Loeb awarded Erskine Fellowship in New Zealand

Congratulations to Steve Loeb, Professor and Canada Research Chair in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, who has been awarded a prestigious Erskine Fellowship from the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. The Erskine Fellowship program provides international visitors with the cost of transportation to New Zealand plus local accommodation and living expenses for the visiting fellow and their spouse. 

The Fellowship requires the visiting fellow to interact with the researchers in the department and give a short series of lectures in their area of expertise to senior undergraduate and graduates students - previous Fellows in Chemistry include 2005 Nobel Laureate Robert Grubbs of Caltech.  Loeb will be visiting New Zealand for six weeks in April and May. In addition to his interactions with University of Canterbury, he will also be giving research lectures at other New Zealand universities; University of Auckland, University of Otago and Massey University.

We wish Professor Loeb success in New Zealand, and safe travels!

For more information on Professor Loeb's research, click here!

CBC highlight: Pamela Ovadje recognized for anti-cancer work

Windsor's dandelion tea researcher Pamela Ovadje recognized for anti-cancer work
Pamela Ovadje was 'a little bit skeptical' that dandelions could have cancer-fighting properties

A post-doctoral fellow at the University of Windsor is being recognized for the work she has done investigating the anti-cancer properties of several natural extracts, including those of dandelions.

Pamela Ovadje will receive the Mitacs Award for Outstanding Innovation-Postdoctoral at a ceremony in Ottawa on Tuesday.

Mitacs is a non-profit organization that works with universities, governments and companies in Canada, to build partnerships to promote social and industrial innovation.

Close-up of a dandelion plant

Pamela Ovadje's research has examined the anti-cancer properties of several natural extracts, including dandelion roots. 

Ovadje told CBC Radio's Windsor Morning that the story of the work she has been doing tracks back to 2009.

"We had information from an oncologist, a collaborator here in Windsor, who had patients that showed improvement after taking dandelion-root tea," Ovadje told Windsor Morning.

"And so, with a phone call, we decided to start studying what was in this tea that made patients respond to it, so we started digging up dandelions."

Read the full story at the CBC web site

Besa Xhabija wins poster prize at the 10th Biannual Great Lakes Glia Meeting

The Vacratsis lab participated in the 10th Biannual Great Lakes Glia Meeting that took place on Sept 27-29th, 2015 in Traverse City, Michigan. Besa Xhabija was awarded the Best Poster Award, which carried a cash prize of $200.  Congratulations Besa!

Schurko receives UWindsor award for excellence in research

Congratulations to Professor Rob Schurko who received one of two University of Windsor Awards for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity - Category C - Established Scholars / Researchers.   The University of Windsor spotlights accomplishments and achievements of faculty at an annual event held to pay tribute to those who have received significant awards and honours for their research or creative activity.

Prof. Schurko was in Israel as a visiting scientist at the Weizmann Institute at the time of the awards ceremony; so, his two of his Ph.D. students, Chris O'Keefe and David Hirsh, accepted the award on his behalf.

His research focuses upon the development and application of techniques in solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) for the study of a wide variety of materials, including pharmaceutical compounds, nanoparticles, catalysts, and many more.  To learn more about his research, visit:

http://www.uwindsor.ca/schurko

Joe Lichaa recognized for service excellence

Congratulations to Joe Lichaa, who was recognized for his service to the University of Windsor!

Joe is our departmental technician and IT expert.

UWindsor president Alan Wildeman congratulates chemistry department technologist Joe Lichaa, one of two individual winners of the service excellence award at the 2015 employee recognition reception.

To see the full story, click here.

Alumni teaching award recipient: Phil Dutton

Congratulations to Phillip Dutton, who was awarded the 2013 Alumni Teaching Award at the Spring Convocation on June 12, 2013.

From the Daily News:


Chemistry professor devises formula for successful teaching

Philip Dutton says that the development of his style of teaching drew on his experience in martial arts: “Observe good demonstrations, practice observed techniques, and if you remove all of the mistakes, what is left is not only correct, but is efficient.”

Philip Dutton, A former head of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Dr. Dutton has observed speakers and instructors to figure what to do—and just as importantly, what not to do. The technique came to him as a graduate student watching a visiting scientist present a seminar, he says: “I promised myself never to do what he did.”

Honing his skills has paid off for Dutton’s students, and earned him the Alumni Award for Distinguished Contributions to University Teaching, which he will receive at the Wednesday, June 12, afternoon session of Convocation.

In letters supporting his nomination for the award, current and former students praise Dutton’s passion for his material and commitment to his charges.

“Dr. Dutton’s enthusiasm helped me rise above my obstacles and strive for excellence,” wrote Sara Ghoneim. “He always challenged his students and engaged us in his lectures in ways that made the course material unforgettable.”

His colleagues tout his versatility, teaching courses in a variety of subjects, including large introductory classes, and helping to develop a redesigned undergraduate curriculum.

At the root of his commitment is what Dutton calls the true reward of the teacher: “There is nothing more satisfying than watching students move through the training of their undergraduate and graduate carers and go on to be successful contributors to society.”

The awards, established by the University of Windsor Alumni Association in 1987, recognize excellence in all areas of teaching, including classroom presentation, curriculum development, versatility, teaching methods, and student support. In addition to Dutton, education professor Kara Smith and English professor Dale Jacobs will receive the honour during the University’s 99th Convocation ceremonies this week. Click here for a list of past recipients.

Click here to see the original story on the Daily News