Research & Innovation

UWindsor researcher’s nanoparticle microscopy image named finalist in national photo contest

Dr. Scott HarrounDr. Scott Harroun’s microscopy image, Nanoscale signaling, is a top 20 finalist in the Acfas La preuve par l'image photo contest. (SARA ELLIOTT/University of Windsor)

By Sara Elliott

The glittering gold and red image titled Nanoscale signaling is in striking contrast to the research behind it.

What appears to be a thing of beauty is, in fact, lung cancer cells studded with gold nanoparticles.

UWindsor researchers secure seven federal funding awards

Researcher in lab.Seven awards span research in advanced digital technologies, clean technology and resource value chains, health and biotechnology, and food and water security. (FILE/University of Windsor)

The University of Windsor has secured seven Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards across the program’s two competition waves, supporting three postdoctoral researchers and four doctoral students in research areas aligned with Canada’s strategic priorities.

The one-time federal Impact+ initiative is designed to attract outstanding international or returning Canadian doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers to Canada in priority research areas, strengthening the country’s research and innovation ecosystem.

Better forest fire preparation through statistics

scene of a forest fireBetter understanding the timing of forest fire season means better preparation for Ontario (CHRIS LEBOUTILLIER via Unsplash/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves

With smoke from fires hundreds of kilometres away blanketing the region and wreaking havoc on air quality, Ontario's fire season has become increasingly relevant in the lives of Windsorites.

At the same time, a UWindsor statistician has been crunching the numbers to help Ontario better prepare. 

UWindsor researcher studies breast cancers that occur after childbirth — and heads to national competition to spread the word

Isabelle HinchIsabelle Hinch beat 16 other graduate students to win the 2026 University of Windsor 3MT® competition. (DAVE GAUTHIER/University of Windsor)

By Sara Elliott 

Isabelle Hinch’s ability to explain her research on how childbirth affects breast cancer risk in three minutes has earned her a spot in a national pitch competition. 

Her talk, Breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of breast cancer…but, explores the complicated truths surrounding breast cancer risk after childbirth. 

Smart materials could help future medical devices speak the body’s language

Simon Rondeau-GagneDr. Simon Rondeau-Gagné will receive $400,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) as part of a larger $2 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant through the Designing Materials to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future program. (PETER MARVAL/University of Windsor)

By Sara Elliott 

Simon Rondeau-Gagné is developing a new generation of smart, flexible polymer materials that could transform how technology interacts with the human body. 

In the not-so-distant future, those materials could contribute to medical breakthroughs ranging from wearable biosensors that detect disease earlier to implantable devices that help restore vision. 

More than 800 engineering co-op placements in 30 years: inside the Stellantis–UWindsor research centre

Group photo at the Stellantis Canada-University of Windsor 30 year partnership celebrationCelebrating 30 years of partnership, the Stellantis Canada-University of Windsor Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC) welcomed visitors on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, inside the facilities. (KYLE ARCHIBALD/ University of Windsor)

Marking 30 years of collaboration, the Stellantis Canada-University of Windsor Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC) welcomed visitors Tuesday for a rare look inside the facilities and technology driving the future of vehicle development. 

A first-of-its-kind Canadian partnership between industry, academia and government, the ARDC conducts research, testing and engineering work to advance the technology, quality and safety of tomorrow’s vehicles. 

UWindsor nursing study shows trust and mentorship are key to medication incident reporting

Natalie Giannotti holds a poster for her WeSpark grant projectFaculty of Nursing professor Natalie Giannotti led a study examining perceptions of medication incident reporting, helping advance a culture of patient safety, learning, and transparency. (SUBMITTED BY NATALIE GIANNOTTI/University of Windsor)

By Sara Meikle

Administering medication may appear straightforward, but behind every dose is a complex series of steps where errors can still occur despite the best intentions of health-care professionals.

Nearly two decades after introducing a medication incident reporting system for nursing students, the University of Windsor is seeing evidence that its efforts to build a culture of safety are taking hold.

Innovation Fellow challenging rape culture one locker room at a time

Maddie Brockbank in front of green plant wallDr. Maddie Brockbank is one of the first cohort of Innovation Fellows in a new program at the University of Windsor (KYLE ARCHIBALD/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves 

When social work professor Maddie Brockbank first saw the call for applications to UWindsor’s Innovation Fellowship, she wasn’t sure her work would be a good fit. 

“I remember thinking, this is not for me,” she recalls. 

UWindsor entrepreneurs join inaugural Innovation Fellowship cohort

Dr. Dan Xiao with studentDr. Dan Xiao (right) is designing a low-cost magnetic resonance imaging device. (University of Windsor)
By Sara Elliott

Ten University of Windsor researchers are turning their work into ventures as members of the inaugural Innovation Fellowship cohort. 

The fellows aim to bring research-based business ideas to market, from a cybersecurity training program to a low-cost magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device.