Research & Innovation

Science grads take home Governor General’s gold medals

Madison Mooney and Aaron BondyDr. Madison Faye Mooney (Chemistry and Biochemistry ’24) and Dr. Aaron Thomas Bondy (Physics ’24) will be awarded the prestigious Governor General’s Gold Medal (photos care of award recipients).

Two recent PhD graduates from the Faculty of Science will be recognized for their exceptional academic achievement with the prestigious Governor General’s Gold Medal. 

Madison Faye Mooney and Aaron Thomas Bondy were selected to receive the medal from all graduating master’s and doctoral students in 2024/2025. 

University of Windsor and Fulbright Canada forge new academic partnership

(left to right) UWindsor President Dr. J.J. McMurtry, Fulbright Canada Executive Director Michael Hawes, Fulbright Research Chair Dr. Vida Cross and UWindsor Vice-President Research and Innovation Dr. Shanthi Johnson.(left to right) UWindsor President Dr. J.J. McMurtry, Fulbright Canada Executive Director Michael Hawes, Fulbright Research Chair Dr. Vida Cross and UWindsor Vice-President Research and Innovation Dr. Shanthi Johnson. (PETER MARVAL/University of Windsor)

By John-Paul Bonadonna

A new partnership between the University of Windsor and Fulbright Canada will bring leading American scholars to campus, enriching research and public dialogue across disciplines.

UWindsor President J.J McMurtry and President and CEO of the Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the United States and Executive Director of Fulbright Canada,  Michael Hawes, signed the agreement at an event held in the Black Scholars Institute Lounge on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

UWindsor Earns Top-25% Global Ranking in 2026 Times Higher Education Results

Haleh Nazemi, a PhD graduate, conducts agricultural research at JEM Farms in Ruthven, Ont., as part of the Agriculture UWindsor Centre of Excellence (AGUWin). Her work exemplifies the University’s global strength in research and innovation, contributing tPhD student Pavithra Munirathinam (left) from UWindsor’s eMinds Lab and Dr. Haleh Nazemi (right), co-founder of Anthea Technologies Inc., conduct agricultural research at JEM Farms in Essex County — home to the second largest concentration of greenhouses in the world. Their work reflects the University’s growing global impact recognized in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings. (MICHAEL WILKINS/University of Windsor)

The University of Windsor has secured its strongest showing ever in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, placing in the top 25 per cent of universities worldwide and earning national recognition as one of Canada’s leading non-medical institutions. 

UWindsor’s calculated global rank improved to 532nd, up 10 spots from last year, maintaining its position in the 501–600 band.  

Using percussion science to keep drummers injury-free

Nadia Azar and Jeff Burrows (on drums)Nadia Azar monitors professional drummer Jeff Burrows’ heart rate and energy expenditure while he drums. [DAVE GAUTHIER/University of Windsor]

By Sara Elliott

Drummers’ bodies endure a brutal beating during live shows, but Nadia Azar’s research seeks to alleviate that stress. 

“Professional athletes don’t just go out in the field or onto the ice and play their game. There’s a lot of preparation that comes before that, such as getting in the gym and working on strength and conditioning,” says Dr. Azar, kinesiology professor. 

Psychology research team explores impact of mindfulness apps

Alexander Daros seated holding a bookDr. Alexander Daros and the MAST Lab published research showing value in interim supports for those waiting for psychological services (photo care of Alexander Daros)

By Kate Hargreaves 

As demand for mental health care rises in hospitals and private practice, waitlists for these essential services continue to grow. 

That’s why assistant professor of psychology, Alexander Daros, and his research team began investigating innovative interim solutions to support people while they wait. 

Mobile Arctic lab puts science in motion and makes it more accessible

Female Bunting Rock GabionFemale Snow bunting in a wire-rock gabion in Iqaluit, Nunavut [photo courtesy S. Simard-Provençal].

By Sara Elliott 

Next summer, a team of scientists will travel across the Arctic tundra in a new mobile research and training lab. 

As they collect data in Iqaluit, they hope to better understand how the rapidly declining snow bunting — an Arctic-breeding songbird that winters in southern Canada — is responding to urban development in the North. 

Researchers investigate potential health risks linked to Arctic permafrost thaw

the down gradient form the slump which shows  a network  of mud flows , iron oxide (rusty looking) microbial mats which have colonized the melted perma frostA researcher stands below the slump, where muddy water flows through a network of channels. Rust-coloured microbial mats cover the surface, growing where the permafrost has melted. [Photo courtesy of Chris Weisener]

By Sara Elliott

As the once permanently frozen ground known as permafrost rapidly thaws in the Canadian Arctic, emerging health threats loom.  

Researchers at the University of Windsor are using modern science and Indigenous knowledge to address the emerging issue.  

Flip the script: Empowering women in sexual assault prevention

Charlene Senn and two studentsStudent actors Olivia Sasso and Ewen Van Wagner review with Charlene Senn a script for an educational film on sexual assault resistance.

One in seven women experiences sexual assault at least once during their postsecondary studies in Canada. This is in stark contrast to the fact that by the early 2000s, most sexual assault prevention programs were found to be ineffective.  

This is why psychology professor Charlene Senn developed the sexual assault prevention program called Enhanced Assess, Acknowledge, Act program (EAAA)—known as Flip the script with EAAA®. 

WE-SPARK champions mental health researchers through transformative grant

Researchers perform lab study in the Essex Centre of Research (CORe).Researchers perform lab study in the Essex Centre of Research (CORe). (FILES/University of Windsor)

In a significant boost to the well-being, mental health and professional development of individuals in the research community, WE-SPARK has announced the launch of Program LEAD: How Can a Program Focused on Professional and Lifelong Learning Support the Mental Well-Being of Highly Qualified Personnel Engaged in Health Science Research?