UWindsor researcher Charu Chandrasekera has received a $20,000 grant for her animal-free, respiratory-disease research platform she has dubbed “lung-in-a-dish.”

Dr. Chandrasekera, founder and executive director of the Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods (CCAAM), said she and her research team are honoured to receive the inaugural grant from the British Columbia Foundation for Non-Animal Research.

“We are very grateful to the foundation for providing this catalyst grant to kickstart our 3D-bioprinted human lung-in-a-dish model,” said Chandrasekera. “This is an exciting opportunity for a graduate student at CCAAM to develop our first prototype to emulate human lung physiology in a Petri dish.”

The project, being carried out in collaboration with UWindsor biophysicist Drew Marquardt, involves creating a model of human lung tissue that can be used to study the mechanisms underpinning lung disease at a molecular level, and to test the toxicity of inhaled chemicals like those found in vaping oils, pesticides, and other consumer products.

Traditional methods of conducting this research involves the use of laboratory animals, Chandrasekera said. “We hope our venture will ultimately contribute to the reduction and replacement of animals used in this field.”

The BC Foundation for Non-Animal Research provides grants to scientists for biomedical research and the development of teaching methods that do not involve the use of animals. Its goal is to encourage the use of alternatives to the use of animals in medical research, testing, and education.

“It is exciting to receive funding from organizations that do not ask me to conduct animal studies to validate my human biology-based data,” Chandrasekera said.

She said she encourages researchers to “think outside the cage” and find alternatives to the use of animals in research.

—Sarah Sacheli

A UWindsor program that takes a holistic approach to helping students improve their academic performance is the subject of an invited presentation at the national conference of the Learning Specialists Association of Canada, online next month.

Tracy Beemer, co-ordinator of the Bounce Back program, and Rebecca Burkoski, transition and retention program support, will discuss their work to adapt Bounce Back during pandemic restrictions.

“We plan to focus on how we have managed to continue fostering the community-building aspect of the program amidst a pivot to a completely online delivery of the program,” says Beemer.

“Since this sense of community is such an integral part of our program — and well-being outcomes — we’ve had to look at ways to re-invent the cohesive experience that students crave, now more than ever.”

The conference theme is “Connect, Include, Engage, Empower: Reinventing Learning Communities” and will highlight efforts to move pedagogy, strategies, and services online to reach students.

Burkoski says that as a relatively new member of staff, she is excited to engage with others across the country.

“Knowing that we are making a difference to students was enough for me to love this job,” she says. “But it’s such an honour to get to share our knowledge and experiences with other learning specialists.”

The conference will take place May 17 to 19 and is hosted online by Concordia University.

“I think this would be a great conference for those who can attend, whether they are students, staff, or faculty members,” says Burkoski.

Find agenda and registration details on the conference website.

Traditionally, the Department of Athletics and Recreational Services honours its student employees at the Blue and Gold Student Appreciation Luncheon, highlighting all areas of its operations: the St. Denis Centre, Lancer Recreation, aquatics, student managers and therapists, and varsity home event staff.

This year’s recognition event took a different form, but the sentiment remains the same, athletics director Mike Havey said in a video ceremony recognizing recipients of the student staff awards.

“We are gathered virtually to celebrate the contributions of student staff during this most difficult of years,” he said. “To our student employees and to our staff who select, direct, train, and mentor these young men and women, you’ve made all the difference in the world.”

Student staff award winners included:

• Tereza Fountain and Cailey Theos, Rick Mallat ARS Student Employees of the Year;
• Rachel Stone, St. Denis Centre Employee of the Year;
• Lydia-Jane Thuss, Lancer Recreation Employee of the Year;
• Mitchell Benn, Intramurals Employee of the Year;
• Cam Rios, Fitness Employee of the Year;
• Lauryn Rogers, Outstanding Customer Service Award;
• Bella Mancina, Instructional Award; and
• Connor Sykes, Lancer Engagement Award.

Find a full list of honorees and a link to the ceremony video at goLancers.ca.

The restaurant adjacent to the Neal Education Building has extended its operations to serve lunch on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Whamburg has begun new hours:

• Monday to Thursday, 4 to 9 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday, noon to 10 p.m.
• Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.

Owner Adam El-Dika adds that fans of his earlier venture, Mare Nostrum restaurant, can now purchase its hummus, baba ghanoush, tabouli, and fattoush salad dressing at the Windsor location of Remark Fresh Markets.