June 6, 2025
(Artwork source: Raj Grainger)
The latest Western Alumni Magazine offers an in-depth look at an experience that touches us all – the process of aging. Also inside: an eye-opening Q&A on women’s health and menopause, a conversation with Ivey dean Julian Birkinshaw, MBA’91, PhD’95, about expanding the school's global reach and an inspiring story from athlete-turned-coach Caroline Ehrhardt, BHSc’15.
University College (Photo source: Steven Anderson/Western Communications)
Western climbed to 185th overall and sixth nationally in the 2025 Center for World University Rankings, maintaining its first place in Canada for alumni employability for the fifth year in a row.
Also covered by: Academica’s Top Ten
Bogumil Karas (Photo source: Megan Morris/Schulich Communications)
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Bogumil Karas is developing synthetic chloroplasts to create hardier, more nutritious crops. Backed by $1.5 million from the U.K.’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency, his team is testing the technology in potatoes at the Biotron Experimental Climate Change Research Centre, aiming to rewrite entire plant genomes.
Hayley Wickenheiser (Photo source: Rachel Lincoln)
More than 1,100 employees gathered at the annual Staff and Leader Learning Day to invest in professional development and hear a keynote speech from four-time Olympic gold medalist and doctor Hayley Wickenheiser.
The Impact Project
Explore how the Western community is collectively contributing to meaningful change in the world, today.
Emma Duerden (Photo source: Steven Anderson/Western Communications)
Emma Duerden: How research is helping children with anxiety.
Coming Up
June and July (various times)
Celebrating Pride Month
The Office of EDI, in collaboration with community partners, is hosting events across campus in both June and July to honour the diversity, resilience and contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
June 11 (noon to 12:30 p.m.)
Mindful Moments
Take a break and join colleagues for a weekly mindfulness meditation session. Each session offers a simple, guided practice to help strengthen your attention and awareness. UCC 38B.
June 12 (11 a.m. to noon)
RGE Murray Seminar Series
Hear from Dr. Cissy Kityo Mutuluuza, executive director of the Joint Clinical Research Centre in Uganda and Spring 2025 honorary degree recipient, as she presents “Ending the HIV Epidemic: Next Steps and Innovations.” Dental Science Building, Rm. 1002 and on Zoom.
June 12 (11:30 a.m.)
Wellness Walk
Take a break and explore the sights and sounds of campus wildlife. Meet in front of the Biological and Geological Sciences Building (by the big rocks near the bus stop). The walk will follow easy trails along the Thames River and wrap up within the hour. Email Ben at bsouriol@uwo.ca for the schedule.
Working at Western
University College (Photo source: Western Communications)
Biindigen's Indigenous History Month Challenge
Take part in a 30-day challenge to learn about and celebrate Indigenous Peoples, their perspectives, realities, histories and cultures.
Anti-Oppression Certificate Program
Become an ally, build compassion and learn how to create inclusivity at Western through online modules and workshops, offered by the Office of EDI. The program is free and available to all students, staff and faculty.
Video of the Week
Researchers Chris Guglielmo and Beth MacDougall-Shackleton from Western's Centre for Animals on the Move are using cutting-edge technology to track the habits of migratory birds. Their work provides real-time data on weather patterns, ecosystem health and biodiversity loss—revealing critical insights into climate change. Watch the video to join President Alan Shepard as he goes behind the research to learn how Western scientists are helping protect the ecosystems we depend on, today.
Western in the News
In addition to the news above, your colleagues have been featured in the following media outlets.
Greg Kopp, Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory founding director and ImpactWX Chair in Severe Storms Engineering. (Photo source: Western Engineering)
CBC Quirks & Quarks
Scientists Hope a New Storm Lab Will Help Us Understand Destructive Weather
The Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory at Western is working to transform our understanding of the country's weather systems by collecting nation-wide data on extreme weather, including hailstorms, tornadoes and flash floods.
CBC Fresh Air
New Study Reveals an Association Between Air Pollution and Epilepsy
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry professor and postdoctoral associate Tresah Antaya explain their recent study that reveals an association between air pollution and new cases of epilepsy.
University Affairs
Data vs MAGA
Data management librarian Kristi Thompson is part of the new Canadian Data Rescue Project, an initiative to safeguard public access to critical digital information at risk of deletion.
