An agreement between the University of Windsor and Sorbonne University in France has provided an unparalleled international experience for a UWindsor grad student.

Tao Peng is the university’s first student to complete a dual PhD degree at UWindsor and a partner institution. As a cotutelle student, Peng was jointly supervised in his thesis research by faculty at each institution.

“This unique opportunity was provided through a partnership of committed professors who recognized Tao’s potential,” says Patti Weir, dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. “It was a pleasure to work with our partners at Sorbonne University.”

For the past four years, Peng synthesized catalysts that harvest solar energy to produce hydrogen.

“Hydrogen is a clean energy source and can be used to power automobiles without any emission except water,” says Peng, who is now working as a postdoctoral researcher with Jerald Lalman, one of his PhD thesis supervisors and professor in UWindsor’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Peng says the research he conducted in Windsor examined the principle of the catalysts, which will help scientists understand the foundation of catalyst synthesis. His research at Sorbonne University was related to the application of the catalysts.

“We deposited our catalysts from University of Windsor on glass substrate as a film and used the catalyst film to clean water under solar light,” he says. “We will know how our catalyst particles behave in the practical application. The application in turn will help us design a better catalyst nanoparticle at the University of Windsor.”

In 2014, Peng, originally from China, received one of 75 Ontario Trillium Scholarships worth $40,000 per year. The scholarships are awarded to top international doctoral students to support their studies in Ontario.

In 2015, he completed a six-month Mitacs internship at Sorbonne University under the supervision of Farzaneh Arefi-Khonsari, who later supervised his doctoral thesis.

—Kristie Pearce

A recital Friday, September 21, by Nicholas Papador will feature the music professor in solo marimba and collaborative performances with fellow faculty members of the School of Creative Arts: clarinetist Trevor Pittman, soprano Jennifer Swanson, and pianist Bruce Kotowich.

Music student Nicholas Baddeley and alumni Vanessa Harnish and Brandon Lefrançois will join Dr. Papador for Marimba Spiritual. Find a full program on the concert website.

The show will get underway at 7:30 p.m. in the Performance Hall, SoCA Armouries, 37 University Avenue East.

Admission is $20, with a student rate of $5; proceeds will support student scholarships. Purchase tickets in advance on the secure e-commerce site or at the Performance Hall up to one hour prior to the recital.

An event intended to recruit more homes to host international students for Thanksgiving dinner attracted more attention from potential guests, says organizer Beth Oakley, director of the International Student Centre.

“We had a good turnout, but to be honest, we had more students sign up than families wanting to act as hosts,” she said Wednesday as she packed up an information display in the student centre.

The Host for the Holidays program matches students new to Canada with faculty and staff members willing to share a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Bhagya Sri Pepakayala, an M.Eng student from India, was eager to register for a match.

“I want to meet new people and explore their culture,” she said as she signed up at the centre’s booth. “And we can share our cultures with them as well.”

Learn more or sign up as a host on the program website.

Friends and colleagues of Lily Powis are collecting donations to dedicate a campus bench in memory of the UWindsor staff member, who died September 1.

The commemorative bench will serve as a permanent tribute, with a plaque acknowledging her contributions to the University and its students.

Powis joined the UWindsor permanent staff in 2006 as administrative records clerk in the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, after holding a contract position in Public Affairs and Communications. She transferred to the position of receptionist in the Faculty of Nursing in September 2017.

The cost to designate a bench is $1,500. To contribute, specify “Lily Powis” on the online pledge form www.uwindsor.ca/donations or contact Fedela Falkner at ffalkner@uwindsor.ca or 519-253-3000, ext. 4141.