UWinChem

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Christmas Luncheon, Dec. 18

CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON:
FACULTY, STAFF AND GRADUATE STUDENTS, POST-DOC'S, VISITING RESEARCHERS

We are planning a Christmas luncheon on Friday, December 18 from 12:00-1:30p.m. in the chemistry conference room. Tickets are $5.00 and must be purchased before Friday, December 11 from either Kerry or Marlene

Food will include:
Pasta, chicken, another meat, salad, rolls, and a few vegetarian dishes
Pop and dessert

We need to order the food on Monday, December 14th so please purchase your ticket early.

Tickets are $5.00 each and can be purchased in the Chemistry office from Marlene Bezaire.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Faculty of Science celebrates success

Congratulations to the following people in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry who were recognized by the Faculty of Science at the Celebration of Success on Fri. Nov. 27, 2009:

  • Faculty Performance Award: Robert Schurko
  • Faculty Teaching Score Award: Avinash Thadani
  • Sessional Teaching Score Awards: Jennifer Schmeisser
For more on this story, click here.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

CBA Bake Sale

The Chemistry and Biochemistry Association (CBA) are having a bake sale on Nov. 9, 2009 in the CAW commons. For more information, please visit their website at:


Friday, October 2, 2009

UWin Week Oct. 13-16

UWin week is almost here!
For more information, visit:
http://www.uwindsor.ca/uwinweek
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has a full slate of events scheduled for UWin Week (see below).
CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY EVENTS UWIN WEEK – October 2009
Academic counselling
(Departmental counsellors)
Departmental Counsellors in Chemistry and Biochemistry will be available throughout the week. Connections with counsellors can be made through the Departmental Office by appointment or drop in basis. Please contact
chembio@uwindsor.ca, phone extension 3521 or come in person to Essex Hall 273.
Course-related assistance (Instructors during office hours)
First Year Chemistry: Assistance will be provided during regular office hours. Additional assistance will be available to all first year students 12:30-1:20 on Wednesday and Friday in ER 1120.

All other courses: Assistance will be provided during regularly scheduled office hours.
Note that Monday the University is closed and there will be no scheduled activities during that day.

Assistance with specific course-related problems (Resource Centres)
The Chemistry Resource Centre will be available for UWin week during the following hours:
Tuesday 9:00am to 2:30pm
Wednesday 11:30am to 1pm, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Thursday 9:00am to 1pm, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Fridays from 9:00am to 4:30pm
NMR Workshop
On October 14th and 15th from 9:00 am until 12:00 p.m., the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry NMR Facility at the University of Windsor is offering a workshop entitled "An Introduction to Practical Aspects of NMR Data Acquisition and Processing".
This introductory workshop is geared toward undergraduate students and/or graduate students with limited (or no) NMR experience, but who are expected to make use of the NMR spectrometers as part of their research projects. The workshop is meant as a supplement to the "one on one" training that new students receive and will allow an opportunity to go into greater depth on many topics. The schedule will consist of a lecture to start each day followed by hands-on learning sessions where participants will get the opportunity to make NMR samples as well as to collect and process NMR data. The topics covered include:

How an NMR spectrometer works
NMR Magnet Safety
Preparation of NMR Samples
Set up of 1D 1H and 13C NMR Experiments
Processing and Presentation of NMR Data
Go the Chemistry NMR Facility site (http://www.uwindsor.ca/nmr) for the workshop schedule and registration. The workshop is free of charge to members of the Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry; however, enrollment is limited, so please register soon!

Computational Chemistry Workshop
This field of computational chemistry can be defined as the use of computers to study chemical problems. This alternative, yet often complementary approach to traditional experimental techniques allows us to 'see' things that may be too difficult or impossible to measure experimentally. Furthermore, it can be used to investigate highly reactive or toxic chemicals. In fact, computational chemistry is now commonly used by, for example, pharmaceutical companies to help design more effective therapeutic drugs, automotive companies for the design of new engine oils, and NASA for the study of rocket fuels and interstellar gas and dust clouds.

The workshop will run on Wednesday October 14 and Thursday October 15 from 1:00 to 2:00 in the Science Resource Centre (Essex Hall, room 182-1)

In this approximately one hour session we will learn about various chemistry related software that is available on the Science Resource Centre computers. Then, we will learn how we can apply such software to investigate the properties of chemical species.

Preregistration is required to insure that facilities are available. Space is limited to 20 students per workshop, so please register soon! Register by emailing Dr. James Gauld at
gauld@uwindsor.ca

Computational Chemistry Workshop - Oct. 14 and 15, 2009

Computational Chemistry Workshop

The field of computational chemistry can be defined as the use of computers to study chemical problems. This alternative, yet often complementary approach to traditional experimental techniques allows us to 'see' things that may be too difficult or impossible to measure experimentally.

Furthermore, it can be used to investigate highly reactive or toxic chemicals. In fact, computational chemistry is now commonly used by, for example, pharmaceutical companies to help design more effective therapeutic drugs, automotive companies for the design of new engine oils, and NASA for the study of rocket fuels and interstellar gas and dust clouds.

The workshop will run on Wednesday October 14 and Thursday October 15 from 1:00 to 2:00 in the Science Resource Centre (Essex Hall, room 182-1)
In this approximately one hour session we will learn about various chemistry related software that is available on the Science Resource Centre computers. Then, we will learn how we can apply such software to investigate the properties of chemical species.

Preregistration is required to insure that facilities are available. Space is limited to 20 students per workshop, so please register soon! Register by emailing Dr. James Gauld at gauld@uwindsor.ca

Thursday, October 1, 2009

NMR workshop, Oct. 14-15, 2009

NMR Workshop

On October 14th and 15th from 9:00 am until 12:00 p.m. (in the Chemistry Resource Centre), the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry NMR Facility at the University of Windsor is offering a workshop entitled "An Introduction to Practical Aspects of NMR Data Acquisition and Processing". This introductory workshop is geared toward undergraduate students and/or graduate students with limited (or no) NMR experience, but who are expected to make use of the NMR spectrometers as part of their research projects. The workshop is meant as a supplement to the "one on one" training that new students receive and will allow an opportunity to go into greater depth on many topics.

The schedule will consist of a lecture to start each day followed by hands-on learning sessions where participants will get the opportunity to make NMR samples as well as to collect and process NMR data. The topics covered include:

* How an NMR spectrometer works
* NMR Magnet Safety
* Preparation of NMR Samples
* Set up of 1D 1H and 13C NMR Experiments
* Processing and Presentation of NMR Data

Coffee and doughnuts will be provided at break.
Go the Chemistry NMR Facility site for the workshop schedule and registration. http://www.uwindsor.ca/nmr

The workshop is free of charge to members of the Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry; however, enrollment is limited, so please register soon!

for more information, contact:
Matthew Revington NMR Facility Manager
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Windsor 519-253-3000 Ext 3997
mrevingt@uwindsor.ca

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Compound may halt Parkinson's, researchers say

A team of University of Windsor biochemistry and psychology researchers may have found a tool in the fight against Parkinson’s disease. The non-curable neurodegenerative disease is caused by the death of cells that produce dopamine, a chemical that carries signals between nerves in the brain and controls movement.

PhD student Mallika Somayajulu-Nitu, under the guidance of biochemistry professor Siyaram Pandey, found that a new formulation of the natural chemical compound Coenzyme Q10 halted the degeneration of neurons in the brains of rats exposed to an herbicide associated with the disease.

A group of 47 lab rats were first injected with paraquat, a toxic herbicide once used as a roadside defoliant and weed-killer. Previous research has demonstrated a link between exposure to paraquat and an elevated human risk for developing Parkinson’s.

Some of the rats were fed water, while others received a water soluble form of Co-Q10, which is found in all cells and is a key component in generating cellular energy. Rats that did not receive the Co-Q10 exhibited considerable brain damage and behavioural symptoms associated with Parkinson’s, while those that received the formula showed no degeneration of brain cells, or impairment of fine motor skills.

The team—which included members of Pandey’s research group, members of a group led by psychology researcher Jerome Cohen, and collaborator Marianna Sikorska from the National Research Council—published its work in the academic journal BMC Neuroscience.

Pandey said the team will continue to conduct further pre-clinical validation of its data, though the research is too new to begin clinical trials with the compound.

Water-soluble Co-Q10 was developed and patented by Dr. Sikorska’s group at NRC and has been licensed to an American company for further commercial development. Pandey said the oil-soluble Co-Q10 sold as a supplement and used in some cosmetics is not effective at protecting brain cells.

From the University of Windsor Daily News, Sept. 24, 2009

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Meeting for Outstanding Scholars - Sept. 18

Sept. 18, 2009 at 5 p.m. in Biology Building, Room 113

This event will enable the students to find a research supervisor for the current academic year, and meet the other outstanding scholars in Chemistry. Faculty members will present a brief (5 min) summary of their research activities to the students, and pizza and pop will be served.

Graduate Student Orientation and Mixer - Sept. 10

Orientation for new graduate students will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Thurs. Sep. 10, 2009 in Room 273 Essex Hall. This will be followed by a mixer at 4 p.m. All grad students, staff and faculty are welcome!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Welcome back! Important notices for incoming undergraduate students

Welcome back!
Important notices for undergraduates in Chemistry and Biochemistry programs:

1. All lab manuals and caution cards will be sold out at the University Bookstore starting in Fall 2009.

2. Lab coats and glasses go on sale starting Sept. 14, 2009. Click here for more information.

3. Windsor Welcome Week activities for first year students take place on Sept. 7 and 8, 2009.

4. Classes officially start for the Fall 2009 term on Sept. 9, 2009.

5. New hours for the Science Resource Centre are now posted. Click here for more information.

The faculty and staff of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry hope that you have an enjoyable and productive fall term.

Lab coats and lab glasses on sale

LAB COATS AND SAFETY GLASSES
will be for sale by the
CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY CLUB

September 14-18 and September 21, 22 and 25
in ROOM 173-2, ESSEX HALL

FROM:
8:00am to 8:30am
1:30pm to 2:00pm
5:00pm to 5:30pm

COST:
$15.00 each for Lab Coats
$5.00 each for Safety Glasses

CASH ONLY - NO DEBIT, CREDIT or UWIN CARD

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Greg Welch awarded NSERC doctoral prize

Greg Welch is one of the two NSERC Doctoral Prize recipients for 2009 in the category of Natural Sciences. These prestigious awards honour the achievements of Canada's most promising scientists and engineers, and are awarded annually to up to four doctoral students in sciences and engineering at Canadian universities. Greg Welch graduated in October 2008 with a doctoral degree in Chemistry under the supervision of Dr. Douglas Stephan. He is currently an NSERC Post Doctoral Fellow at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Congratulations, Greg, on this great recognition!

Click here to see the posting on the graduate studies website.

Student success at the 2009 CSC conference!

Congratulations to the following students who won awards for their presentations and posters at the 92nd Canadian Society for Chemistry Conference in Hamilton, Ontario (May 30-June 3, 2009):

Ben Cooper (B.Sc. Hons, Mount Allison, 2
005)
Group : Dr. Macdonald
Poster Prize for Inorganic Graduate Competition
Poster: Low Oxidation State Indium Salts and their "Crowned" Complexes






V. Nicholas Vukotic (B.Sc. Hons, University of Windsor 2009)
Group: Dr. Loeb
Honorable Mention for Poster in Inorganic Graduate Competition as an Undergrad
Poster: Incorporating Dynamic Components into Solid State Materials

Sinisa Djurdjevic (Going into 4th year of Undergraduate Degree in Chemistry)
Group: Dr. Green
Poster Prize for Organic Undergraduate Competition
Poster: Nicholas Reaction Based Synthetic Approach to (-)-O-Methylandrobiphenyline and (-)-Allocolchicine



Hiyam Hamaed (third year Ph.D. candidate)
Group: Dr. Schurko
2nd prize in the graduate student competition of the Physical, Theoretical and Computational Division
Poster: "Application of 209Bi NMR to the structural characterization of Bismuth-containing materials"

Photo gallery: 59-410 research presentations

A photo gallery of pictures from the 59-410 research presentations on April 27 and 28, 2009 is available at:

http://picasaweb.google.ca/uwinchem/2009410Presentations?feat=directlink

This year, the top presentations were:
Nik Vukotic (Chemistry, Dennis Tuck Award)
Justin Renaud (Biochemistry, Cindy Hutnik Award)

Photo galleries: Chemistry at the Mall

New photo galleries for the Chemistry at the Mall event on April 23, 2009 are posted at:

http://picasaweb.google.ca/uwinchem/ChemistryAtTheMall?feat=directlink

Chemistry at the Mall was a public outreach event featuring graduate research posters, chemistry magic shows and "Meet the Faculty"!

For more information about this event, click here.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

A new method for 14N NMR spectroscopy

Luke O'Dell and Rob Schurko have been investigating a new method of acquiring 14N NMR spectra in the solid state, and the work is described in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131, 6658–6659, DOI: 10.1021/ja901278q. 14N NMR spectrosocpy is very difficult experiment to conduct on most solid-state samples, because 14N is a quadupolar nucleus, and most cases the 14N NMR patterns are hundreds of kHz to several MHz in breadth. The new method involves the use of special pulses called WURST pulses, which are capable of sweeping wide frequency ranges, along with the collection of long echo trains to further enhance the signal to noise. They have also reported that the swept pulses actually enhance the overall S/N of the spectrum, and have dubbed the method as "DEISM" (Direct Enhancement of Integer Spin Magnetization). You can read more about Rob Schurko's research group by clicking here.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Mango Party - May 28, 2009

Dr. Pandey's annual mango party will take place on Thursday, May 28 at 3 p.m. on the front steps of Essex Hall. Make sure you are there!!

NMR workshop, May 20 and 21

NMR Workshop Announcement:
On May 20 and 21 from 9:00 am until 12:00 p.m., the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry NMR Facility at the University of Windsor is offering a workshop entitled "An Introduction to Practical Aspects of NMR Data Acquisition and Processing".

This introductory workshop, which runs over two mornings, is geared toward incoming summer students and/or graduate students with little or no NMR experience, but who are expected to make use of the NMR spectrometers as part of their summer project. The workshop is meant as supplement to the "one on one" training that new students receive and will allow an opportunity to go into greater depth on many topics.

There will be mixture of lecture sessions and hands on learning opportunities for the participants. In addition to myself, Rob Schurko, Aaron Rossini and Hayam Hamaed will helping with the sessions. The topics covered include:

  • Preparation of NMR Samples
  • Set up of 1D 1H and 13C NMR Experiments
  • Processing and Presentation of NMR Data

Click here to see the schedule and register for the workshop.

The workshop is free of charge to members of the Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry; however, enrollment is limited, so please register soon!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

NSERC and OGS awards

Congratulations to our chemistry and biochemistry graduate students who obtained graduate scholarships from NSERC, as well as Ontario Graduate Scholarships.

NSERC scholarships, 2009-2010
There were 19 successful awards out of 28 applicants.

CGSD2 Hatnean, Jillian JA Chemistry and Biochemistry
CGSM Bushnell, Eric EAC Chemistry and Biochemistry

CGSD2 Canada Graduate Scholarship - Doctoral (2 years, $35,000 per year)
CGSM Canada Graduate Scholarship - Master's ($17,500)

OGS winners 2009-2010
There were 73 successful applicants out of 243 applications.
BOLLA, Michael
BUSHNELL, Eric
COOPER, Benjamin
HAMAED, Hiyam
HATNEAN, Jillian
HILDEBRAND, Marcel
NTAGANDA, Rukundo
RENAUD, Justin

Monday, April 20, 2009

Undergraduate Research Presentations

The honours students will be presenting their work from over the past year at the 59-410 presentations.

Where: 186 Essex Hall
When: April 27 and 28 from 9 am to 5 pm

Click here to see the full schedule.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

End of Term Banquet or ChemProm

END OF TERM BANQUET or CHEMPROM - April 28, 2009
Last chance to purchase your ticket to the Chemistry and Biochemistry End of Term Banquet.
It will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at the Caboto Club.
Doors open at 6:00p.m., dinner at 7:30p.m.
Tickets are $25.00 and can be purchased from Aaron Rossini or Marlene Bezaire.
The undergraduate awards presentation will be held at the banquet.
We need to confirm the numbers by Thursday, April 16, 2009 so please let us know asap if you're planning on attending.

Chem & Biochem Term Research Finale

Chem & Biochem Term Research Finale


Our department is proud to present a series of events to celebrate the research accomplishments of our students and faculty in a series of events taking place from April 24-28, 2009:

April 24, 2009 - Chemistry at the Mall (click here for more info)
Devonshire Mall, 1-6 p.m.
Graduate research posters, chemistry magic show, meet the professors and more!
Open to the general public

April 27-28, 2009
- Undergrad Research Presentations (
click here for more info)
186 Essex Hall, 9-5 p.m. each day
59-410 final presentations, open to the public!

April 28, 2009 - End of term banquet (or "ChemProm") (click here for more info)
Caboto Club, 6:00 p.m. open, Dinner at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Chemistry at the Mall

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
at the University of Windsor presents:

"Chemistry at the Mall"

We invite students, families and anyone else who is interested to visit our exhibits, which feature:
  • Research posters by graduate students from the University of Windsor
  • A Chemistry Magic Show
  • Meet the Professors

Research posters:
Our top graduate students will be happy to talk to you about their research projects.
Come down and learn about research on:
AIDS, Alternative Energy & Hydrogen Fuel, Anti-cancer agents, Cardiovascular Disease, Nanomaterials, Parkinson's Disease, Pharmaceuticals and many other interesting topics.

Chemistry magic show:
For all ages...watch as our chemists react, freeze, heat and blow up things for your amusement!
(Two shows: 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.)

Meet the professors:
Come chat with our chemistry and biochemistry professors about B.Sc. degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry, about careers in Science and Medicine, about the research opportunities at the University of Windsor, or whatever you want!

Date: Friday April 24, 2009
Time: 1-6 p.m.
Place: Devonshire Mall, in front of the Bay

Monday, March 23, 2009

Three chemistry professors awarded for teaching excellence...

On March 10, 2009, three of our faculty were given awards for excellence in teaching and mentoring. Avinash Thadani, who teaches organic chemistry, obtained the Highest Weighted Means Teaching Score Award for a chemistry professor. Siyaram Pandey, who teaches intermediate and advanced biochem courses, was selected as the University of Windsor Students’ Alliance (UWSA) Teacher of the Year, 2007. Lana Lee received the 2007 Excellence in Mentoring Award, for her personal, academic and professional guidance of students interested in entering professional programs such as medicine.

Pictured left to right (front row) are Lana Lee, Siyaram Pandey, Dean Marlys Koschinsky and Avinash Thadani.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Public seminar: Cancer Cells, Enemies Within: Natural Compounds as Novel, Non-toxic Weapons Against Cancer

Cancer Cells, Enemies Within: Natural Compounds as Novel, Non-toxic Weapons Against Cancer
A free presentation with Dr. Siyaram Pandey
Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
at the University of Windsor
Thursday March 12, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Canada South Science City
893 Marion Avenue, Windsor

Have you ever wondered ...
What goes wrong in normal cells to cause them to become cancerous?
What challenges face researchers as they develop chemotherapy treatments?
Is there a natural, non-toxic approach to fighting this deadly disease?
Join Dr. Pandey as he discusses these issues and talks about the ground-breaking research he conducts with his team at the University of Windsor, working to develop natural non-toxic therapies to fight cancer.

Presented as part of the Youth Science & Technology Outreach Program (YSTOP). An excellent opportunity for young people and their families to interact with researchers. For more information call 519-973-3667

Student's research could lead to new sensor technology

Student's research could lead to new sensor technology

Research published by a UWindsor doctoral candidate in biochemistry could lay the groundwork for new technology with applications in everything from early detection of cancer to sensing dangerous chemicals in enclosed areas.

Suzie Durocher’s work involves detecting thiols—volatile, sulphur-containing organic compounds that can be found everywhere in nature. Thiols have high and low molecular weights; in human blood, it’s essential to maintain a balance between them to regulate circulatory and respiratory functions.

Durocher was the lead author on a paper recently published in the Journal of American Chemical Society called "Disulfide-Linked, Gold Nanoparticle Based Reagent for Detecting Small Molecular Weight Thiols." The paper was co-authored with UWindsor professors Bulent Mutus and Chitra Rangan, Caroline Hamm of the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre, and Silvia Mittler and Asad Rezaee from the University of Western Ontario.

The paper outlines a process that could be used to develop a sensor to test for toxic or smaller weight thiols, which are more abundant and have finer control over many human functions.

It’s intellectual property that could be adapted in a variety of settings to test for the presence of toxic thiols, Dr. Mutus said. Petro-chemical workers, for instance, could wear badges on their uniforms that can change colour to indicate the presence of dangerous chemicals such as hydrogen sulphide in the air. It could also be used to develop a sensor that detects health problems like cancer based on thiol content in blood samples.

Durocher’s academic advisors raved about the quality of her work.

"She’s so good that Dr. Mittler will often send her students over here to learn from Suzie," Mutus said.

"It’s amazing that student could be a first author in this journal," said Rangan. "The quality of the data is excellent."

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Department of Chemistry Year End Banquet

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY YEAR END BANQUET (or ChemProm...?)

The Chemistry Club is planning a banquet on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 6:30p.m. at the Caboto Club.

Tickets for students will cost $25.00, and for Faculty and Staff - $30.00.

Please contact Ben Cooper before April 7th, 2009 for tickets.His office/lab is room #352, or email address: cooper11@uwindsor.ca

Thursday, February 26, 2009

University honours outstanding researchers

Professors Siyaram Pandey, Rob Schurko and Otis Vacratsis (pictured L-R) were honoured by the University of Windsor on Feb. 12, 2009 for their outstanding research contributions. Drs. Pandey and Vacratsis have recently obtained funding for major health-related research grants, and Dr. Schurko was awarded a University of Windsor Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity (mid-career). Click here for a full listing of honours, and visit their web pages by clicking their names above.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Brianna Binder honoured by Ontario Athletic Union

Congratulations to Brianna Binder, who is currently enrolled in Honours Chemistry, for being recognized at the Sixth Annual Women of Influence Luncheon for top female student/athletes in the OUA. Brianna has been a member of the Lancers volley team for the past four years and is recognized as one of Ontario's top players. She has also maintained a full course load and high grades, and has received numerous honours and awards for her efforts. Check out the Windsor Star story listed below.

Binder leads by example - Lancer honoured by OUA
from the Windsor Star - February 11, 2009

Brianna Binder took one more trip as a University of Windsor student/athlete Tuesday and the ride up the 401 to Toronto took her through four years of memories.

The 21-year-old Maidstone resident was Windsor’s representative at the sixth annual Women of Influence Luncheon, which recognizes the top female student/athletes in the OUA.

"It’s an honour to be recognized for what you’ve accomplished," said Binder, who has starred for the Lancers women’s volleyball team the past four years including leading them to an OUA title in 2005-06.
"You realize your efforts and all your hard work have been noticed. You’re a role model for the younger kids coming into the program." While many athletes shun the idea of being a role model, Binder embraces it, making her a perfect selection for the luncheon.

That wasn’t always the case. Binder said it’s been her personal growth in that area that has enriched her university experience.

"I do actually (think of myself as a role model)," said Binder, who will graduate with an honours degree in chemistry with a thesis.

"Not so much in my early years in high school because I was more focused on my own life and where I wanted to go. I stressed about that.

"Now, that I’m in university and accomplished some of the things I wanted, I do relish that role."
"I like it because I look at it as helping the kids coming behind me along their journey."
Ironically, it’s a journey that nearly didn’t get started at Windsor after Binder had been a multi-sport star at Essex High School.

Unlike her father Dave and brothers Karl, Nathan and Dave, who all starred in university sports, Binder was planning to sacrifice her passion for athletics to make sure she’d excel in the classroom.

"I wasn’t going to play volleyball because I was so focused on making the transition from high school to university," said Binder, who won the DeMarco Award last year as Windsor’s top student/athlete.

That’s when Lancers women’s volleyball coach Marilyn Douglas, who Binder lists as the most influential person in her life outside of her own family, invited her for a chat.

"I was skeptical," said Binder, who finished fifth in the OUA this season in points per game.

"She really encouraged me to try out. She always believed I could do more than I believed myself."

"I would’ve missed a lot if I hadn’t played volleyball."

Her fears of losing the balance in her life proved unfounded.

She admits she’s earned a Ph.D. in subject of life lessons balancing all the demands of the past four years.

"That’s why this honour means a little more to me because it’s not just about sports," Binder said.

"There’s more to sports than just playing games."

"It’s about your attitude and how you’ve developed as a person."

"If you can succeed and create that balance in your life while getting the benefit of playing sports and doing well academically in university, then you can succeed in creating that balance in all aspects of your life."

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Professor Bulent Mutus funded by Astra Zeneca


Bulent Mutus funded by Astra Zeneca...
Dr. Bulent Mutus has received a contract from AstraZeneca to explore the effects of a new antiplatelet drug on plasma membrane cholesterol raft-ADP receptor interactions.

Click here for more information on his research program.

Monday, January 19, 2009

New NMR website


New NMR manager, and new website...

Dr. Matthew Revington, our new NMR manager, has launched our new departmental NMR Facility website.


Click here to visit the website, or cut and paste the following link into your browser:


http://www.uwindsor.ca/nmr

New biochem faculty members

Marlys Koschinsky and Michael Boffa join the department...

This past summer, two new faculty members with expertise in Biochemistry joined the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry:
  • Marlys Koschinsky has come to the University of Windsor from Queens University as the new Dean of Science, and will be heading up a research program focusing on the use of molecular biology, protein chemistry, cell biology, and proteomic techniques for the study of the relationships between structure and function in the apolipoprotein apo(a).
  • Michael Boffa also joins us from Queens' University. His research focuses on the protein TAFI (thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor) and its function as a novel mediator of the balance between coagulation and fibrinolysis.

Welcome to the department!