The University of Windsor is a major partner in one of five new federal research hubs set to enhance Canada’s biomanufacturing capacity and preparedness for future pandemics.

A multidisciplinary group of UWindsor researchers will contribute by extending their research expertise and taking advantage of the unique cross-border location of the Windsor-Essex region to boost the development of pathogen surveillance technologies, knowledge translation, and highly qualified personnel training.

The UWindsor researchers include: Kenneth Ng and Yufeng Tong from chemistry and biochemistry, Kendall Soucie from psychology, Pooya Moradian Zadeh from computer science, Arezoo Emadi from engineering, Mike McKay from the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, and Lisa Porter from biomedical sciences and the WE-Spark Health Institute.

On March 2, the federal government announced an investment of $10 million in support of the creation of five research hubs across Canada with support from the Canada Biomedical Research Fund. Windsor will be a major partner in the University of Toronto-led hub called the Canadian Hub for Health Intelligence & Innovation in Infectious Diseases (HI³).

HI³ is a coalition of 80+ partners forming a powerful network to support a robust domestic pipeline of life-saving pandemic-related vaccines and therapeutics, made by Canadian scientists and produced by biomanufacturers in Canada. It will pursue innovations that fall into three research themes:

• precision interventions like vaccines and therapeutics;
• process innovations, from automation to second-generation biomanufacturing; and
• health intelligence, to evaluate interventions and inform efficient and equitable delivery of pandemic countermeasures.

HI³ will link the innovation engine and infrastructure of nine Ontario universities and six research hospitals with commercialization and manufacturing partners including several with ties to the Windsor-Essex region.

Collaborators brought to the hub by the UWindsor researchers include:

• Erie Shores Health Care
• Tenacity+ Genomic Solutions
• MolArray Research Inc.
• TransForm Shared Service Organization
• City of Windsor
• City of Thunder Bay
• Municipality of Leamington
• Cross-Border Institute
• WE-SPARK Health Institute

The project will help Canada to respond more rapidly, effectively, and equitably to future pandemics, said François-Philippe Champagne, federal minister of innovation, science, and industry.

“To continue to protect Canadians and to build a resilient biomanufacturing ecosystem, our government is taking every action possible to be equipped with the best tools,” he said. “We’re proud to foster the research needed to produce cutting-edge discoveries and products in our very own labs that will help us build a stronger, more robust life sciences sector that responds to the needs of Canadians for decades to come.”

The next community cleanup day, organized by the Office of Student Experience, is set for Wednesday, March 29.

This bi-annual community cleanup has become a campus favourite, says Sarah Hebert, communications and events co-ordinator: “With close to 100 students, staff, and faculty taking part in each cleanup day hosted, it is a wonderful way to meet new people and give back to the community surrounding the University of Windsor.”

Cleanup intervals of 45 minutes are available for pre-registration, and those who participate will receive a UWin Proud T-shirt along with any necessary supplies.

Sign up on the event registration page.

Registration is now open for general interest Lancer summer camps; varsity sports camps will begin registration April3.

General interest camps range from science and engineering to leadership and babysitting.

Find info on all summer camp programming on the Lancer Recreation website.

Register on the Toldo Lancer Centre website. Note: UWindsor employees should register in person at to ensure they are receiving the correct camp fees.

The Faculty of Nursing welcomed back alumna Nancy Edwards (BScN 1974) for a March 7 address entitled “Lessons learned about leadership and capacity-building: a 45-year career in public and global health.”

Dr. Edwards is a professor emeritus at the University of Ottawa and an author, most recently of Not One, Not Even One: A Memoir of Life-altering Experiences in Sierra Leone, West Africa, published by FriesenPress in 2022.

Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Debbie Sheppard-LeMoine, called Edwards’ remarks inspiring: “Our guests from the Windsor Essex County Health Unit, the University, retirees, students, faculty, staff, and donors all heard the passion, commitment and innovative strategies that Nancy has shared across Canada and globally.”

Edwards’ clinical and research interests are in the fields of public and population health. She has conducted health services, policy, and clinical research that has informed the design and evaluation of multi-level and multi-strategy community health programs. Her work has spanned four continents with a focus on maternal and child health and capacity-building.

During her tenure at the University of Ottawa, she held positions as director of the Community Health Research Unit, director of the Population Health PhD Program, principal scientist at the Institute of Population Health, senior scientist at the Élisabeth Bruyère Research Institute, academic consultant for the City of Ottawa, and scientific director for the CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health.

Receiving an award for her excellent service to students humbled Melissa Robinet, secretary for the Master of Applied Computing program.

“The best part of my job is helping and mentoring students to succeed during and after their program,” she said. “I feel like a proud mom once I see them cross the Convocation stage, and just to know that I had a little part in their academic journey is fulfilling.”

Robinet was one of 15 individuals and three teams honoured during a reception March 7 conferring Employee Recognition Awards.

Giovanna Abraham, who received the Wellness Champion Award, called it “an honour” to have been part of the event alongside colleagues.

“My mission is to help people feel healthier and happier and look forward to continuing to help support our University community in their health and wellness journey so they can become the best version of themselves,” she said.

For information about how to nominate a colleague for next year’s Employee Recognition Awards, contact talent retention co-ordinator Oliga Tserakhava at oligat@uwindsor.ca. The nomination process for 2023 awards will open to the campus community in October.

For photos from the reception and the full list of recipients, visit the Employee Recognition Awards website.

The Student Success and Leadership Centre is recruiting enthusiastic undergraduate students to act as Faculty Leaders, mentoring and guiding incoming first-year students through their first few weeks of school, while building a sense of campus community and faculty pride.

By becoming a Faculty Leader, students support their academic societies in the Summer Society Show Down. The winning society will be presented a cheque for $750 just prior to the start of Welcome Week.

For full details about the Summer Society Show Down, check out the competition website.

Apply here to become a Faculty Leader.