest cumulative average in their field of study at the end of the preceding regular session.

Altenhof achieved an outstanding cumulative average of 98 per cent, the highest in the Faculty of Engineering. This follows his receipt of the same award in 2023, highlighting his consistent excellence in academics. 

In addition to Altenhof’s achievement, his twin brother Jacob achieved an impressive cumulative average of 96.5 per cent, showcasing the exceptional academic accomplishments of both siblings. 

Congratulations to Michael for this well-deserved recognition, the department wishes him continued success in his academic and professional endeavors. 

The Medical Biotechnology (MMB) program in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry hosted a vibrant social gathering, Fall Fiesta, celebrating cultural diversity and traditions while bringing students together.

The event began with opening remarks from Professor James Gauld, head of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. It brought together incoming and outgoing students on Thursday, Nov. 28 dressed in traditional costumes, sharing food and fostering bonds and connection that continue beyond graduation.

“Fall Fiesta cultivates a sense of belonging for medical biotechnology graduates and creates a community space where they forge connections and enjoy time together as an MMB family,” Tranum Kaur, a faculty member in the department, said.

The energetic atmosphere was filled with smiles, laughter and cultural performances, including African dance, a Chinese group choir, and singing performances from Iranian and Bangladeshi students, among others.

Dr. Kaur expressed gratitude for the support and funding provided by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Dean’s Office in the Faculty of Science.

“The event created a lovely opportunity to connect with peers while also strengthening the bond among classmates. There was such a warm and supportive atmosphere throughout the event; it really felt like a celebration of the MMB community. The energy in the room was contagious. It was heartwarming to see everyone laughing, dancing and cheering each other on—it truly felt like a shared experience,” Shreni Nileshbhai Parikh, an MMB student, said.

The event reinforced the MMB program’s commitment to fostering a community where every individual feels included and engaged, contributing to the rich tapestry of experiences that make the program unique.

Students gathered for the first official Palestinian Solidarity Healing Circle, creating a shared space for heartfelt reflection, open dialogue, and meaningful connection.

The Healing Circle was facilitated on Sept. 30 by the Student Counselling Centre’s group therapy coordinator, Brianna Valenzuela, in collaboration with the University’s newly appointed Palestinian student support advisor, Dr. Riham Al-Saadi, and Palestinian social worker Razaan Barquni.

"As the group therapy coordinator with the SCC, I have experienced firsthand the power of being in a shared healing space with others. I can only speak for myself when I say the Healing Circle had a uniquely intense energy that connected us all that night. There was a powerful, unspoken message in this space that said, ‘I am with you, I hear you, I see your pain, and you are not alone with it,’” Valenzuela said.

Participants held space for one another as they processed their thoughts and feelings, identifying internal conflicts that arose throughout the evening.

“Sometimes it is beautiful to feel that you can let your vulnerability guide you, and that can model how healing is a process we all engage in. That’s what I sensed, and that’s what has been helping with my own internal healing as the provider of support,” Dr. Al-Saadi said.

Social worker Barquni said it was an honour to help facilitate the Healing Circle and hear everyone’s unique and shared experiences.

“Our hope is that a Healing Circle will allow participants the chance to peacefully connect with themselves and others amidst the chaos and pressure of school and hustle culture. The SCC did a fantastic job setting an inviting and relaxing atmosphere, which in turn gave space for enriching dialogue,” Barquni said.

For more information on the next Healing Circle, contact Dr. Riham Al-Saadi at palestinianssa@uwindsor.ca.

The University is introducing a new policy, effective Jan. 1, that outlines the procedure regarding non-service animals on campus.

Under the Non-Service Animals on Campus policy, animals are permitted on outdoor grounds as long as their handlers follow the policy, applicable regulations and local bylaws. However, animals will not be permitted inside University buildings or facilities, including controlled areas, food-eating spaces, or meal service areas. Service animals are exempt.

Other exceptions to the policy include:

• Service animals, as defined by the University
• Non-service animals in University-owned residential units, in line with the Residential Tenancies Act and local bylaws
• Non-service animals brought in for specialized events, with prior approval from the Office of Campus Safety and Emergency Planning

The policy is designed to manage animal presence on campus while ensuring compliance with health and sanitation regulations. It also aims to reduce the risk of injury or illness to animals, students, staff, faculty, and the public, while fostering an accessible and inclusive environment for all.

For more information, the full policy is available online Non-Service Animals on Campus | Campus Safety.

Taylor McEachnie is a PhD student in the clinical neuropsychology program working under professor Carlin Miller.

Like many students in the UWindsor MAPhD program, McEachnie came from away. She’s from Comox, B.C. and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Victoria.

“When I learned about clinical neuropsychology as an undergrad, I decided that's it.

That's what I want to do,” she says.

She knew from her coursework that she loved both the biology piece and the psych component. She also knew that she enjoyed working with people and that she wanted to help people through assessment and intervention.

“I learned that I could combine these things perfectly in clinical neuropsychology. And then I learned that it would also be a challenging process.

“When I was researching programs, I discovered that there are very few Canadian universities that offer graduate clinical neuropsychology training,” she says. “I learned more about the University of Windsor and where it was on the map, and then I discovered how prevalent UWindsor graduates of this program are; many are in B.C., and many are scattered across Canada, doing amazing things.”

Now McEachnie is in her fourth year of the MAPHD program — the second year of her doctorate — and a member of Dr. Miller’s lab.

A lot of Miller’s research comes from the perspective that females have been historically understudied, specifically in psychological research. Now many researchers are going back and uncovering very important sex differences that affect how researchers think about their clinical work, and how they think about people and design treatments. One of these differences is hormones. Hormones have been historically understudied in psychology. Especially how sex hormones interact and affect cognitive processes, how they work in the brain.

McEachnie’s area of research will concern sex hormones and hormonal transition periods: puberty, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. She wants to look at how these might influence cognitive functioning in females.

“A lot of people often think of sex hormones only affecting things like reproduction or sexual differentiation,” she says. “We know that sex hormones interact with our brain and its neurotransmitters and seemingly affect our cognitive functioning, as anecdotal evidence shows us, and as research evidence also demonstrates.”

Females are traditionally understudied, but females with ADHD are especially understudied, because ADHD was once considered a predominantly male disorder.

“Now we know that's not the case. So, we are going back to the drawing board to fill in a huge research gap that we see,” says McEachnie. “So, for my dissertation, we're pulling those pieces together and we want to see how sex hormone availability and/or hormonal transition periods might affect cognitive functioning in females with ADHD.”

This past summer, Miller’s lab conducted a review of published research that they are preparing now. The review found that there is some research, but very little that looks specifically at females with ADHD and how their cognitive functioning relates to hormones or where they are regarding their hormonal transition period. The little research that exists has primarily focused on puberty and the menstrual cycle. Most studies were from 2018 onwards.

“So, we're missing a huge chunk of the female lifespan. It hasn’t been captured yet,” says McEachnie.

“For one part of my dissertation, we're working closely with a research group at the University of Calgary. We're hoping to gather a national sample of females with ADHD, and for my piece we would be throwing in some questions about subjective cognitive functioning and thinking about how this may relate to these hormonal transition periods — such as where a female is in their menstrual cycle.”

For another part of her dissertation, the lab is hoping to do some in-person data collection working with UWindsor students both with and without ADHD. They want to collect saliva samples and analyze them to see what the hormone availability looks like related to where that person is in their menstrual cycle, and then see how this relates to performance on objective cognitive functioning measures.

“Everything right now is still in the planning phase where we are getting our measures together. I'm going to have to propose my dissertation to my committee, and then we would make any revisions based on their suggestions,” McEachnie says. “The scoping review piece is close to being done. We’re writing it up and we hope to have that published for people to be able to read soon.”

According to Miller, “Taylor’s work is critically important as there is substantial evidence that women have received inadequate research attention in all domains. As a result, they are at higher risk for poor outcomes and are less likely to receive treatment. In the case of ADHD, people who are untreated or non-optimally treated are at increased risk for mental health problems, incomplete education, under- and unemployment, relationship difficulties, and parenting challenges.

“Taylor’s interest has also expanded my research portfolio, and we are excited about our new partnership with UCalgary researchers.”

McEachnie is hoping to start parts of the actual data collection in 2025.

At this stage of her doctoral journey, McEachnie is focused on research and her practicum placements. Currently, she is working with Andrea Downie in the pediatric neuropsychology-oncology service at London Health Science’s Children’s Hospital,

“Right now, being in this stage where I’m just thinking about the research, it’s very exciting,” she says. “Once we get all the work underway, I’m sure I’ll be a bit more stressed. But right now, it’s very positive and heartening.”

Professor Nihar Biswas' induction as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering not only honours his individual achievements, it also reflects the impact of the collaborative research environment he has fostered throughout his tenure.

The academy serves as a national forum for leaders in the field to contribute their expertise in addressing important engineering challenges and shaping the future of the profession.

Becoming a fellow is a highly selective process ensuring only those with truly exceptional accomplishments are inducted. After a nominee is put forward, the Awards and Fellowships Committee reviews their contributions, followed by a secret vote among more than 900 fellows of the academy.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has also appointed Dr. Biswas as a Fellow, a notable recognition held by three per cent of ASCE members. 

Biswas, who has served as a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering since 1981, has earned numerous accolades over his career. His leadership in advancing research in environmental engineering has raised the profile of his department and the University.

UWindsor students engage with surrounding communities in many ways, everything from collecting goods for local charities to volunteer work and co-operative education placements.

Here are a few statistics from 2024:

• Music students and faculty performed in more than 20 public concerts and recitals.
• The gallery in the SoCA Armouries hosted a total of 20 exhibitions.
• Nursing students put in 252,708 hours of clinical service with 20 placement partners.
• More than 780 teacher candidates in fall semester alone engaged in practice teaching in classrooms across 25 school boards.

That’s just a small sample of the myriad of connections between the University of Windsor and its host communities.

The University of Windsor's UWill Discover team of 10 enjoyed success at the National Model United Nations conference, Nov. 8 to 10 in Washington, D.C. in competition with more than 900 representatives of schools from across North America and beyond.

Representing Bangladesh, the group won a Distinguished Delegates award, and criminology mater’s student Malaka Asfari won an award for Outstanding Position Paper at the International Organization for Migration meeting.

“I am proud that our delegates entered the experience with action-based listening strategies geared toward collaborative innovations,” says faculty advisor Tim Brunet.

He said head delegate Sona Regonda demonstrated exceptional leadership in setting and executing the team’s performance based on her experiences from last year’s conference.

“National Model United Nations is the best experiential learning opportunity I’ve seen for leadership training,” says Dr. Brunet. “It involves research, public speaking, writing, collaborating, diplomacy, adjusting listening positions, and having honest conversations about globally complex targets.”

The UWindsor team comprises undergraduate and graduate students who have lived on four continents. That geopolitical and academic diversity proved advantageous when proposing policy solutions to global human development challenges.

Besides Regonda and Asfari, the team included:

• Anastasia Kulaga (history and political science)
• Eric Joshi (political science)
• Faadel Asfari (business)
• Femi Rufino Soluade (political science)
• Jana Jandal Alrifai (environmental studies)
• Kennedy Murray (master of education)
• Linda Nguyen (integrative biology)
• Yohana Llacza Chavez (master of management)

Some members have been invited to vie for internship positions with the National Model United Nations organization.