Research is fundamental to our Biomedical Sciences program, and is well-integrated into the training and education of our students. Our faculty conduct high impact research in the areas of molecular cell biology, cancer biology, animal development and neuroscience. There are many opportunities for collaboration in multidisciplinary research teams to address basic biomedical, translational and clinical health research questions.
Our researchers investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate cellular function. Research areas include cell cycles, cell signaling, developmental biology, gene regulation, epigenetics, immunology, physiology, genetics and genomics, and microbiology. Scientific research questions are explored using a number of model systems notably humans, mice, zebrafish, frogs, and fruit flies. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease is one of the key goals of our biomedical research programs.
Our researchers are dedicated to the understanding of how cancer develops and progresses, and its impact on human health. Our research programs focus on the mechanisms that underlie fundamental processes such as cell growth, the transformation of normal cells to cancer cells, and cancer metastasis. Multidisciplinary cancer research is also being conducted in the areas of bioinformatics, bioengineering, drug development, medical imaging and clinical cancer research. Our faculty are also active member of the Windsor Cancer Research Group.
Neuroscience is a strong and growing field that strives to understand the structure and function of the brain. In the Department of Biomedical Sciences, we investigate the brain using a systemic approach at a physiological and molecular level. Our research aims to understand how organisms function normally and change over development and during aging processes. Our research laboratories are working to understand underlying causes of a host of different diseases that affect central and peripheral nervous systems. Several of our researchers are also members of the Behaviour, Cognition and Neuroscience (BCN) group, which is an interdisciplinary program spanning Biology, Psychology, Human Kinetics and Chemistry/Biochemistry.
The WE-SPARK Health Institute spans areas of research from fundamental to clinical, technology & innovation and risk factors, prevention and outcomes. Windsor Essex has an active and diverse group of researchers who are invested in improving outcomes for the people in our region.
Undergraduate students are encouraged to engage themselves in undergraduate research, as it provides opportunities to develop both technical and transferrable skills.
Graduate students are vital to our research and training programs. Our M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs in Biological Sciences are in collaboration with the Department of Integrative Biology.