Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope brought Canadians together to help find a cure for cancer. His legacy continues through partnerships spurred on by the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, which includes WE-SPARK Health Institute. (Graphic courtesy of Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network)
By John-Paul Bonadonna
In cancer research labs and hospitals, a powerful transformation is reshaping how the disease is understood, studied and ultimately, treated.
At the centre of this shift is precision oncology, an approach that moves beyond one-size-fits-all care to deliver treatments tailored to each individual patient. It represents one of the most promising advances in cancer care today.
— Published on Apr 22nd, 2026
Jane Simanovski (left) and her team of colleagues and students stand with their research poster at the WE-SPARK conference in March, highlighting a cross-border study on caregivers supporting lung transplant patients. (SUBMITTED BY EDWARD CRUZ/University of Windsor)
By Sara Meikle
It takes more than medical expertise to support a patient after a lung transplant.
As April marks Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Month, a new cross-border study examines an often-overlooked part of the transplant journey — the family members and friends who provide care after surgery.
— Published on Apr 21st, 2026
Dr. Dora Cavallo-Medved is the interim director of WE-SPARK Health Institute. (KYLE ARCHIBALD/University of Windsor)
By Sara Elliott
WE-SPARK Health Institute is ready to support innovative health research and education projects with the launch of its 2026 grant competition.
The competition provides seed funding to stimulate research development in Windsor-Essex.
— Published on Mar 18th, 2026
PhD candidate Mahsa Rahimi explains her biomedical science research at the 2025 Health Research conference. (Photo courtesy of WE-SPARK Health Institute)
It is time for health researchers to shine.
WE-SPARK Health Institute is issuing a call for abstracts in preparation of their annual 2026 Health Research Conference.
— Published on Jan 7th, 2026
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?
— Published on Sep 22nd, 2025
Rachel Elliott of the Faculty of Nursing receives an IDEA Grant. [KYLE ARCHIBALD/University of Windsor]
By Sara Elliott
Health research in Windsor-Essex just got a half a million-dollar boost.
WE-SPARK Health Institute and its funding partners awarded 32 new research grants totalling $499,000 to help address pressing health challenges, at an awards ceremony at the Ambassador Golf Club on Aug. 27
— Published on Sep 5th, 2025
Kaitlyn Ferraro rappels down CIBC Building at Brave Day event. (Photo courtesy of Kaitlyn Ferraro)
By John-Paul Bonadonna
Eyes were trained skyward Saturday morning in downtown Windsor as hundreds of people took part in Brave Day to support cancer research fundraising.
More than 100 people rappelled down the CIBC Building on Riverside Drive as part of a Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation Show Us Your Brave campaign event.
Fundraising participants were invited to put away their own fears in support of cancer patients.
— Published on Aug 6th, 2025
BioMed students at University of Windsor
Thirteen future physicians are tackling pressing health challenges — from cancer care to vaccine hesitancy — through hands-on research projects grounded in the Windsor-Essex community.
Supported by the Schulich-UWindsor Opportunities for Research Excellence Program (SWORP), these innovative projects give first- and second-year medical students early exposure to research while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration with University of Windsor faculty and clinical leaders.
— Published on Jun 16th, 2025
Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope brought Canadians together to help find a cure for cancer. His legacy continues through partnerships spurred on by the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, which includes WE-SPARK Health Institute. (Graphic courtesy of Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network)
