A new program that will fund medical students to conduct research under the supervision of UWindsor faculty is intended to foster a proficiency in the research process.

The Schulich-UWindsor Opportunities for Research Excellence Program (SWORP) provides funding for first- and second-year students in the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry-Windsor Program to undertake projects in any area of biomedical, medical or health-related research. The awards are valued at $5,000 each, with UWindsor and Western splitting the cost.

The inaugural seven recipients are

• Sabrina Botsford, “Relevance of the Tuberin/Cyclin B1 interaction in regulating cell size,” with biology professor Lisa Porter
• Matthew Galati, “Exploring the effect of exercise on ADHD symptoms in children,” with nursing professor Maher M. El-Masri and Sharon Burey, adjunct professor, Department of Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry
• Christopher Langley, “Review of Emergency Room Visits for Hematology Patients in the Windsor-Essex County Region,” with Caroline Hamm, adjunct professor of biological sciences
• Danielle Mackenzie, “Evaluating the long-term effectiveness of the GOALS program in the promotion of physical activity among girls in Windsor-Essex County,” with kinesiology professor Sarah Woodruff
• Kristin Mayrand, “Effects of isometric resistance exercise on ambulatory blood pressure in hypertension,” with kinesiology professor Cheri McGowan
• Jasmin Nari, “Characterization of endosomal subtypes for determination of functional regulation of MTMR2 in vesicular trafficking and neuromuscular disease,” with biochemistry professor Otis Vacratsis
• Shihan Rajasingham, “The effect of exercise intensity on memory consolidation in men and women,” with kinesiology professor Kevin Milne

Organizers hope the program will encourage medical students to incorporate research activities into their future career plans, and also promotes new collaborations with faculties such as nursing and engineering.