As real-life social circles shrink, the Faculty of Science is looking to expand its research social circle with the 2020 Research Stimulus Fund program, Science Xcelerate.

The program is designed to encourage new cross-disciplinary projects involving Faculty of Science researchers. These projects can involve scientists working together from various Faculty of Science departments, or scientists connecting with researchers from other disciplines or even beyond the University.

“We are interested in accelerating new research ideas that connect researchers from across disciplines,” says Dan Mennill, associate dean, graduate studies and research. “We’ve already had interest from several unconventional research pairings. I am excited to find out what innovative, cross-disciplinary collaborations will arise from this program.”

The Office of Research and Innovation Services established the Research Stimulus Fund under the purview of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, to build upon research strengths, promote future research collaborations, and enhance graduate training and experiential learning. The fund is supported by Tri-Council money arising from grant holdings from science researchers over the past three years.

This year, the Faculty of Science will use a portion of its RSF allocation to support the RSF: Science Xcelerate program. The fund will likely support two or three projects with a flexible budget of approximately $25,000 per partnership, with an expected timeline of two years.

Dean of science Chris Houser, says the faculty is especially interested in funding projects that will lead to ongoing collaborations, and projects that will leverage support in future funding competitions from outside the University.

“This new collaborative opportunity is sure to spark exciting new ideas and with just our internal RSF: Science Xcelerate announcement, we’ve already had a fantastic response,” says Dr. Houser.

For application details, or for more information, go to the Faculty of Science’s funding for faculty webpage. Applications are due no later than Friday, Dec. 11, at noon.

The “Images of Human Rights and Social Justice Art Contest” invites submissions from UWindsor students through Jan. 11, 2021.

Sponsored by the Office of Human Rights, Equity and Accessibility, the competition offers prizes of credit to a University of Windsor account in the following amounts:

• First place $250
• Second place $125
• Third place $75

Entries must be original pieces created between Sept. 1, 2020, and Jan. 11, 2021. Submissions will be eligible to be showcased as part of the virtual OHREA Awards event on February 26.

Visit www.uwindsor.ca/ohrea for full contest rules and a link to the entry form.

The Ontario Medical Association has extended honorary membership to UWindsor biochemistry professor Siyaram Pandey in recognition of his contributions to science.

The organization represents the political, clinical, and economic interests of Ontario physicians. Its awards citation noted Dr. Pandey’s research on apoptosis — cell suicide — which is central to various aspects of human health, including neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.

“While we are not able to gather in person this year to celebrate your achievement, I want to express my personal thank you for all that you do to support the profession and the health of Ontarians,” the association’s chief executive officer, Allan O’Dette, wrote in a letter to Pandey announcing the award.

Pandey said he was humbled and honoured by the recognition from the medical community.

“As a biochemist and scientist, I am grateful to OMA for recognizing our medically relevant research contribution,” he said. “I thank my students, collaborators, and generous support from the community for our project working on basic and applied research with naturally-derived materials with anticancer activity and neuroprotective activity.”

UWindsor alumnus Jonathan Allison (BComm 1996) began a two-year term as chair of the Board of Governors effective Nov. 25.

“I look forward to working with our talented board, administration, and our president and vice chancellor Dr. Robert Gordon,” Allison said. “My goal is to further the vision of a student-centered institution while enriching the local and global ties within our University and the Windsor-Essex community.”

Allison is vice president, portfolio manager, and wealth advisor for RBC Wealth Management Dominion Securities, and the founding partner of the Allison Martinello Group. He currently serves as chair of the UWindsor board’s investment committee, and has previously served as the its first and second vice-chair and as a member of the resource allocation and executive committees.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to have Jonathan in this key leadership role with the Board of Governors at the University of Windsor,” said Dr. Gordon. “He is a highly skilled, passionate and strategic administrator who understands the essential role that the University of Windsor provides to our broader Windsor-Essex community and also the rest of the world.”

A second online Trivia Night promises a chance for UWindsor faculty and staff to enjoy some companionable competition Friday, Dec. 4.

A team from Public Affairs and Communications is preparing quiz questions to test the memories of players.

“We’re trying to schedule it before exam workloads get too heavy,” says organizer Sarah Sacheli. “Join us for some fun and friendly stumpers.”

Contestants may form teams of five, or individuals can ask to be assigned to a team. Email Sacheli to sign up or for more information. To register as a team, provide all members’ names as well as a team name.

Videos of the public presentations by shortlisted candidates for the position of dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences are now available for viewing:

• Cheryl Collier
• Lydia Miljan

The search committee encourages written comments on the suitability of each of the candidates, submitted in confidence to Iva Gentcheva, ivag@uwindsor.ca, by the end of Monday, Nov. 30.

The culmination of months of planning, the fifth Biennial International Cancer Research Conference, Nov. 19 to 21, had everything, organizers say.

A record 270 registrants attended the conference, hosted virtually from Windsor by the Windsor Cancer Research Group, WE-Spark Health Institute’s flagship program.

“This was a conference that brought together all the ingredients that make cancer research and innovation flourish,” said Dora Cavallo-Medved, the group’s translational research director.

“From renowned researchers and surgeons to a visionary devoted to helping women with breast cancer. Inspiring patient stories to dynamic student presenters. An intimate EDI conversation where panellists shared their personal experiences to highlight how we can make healthcare and research more equitable, inclusive and diverse, to a virtual networking social for participants to make global connections.”

Keynote addresses were delivered by Sheila Singh, chief pediatric neurosurgeon from McMaster University, and Lucy Godley, professor of medicine from the University of Chicago. Liana Roodt, a surgeon from Cape Town, South Africa, shared her journey of launching Project Flamingo — a non-profit that provides free breast cancer surgery.

“It has been amazing to see the collaborative nature of researchers, health care professionals, students and community partners as they share their latest research findings,” said the group’s clinical research director, Caroline Hamm. “Their continued dedication to moving cancer research forward, even during a pandemic, is remarkable and will lead to better health outcomes for our patients locally and around the world.”

Attendees logged on from the Philippines, Iran, Switzerland, and South Africa, as well as Canada and the United States.

“Hosting an international cancer research conference allows us to showcase the research excellence happening in our region,” said Lisa Porter, executive director of WE-Spark Health Institute. “This puts us on the international stage and brings great recognition for what we are doing here in Windsor-Essex.”

The Monday, Nov. 30, prize deadline to complete the Cybersecurity Learning Modules and Self-Assessment is fast approaching.

Faculty, staff, and students who complete the self-assessment by this deadline will be eligible for a draw for $100 UWin Cash. The winner will be selected by random draw and contacted by email in early December.

Launched by Information Technology Services to conclude Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2020, the Cybersecurity Learning Modules and Self-Assessment is a means for faculty, staff, and students to reinforce and expand their cybersecurity knowledge.

For more cybersecurity resources, visit www.uwindsor.ca/cybersecurity.

The Office of Human Rights, Equity and Accessibility has issued a reminder of the campus-wide Employment Equity Census for all current employees, continuing through Dec. 4.

New this year is the addition of two questions on ethnic ancestry and racialized groups. This will provide disaggregated data on the federally designated group visible minorities that will help further inform the possibilities for initiatives for enhancing employment equity programs.

All census information will remain strictly confidential.

Employees can access the census link from a Nov. 15 email to their UWindsor email address or by logging onto the MyUWinfo employee portal and clicking on “Employment Equity Survey” under the “My Resources” heading.

The census is an opportunity to self-identify and update previous self-identification responses. For additional information, email ohrea@uwindsor.ca; phone 519‑253-3000, ext. 3400; or visit the UWindsor, UCount! webpage at www.uwindsor.ca/ohrea.