August 19, 2022
Lesley Rigg, vice-president (research). (Submitted photo)
Vice-president (research) Lesley Rigg has announced she will assume the presidency at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont. effective Nov. 1, 2022. Rigg joined Western in August 2020 and led the university to a record $267 million in research funding in 2021. Rigg will step down effective Sept. 30, 2022 and an interim vice-president (research) will be announced in the coming weeks.
Susan Lewis, new vice-provost (academic programs). (Submitted photo)
Accomplished academic and administrative leader Susan Lewis joins us as vice-provost (academic programs) on Sept. 2 for a five-year term. Lewis comes to Western from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, where she has been serving as associate vice-president, academic planning, and acting vice-provost since 2020.
The Amazing Race Canada heads back to school with Western front and centre. (Photo source: The Amazing Race Canada)
London was the site of The Amazing Race Canada Tuesday evening, and Western was front and centre for the latest leg of the race. From research into mindfulness, to appearances from school mascot JW, the Western Mustangs cheerleading team, and the Western Mustang Band, the school’s research innovation and spirit were on full display.
Undergrad Areez Habib (left) and high school student Matthew Woodward (right) survey damage after a tornado. (Submitted photo)
Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) student interns had the opportunity to study and analyze tornadoes from across the country. Founded in 2017, NTP aims to better detect tornado occurrence throughout Canada, mitigate against harm to people and property, and investigate future implications due to climate change.
Nathalie Bérubé, professor in anatomy and cell biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, received federal funding for her research aimed at improving memory in children with intellectual disabilities. (Submitted photo)
Research to help improve memory in children with intellectual disability is one of several research projects that received more than $7.6 million in funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
See the Line was initiated in 2013 by Dr. Michael Strong, former dean of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, and Andy Hrymak, former dean of engineering and Jim Weese, former dean of health sciences. (Photo source: Mychailo Kovaliv)
Whether it’s creating community access to reputable concussion information or moving the research bar forward, much has been accomplished over the decade-long See the Line initiative. The forum, which concluded its mandate on Aug. 10, sought to educate athletes, coaches, parents and practitioners about the serious impact of concussions.
Working at Western
(Image source: Pixabay)
Cyber safety awareness training
To ensure our community has the best cyber safety knowledge and skills, we have partnered with Terranova to provide cyber safety awareness training. The online module is to be completed by Nov. 1. If you have any questions, please email security@uwo.ca.
Host a Western
B.L.U.E. student
The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is excited to launch the Western Black Student Leadership University Experience program. Fifteen students will participate in paid leadership experiences on- or off-campus between November 2022 – March 2023 (funded by the university.) Apply by August 31 to host a student in your department.
Featured job opportunities
Do you know someone looking for a job? Search by the job posting ID to learn more and apply or share with your network.
Web Developer, Housing (27025)
Perform functions such as coding, testing and maintaining web and mobile-based applications, content management systems (CMS), and information systems.
Clinical Manager, Speech-Language Pathologist, Faculty of Health Sciences (27848)
Lead the day-to-day operations of the H.A. Leeper Speech and Hearing Clinic and its facilities, as well as work to develop and implement service expansion.
Business Process Specialist, University Advancement (27744)
Lead the review, mapping and possible re-engineering of current business practices across university advancement to align with campaign strategies.
Photo of the Week
The community garden is in full bloom. Stop by and check out the harvests and learn about sustainable gardening practices, food production and enjoy being in an urban garden environment. (Photo source: @eyeonthefly Twitter)
Coming Up
(Image by Matt Butler)
August 19 to 21 (7:30 p.m.)
The Comedy of Errors
Western Summer Shakespeare presents one of Shakespeare’s earliest and most farcical plays, The Comedy of Errors, outdoors in the Beryl Ivey Garden, behind University College. General admission is $15 and $10 for students/seniors.
August 22 (10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
SSHRC Insight Grant information session
This virtual event, hosted by the Faculty of Social Science and the Ivey Business School, is open to all researchers in the campus community.
August 24 (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Woodworking workshop
During this 90-minute workshop led by Andrew Silk from the department of visual arts, you will learn the basics of woodworking and some of the methods to add details, such as creating a pattern, sanding and finishing. Registration is required as spots are limited.
Western in the News
Lauren September Poeta, Anishinaabe researcher and project associate, Office of Indigenous Studies. (Submitted photo)
Discover Magazine
Researchers prove shrunken head is human and shed light on mysterious tradition
A revolutionary scanning technique which has allowed researchers to confirm the authenticity of tsantsas (shrunken heads) is redefining archaeology, says Lauren September Poeta, Anishinaabe researcher and project associate in the Office of Indigenous Initiatives.
BBC Worklife
How layoffs shed their taboo
Ivey professor Hayden Woodley says more people are turning toward their community online to share news of being laid-off, a once-taboo topic that can be turned into an opportunity for positivity, growth and even new jobs.
The Globe and Mail
Canadian wastewater surveillance expanding to new public health threats
Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater detection became a key way to track the spread of the virus. Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Eric Arts says it can be used to test for and measure monkeypox, polio and other potential health threats as well.
CBC News
Why it's worth keeping 'close eye' on new Langya virus that's infecting dozens in China
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor and virologist Ryan Troyer shares insight on the new Langya virus including the history of zoonotic transmission of this type of RNA-based virus.
Commentary
Stan Dragland (Photo source: Flikker)
Dr. Jillian Horton (BA’96, MA’97) is just one of many Canadian writers who was lucky enough to be mentored by the late Stan Dragland, a professor, poet and publisher. When Horton, as a third-year undergraduate student, was accepted into a small writing workshop with Dragland, she didn’t know it would turn into a 28-year commitment from Dragland to edit and guide her writing.
