A trip to Sao Paulo, Brazil, was the experience of a lifetime for 10 students from the Odette School of Business and 10 students from Paulista School of Politics, Economics, and Business at the Federal University of Sao Paulo, known by its Portuguese acronym, UNIFESP.

Co-ordinated by Odette School of Business faculty member Francine Schlosser and UNIFESP professor Marcia Azevedo, the trip immersed students for eight days in Brazilian business and culture.

Places the students were able to visit in an action-packed week included the Samba School, the Canadian consulate, the B3 Stock Exchange, the Agricultural Institute of Campinas, Hospital Sao Paulo, iFood — the largest food delivery service in Brazil, and Porto de Santos, the largest port in Latin America.

Carol Adu-Bobie, a fourth-year business student, found the trip to be enlightening.

“Not only did we learn about many key sectors like health care, logistics, e-commerce, and entrepreneurship, but we also ventured outside of our North American bubble to witness progress and discrepancies in developing countries,” she says.

Some of the Odette students found a note of familiarity in their travels. Those who had immigrated to Canada as children from places like Lebanon, Ghana, Nepal, and Ethiopia, discovered similarities between Brazilian culture and their own home countries.

For fourth-year business major Neyat Tesfay, it was learning about the history of coffee in Brazil and its roots in Africa.

“On the Ethiopian side of my culture, we have a very heavy focus on coffee and there’s a very particular way in which we make our coffee,” Tesfay says. “I was happy to know that Ethiopia was a part of this industry and had a huge contribution.”

During the week, students from both institutions were responsible for delivering presentations to the group on various aspects of life in Canada and Brazil. Jack Schincariol, a fourth-year business student, presented about Canada’s economic structure.

“It was a wonderful cultural exchange and I really enjoyed learning about Brazilian culture and economics from the students,” he says.

Ashley Deslippe, a third-year business student specializing in human resources, reflected on the opportunity to deliver her export presentation at the Canadian consulate.

“It was an opportunity to learn more about exportation from Canada to Brazil and get live feedback on our project,” Deslippe says.

Read blog posts by the travellers recounting their experiences.

Students received scholarships from the University of Windsor’s Go Global STEPs program to participate in this opportunity. Go Global STEPs is a Global Skills Opportunity project that is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada and jointly administered by Universities Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada. The trip was also made possible thanks to a sponsorship from the Odette School of Business.

Join the Faculty of Nursing and guest speaker Bukola Salami on Wednesday, June 12, for an informative discussion on leadership and mentorship for Black and racialized students.

Dr. Salami, a UWindsor nursing alumna (BScN 2004), is a full professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Black and Racialized Peoples’ Health in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. She has presented her work to policymakers, including the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health, contributing to policy changes.

Her research program focuses on the policies and practices shaping the health of migrant, Black, and racialized people. She has been involved in more than 90 funded studies and has published over 140 papers in peer-reviewed journals.

According to Salami, evidence indicates racial disparities in economic outcomes in Canada. Limited mentorship and support for Black and racialized youth and students contribute to these disparities.

The speaker session will provide a space for mentorship and honest conversations with Black and racialized students, addressing the role of race and racism in the educational experience. Salami will discuss her journey through the University of Windsor and the University of Toronto, covering career planning for Black and racialized students and youth. She will outline strategies she implemented to gain leadership experience, which acted as a catalyst for her career mobility.

The session will run from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in room 123, Odette Building. Seating is limited; register to secure a place.

Chemists and biochemists were in full networking form at UWindsor’s fifth annual ChemiConn on May 16.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry hosted around 100 scientists, students, and industry professionals.

“This unique networking event aims to introduce the high-quality research being carried out at our institution and establish new ties with industrial communities,” says conference founder Simon Rondeau-Gagné, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

“The annual event has been fostering collaborations between our institution and industry partners since 2017.”

Several industrial participants from varying areas of chemical and biochemical sciences discussed research and development in the industry and related challenges. There was also a networking session and mixer to connect academics, potential future employees, and students.

“This year, we are proud to have hosted industrial representatives from nine companies involved in chemical and biochemical sciences,” says Dr. Rondeau-Gagné. “This event demonstrates the important role chemistry and biochemistry play as an engine of economic growth, and the importance that industry has in training the next generation of scientists.”

Marie Mills has taken up a one-year appointment as acting director of Co-operative Education & Workplace Partnerships effective May 27, replacing Kristen Morries while she serves as acting executive director of the Office of Experiential Learning.

In this role, Mills has primary responsibility for the execution of the University of Windsor’s co-operative education and paid internship programs. In consultation with the executive director, she will develop the vision and strategic direction for the Co-operative Education and Workplace Partnership department.

Mills comes to the University of Windsor from Stellantis with over 18 years of industry experience working in various roles within the organization, most recently as the University Research Lead (FCA Canada – ARDC), where she managed the co-op partnership with the University of Windsor and funded research initiatives and collaborations with partners across Canada. Her leadership and expertise earned her recognition from Automotive News Canada as one of the “2022 Canadians to Watch,” which celebrates key players and influencers in the automotive industry.

Mills is a graduate of the University of Windsor, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and participated in the co-op program.

“I am thrilled to be returning to my alma mater in this director role. As a past co-op student myself, I have a deep appreciation for the benefits and opportunities experiential learning provides,” says Mills. “I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of the cooperative education and workplace partnership department, fostering the same transformative experiences that shaped my own career.”

Morris says she is pleased to welcome Mills back to the University and looks forward to the contributions she will make in shaping the future of the co-operative education program.

“Marie has gone from co-op student to an active co-op employer to now co-op director. This unique lens will benefit our efforts as we strive to continuously improve our processes to the benefit of both students and employers, and grow more partnerships with industry locally, provincially, nationally, and abroad,” she says.

Researchers, students, and health care professionals in all disciplines interested in discussing new ideas, solving problems, and making new connections are invited to WE-Spark Think Tanks.

A session on Zoom scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, June 21, will ask participants for input on three presentations:

• Parent bias during pregnancy: The impact of dysregulated imprinting on maternal-fetus health
  Brian DeVeale, Faculty of Science, University of Windsor
  Dr. DeVeale is seeking partners to research parental bias during pregnancy, specifically focusing on the impact of imprinting, and is looking for the opportunity to work with local perinatologists and related specialists, especially those with interest and access to full-term placentas.
• Boosting Public Health by Adding a Mobile Lab: Collaborating on a Customized Solution for Windsor-Essex
  Jackie Fong, INSPIRE program manager, University of Windsor
  Funding has been secured for a mobile lab to add to the successful mobile health clinics in the Windsor-Essex region. Fong is looking to discuss how this supports the current mobile teams, how to customize the lab for optimal use, and who needs to be part of the team to implement the solution. Seeking leaders in public health, research, local hospitals, clinics, and medical labs to join the conversation.
• Exergaming for Older Adults’ Physical and Cognitive Health
  Renee Biss, Department of Psychology, University of Windsor
  This project builds on an existing collaborative project on the designing and testing of an exergame — technology-based exercise game — for older adults in long-term care, with the study run mostly in Toronto. Dr. Biss is looking to move this project into the next phase, with data collection in Windsor. The discussion is looking to hear from people who work with older adults in the community, long-term care, retirement homes, rehabilitation, or other settings, as well as anyone interested in research to help older adults maintain their physical, cognitive, and social activity using technology.

Click here to register for the event.

WE-Spark Health Institute is a partnership of the University of Windsor, Erie Shores HealthCare, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, St. Clair College, and Windsor Regional Hospital designed to take health outcomes to the next level through research.

The University has declared a Rockwell Unisaw and a wood shaper for sale by bid as Disposal File 2070.

All original parts and accessories are included: manuals, guards, fence, slide, bits.

Find specs, photos, and details on submitting bids.

An open house reception on Friday, June 14, will celebrate the retirement of Cheryl Paglione, a 22-year employee of the University who has led the administration of its pension and benefits plans and the Human Resources Information System.

Friends and colleagues will gather to wish her well from 3 to 5 p.m. June 14 in room 4108, Leddy Library.

Sign an online card of congratulations here. To contribute towards a gift, e-transfer to Bridget Aguilar at bridget_brown@hotmail.com.