Meromictic Art Exhibition | Grand Opening February 29, 2024

Image: Lisa Hirmer, We Are All Atmosphere, documentation of a public art project, 2022

The meromictic Art Exhibition is hosting their grand opening on February 29, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Exhibition: February 29 – March 14, 2024
Curated by MCS4605E; Exhibition Manager: Dr. Amanda White (postdoctoral associate); Professor: Dr. Kirsty Robertson

Kionywarihwaen, or Crawford Lake, is a small body of water that formed in a limestone cliff sinkhole near Milton, Ontario, just over 100km away from the Artlab Gallery. This exhibition responds to the 2023 selection of Crawford Lake by the International Commission on Stratigraphy as the "golden spike" that marks the start of a new proposed geological epoch, the Anthropocene. The lake is meromictic, meaning the layers of water within it do not mix, allowing for the preservation of sediment deposits in the lakebed. Because of this, layers of sediment lie untouched at the bottom of the lake, showing, among other things, evidence of human impact on the world in a layer of radioactive plutonium from nuclear weapons tests - the marker that has been decided represents the moment human impact becomes evident in the strata of the geologic record; that is, the Anthropocene.

How can we understand the impact of this moment? This exhibition uses stratigraphy as an organizing principle, pulling back layers to try to understand the complicated relations involved in naming a geologic era and marking it through a lake in Ontario. Seven artists investigating water, earth, air, soil, wood, rocks, and minerals, are paired with specimens and samples loaned from collections across Southwestern Ontario. Each pairing brings an additional level of complexity to the exhibition and illustrates the ultimate challenge of trying to fully grasp an epoch in a layer of sediment. meromictic focuses on both the opportunity to learn from the siting of the golden spike, and on all that escapes from accepted forms of knowledge.

Featuring artworks by Janice Brant Kahehtoktha, Greg Curnoe, Simon Fuh, Stefan Herda, Lisa Hirmer, Tomonari Nishikawa, Nico Williams, Kelly Wood.

With contributions from Biodiversity Gallery/Nina Zitani, Conservation Halton, Neal Ferris, Jessica Johnson/Smithsonian Institute, McCarthy Lab/Brock University, the Museum of Ontario Archeology, Patterson Lab/Carleton University, Corcoran Lab/UWO, the Richard W. Hutchison Geoscience Collaborative Suite/UWO, Aaron Shugar/Queen’s University, Amanda White/FOFA Gallery.

This project was made possible with support from The Strategic Priorities Fund (Western University), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Rodger Research and Development Fund, The Department of Visual Arts (Western University), and The Centre for Sustainable Curating.

INSPIRING MINDS | Kathryn Lamoureux, MSc candidate, Faculty of Science

Inspiring Minds seeks to broaden awareness and impact of graduate student research, while enhancing transferable skills. Students were challenged to describe their research, scholarship or creative activity in 150 or fewer words to share with our community.

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Kathryn Lamoureux
MSc candidate, Faculty of Science

Preserving the plant partner: how copper affects plant-bacteria symbiosis

Many plants form a symbiosis with soil bacteria. This mutually beneficial partnership provides a home for the bacteria, which in turn produce hard-to-get-nutrients and protect the plant from disease. Legumes like soybeans and chickpeas partner with specific bacteria called rhizobia that give them nitrogen. Nitrogen is an essential element for all life, but it normally exists in an inaccessible form. Legumes create protective nodules in their roots to house the rhizobia, and in return the rhizobia make the nitrogen accessible using an enzyme. This enzyme is essential to symbiosis but is also very sensitive to degradation by oxygen. Heavy metals like copper are often released into the environment. These metals may have a detrimental effect on the symbiosis between legumes and rhizobia because of their ability to induce oxidative stress. I am studying the oxidative stress caused by copper and how this affects the plant-bacteria partnership.

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INSPIRING MINDS | Koami Soulemane Hayibo, PhD candidate, Faculty of Engineering

Inspiring Minds seeks to broaden awareness and impact of graduate student research, while enhancing transferable skills. Students were challenged to describe their research, scholarship or creative activity in 150 or fewer words to share with our community.

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Koami Soulemane Hayibo
PhD candidate, Faculty of Engineering

Shining a Light on Foam-Based Floating Solar Panels and their Interactions with a Body of Water in Canada

My research focuses on improving the materials used to float photovoltaic panels on bodies of water (FPV) to limit water evaporation. From my preliminary results, installing solar panels on water surfaces produces 15% more energy than solar panels installed on land with the same configuration, and at the same time is 90% more efficient in preventing evaporation. However, we know little about the interactions between water and the different materials used for FPV. Such interactions must be assessed given the current demand for green electricity because any systems that produce power at the expense of water quality and availability are nevertheless detrimental to human needs. My research aims to understand how foam-based flexible FPV operate in different water conditions in Canada, including freezing weather, and their effect on water quality to ensure that the technology continues to provide viable green energy while also maintaining our water availability.

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APPLY NOW! Richard J. Schmeelk Canada Fellowship | Deadline March 11, 2024

Fluent in French and English? Age 40 or younger? If so, you may be eligible to apply for the 2024 Richard J. Schmeelk Canada Fellowships.


The Richard J. Schmeelk Canada Fellowship award recipients pursuing master’s degrees will be awarded up to $20,000 CAD annually for up to two years. Fellows pursuing PhD degrees will be awarded up to $10,000 CAD annually for up to four years. English-speaking students from outside Québec holding a bachelor’s degree pursuing a law degree at Université Laval are eligible for a scholarship of $10,000 per academic year, renewable for a maximum of $40,000 or up to four years.

An eligible applicant must :

• Be fluent in English and French
• Be 40 years of age or younger
• Have Canadian citizenship or a permanent residency status
• Hold a Bachelor degree and be planning to enter in full time studies towards a Master’s or PhD program in the 2024 Fall academic term
• Must not be receiving a salary or special allowance from employer while studying
• Have a minimum cumulative average of 70% (or equivalent) over the last three terms of available marks. Non-academic courses such as career or personal development-related courses will not be considered

Applicants must meet the following criteria based on language and university enrolment:

• Quebec French speaking applicants must be enrolled at Western University (London, Ontario), or at the University of Calgary (Calgary, Alberta).
• English speaking applicants from outside Québec must be enrolled at the Université Laval (Quebec City) or at the Université de Montréal (Montreal) and its affiliated schools (Polytechnique Montreal and HEC Montreal)

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The competition will close on March 11, 2024.

JOB POSTINGS: CIHR Institute of Aging | Summer Student 2024 Project - Deadline April 1, 2024

The CIHR Institute of Aging has two positions available for the Summer Student 2024 Project.

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Impact of the Change in Canadian Population Demographics
Literature Review and Manuscript Preparation | Part-Time Position

Description and Goal of this Project
The goal and purpose of this summer student position is to conduct a comprehensive literature review in the pre-determined topic area of the Impact of the Change in Canadian Population Demographics, prepare a manuscript, source journals for publication, and compile information for publication.

Timelines

• 12-week time span
• Approximately 24 hours/week (paid position in alignment with UWO stipends for students) 
• Start date: May 13, 2024

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Application deadline: April 1, 2024

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Climate Change and Older Adults
Literature Review and Manuscript Preparation | Part-Time Position

Description and Goal of this Project
The goal and purpose of this summer student position is to conduct a comprehensive literature review in the pre-determined topic area of Climate Change and Older Adults, prepare a manuscript, source journals for publication, and compile information for publication.

Timelines

• 12-week time span
• Approximately 24 hours/week (paid position in alignment with UWO stipends for students) 
• Start date: May 13, 2024

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Application deadline: April 1, 2024

GRAD STUDENT VOLUNTEER JUDGES NEEDED | Western Student Research Conference (WSRC) 2024

The Western Student Research Conference (WSRC) is the university’s flagship undergraduate research conference affiliated with Student Experience. WSRC stands as the premier research conference, offering a vital platform for talented undergraduate researchers. Participants (undergraduate students) have the opportunity to present their findings, connect with like-minded peers, and receive valuable feedback on both content and presentation style.

We are currently recruiting graduate students to be judges for the 2024 WSRC Annual Research Conference on March 9, 2024.

Please click HERE to apply to be one of our judges in this event:  WSRC Annual Research Conference, due February 17th @ 11:59 pm EST. We will follow up with more details about the conference, the judging process itself, and upcoming key dates in preparation for this year’s Research Expo to our applicants.

Additionally, we are also holding a Research Debate workshop on March 4, 2024, and are currently recruiting graduate students for this event as well.

Please click HERE to apply to be one of our judges in this event: WSRC 2024 Workshop, due February 25th @ 11:55pm EST.

Thank you for helping us in assisting the young generation to pursue their goals in research. Both events are multidisciplinary and we encourage all students from all different backgrounds to come join us!

Any questions can be directed to [email protected].

INSPIRING MINDS | Shanshan He, PhD candidate, Faculty of Education

Inspiring Minds seeks to broaden awareness and impact of graduate student research, while enhancing transferable skills. Students were challenged to describe their research, scholarship or creative activity in 150 or fewer words to share with our community.

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Shanshan He
PhD candidate, Faculty of Education

Second Language Listening Tests: What Can Test-Takers’ Eye Movements Tell Us?

Empirical evidence suggests that videos can help develop second language (L2) listening ability, but the listening sections of major language tests (e.g., IELTS) still rely heavily on audio- only prompts. As a result, the way we teach listening skills is different from how we assess them. This discrepancy may be partially attributed to the limited understanding of the extent to which L2 listening entails the ability to comprehend auditory input vs. visual input. To increase this understanding, it is necessary to know how exactly test takers engage with videos during listening tests. My study will track listeners’ eye movements during L2 listening tests and include in-depth interviews to discuss their perceptions of those tests. The findings of this study will inform the design of future video-based listening assessments. Moreover, this research will have pedagogical implications for integrating videos in both the teaching and assessment practices of language teachers.

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Black History Month at Western 2024

Join Western and the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in celebrating Black History Month by attending our Black Excellence events!

This month, Western celebrates Black History Month with stories, speakers and conversations about Black Excellence.

Here is the list of events co-hosted by the Office of EDI:

• Ngoma Ensemble-Drummers, Feb 2nd 12-4pm, [University Community Center Atrium]
• Film: What We Deserve & Panel on Reparations with Shelley Jarrett, Feb 6th 1-4pm [McKellar theater, UCC
• Unpacking Anti-Black Racism Workshops (Offered by the Office of EDI and limited to Western community and affiliated colleges), Feb 7th and 20th, 12:00pm-1:00pm, [Virtual through zoom]
• Leading Change in Difficult Times with Hope and Optimism – keynote presentation by Dr. Ivan Joseph, Feb 12th, 9:30am- 11am [Great Hall, Sommerville House]
• Diversity in Medicine – keynote presentation by Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa, Feb 12th, 3:30-5:00pm [Dental Sciences Building 100]
• Black Faculty and Staff Luncheon (limited to only those who identify as Black Faculty and Staff at Western and Affiliated Colleges), Feb 15th, 11:30am-1:00pm, [Great Hall, Somerville House]
• Empowering Our Voices: Spoken Word Workshop with  Andrea Thompson, Feb 16th, 1:00-2:30pm [Weldon Community Room (128), First Floor, Weldon Library]
• Speak on It Speaker Series by Robbins-Ollivier – The Right Honorable Michaëlle Jean, Feb 29th, 4:00pm-6:00pm [McKellar Theater]

REGISTER NOW | Dr. Rinaldo Walcott talk on Critical Race Theory and Black Studies - March 4, 2024

REGISTER NOW FOR IN-PERSON PARTICIPATION

INSPIRING MINDS | Mo Olajide, MN candidate, Faculty of Health Sciences

Inspiring Minds seeks to broaden awareness and impact of graduate student research, while enhancing transferable skills. Students were challenged to describe their research, scholarship or creative activity in 150 or fewer words to share with our community.

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Mo Olajide
MN candidate, Faculty of Health Sciences

Do We Understand Cultural Humility in Healthcare Delivery?

Culturally humble healthcare providers reflect on their own personal values, acknowledge the lived experiences of their clients, and have an ongoing openness to continue to learn about their clients’ preferences and values in relation to their care-plan. My interest in this research is informed by my lived experiences as an immigrant patient and a care provider in the Canadian healthcare system. As a patient, I had observed that my values and preferences were overlooked, and care was delivered based on biomedical model without regard to how my lived experiences would affect my health outcomes. As a nurse, I noticed how colleagues struggle with establishing therapeutic relationships with clients from different cultures. I intend to conduct a qualitative descriptive study aimed at exploring how healthcare leaders understand the concept of cultural humility and how the concept is incorporated into strategic plans of healthcare organizations.

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