The campus is home to many labs, some of which deal with hazardous chemicals and biological materials. That’s where Sharon Lavigne steps in as co-ordinator of the Chemical Control Centre, committed to keeping staff and students safe.

She and her coworkers ensure labs working with hazards such as chemicals, radiation, lasers, and biological materials are doing so safely and adhering to government regulations.

“I conduct inspections, making sure people are registering on our ERSO research portal, which is a database used by many departments to track materials and ensure appropriate lab procedures are followed,” she explained.

“I also work with the research safety committee to ensure everything is being followed and that all of our safety equipment, such as fume hoods and biosafety cabinets, is certified and working to keep our staff and students safe.”

The Chemical Control Centre serves as the University’s “one-stop source” for hazardous materials on campus. Its services include managing the chemical stockroom, providing lab safety training, and handling hazardous waste disposal.

In the basement of Essex Hall, five team members each focus on a different aspect of chemical safety. Together, they ensure that all aspects of chemical safety are carefully managed and that the University meets its safety standards.

“Two people handle procurement, while another colleague and I focus on compliance, including daily lab inspections, ensuring procedures are followed, materials are stored properly, and all personal protective and safety equipment are available for students. Another manages hazardous waste disposal and oversees everything in that area,” she said.

Lavigne has been a Lancer for about 15 years, having attended UWindsor for her undergraduate degree in biology and biotechnology, then returning for her master’s in environmental science with the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER) shortly after.

While her academic background focused on biology, Lavigne said elements of chemistry and education helped her prepare for her current role.

She enjoys the day-to-day work in the lab, but Lavigne said her favourite part of her job is the people she gets to work with — students, staff, and faculty alike.

“I get to meet a wide variety of people, each with unique experiences. I love working with students and supporting their research,” Lavigne said. “The staff here is also amazing — you can see they genuinely want the best for the students they support.”

A first-year film student got a unique experience this semester, filming a performance at the Stratford Festival under the guidance of professor Mike Stasko for Suede Productions.

“I am so grateful to have gotten a chance to film with some of the best performers in Canada,” says Jett Shields, who operated a camera during filming of Cymbeline for the digital streaming platform StratFest@Home.

William Shakespeare’s play fuses romance, comedy and tragedy. The feature will premiere on Thursday, Dec. 19.

“The partnership between Suede and the Stratford Theatre is one of the top creative activities I can imagine taking on,” says Stasko. “Jett’s growth and artistic talents are on pace to rival any student I’ve had thus far, so he was a natural choice to bring on board for this gig.”

Shields describes the experience as “mind-blowing.”

“Operating a camera for over three hours was tough, but seeing the footage later on made it feel so rewarding,” he says. “It was an incredible learning experience.”

That sentiment is one Stasko shares: “It’s really rewarding seeing students getting meaningful experiential learning opportunities that they can bring back to the classroom.”

Stratfest@Home is available on all major streaming platforms and smart devices with a growing library of filmed performances and original programming from the Stratford Festival and theatres across the country.

Drawing on over a decade of fieldwork of the Teacher Education Reciprocal Learning Program and the insights of pre-service teachers, graduate students, and professors, West-East Reciprocal Learning in Teacher Education: From Knowing to Doing examines the transformative impact of international partnerships in education between Canada and China.

Authored and edited in part by Chenkai Chi, a doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Education, the book underscores the importance of moving beyond dualistic thinking and encourages readers to embrace a more inclusive and collaborative approach to global education.

“We have so much to learn from each other,” says Chi. “The book provides a unique perspective on cross-cultural education through reciprocal learning between Canada and China, offering shared experiences that enrich global teaching practices.”

He also notes that the book is a valuable resource for educators, students, and policymakers looking for practical ideas on international collaboration and student engagement.

Chi’s role in bringing the book to publication exemplifies the collaborative spirit at the heart of the project. By navigating the challenges of coordinating across time zones, overcoming language barriers, and addressing cultural nuances, he not only contributed to the book’s success but also gained valuable learning experiences throughout the process.

“I learned so much through this experience,” Chi reflects. “The value of cultural sensitivity and the practical impact of reciprocal learning, all while trying to preserve the distinct voices of the other authors.”

Education professor Shijing Xu and doctoral candidate Chenkai Chi.

The recently published book is a part of the larger Intercultural Reciprocal Learning in Chinese and Western Education book series with Michael Connelly and Shijing Xu as series editors.

Dr. Xu, Canada Research Chair, education professor and project director of the SSHRC Partnership Grant Project for Reciprocal Learning in Teacher Education and School Education between Canada and China, explains that the book series and research generates local and global impact through partnership and community engagement, aligning with the Aspire strategic plan.

“The series envisions a broader sense of ‘we-ness’ in a globalized world,” Xu says, “emphasizing the importance of East-West collaboration in shaping a more interconnected future.

“We look forward to producing more books in the series to highlight the research and hands-on experience that are driving this work forward.”

West-East Reciprocal Learning in Teacher Education: From Knowing to Doing is available for purchase online through Amazon and Springer Palgrave Macmillan websites, as well as in-store at Indigo.

Students in mechanical, automotive and materials engineering professor Eunsik Kim’s Occupational Safety and Ergonomics research lab are winning notice for their work to apply virtual reality to address issues in the physical world.

Master’s student Ifeoma Michael and doctoral student Elnaz Akhavan Rezaee each received awards for their presentations at the Association of Canadian Ergonomists conference, “Optimizing Human Performance,” in Calgary in October.

Dr. Kim said the awards are a testament to their hard work and the meaningful impact of their studies.

“The innovative research conducted by Ifeoma Michael and Elnaz Akhavan Rezaee truly exemplifies the forward-thinking approach we champion in our lab,” he said. “Their dedication to integrating virtual reality with ergonomics and transportation safety not only advances academic understanding but also holds remarkable potential for real-world applications. I am incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to their ongoing contributions to the field.”

Michael’s research offers a glimpse of a future where professionals can work more efficiently, no matter where they are.

“The future of work is changing,” she noted. “People no longer need to be confined to a desk. With the right tools, like VR, we can empower workers to achieve their full potential while on the go.”

Her paper, entitled “Investigating the Effects of Working in Virtual Reality Environment on Office Workers’ Performance,” explores the potential for virtual workstations to improve work-life balance, productivity.

Rezaee’s project “Cyclists’ Behaviour Towards Safety: A Review Study” is making waves in the field of cyclist safety with a comprehensive research project that leverages cutting-edge technology to improve biking infrastructure and promote healthier, more sustainable transportation options.

Her dissertation focuses on bridging the gap between the potential for bicycling to improve health and traffic congestion and the hesitation of riders to commute by bike due to safety concerns.

“After the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a noticeable increase in interest in cycling as people turned to healthier outdoor activities,” Rezaee said. “However, the actual use of bikes remains low, especially for commuting purposes. Safety concerns, particularly in cities with heavy traffic, are a significant deterrent.

“That’s why my research is focused on creating solutions that will encourage more people to use bikes regularly — both for their health and to help reduce carbon emissions.”

A key innovation in hre research is the development of a virtual reality bike simulator, which will allow Rezaee to simulate different cycling scenarios and analyze how varying factors — such as road design, traffic, and cyclist behaviour — affect safety. The technology will test potential interventions and explore how changes to the environment could make cycling more appealing and safer for everyday use.

“Cycling is not just a way to reduce carbon footprints,” Rezaee said. “It’s also a way to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress over time. The more people use bikes, the better it will be for both their mental health and the environment.”

Colleagues and friends are rallying around a UWindsor cook after an accident killed his mother and forced his family out of their home.

While Peter Polak was preparing Sunday dinner for his family on Dec. 8, a vehicle crashed into their home, killing his mother Rose and injuring his wife, Amber.

The house has been deemed structurally unsound and it will take an estimated eight or nine months before the family will have any access, forcing them to find alternate accommodation.

A GoFundMe campaign started by co-worker Satrina Durham aims to raise monies to offset these expenses as well as the cost of funeral arrangements. To donate, visit the fundraiser page.

As the impacts of climate change are felt in Canada’s North, researchers are working to understand what this means for eider ducks. The distinctive black and white seabird is a source of food, a commercial trade, and an important cultural focus for Inuit people.

Biology professor Christina Semeniuk, whose predictive ecology lab at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research has done significant work with seabirds in the past, is supporting Inuit communities in gathering knowledge about the ducks and how they are affected by a warming climate.

“Our mission with this project is to understand what Inuit communities need, not to map Southern research priorities on to them,” says Dr. Semeniuk. “We are interweaving the tools of research as we understand them with diverse sources of biological information and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, localized and culturally relevant ways of knowing.”

Conceptualized as a departure from the traditional academic mode of research, the project has the goal of being fully led by Inuit partners. Academic partners provide support, but the objectives and the methodologies are both defined by the Northern communities.

The team expects to learn much about eider ducks, but its goals go beyond data collection.

“Research has a lot to offer communities threatened by climate change, but there is a tradition of leading with our own needs and values, instead of letting the community lead,” Semeniuk says. “The purpose of our work is to interweave our knowledge with theirs and form something new — science that is for, and of, the people it impacts.”

Learn more in the full article, “Eider ducks and Inuit-led research in Canada’s North,” published in the Research and Innovation in Action report.

On Friday, Dec. 6, the Odette School of Business welcomed more than 200 local Grade 11 and 12 students to the second annual Accounting Showcase Day, as the culmination of a week-long accounting case competition.

Students were mentored in their classrooms through the case analysis process by members of the Odette Accounting Society and evaluated on their efforts by a panel of judges, including faculty members, accounting alumni, and professionals in the field.

“Our goal is to showcase the accounting profession as a viable career path for someone who aspires to be a business leader and decision maker,” say Alaa Madi and Natalie George, who assisted in planning the event as co-presidents of the Odette Accounting Society.

“This event is designed to challenge students to go beyond theory and dive into real-world problem-solving skills and collaborate to develop meaningful solutions as a team.”

The event featured as keynote speakers Master of Business Administration – Managers & Professionals alumni Katelyn Dryden, chief financial officer and vice-president outpatient services of Erie Shores HealthCare, and Devin Sturdy, vice-president corporate services and chief financial officer at Middlesex Hospital Alliance. Dryden and Sturdy returned to Odette to discuss their own accounting journeys, career highlights, and why they believe young people should pursue careers in accounting.

Students also had the opportunity to network with representatives from eight accounting firms in attendance.

The top team from each high school was recognized with members of the overall winning team, from École secondaire catholique E.J. Lajeunesse, each awarded a $1,000 Odette scholarship. The event was sponsored by BDO Canada.