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UWindsor associate professor Jennifer Willet christens the new School of Creative Arts during Feasting the Lab on Jan. 20, 2018.UWindsor associate professor Jennifer Willet christens the new School of Creative Arts during Feasting the Lab on Jan. 20, 2018.

Professor blurs the lines between art and science

Jennifer Willet's art may evoke mixed feelings. And that's the point.

The associate professor at the University of Windsor specializes in bioart, a form of art that fuses scientific processes and materials in a gallery setting.

"It most often involves living, sometimes recently deceased biological material," Dr. Willet explained. "One of the things that really differentiates bioart from other art forms is the bioethics of the media are intrinsically present in the work of the artist and the viewer."

Nadia Azar, UWindsor Kinesiology Associate Professor, is studying the biomechanics and muscle activation patterns of drummers.Nadia Azar, UWindsor Kinesiology Associate Professor, is studying the biomechanics and muscle activation patterns of drummers.

Breaking down the beat: Studying the biomechanics of drummers

Nadia Azar enjoys concerts differently than you and me.

Packed into a music venue, swaying with the crowd, Dr. Azar narrows her focus on the musician at the back of the stage.

“What you’re supposed to be thinking about when you’re at a rock concert is what’s going on with the drummer’s back muscles, right?” Azar joked.

Azar, an Associate Professor of Kinesiology at the University of Windsor, has launched a study into the biomechanics and muscle activation patterns of drummers.

UWindsor biochemistry graduate student Cody Caba and professor Bulent Mutus display the crystal structure of protein disulfide isomerase. Mutus received an NSERC Discovery Grant to examine cell proteins and structures and how they contribute to diseases.UWindsor biochemistry graduate student Cody Caba and professor Bulent Mutus display the crystal structure of protein disulfide isomerase. Mutus received an NSERC Discovery Grant to examine cell proteins and structures and how they contribute to diseases.

Biochemist to study how proteins contribute to neurodegenerative diseases

Bulent Mutus is a micro mechanic.

But instead of fixing cars with wrenches and grease, the biochemist rolls up his sleeves and chops up and rebuilds proteins using microscopes and Petri dishes.

“If this enzyme were a car we would know where the engine is, but now we are looking at turning that engine off so the pathology will go away,” the UWindsor professor said.