A unique collaboration between professor Michael Crawford in the Department of Biological Sciences, students enrolled in his Epigenetics course, and the Leddy Library’s Centre for Digital Scholarship, has led to the publication of a new book exploring the way our genes relate to our experiences of life.

Epigenetics and Society began as a project two years ago with strategic priority funding, designed to engage students in research, collaboration, editing, and writing in an area of study where writing was no longer as intense as in former years. Students had an opportunity to advertise and militate for attention to a topic of emerging scientific, health, economic, and social importance.

“I wanted to provide a new and productive experience of science, and to encourage my students to think ‘outside the box.’ Epigenetics is a fascinating subject that will have mammoth implications for justice, ethics, social policy, reproductive politics, healthcare, law to name just a few subjects,” says Dr. Crawford. “What better way to encourage people to look beyond the science and to its importance in everyday life than to present the facts, ask demanding questions, and then maybe even offer some solutions?”

He says his class is on a mission: “Epigenetics is going to change how we look at our place in the world, and at our responsibilities to society, the environment, and to each other. We want to jumpstart the conversation.”

One of the student participants, Jess Hebert, says the project was one of the most enriching experiences of his undergraduate studies.

“I’m proud of being a part of it and increasing access to education about epigenetics and maybe even inspiring others to do research of their own,” he says. “This project flawlessly bridged the gap between just being a student and beginning to feel like a professional.”

Dave Johnston of the Leddy Library says the book project was an opportunity to engage students as researchers and scholars in their own right. He was also excited to have it published electronically through its open-access service.

“We are able to leverage our open access distribution services as a way to help distribute the book quickly to the widest possible audience,” says Johnston. “The increased availability of print on demand services for those readers who want physical copies of the work is a bonus.”

Digital copies are available open access in Scholarship at UWindsor while print-on-demand copies can be purchased through Amazon.com.

Students in the “Introduction to Production” class produce their own short films to get hands-on experience working in the field. They start off the semester with in-class learning and by the end experience more practical work.

A group of five of these students worked together Thursday, November 19, to direct a movie, including second-year communications major Samantha Penny, who is responsible for the project’s audio.

She says that although the theory is important to learn, it is also beneficial for students to get on the job experience.

“As much as learning concepts in the classroom is helpful, it really can’t compare to learning for yourself on set,” Penny said. “I think the on-set component is necessary to understand the concepts learned in class.”

The group’s film, Adrenaline, follows the heartbeat of a criminal through the act of robbing a house.

— article and photo by Braunte Petric

Large amounts of electrical energy are currently required to push Ontario’s water through treatment plants and a complex system of aging, corroded and leaky transmission and distribution pipes. In the next 10 years alone, updating Ontario’s water infrastructure will cost $30-40 billion.

Join Carole Champion, director of industrial engagement and sector lead for energy and environment at the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), for the third installment of UWindsor’s Centre for Energy and Water Advancement Distinguished Speakers Series on Thursday, November 26, at 1 p.m. in room 1102, Centre for Engineering Innovation.

Her free public presentation will focus on some of the challenges and opportunities faced by Ontario’s water sector and the opportunities that exist to develop innovative technologies to extend the lifetime of our existing water infrastructure, decrease electricity usage and address the water infrastructure deficit.

In addition to managing the Ottawa Manufacturers’ Network, Champion has held positions with OCE’s Centre for Energy and the Centre for Materials and Manufacturing. Prior to joining OCE, Carole worked for Natural Resources Canada at the CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory.

A memorial scholarship will bear the name of Windsor Law alumnus Manmeet Bhullar (JD 2011), a member of the Alberta legislature who died Monday, November 23.

Professor Richard Moon said the circumstances of Bhullar’s death—he was struck by a vehicle while going to the aid of another motorist—is a reminder of his selfless commitment to others, “which is what made him such an outstanding public servant.”

He was first elected to represent the riding of Calgary-Greenway in 2008 as a 28-year-old second-year law student, one of the province’s youngest MLAs. Bhullar joined the cabinet as Service Alberta minister in 2011, became human services minister in 2013, and served as infrastructure minister in the short-lived Prentice government.

For details on the scholarship fund, contact Karen Momotiuk in Windsor Law’s Alumni and Fund Development Office.

An open house Monday, December 7, will give colleagues and friends of Bruce Tucker a chance to wish him well in his retirement at the end of the year from the University of Windsor.

Since joining the UWindsor faculty in 1988 as an associate professor of history, Dr. Tucker has filled many roles, most recently as associate vice-president, academic, but also as head of the history department, coordinator of inter-faculty programs, president of the Windsor University Faculty Association, chair of the Annual Giving Program and an avid fan of Lancer athletics.

The event will run 2 to 4 p.m. in Assumption Hall’s Freed-Orman Commons. RSVP by November 27 to Cindy Wills at cindy@uwindsor.ca.

In lieu of gifts, Tucker has requested that anyone wishing to contribute to the Bachelor of Arts and Sciences Scholarship Fund contact Fedela Falkner at ffalkner@uwindsor.ca. Tucker has pledged to match any donations made on the day of the open house up to $1,000.

UWindsor staff and faculty will save between 10 and 25 percent on their purchases from the Campus Bookstore during its discount day sale on Thursday, November 26.

Customers will learn the amount of their discounts as they cash out—it all depends on the luck of the draw and applies to everything in the store except course materials, computers, gift cards and already-sale-priced items.

The store is also promoting sale prices on exam supplies and holiday gift ideas.

A blood donor clinic scheduled for Vanier Hall on Wednesday is aimed at students living in residence but open to all, says Canadian Blood Services.

The clinic runs 5 to 8 p.m. on November 25 in the Oak Room. As always, walk-in donors are welcome. The entire experience, including health assessment and recovery, takes about an hour.

For more information or to book an appointment, phone 1-888-2 DONATE (236-6283).