Researchers target hypertension in Black populations Research out of th Kinesiology professors Cheri McGowan, Kevin Milne, and Paula van Wyk are conducting research on isometric handgrip training as a treatment for high blood pressure. Researchers out of the Faculty of Human Kinetics aims to improve the health of villagers in Uganda and the Black community here at home. Kinesiology professor Cheri McGowan, Université de Montréal epidemiologist Kate Zinszer, and Ugandan physician Henry Isabirye have been awarded nearly $365,000 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to investigate the effectiveness of isometric handgrip training (IHT) to lower blood pressure. The study will be run through the Allan Stone Community Clinic in Kyabirwa, Uganda, where hypertension is the leading condition treated. Kinesiology professors Paula van Wyk, Kevin Milne, and Dr. McGowan will run a similar $25,000 study for Black residents of Windsor and Essex County in research funded by the University of Windsor and the WE-Spark Health Institute. “Hypertension…
Online session to spark health research collaborations A virtual think tank on October 13 will discuss three local health research projects. Researchers and students 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, October 13, will hear three presentations: Measuring the cognitive workload and user experience of patients and healthcare professionals in telehealth Francesco Biondi, PhD, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Windsor Given that telehealth plays a significant role in today's healthcare industry, Dr. Biondi is looking to find potential collaborators in the medical area who work in the field of ergonomics, human factors, and occupational safety to create a research proposal that investigates the human factors involved in telehealth. He is also seeking the opportunity to talk with hospital administrators and people working in industry. Pharmacogenomics: Using Next Generation Sequencing…
Evaporation system to advance development of stretchable electronics Research into wearable electronics got a boost with a grant to purchase a system that can turn metals into vapours for application to a variety of surfaces. A multi-disciplinary team of UWindsor researchers, whose research explores creating electronic materials and devices that can be stretched, is getting a new tool to help advance their work in designing soft electronics. When designing stretchable and bendable electronics, researchers must be able to layer different types of materials with metals and other organic substances. This can prove tricky, but with a new electron beam evaporator, turning metals into vapours will be possible with the flip of a switch. The team received $150,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) for a 2023 Research Tools and Instrumentation grant. This will be supplemented with $70,289 from the Faculty of Science and the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation. The electron beam evaporator uses the physical vapour…
Federal funding fuels exploration at the frontiers of discovery Engineering professor Arezoo Emadi has received a federal Discovery grant to fund her research project “A new approach in extending the boundaries of autonomous early detection using a novel micromachined resonator.” Fourteen UWindsor researchers in the faculties of science and engineering have received nearly $2.5 million in 2023 Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery grants. “Federal funding awarded through the NSERC Discovery program provides critical support to our researchers who are pursuing ground-breaking research at the frontiers of science and engineering,” said Shanthi Johnson, vice-president, research and innovation. “Discovery grants are vital to our research ecosystem, allowing our faculty to explore the most pressing challenges in their fields while supporting the capacity and talent pipeline of the scientists and engineers in training.” Funded research projects include the health of the Great Lakes, studying border traffic…
Report details impact of local health research The WE-Spark Health Institute has released its 2023 impact report. The WE-SPARK Health Institute has grown to more than 1,000 members and in the last year hosted its first research conference, launched an app, and facilitated 21 clinical professorships. These are just a few of the highlights of its 2023 impact report. Director Lisa Porter said the institute has created an environment that enables health research to grow within its partner organizations and as a collective. “We leveraged technology to bring together a multidisciplinary and diverse health research network,” she said. “As we look forward to Year 5, we will continue to elevate research excellence and success. WE-Spark is focused on creating an environment that is attractive to the brightest minds and demonstrating the importance of health research for the economic development of our region.” The full report can be found here. WE-SPARK Health Institute is an innovative partnership between the University of Windsor…
Erie Shores HealthCare launches research department Erie Shores HealthCare launched a new academic research department this month. The Academic Office for Research will be open to all clinicians and students interested in research. "The work that we're doing in research will ensure that we are providing the best possible care and practices right at the bedside," said Neelu Sehgal, director of interprofessional practice and research and chief nursing executive. Research will be focused on efficiency, effectiveness, and collaboration. "We've been doing amazing quality improvement work already, it's just about formalizing that process and having an official academic research office within Erie Shores Healthcare," said Sehgal WESPARK Health Institute announced funding for three projects out of the Erie Shores Academic Officer for Research last week. The first three projects will explore the effectiveness of the Ontario Naloxone program, evaluate the benefits of having cancer care in rural settings, and evaluate…
UWindsor studying how cancer care should look different for LGBTQ community A professor at the University of Windsor has spent the past two years researching the experiences of cancer care for members of the LGBTQ community, and hopes that a new survey will help paint a broader picture about why those experiences may differ from the norm. The the Compassionate Cancer Pride survey is open to LGBTQ individuals in Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton who have survived cancer, are currently in treatment for the disease or know someone who has had an experience with it. Backed by $30,000 in funding, with support from the Research Ethics Board and the Windsor Regional Hospital, the study opened in August. Participants are encouraged to share details surrounding their experiences going through the local health-care system in regards to their cancer care. Research lead and nursing professor Kathy Pfaff is not a member of the LGBTQ community herself, but says that early findings from her research show there is a need for a more inclusive approach, particularly…
September networking event to bring together health research community WE-SPARK Health Institute hosts monthly networking events for members of the Windsor-Essex health research community to get to know one another through fun and casual conversations. There is no formal agenda, and all are welcome. This is an opportunity for anyone interested in health research to make connections in an informal and enjoyable atmosphere. The next event will be held Thursday September 7th from 5-8pm at the Bourbon Tap & Grill, 1199 Ottawa St, Windsor. No RSVP is required. WE-SPARK Health Institute is supported by an innovative partnership between the University of Windsor and Erie Shores HealthCare, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, St. Clair College, and Windsor Regional Hospital that brings together health research strengths, expertise, and infrastructure from across the WindsorEssex region.
$345,000 AWARDED LOCALLY FOR HEALTH RESEARCH WE-SPARK Health Institute and its funding partners have awarded 18 research grants totaling $345,000 to tackle local health challenges in its latest round of funding during a celebration event at the University of Windsor’s CORe (Centre of Research Excellence) Building. The grants provide funding to promote the development of early-stage, innovative health research and health education projects in Windsor-Essex and support other health research programs to increase their prospects for future funding. Projects include addressing gaps in healthcare needs, igniting new ideas, generating and disseminating knowledge, studies in emerging health topics, and sparking collaborations. The grants involve collaborators across WE-SPARK’s five supporting institutions — Erie Shores HealthCare, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, St. Clair College, the University of Windsor and Windsor Regional Hospital — along with numerous community members, students and volunteers across Windsor-Essex. “With each…
