Alumni Success Stories

Windsor grads have succeeded in a wide range of careers from research to social work, from restaurants to medicine. They can even be found on stages from Stratford to Broadway.

Take a few moments to read about some of our successful alumni. They're proof positive that a degree from Windsor can not only provide the material for a great story--but for a great career!

Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Computing Science, Master of Science and PhD

Dr. Martin Girash BSc ’65 Biology & Biochemistry, MA ’68, PhD ’73
President & CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital -- In addition to his role at Windsor Regional Hospital, Dr. Girash’s service to the Windsor and Essex community includes work with the United Way, Big Brothers, the Child Abuse Council, the Mayor’s Committee on Children's Services and on the executive of the Children’s Services Providers’ Association, and the Windsor Men’s Forum and Family Forum.

Dr. Douglas Stocco BSc ’67, MSc ‘69 Biology & Biochemistry
Windsor alumnus discovers a StAR (protein, that is) -- Dr. Douglas Stocco is known nationally and internationally as a prominent scientist, primarily for his discovery of Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory protein (StAR). His seminal work on StAR protein has earned him a number of international awards.

Dr. Frederick Longstaffe BSc '73 Geology
New UWO Provost and VP Academic -- Former Dean of Science at the University of Western Ontario, Fred Longstaffe BSc ‘73 (Geology) has been appointed as Western’s Provost and Vice-President (Academic) for a five-year term, July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2010.

Dr. Cynthia Trudell PhD '78 Chemistry, LLD '99
Former automotive VP and head of Sea Ray Boats receives 2006 Award of Merit -- Cynthia Trudell's significant career achievements were recognized with the Alumni Association's highest honour, the Award of Merit, in 2006.

Mark Fedikow BSc ’75, MSc ’78 Geology
A Diamond in the Rock -- Mark Fedikow and his colleagues have exerted a tremendous effort towards the completion of a detailed, surficial geochemical and diamond indicator mineral survey in the under explored and remote parts of the north-western Superior Province in Manitoba.

Kathryn Bernard BSc '76 Biology
Fighting the Unseen Enemy -- Until recently, bioterrorism was more the stuff of movies than reality, but in a post-9/11 world, bioweapons such as Anthrax and smallpox pose an all too real and potentially deadly threat. Fortunately, one prominent University of Windsor alumnae is using her scientific expertise to help minimize that threat in Canada.

Dr. Vincent Duronio BSc ’78 Biochemistry
Decoding cell proteins for cancer reseach -- Dr. Vincent Duronio decoded the function of some key proteins of cells and continues to study how proteins determine whether cells live or die. His goal is to find ways to stimulate or block cell growth or death, which could lead, for example, to the ability to force cancer cells to die.

Dr. Patrick Caines BSc '80 Biochemistry, MSc '82 Chemistry, PhD '85 Chemistry
Alumnus recieves Award of Merit - The 100th Ph.D. student to graduate from the University’s Doctoral Program in Clinical Chemistry.

Dr. James Green BSc '82 Chemistry
Chemistry prof wins teaching award -- University of Windsor Chemistry Professor and alumnus, Dr. James Green received the 2004 Alumni Award for Distinguished Contributions to University Teaching during the Faculty of Science 2004 Spring Convocation ceremony.

Dr. Cindy Hutnik BSc '85 Biochemistry
Alumnae establishes student research award -- Cindy Hutnik’s academic and career accomplishments give new meaning to the word “overachiever.” Her accomplishments include a thriving ophthalmological practice in London, Ontario, and an assistant professorship at the Department of Ophthalmology at UWO. She is also an adjunct professor of Biochemistry at the University of Windsor.

Dr. Marc Boileau BSc '85, PhD '90 Biology
DNA Detective -- Scientist and entrepreneur Marc Boileau has taken the complicated science of DNA and transformed it into a fun-to-learn computer program for students called DNAdetective.

John Buchanan BSc ’86 Computer Science / Mathematics
Video games cost him a job – but gave him a great career -- Fired from his job for playing video games, John Buchanan ultimately found success by combining his love of electronics with academics, and earned a combined degree in .

Dr. Sean B. Rourke BSc '87 Biological Science, BA '89 Psychology
HIV researcher takes on leadership role -- Dr. Sean B. Rourke is one of Ontario’s most distinguished HIV researchers and has recently been appointed as Scientific and Executive Director of the Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN).

Normand Marcoux BSc ’88 Biology, BComm ’91, MBA ’92
A Successful Entrepreneur -- Normand Marcoux returned to the University of Windsor in the fall of 1989 as a “mature student” to pursue business studies at the Odette School of Business. Now he and a partner operate the highly successful Advanced Machining Services.

Dr. Christopher Hogue BSc ‘90 Biolchemistry
One of the top-funded biological scientists in the world -- Dr. Christopher Hogue is currently a scientist in the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Toronto.

Kumar Bhatia BCS ‘90 & Andrew Bhatia BASc ’86
Circuiting the World -- Andrew and Kumar Bhatia and their company, Axxon Computer Corporation, are Windsor's own 'dot on the technology map.'

Interesting stories about our alumni are most welcome, please forward your suggestions to alumni@uwindsor.ca