Inside Western – a news digest for staff and faculty

May 2, 2025

 

Hope for Type 2 diabetes

photo of Lisa Mercer, clinical trial participant and Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Dr. Tamara Spaic

(L to R) Lisa Mercer, clinical trial participant and Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Dr. Tamara Spaic (Photo source: St. Joseph's Health Care London)

A study co-authored by Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Dr. Tamara Spaic shows glucose monitoring in combination with an automated insulin pump significantly improves blood sugar control in people with hard-to-treat Type 2 diabetes, offering new hope for millions.

Investing in strategic priorities

a photo of tulips near main gates of Western

(Photo source: Darryl Lahteenmaa/Western Communications)

Western's 2025-26 budget was approved by the Board of Governors this week, endorsing investments of $943.1 million over the next year to support research excellence, student support and growth across campus, despite significant funding constraints.

Rare medieval music unearthed

A photo of Librarian Deborah Meert-Williston, music professor Kate Helsen and Music Library director Brian McMillan

(L to R) Librarian Deborah Meert-Williston, music professor Kate Helsen and Music Library director Brian McMillan (Photo source: Colleen MacDonald/Western Communications)

Librarian Deborah Meert-Williston and music professor Kate Helsen identified rare ninth-century musical notation in newly acquired manuscripts, opening new opportunities for research and hands-on student learning in early music history.

Preparing ESL educators through practice

Photo of Faculty of Education lecturer Douglas Severo (centre) with graduate students in the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages program.

Faculty of Education lecturer Douglas Severo (centre) with graduate students in the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program. (Submitted photo)

Master's students in the TESOL program gained real-world experience designing interactive ESL activities for local newcomers as part of a community-engaged learning project led by lecturer Douglas Severo.

The Impact Project 

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

photo of Zola Ncube

Zola Ncube (Photo source: Steven Anderson/Western Communications)

Zola Ncube: How storytelling can help break down stigma.

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Coming Up

May 3 (noon to 1 p.m.)
Let’s Talk Collections
Join McIntosh Gallery curator Rachel Deiterding for a guided tour of the current exhibition Holding Patterns: the short view and a discussion on the future of collecting. McIntosh Gallery.

May 10 (noon to 6 p.m.)
Science Rendezvous
Explore hands-on S.T.E.A.M. activities with Western scientists at this free, all-ages event at Thompson Arena. No registration required. Free parking is available at South Valley and Huron Flats lots.

May 13 (noon to 1 p.m.)
Under the Scope: Canada’s Healthcare Workforce Crisis
Join Ivey professor Lauren Cipriano and a panel of Canada’s leading health-care voices as they tackle the critical workforce shortage in health care and share bold strategies to build a more sustainable, people-powered system. Register online.

May 15 (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)
Evolving a Biotech/MedTech Startup in Uncertain Times
With over 25 years of experience in growing companies, Philip Toleikis will share real-world lessons on building, funding and scaling a biotech venture in a complex landscape. Connector Suites, Western Research Parks, 999 Collip Circle.

Working at Western

A photo of university college

University College (Photo source: Darryl Lahteenmaa/Western Communications)

Christy Bressette to Lead Indigenous Initiatives for Five-Year Term
Christy R. Bressette has been re-appointed vice-provost and associate vice-president, Indigenous Initiatives for a second five-year term. Bressette was originally appointed to the role in 2021.

Celebrate Graduates: Pre-Order Convocation Refreshments
Join your colleagues in celebrating the achievements of Western graduates. Pre-order a festive catering package through Catering and Conference Services by May 30 to mark this special occasion together.

Emergency Weather Siren Testing
The live monthly testing of Western’s emergency weather siren will take place on May 7 at noon. Unless otherwise notified, this is only a test and no action is required.

Photo of the Week

A photo of faculty and staff at a symposium

Western faculty and staff joined global partners from Africa and the Northwest Territories at the Innovating for Impact: Frugal Biomedical Innovations Symposium. The event featured keynotes, panels and cutting-edge biomedical solutions at the Ivey Spencer Leadership Centre on May 1. (Photo source: Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)

two coffee cups near fair trade sign

Western in the News

A photo of Laura Stephenson

Laura Stephenson (Photo source: Western Communications)

The Globe and Mail
Record turnout at advance polls created dramatic shifts in key ridings
Political science professor and chair Laura Stephenson provides analysis on the impact of advance voting on the election process, and why more voters opted to cast their ballots ahead of time.

CNN
Global populists once emulated Trump. Now they’re running from him

What influence did the Trump effect have on the Canadian election? Political science professor Matt Lebo explains how U.S.-Canada relations factored into Canadians’ views of the party leaders.

CBC London
Netflix series sparks important conversation around youth mental health
Education professors Katreena Scott and Colin King explore themes in the Netflix series Adolescence and what they say about the unseen struggles young people face today.

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