An event Thursday, September 20, in the Leddy Library invites members of the campus community to learn more about science by conversing with doctoral students in several disciplines.

Librarian Roger Reka organized the inaugural “Human Library” in observance of Science Literacy Week, a national celebration of science-based activities to highlight science communicators from coast-to-coast.

“The campus community is invited to ‘check out’ a person the same way you would a book and talk one-on-one with graduate students in chemistry, kinesiology, and biophysics,” Reka says. “Ask them anything about the life of a scientist: what they study, their projects and research interests, their career and how they got there, and more.”

The event runs noon to 2 p.m. in front of the Information Desk in the library’s main lobby.

Long-standing fans of University Players will remember when musical theatre was a regular component of the student company’s season, and will be pleasantly surprised with a return to musical and dramatic storytelling in the first show of its 60th anniversary season.

The Essex Hall Theatre curtain rises Friday, September 21, on a modern comedy, Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play, written by Anne Washburn and directed by Lezlie Wade.

The show takes place in the near future after an apocalyptic event takes out electricity to the entire world. A group bonded by the need to survive recall a favourite episode of the television program the Simpsons, unknowingly creating the stories which will become the historic legends of a new era. Not just for fans of the long-running animated series, it is a musical tribute to the modern mythology of pop culture and a darkly funny exploration of a post-electric existence.

All performances from Wednesday to Saturday start at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinee performances are at 2 p.m. On Sunday, September 23, a “Talk Back” discussion with the actors will follow the performance. Tickets may be purchased at www.universityplayers.com or by calling the box office at 519-253-3000, ext. 2808.

A University of Windsor adjunct professor from the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research is the recipient of the American Society for Microbiology’s 2019 Award for Early Career Environmental Research.

Subba Rao Chaganti will receive his award at the society’s Microbe meeting in San Francisco, California, in June 2019.

“In the Faculty of Science, we’re really proud of the prestigious award that Dr. Chaganti has received,” said Dan Mennill, associate dean, graduate studies and research. “This reflects very positively on both GLIER and the University of Windsor.”

The ASM Award for Early Career Research recognizes an early career investigator with distinguished research achievements that have improved understanding of microbes in the environment. This includes all microbes found in aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric settings.

“It is a worldwide, international society of microbiologists. I am truly honoured and grateful to be an award winner in the society,” says Chaganti.

He notes that the institute is the perfect home for his work: “We have beautiful beaches in the Great Lakes, but once they’re contaminated they can’t really be used.”

Chaganti’s research is in part focused on how to quickly identify microbial contamination, and also how the local food chains are affected by contamination. The overall goal is to identify how to correct these negative impacts on the ecosystem.

“My research also has a lot of collaboration from the USA, India, and China,” says Chaganti. “It is important that this research has been recognized and nominated for this award as we are still just scratching the surface — there is still much left to do.”

—article and photo by Darko Milenkovic

The Organization of Part-time University Students invites all students, faculty, and staff to its annual welcome barbecue Thursday, September 20, on the lawn between Assumption Hall and Assumption Church.

The event begins at 4 p.m. and runs while supplies last. In addition to free food and drinks, it will feature a draw for a tuition bursary worth up to $1,850, sponsored by the University of Windsor Alumni Association. Find more information on the OPUS website.

Cash prizes are at stake in a competition to showcase student research on energy conservation and renewable energy.

The Green Future Competition, organized by the office of the University’s environmental sustainability advocate, offers 300 for the best undergraduate submission, sponsored by the Outstanding Scholar’s Program; $500 for the best graduate entry; and $300 for the second-place graduate project.

Submissions must be an original work — video, audio, or text document. A panel of experts will judge them for:

• originality;
• quality of the presentation;
• potential for mitigating climate change; and
• potential for commercial application.

“Last year we received several excellent submissions, a clear sign that our students are concerned about climate change and are thinking creatively about ways to mitigate it,” says UWindsor environmental sustainability advocate Tanya Basok.

The due date for entries is October 10. Send submissions to Dr. Basok at sustainability@uwindsor.ca.

The CAW Student Centre is taking Throwback Thursday to a new level, with a day’s worth of retro activities ripped from the 1980s on September 20, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Student Courtyard.

Sandra Riccio-Muglia, director of student centre events and programming, says the ’80s revival is shaping up to be a “super fun throwback for all,” with a roller skating rink, games, era-appropriate music and treats, all free.

“Join us for a time when you put on roller skates to the rockin’ ’80s tunes of Michael Jackson and Prince,” she says. “You will even be able to get some ice cream and frozen treats by an ice cream peddler. Remember fun dips and pop rocks and photos when they came out in strips? All that will be there too.”

The Student Courtyard is located outside the east façade of the student centre, between Dillon and Memorial halls.