When you take to the stage in front of hundreds of young kids, expect the unexpected, says Jaedyn Ellis — “and then don’t even expect that!”

A fourth-year student of drama in education and community, he is part of professor Alice Nelson’s class “Theatre for Young Audiences” that has been preparing adaptations of four children’s stories by author Robert Munsch — Pigs, Stephanie's Ponytail, Paper Bag Princess, and Mortimer — to perform for audiences at two local schools ranging from junior kindergarten to Grade 3.

The class put on their show March 26 at St. James Catholic Elementary School on Windsor’s west side and has a second performance April 2 at St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Elementary School in east Windsor.

Ellis played Mortimer, a five-year-old who resists efforts to get him to bed for the night.

“You have to be really loud because you’re this boy who doesn’t want to go to sleep,” Ellis says. “But I found I didn’t have to be that loud, because the kids were really attentive.”

It’s a dynamic recognized by his classmate Makenna Pickersgill, in her fourth year of the concurrent drama and education program.

“When you’re watching something you’re quiet, but not kids,” she says. “But whenever we asked them to interact with us, it’s evident that they’re paying attention.”

She played an undeserving suitor in the story Paper Bag Princess and says the children were quick to react when asked whether the princess should settle for Pickersgill’s character: “The kids hated me, which is great!”

Nelson says her students — most of whom plan careers as educators — developed many skills they will be able to apply as professionals.

“They did everything from writing the scripts to building the props and finding the costumes,” she says. “But it’s all theory until you put it into practice.

“Performing in front of youngsters, you learn to think on your feet, to be able to change the plan, to be flexible. You’re basically an improviser a lot of the time.”

She says the students find ways to make play and games deliver curriculum as well as the ability to command attention in front of a room.

“Some of them might want to be performers after they graduate,” Nelson says. “And if they go into children’s theatre, they’ll find it very rewarding.

“They’re my favourite audience because they are so delightful!”

Your next treatment for anxiety or cancer may be residing right now on Aziz Abu-Saleh’s computer.

As a post-doctoral researcher in the lab of professor John Trant, Dr. Abu-Saleh specializes in computational chemistry, leveraging advanced computer modeling techniques and machine learning to design drugs targeting a range of health issues, including anxiety, cancer, COVID-19, and obesity.

“My research involves computer modelling of biological systems to solve challenging problems,” he says. “We want to target those health issues without affecting other functions.”

The computer models simulate real-world effects of his designs. Promising solutions are handed off to partners to synthesize the materials, test them, and then provide feedback for further refinement.

His work has won him notice from the Chemical Abstracts Service, a division of the American Chemical Society specializing in scientific knowledge management, which named Abu-Saleh one of this year’s 35 CAS Future Leaders. The program provides early-career scientists with leadership training and connection to peers from around the world.

Program director Peter Carlton hailed participants as a diverse group from 13 countries.

“From hundreds of applicants, we mindfully select individuals who are accomplished scientists and also demonstrate leadership in their communities — improving people’s lives in various ways,” he said.

Dr. Trant calls Abu-Saleh an “outstandingly creative and productive scientist,” but says more importantly: “he’s a great colleague who goes out of his way to support the graduate students, undergrads, and other postdocs in the group.

“This is why his selection is so apt: he will be a great leader in chemistry.”

The CAS Future Leaders will take the next steps in their leadership journeys this August in Columbus, Ohio, and Denver, with an opportunity to present their research and participate in professional and leadership development courses. They have already begun forming connections through social media, Abu-Saleh says.

“I believe that this opportunity will enable me to cultivate a robust professional network, connecting with peers and pioneering leaders in the field,” he says.” This aligns perfectly with my career goal of establishing a research lab where I can mentor the next generation of scientists, contributing to the advancement of science and medicine.”

Did you know that records are company assets? That makes archives or permanent records inherently valuable.

With a theme of “Access your Archives,” the Archives Association of Ontario is celebrating Archives Awareness Week from April 2 to 5 — and the Leddy Library is joining in.

It is holding a trivia contest testing knowledge of its Archives and Special Collections with a delightful prize: a large stuffed teddy bear. Try your luck at bit.ly/AAWeek2024.

Off-pitch crooners rejoice: the University of Windsor is not instituting a digital authentication system requiring users to sing a melodic password.

An article in yesterday’s DailyNews announcing the Musical Password System was an April Fool’s prank dreamed up by Information Technology Services with an assist from choirs master Bruce Kotowich.

“Part of me just loves the idea of people annoying each other with singing at their desks,” says Marcin Pulcer, associate vice-president, IT Services.

The hoax did net a few fish, says Alisa Giroux-Souilliere, co-ordinator of change management and communication in IT Services.

“Eleven people signed up for the melody maker vocal coaching workshop,” she says. “They all received an automated response that said ‘We hope you got a laugh this April Fool’s Day!’”

One who was fooled was Karen Momotiuk, senior development office for the Faculty of Nursing.

“I told my family about the new policy, and the guy next to me on the train, too,” she says, chagrined.

For her part, communications co-ordinator Susan McKee, an enthusiastic chorister herself, was disappointed to learn it was a prank.

“You totally got me with the musical password story!” she wrote to DailyNews. “Here I was thinking how brilliant Marcin Pulcer is!”

The Muslim Students’ Association invites the campus community to join in a dinner breaking the Ramadan fast on Thursday, April 4.

“Besides sharing a meal, we hope to share the spirit of this special month,” says integrative biology student Deena Qaisi, the association’s vice-president communications. “It is a time of spiritual bonding and mental growth, honing compassion and self-discipline. Our Iftar dinner will provide the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and serve as a platform to celebrate diversity.”

Sponsored by the University of Windsor Students’ Alliance; the Graduate Student Society; the Organization of Part-time University Students; the University of Windsor Alumni Association; the Office of Human Rights, Equity & Accessibility; and the Office of the Vice-President, Finance and Operations; the dinner is free, but space is limited, so registration is required. Sign up here to attend.

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, April 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Bourbon Tap & Grill, 1199 Ottawa St. No RSVP is required.

WE-Spark Health Institute is supported by a partnership among the University of Windsor, 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 Windsor-Essex region.