Terra DucheneJD candidate Terra Duchene maintains a hands-on commitment to working the soil in addition to her academic pursuits in the field of food law.

Panel to discuss issues in food law

What law does it take to get food on our plates every day? Because agri-food production happens in the intersection of numerous areas of law, food law has emerged as a new area of legal study and practice in Canada.

A panel of experts will engage with several pressing issues in Canadian food law — including migrant workers, food safety, geographical indications, and food system justice — on Thursday, February 15, at 12:45 p.m. in the law building’s Farmer Conference Room.

Panellists include:

  • Windsor Law student Terra Duchene, a member of the Campus Community Garden management team;
  • Patricia Galvao Ferreira, Law Foundation of Ontario scholar, Windsor Law;
  • Law professor Vasanthi Venkatesh, University of Windsor;
  • Sarah Berger Richardson, doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Law, McGill University;
  • Marsha Simone Cadogan, post-doctoral fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation’s International Law Research Program.

“What is food law? Why Canada needs it!” is co-sponsored by the Faculty of Law and the Environmental Law Society. To confirm attendance, RSVP to Katie.Bartelds@uwindsor.ca.

film spoolsSee the initial works by film students and faculty at the First and Worst film screening, Thursday in Erie Hall.

Screening to show first films by students and faculty

A film screening Thursday, February 15, will feature the first-ever works made by students and faculty members of the Department of Communications, Media and Film.

A fundraiser for the Communication Student Association, the “First and Worst” event will be an opportunity to watch, and laugh at, their fledgling efforts as aspiring filmmakers.

It gets underway at 8 p.m. in Studio A, Erie Hall. Admission is $3 at the door. Learn more on the Facebook event page.

Philip KarpowiczBiology professor Philip Karpowicz is exploring whether circadian rhythms affect cancer growth.

Project to explore control of cell growth by 24-hour timing

The human body constantly cycles through 24-hour changes in what is called the circadian rhythm, which dictates sleep patterns and wakefulness — and deep down at the cellular level, it tells stem cells when to grow and divide. Biology professor Phillip Karpowicz’s new project is looking at how this occurs, and whether it can affect cancer growth.

His lab received a grant of $642,600 over five years from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) for his project, A Matter of Timing: Circadian Clock Regulation of Intestinal Healing and Cancer.

“The circadian clock tells stem cells when to grow and when to divide during the day. When the clock is broken because of activities like shift work, we hypothesize this can lead to uncontrolled cell growth — a feature of cancer,” says Dr. Karpowicz.

“We will figure out how circadian rhythms controls healing and cancer in the intestine.”

To test the disrupted circadian clock, the Karpowicz lab will study both mice and intestinal organoids, which are mini organs grown from stem cells in cell culture. Clinical researcher and physician Caroline Hamm from Windsor Regional Hospital is a collaborator on the grant and will help obtain human tissues from cancer surgeries to study these processes in human cells.

“Our project will test how changes to lifestyle, like shift work or frequent travel, are risk factors that make the intestinal cells grow poorly. This could strengthen the case that shift work is carcinogenic,” says Karpowicz.

In addition to studying the dangers of a disrupted clock, the project will also investigate how medical treatment could be significantly improved by knowing how time of day affects healing.

“There are myriad medical implications with this type of research; a lot of medical therapies will benefit by knowing whether time of day is an important factor in treating patients,” he says. “From medical testing, administering medication, scheduling surgeries and even drawing blood.

“The importance of this work is that we will be able to predict the best times to provide therapy.”

The health researcher says he is thrilled with this grant. In addition to being great for his lab, he says it benefits the community, the hospital and university, and will offer students a great training experience.

It was part of a $372 million investment in innovative health research announced January 24 by federal health minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor.

It will benefit all of Canada, says Roderick R. McInnes, acting CIHR president.

“Through these grants, CIHR is supporting researchers at all career stages, across the entire country, and in all areas of health research,” he says. “Our investigators have made Canada a global leader in health research.”


Sara Elliott

Soprano Julie Ludwig.Soprano Julie Ludwig will lead a masterclass for voice students Thursday at the SoCA Armouries.

Singers to conduct voice masterclass Thursday

Operatic singers Julie and Jeremy Ludwig will lead a masterclass for voice students Thursday, February 15, at the SoCA Armouries.

Julie Ludwig is a soprano noted for her lyric coloratura repertoire. Baritone Jeremy Ludwig performs regularly on concert and opera stages across the country. The two are in Windsor as soloists on the Windsor Symphony Orchestra’s weekend concert program, “Transfigured Night.”

UWindsor students performing at Thursday’s 10 a.m. masterclass include:

  • Jael Hernandez, soprano, “De los alamos vengo, madre” by Joaquin Rodrigo;
  • Aaron Baudette, baritone, “Vaga luna” by Vincenzo Bellini;
  • Vivian Alcantara, soprano, “Love’s Philosophy” by Roger Quilter;
  • David Katich-Mcnamara, baritone, “Vado ben spesso cangiando loco set” by Salvator Rosa; and
  • Max Arvidsson, bass, “In diesen heil’gen Hallen” by Wolfgang Mozart

Admission is free and open to the public. Learn more on the event webpage.

Aicha HassaniAicha Hassani, social change specialist with the Leave the Pack Behind campaign, says Valentine’s Day makes a memorable occasion to quit smoking.

Quitting smoking on Valentine’s Day a heart-smart move

People look forward to Valentine’s Day for a lot of reasons, says Aicha Hassani. She hopes to give them one more.

“It’s a perfect occasion to quit smoking,” says the fourth-year biochemistry student, a social change specialist with the UWindsor Leave the Pack Behind campaign. The tobacco control program provides young adults with information, personalized support, and resources on giving up smoking.

With a tagline of “Make Quit Memorable,” organizers encourage smokers to set a quit date that has significance to them — a birthday or other anniversary, a pop-culture event, or a favourite holiday.

“Quitting on Valentine’s Day is something you can do for yourself and for a romantic partner,” Hassani says.

She asserts most tobacco users already know it has only negative effects to their health and finances.

“Many are looking for an opportunity to quit, and most will not make it last on the first try,” she says. “That’s why we suggest picking a memorable day. Even if they try and fail, it’s still worthwhile. It’s progress towards eventual success.”

Hassani notes that seeking help from a health service provider doubles the chances a smoker will successfully give up the habit. UWindsor students seeking supports may find information on the Student Health Services website.

Smokers or ex-smokers willing to share their stories with the campaign may contact uwindsor@leavethepackbehind.ca.

Coldest Night of the Year poster image: snowflakeThe Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk on Saturday, February 24, will support the Downtown Mission.

Students challenge alumni to support Mission fundraiser

Student participants in Alternative Spring Break have issued a challenge to UWindsor alumni to support the Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk, on Saturday, February 24.

The family-friendly event raises monies for hungry, homeless, and hurting people across Canada; Windsor’s iteration will support the Downtown Mission.

Participants register to walk on a safe, looping route mapped out for them with volunteer marshals to guide them along the way. By walking at dusk during a cold winter’s night, they feel a hint of the challenge faced by those experiencing homelessness during winter. And by fundraising, they will contribute much-needed money to a charity, bringing hope and help to people in the community who need support.

Walkers will gather at the mission, 664 Victoria Avenue, for opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. To join the UWindsor alumni team, or to make a donation, visit the team’s website. Email asb@uwindsor.ca for more information.

Who’s Romeo? image of couple standing side-by-side, man's face circledA free public reception Thursday will celebrate the opening of “Who’s Romeo?” at SB Contemporary Art.

Themed exhibition to feature works by arts alumni

UWindsor grads are among the artists whose work will be displayed in a group exhibition opening this week at SB Contemporary Art.

Gallery owner Sarah Beveridge (BFA 1997) invited artists to submit works that represent love, peace, relationship, or intimacy, as well as heartache and loss.

The resulting exhibition, “Who’s Romeo?” will be on display through March 31, featuring works by Judy Chappus (BFA 1985), Liana Loduca (BFA 1997, B.Ed 2013), Jim Mroczkowski (BFA 1974, B.Ed 1977, M.Ed 1984), Julie Sando (BFA 1993), Graeme Skelton (BFA 2011), Holly Wolter (BA 1977), and arts professor emerita Susan Gold Smith, among others.

A free public reception will celebrate its opening Thursday, February 15, from 6 to 9 p.m. SB Contemporary Art is located at 1017 Church Street, just south of Erie Street.