Mitchell DiPasquale (BSc 2017) is taking the health debate surrounding vaping and e-cigarettes down to the molecular level.

E-cigarette or Vaping use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) can range from shortness of breath to severe lung damage requiring intensive care.

DiPasquale, a doctoral candidate in chemistry and biochemistry, is using synthetic membranes to study the physical effects of EVALI.

For this research he was awarded the Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships Doctoral Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The award provides special recognition and support to students who are pursuing a doctoral degree in a health-related field in Canada.

“Little is known about what causes EVALI, but evidence suggests it may stem from a physical interaction between toxicants in the vape and the pulmonary surfactant — a thin layer inside the lungs that helps with the expansion and contraction of breathing,” says DiPasquale.

“We are specifically studying how agents such as vitamin E acetate in e-cigarettes and vapes, cause a physical interaction in that thin layer in the lungs, likely changing the elasticity of the lining.”

The researcher will use a range of biophysical experiments on extracted pulmonary surfactant to reveal sub-molecular level changes. He says these small changes can have serious large-scale effects that may define the lung dysfunction observed in EVALI.

“Together, the knowledge gained from this study will offer new insights that can benefit the prognosis of EVALI victims and identify potential complications associated with long-term use,” DiPasquale says.

The next step will be to team up with researchers from the Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods to work with 3D bioprinted model of human lung tissue.

“This advanced model allows us to study the physics of human biology, but without needing to experiment on patients,” says DiPasquale.

Drew Marquardt, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and cross-appointed to the Department of Physics, is DiPasquale’s supervisor.

“This is an impressive accomplishment that hasn’t been achieved at UWindsor in a decade and it is great to see Mitchell acknowledged for this important lung research,” says Dr. Marquardt.

DiPasquale will receive $35,000 per year for three years, with $5,000 dedicated to offsetting research costs.

Food Services will be selling products from What’s Poppin’ Popcorn Factory in two campus locations this fall.

It’s another in a series of partnerships with local suppliers, says executive chef Paolo Vasapolli.

“This is a Windsor-based company that happens to make great popcorn,” he says. “I think our clients will really take to the delicious flavours and quality ingredients What’s Poppin’ offers.”

The company’s co-founder, Jeff Gamble, is excited about the opportunity to market his wares at the University.

“Although times may be uncertain right now, we feel that there is always room for a little popcorn in your life,” he says. “We hope that when you do have the craving for something completely unique and made in Windsor, you will think of us.”

The popcorn is offered in a range of sweet and savoury options and will be available for purchase from the U Club in Vanier Hall and the Bru outlet at Alumni Hall.

Assumption University’s Learn for Life program, which offers general interest educational opportunities, will present the one-day online course “Jerusalem and Mecca: Jewish-Muslim Relations” on Saturday, Sept. 25.

Led by John Cappucci (BA 2006), principal of Assumption University and its Stephen Jarislowsky Chair in Religion and Conflict, the course will explore the historical relationship between Jews and Muslims from the seventh century to the present.

Material will identify similarities and differences between Judaism and Islam, discussing theology, figures, sacred texts, practices, holy days, gender dynamics, dietary laws, and relations with other religions.

Registration is due by Sept. 10. Find details on the Learn for Life website.

A panel of experts will convene Tuesday, Aug. 31, to discuss the campaign to provide safe passage to migratory birds.

Organizers are working to help Windsor win official designation by Nature Canada as a Bird Friendly City, protecting ecosystems to make urban areas less challenging to traverse.

“We know many folks are worried about wildlife and the news they are hearing about various species and want to listen to experts on how they can help,” says Allison deVries of the Pelee Island Bird Observatory, which is hosting the panel discussion. “It will be educational, specific, and highlight the importance of what we as individual households must to do help our migratory wildlife survive.”

The event will run on the Zoom videoconferencing platform starting at 7 p.m. Find details and register to attend at www.pibo.ca.