Spotlight on Graduate Research

UWindsor biological sciences PhD student Katrina Switzer is working with 3D-printed yellow toads in the forests of Costa Rica to see how females choose among similarly coloured males.UWindsor biological sciences PhD student Katrina Switzer is working with 3D-printed yellow toads in the forests of Costa Rica to see how females choose among similarly coloured males.

Researchers use 3D printed toads in the wild

When the rains eventually blanket northwest Costa Rica, ushering in the country’s wet season, a booming chorus of yellow toads will fill the tropical forest.

And the moment that rain starts to fall, UWindsor’s Katrina Switzer will race to a pond in Santa Rosa National Park where she’ll match 3D printed “Robotoads” with unsuspecting mates.

“The Neotropical Yellow Toads have a large breeding event that really only happens once a year during the first massive rainfall,” Switzer explained, adding the rain usually starts falling in the middle of the night.

Ian Thomas, biological sciences master's student, accepts his award from University of Windsor President Alan Wildeman, during the Three Minute Thesis competition on Monday, March 26, 2018.Ian Thomas, biological sciences master's student, accepts his award from University of Windsor President Alan Wildeman, during the Three Minute Thesis competition on Monday, March 26, 2018.

Biological sciences student soars in 3M Thesis Competition

The winner of this year’s Three Minute Thesis competition at the University of Windsor is examining how the chirping of the Savannah Sparrow may help researchers to better understand the development of human language.

Biological sciences master’s student Ian Thomas took home the $1,000 top prize and the chance to represent the University of Windsor at the Ontario 3MT competition final at York University on April 19, 2018.

University of Windsor women's basketball head coach Chantelle Vallée works with players during a practice on Jan. 31, 2018.University of Windsor women's basketball head coach Chantelle Vallée works with players during a practice on Jan. 31, 2018.

Value of same-sex coaches extends beyond the court, says UWin student

Taylor Imeson wants to see more women in head coaching positions.

Not only would it provide female athletes with same-sex mentors, but she says it would inspire future generations of female coaches to pursue the career.

"I had always noticed that women's sports were growing, but there were barely any female coaches," says Imeson.

"Participants felt they had the necessary skills and self-efficacy to coach, however, due to various reasons, a majority did not identify coaching as a career aspiration."

Julia Borsatto, UWindsor clinical neuropsychology graduate student, and Laura Pineault (B.Sc. 2016) are associate directors of Aphasia Friendly Canada.Julia Borsatto, UWindsor clinical neuropsychology graduate student, and Laura Pineault (B.Sc. 2016) are associate directors of Aphasia Friendly Canada.

Researchers work with businesses, community to support people with aphasia

There are few things more dispiriting than losing the ability to communicate. And yet, every year, thousands of people across Canada awake to a new reality filled with elusive words and illegible text.

It’s this growing population that a team from the University of Windsor has set out to provide with a new voice and a new lease on life.

Robert Wilson performs a leg extension at the St. Denis Centre as part of the Adapted Physical Exercise (APEX) program coordinated by PhD student Kelly Carr in partnership with Community Living Essex County.Robert Wilson performs a leg extension at the St. Denis Centre as part of the Adapted Physical Exercise (APEX) program coordinated by PhD student Kelly Carr in partnership with Community Living Essex County.

HK grad student combats stigma of disability

Kelly Carr wants to destroy barriers.

That’s why her research as a PhD student at the University of Windsor has worked to showcase the strengths of people with disabilities to combat the negative stigma that often follows them throughout their lives.

Carr’s research is broken into three phases and examines how people with an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) participating in a physical exercise program, meaningful employment and elite sports can influence opinion.