Inside Western – a news digest for staff and faculty

April 25, 2025

 

Fuelling green ideas

photo of Aixia Wang, Blanca Mora Alvarez and Samantha Locking with flowers in a greenhouse

(L to R): Horticultural specialist Aixia Wang, biology lab assistant Blanca Mora Alvarez and horticultural technician Samantha Locking. (Photo source: Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)

Tropical House, one of Western’s popular greenhouses, will undergo repairs and rejuvenation thanks to a grant from the Western Sustainable Impact Fund. It’s one of 34 sustainability projects across campus supported by the $1 million fund.

Celebrating excellence in teaching

a photo of Law professor Claire Houston and health sciences professor Ashley McKeown

(L to R) Law professor Claire Houston and health sciences professor Ashley McKeown, recipients of the Marilyn Robinson Award for Excellence in Teaching. (Photo source: Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)

Nine educators are receiving Western Awards for Excellence in Teaching in recognition of their outstanding contributions to students’ academic development.

Western leads global long COVID trial

A photo of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Dr. Douglas Fraser.

Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Dr. Douglas Fraser. (Photo source: Rena Panchyshyn)

Scientists from Western and the Schmidt Initiative for Long Covid are leading a new clinical trial to test existing drugs as potential treatments for long COVID, aiming to help patients around the world find relief from their symptoms.

Also covered by: CTV London, Windsor News Today and News Medical

Taking action on climate change

An image of earth with text saying our warming planet

(Image source: Rob Potter/Western Communications)

Western researchers share insights and calls to action to address the climate crisis in the final installment of Our Warming Planet, a Western News series exploring how climate change is reshaping every part of our lives.

The Impact Project 

Explore how the Western community is collectively contributing to meaningful change in the world, today.

photo of Gordon Osinski

Gordon Osinski (Photo source: Steven Anderson/Western Communications) 

Gordon Osinski: How space exploration drives innovation. 

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Coming Up

April 30 (7 to 9 p.m.)
Inside Adolescence
Join colleagues for a panel discussion exploring themes from the Netflix series Adolescence, including gender-based violence, mental health, masculinity and youth identity. Faculty of Education Building, Rm. 1139. Register online.

May 1 (8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Innovating for Impact: Frugal Biomedical Innovations
Discover global health innovation through keynotes, panels and biomedical solutions, featuring partners from Africa and the Northwest Territories. Ivey Spencer Leadership Centre and online. Register today.

May 3 (8:30 to 11 p.m.)
Public Night at Cronyn Observatory
Tour the observatory, view the night sky through telescopes, explore astronomical demonstrations and chat with astronomers. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. No registration required.

May 14 (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
Western Libraries Research Symposium
From data destruction to campus equity, discover the diverse research of Western’s librarians and archivists and learn about their evolving role. Weldon Library, Community Room. Register by May 5.

Working at Western

A photo of purple flowers

The Beryl Ivey Garden (Photo source: Steven Anderson/Western Communications)

Pension Plan Education and Consultations
Spring is a great time to review your Western Pension Plan. Visit the pension workshop webpage to explore upcoming sessions or book an in-person consultation with Sun Life while consultants are on campus April 29 to May 8.

Post of the Week

Western president Alan Shepard speaking to an audience at Engage Western.

Hundreds of community members attended Engage Western on April 23, connecting with the university through interactive booths, research presentations and a keynote by President Alan Shepard, highlighting Western’s innovation and collaboration with organizations in London. View Western's LinkedIn post to learn more. (Photo source: Frank Neufeld/Neufeld Designs)

two coffee cups near fair trade sign

Western in the News

In addition to the news above, your colleagues have been featured in the following media outlets.

A photo of Jessica Grahn

Jessica Grahn (Photo source: Western Social Science)

CBC Science
Could your microphone be affecting your job prospects?
Psychology professor Jessica Grahn provides expert insight in an article exploring how microphone quality affects the perception of the speaker during virtual job interviews.

The Globe and Mail
Hudson’s Bay to auction off artifacts, including 1670 charter
As Hudson's Bay Company moves to auction off its royal charter, history and Indigenous studies professor Cody Groat explains the significance of potentially losing this important piece of Canada’s history to a private collection.

CBC Fresh Air
New study links cannabis use to changes in the brain
A new study led by Schulich Medicine & Dentistry adjunct professor Dr. Lena Palaniyappan reveals a biological link between heavy cannabis use and psychosis.

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