Human Kinetics

By Kate Hargreaves

When Aravind Manilal Valliyate started his BSc in Kinesiology and Health Studies, he says he was unaware of all the opportunities that awaited him. 

“Initially, I had no idea what was going on here because I came from a different country,” he says.  

An international student from India, Valliyate did not take long to get involved. 

By Victor Romao

By studying how near‑infrared light affects the brain, a University of Windsor PhD candidate is exploring a potential new approach to managing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. 

Brooke Shepley (MHK ’21, BHK ’19), a kinesiology researcher specializing in cerebrovascular physiology and vascular biology, is studying an approach known as photobiomodulation (PBM).

By Kate Hargreaves 

Throughout her UWindsor experience, Sophia Boucas says she tried a little bit of everything, from student clubs to research, co-op and internships. 

Now preparing to graduate with her BSc in Kinesiology, Boucas will receive a gold LEAD medallion for her efforts, recognizing her involvement across activities related to Leadership, Engagement, Application and Discovery. 

By Kate Hargreaves 

From academic advocacy to community engagement, Dr. Sean Horton’s work is consistently imbued with a focus on equity and inclusivity. 

These efforts will be recognized by the Windsor University Faculty Association’s (WUFA) Status of Women, Diversity and Equity Action Committee as Horton is awarded the 2026 Mary Lou Dietz Equity Leadership Award at an award celebration on May 27. 

By Kate Hargreaves 

Lancer midfielder Robbie Oates (BSc Kin ’24, BEd ’26) has maintained a packed sports schedule over his last few years at UWindsor. 

Some nights, he’s on the basketball court, others surrounded by cheering volleyball fans and others still on the sidelines at football games. He’s even been known to make the occasional appearance at a pre-game tailgate. 

By Kate Hargreaves 

Cricket may be the second most popular sport globally — after soccer — but until this summer, UWindsor cricket players had few options on campus to set up their wickets. 

All that will change this summer as the Graduate Student Society (GSS), with support from the Faculty of Human Kinetics, the Faculty of Engineering and the Odette School of Business, opens a newly renovated cricket pitch on campus. 

By Kate Hargreaves 

While having your dad teach at your high school may sound like a nightmare to some, for Brett Bjorgan, it was an inspiration. 

“My dad is a secondary physical education teacher, and my high school experience was great having him there as a mentor and making sure I was doing the right thing and staying in line,” he says. 

By Kate Hargreaves 

High school students had the chance to level up their skills this April as the University of Windsor's Faculty of Human Kinetics hosted three inaugural conferences for the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program. 

SHSM is an Ontario-wide program that allows students to graduate with skills, knowledge and certifications relevant to one of 19 industry sectors. 

Guest submission by Dr. Scott Martyn

Having studied the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games (Milano Cortina 2026) held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy this past semester, five University of Windsor graduate students from the Faculty of Human Kinetics received an Olympic-calibre experience of their own last month.

The group, led by UWindsor professor Dr. Scott Martyn, travelled to Toronto, Montreal and Lake Placid, New York, to experience the modern Olympic movement first-hand.

By Kate Hargreaves 

Each person who makes their way toward the Toldo Lancer Centre will now be doing so on the Moriarty Way as the newly opened walkway honours the late Dr. Richard Moriarty. 

It’s a fitting tribute to a man who was not only a trailblazer as an educator and researcher but also a champion of Canadian university sport who mentored and supported student-athletes at the University of Windsor for more than 70 years.