Research & Innovation

UWill Discover Launch sparks student innovation at the University of Windsor

Dr. Tim Burnet stands with award recipientsUWill Discover Model United Nations award recipients, from left: Pranjal Reen, Best Presenter, combined honours in political science and sociology (China); Victorieuse Sambao, Best Delegate, honours law and politics, representing Outstanding Scholar (Sweden); and Aanustup Singh Rathore, Best Position Paper (United States of America). (SUBMITTED BY ZEINA ABOU HAIDAR/University of Windsor)

By Victor Romao

The buzz of possibility will fill the CAW Student Centre on Thursday, Nov. 27 as the University of Windsor officially launches its UWill Discover project—a year-long initiative designed to transform student ideas into impactful research and creative work.

CS Demo Day to showcase computing innovation

Students at CS Demo Day.CS Demo Day will feature more than 20 student-led research and applied computing projects, giving attendees an inside look at emerging ideas in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, health informatics, software engineering and more. (JOHN-PAUL BONADONNA/UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR)

The School of Computer Science will shine a spotlight on student innovation at the 13th Annual Computer Science Demo Day.

The event will be held Friday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at UWindsor’s downtown campus at the Advanced Computing Hub located at 300 Ouellette Ave.

The showcase will feature more than 20 student-led research and applied computing projects, giving attendees an inside look at emerging ideas in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, health informatics, software engineering and more.

Admission is free and open to the public.

HRG Event explores intersection of creativity and biotechnology

Portrait of Dr. Jennifer Willet Jennifer Willet will share insights on bioart and its role in connecting art and science at a Humanities Research Group talk on Nov. 27. (JUSTIN ELLIOTT/JEL Media)

By Victor Romao

Dr. Jennifer Willet, Canada Research Chair in Art, Science and Ecology and professor in the University of Windsor’s School of Creative Arts, will lead a public talk on Nov. 27 exploring the intersection of biotechnology and fine arts. 

Rare conjoined salmon twins surprise UWindsor researchers

Conjoined SalmonRare conjoined salmon twins were born at the University of Windsor’s Freshwater Restoration Ecology Centre (FREC). (PHOTO COURTESY OF TREVOR PITCHER/University of Windsor)

By Sara Elliott 

A rare and remarkable fishy find is turning heads at the University of Windsor’s Freshwater Restoration Ecology Centre (FREC)

Among thousands of newly hatched Chinook salmon eggs this fall, graduate students discovered a pair of conjoined twins—an uncommon phenomenon that occurs in just one in every 10,000 eggs. 

Grad student takes flight to map invasive plant

Sarika Sharma in the fieldGraduate student Sarika Sharma is using drones and artificial intelligence technologies to map the spread of invasive Phragmites. [Photo courtesy of Sarika Sharma]

By Sara Elliott  

Mapping the spread of invasive Phragmites is key to battling the towering reed that is threatening biodiversity across Southwestern Ontario.   

As quickly as it is cut back or burned, the fast-growing species – Phragmites australis subsp. australis – outcompetes native varieties rapidly with a detrimental effect on the surrounding area.  

From the court to the conference: Outstanding Scholar combines varsity athletics with research

Abby ScottAbby Scott is an Outstanding Scholar and plays on the Lancers women's volleyball team (FILE/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves

When Abby Scott joined the Outstanding Scholars program, she was not expecting to be listed as first author on a book chapter before she finished her undergrad.  

The fourth-year sport management and leadership student didn’t even know what Outstanding Scholars was until she was invited to enrol in the program during her second year as a student-athlete on the women’s volleyball team. 

Outstanding Scholar Zeina Abou Haidar finds her voice through research

Zeina Abou Haidar makes W symbol in front of Canadian flag.Zeina Abou Haidar is a fourth-year student, majoring in Communication, Media and Film with a minor in French Studies.

By John-Paul Bonadonna

For fourth-year student Zeina Abou Haidar, the University of Windsor has been more than a place of study – it’s where she discovered her passion for research and creative inquiry.

A Communication, Media, and Film major with a minor in French Studies, Zeina says her experience in the University’s Outstanding Scholars program has shaped the way she thinks about learning, collaboration and her future.

“At the end of my first year, I got an email saying I could apply,” she said.

From University lab to high-tech greenhouses

Dr. Rupp Carriveau, Kayes Reza, and Chris DelGreco at Under Sun Acres Kayes Reza, Dr. Rupp Carriveau and Under Sun Acres owner Chris DelGreco at Under Sun Acres in Leamington, Ont. (NAOMI PELKEY/The University of Windsor)

By Lindsay Charlton

From the University of Windsor’s Turbulence and Energy Lab to the greenhouse industry, a recent graduate is putting research into practice, tackling efficiency and sustainability challenges.

Kayes Reza (MASc ‘24) joined the team at Under Sun Acres, a Leamington greenhouse operation that uses advanced technology for sustainable solutions, as a cogeneration and heating system operator just weeks after graduation.

Study probes employer attitudes toward workers with criminal records 

Dr. Kemi Anazodo, assistant professor at UWindsor’s Odette School of Business.  Dr. Kemi Anazodo, assistant professor at the University of Windsor Odette School of Business in Windsor, Ont. (THE UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR)

By Lindsay Charlton

There is a large labour pool employers could be tapping into, says researcher Kemi Anazodo, and it may offer a solution for industries facing worker shortages.  

Nearly four million Canadians live with a criminal record, many with skills and experience that could benefit the workforce.   

AI and Innovation Take Centre Stage at Windsor DevFest 2025

Dr. Esraa Abdelhalim is shown in front of OdetteDr. Esraa Abdelhalim, Assistant Professor and one of the lead organizers of GDG Windsor DevFest 2025, helping bring together developers, students and entrepreneurs for a day of innovation in AI, cloud technologies and startup growth. (VICTOR ROMAO/University of Windsor)

Windsor becomes a hub of tech innovation this November as more than 300 developers, designers and entrepreneurs descend on the Odette School of Business for GDG Windsor DevFest 2025 — a high-energy, one-day conference packed with expert-led talks, immersive workshops and a thrilling AI startup showdown. 

The event, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., aims to foster innovation and collaboration in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and software development.