WE-Spark Health Institute

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Windsor, ON
WE-Spark Health Institute

A thriving and engaged research community driving enhancements in health.

02/02/2026

Be a hero and register as a stem cell donor!
When: Tuesday, Feb 3 from 12:30-4:00 PM
Where: University of Windsor CAW Student Centre, 2nd floor - in front of Alumni Auditorium

01/31/2026

A huge thank you to the 2026 U14AAA Windsor Jr. Spitfires for visiting WE-SPARK to learn more about local cancer research! 🏒🔬

Their team generously donated $800 toward cancer research and spent time going behind the scenes in the lab with the Porter Lab to see how discoveries happen firsthand.

We’re so inspired by young leaders giving back to their community. Thank you for making an impact!

01/30/2026

⏰ Abstract Deadline Extended! Looking for ways to present your health research? We’ve got great news!

📝 Abstract submissions are now open until February 6, 2026 (11:59 PM) for the 2026 WE-SPARK Health Research Conference.

✨ New Special Call for Oral Abstracts
📌 Case Studies & Learnings from the Field - highlighting real-world applications of research.

🎤 Presentation formats available:
🖼 Poster Sessions - open to all participants
⚡ Rapid-Fire Presentations (3 min / 1 slide) - For students & trainees
🗣 Concurrent Sessions (15-min talk + Q&A) - Preference given to research leads and projects with results

This is your opportunity to share, present, and discuss health research with the community. We welcome researchers, clinicians, students, and trainees to participate!

🔗 Submit your abstract & register today: https://wesparkconference.com/

01/23/2026

Join us for our upcoming WE-SPARK Think Tank, where researchers, community leaders, and innovators come together to tackle complex health challenges through collaboration and data-driven approaches.

👥 Featured Presenters:

🔹 Creating a Community-Driven Research Hub in the Downtown Core
Adrian Guta, PhD – School of Social Work, University of Windsor
A discussion on building an equity-centered, community-driven health research hub grounded in local partnerships and shared data.

🔹 Mapping Complex Chronic Disease Processes
Marcel Dufour – President & Chief Research Analyst, Boomslang Analytics Inc.
Introducing a novel, patient-centric framework to advance chronic disease research and position Canada at the forefront of health innovation.

🔹 Designing Healthier Buildings
Rajeev Ruparathna, PhD – Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Windsor
Exploring a BIM-based tool that integrates health risk insights into building design to protect occupant well-being.

📅 Date: February 13, 2026
⏰ Time: 1:00 – 3:00 PM
📍 Location: Zoom
💲 Cost: FREE

🔗https://www.wesparkhealth.com/conferences-and-workshops-187/think-tank-february-13th-2026
✨ Interested in presenting or sharing ideas for future Think Tanks?
📩 Contact us at wesparkhealth@uwindsor.ca

01/14/2026

🧠🔬 Brain health research spotlight: New findings published in Stem Cell Reports reveal how the protein Spy1 plays a powerful and complex role in regulating adult neural stem cells and tumour growth.

Led by Dr. Lisa Porter, with first authors Dr. Dorota Lubanska and Dr. Ingrid Qemo, this research helps deepen our understanding of brain cancer, aging, and memory, while opening doors to future therapeutic targets for aggressive cancers like glioblastoma.

We’re proud that this work was initially funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and later supported through a WE-SPARK Health Institute Igniting Discovery Grant — fueling discovery right here in Windsor-Essex. 💡✨

🔗 Read more about this exciting advancement in brain science!
https://www.uwindsor.ca/news/2026-01-12/brain-health-research-highlights-powerful-protein%E2%80%99s-role-stem-cells-and-tumour-growth

12/22/2025

📣 Call for Abstracts! Research leads are invited to submit abstracts to present their work at the 2026 WE-SPARK Health Research Conference.

🗣 Concurrent Sessions
Designed for research leads to showcase and discuss ongoing or completed research, these sessions include a 15-minute presentation followed by 5 minutes of Q&A. Preference will be given to projects with results and clear impact.

🖼 Poster Sessions
Open to all participants and ideal for visually showcasing key findings. Posters will be displayed for the full duration of the conference, with awards for Top Poster Presentations.

⚡ Rapid-Fire Sessions (Students & Trainees)
A fast-paced, 3-minute, 1-slide format highlighting current or completed research. Selected presenters will also participate in the poster session.

🗓 Abstract submission deadline: January 30, 2026
👉 Submit your abstract: https://wesparkconference.com/abstract-submission/

12/18/2025

📣 Call for Abstracts | Presentation Options

Looking to share your health research at the 2026 WE-SPARK Health Research Conference? We offer multiple presentation formats to suit your work and experience level:

🖼 Poster Session
Open to all participants. A great way to visually showcase your research and engage in discussion throughout the day.
🏆 Awards for Top Poster Presentations

⚡ Rapid-Fire Session (Students & Trainees)
Present your research in a fast-paced, 3-minute, 1-slide format—think elevator pitch.
🏆 Awards for the Top 3 Rapid-Fire Presentations
✔️ Selected Rapid-Fire presenters will also participate in the Poster Session.

🗣 Concurrent Session (Research Leads)
A 15-minute presentation with 5 minutes for Q&A, designed for in-depth discussion of ongoing or completed research. Preference given to projects with results.

🗓 Abstract submission deadline: January 30, 2026
👉 Submit your abstract or register: https://wesparkconference.com/abstract-submission/

12/17/2025

🎉 Big congratulations to WE-SPARK Core Principal Member Dr. Adrian Guta!

Dr. Guta has been appointed Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Health Disparities and Public Health at the University of Windsor—a prestigious national honour recognizing his impactful, community-engaged research.

A leading scholar in HIV, sexual health, substance use, and harm reduction, Dr. Guta partners with communities and people with lived experience to advance equitable, evidence-informed public health solutions that save lives and strengthen care systems.

We’re proud to have Dr. Guta as part of the WE-SPARK research community! 🌱

12/15/2025

📣 Take advantage of our Early Bird Registration!

🎟 Early Bird Pricing (Limited Time):
🎓 Students: $55 (Regular $85)
👥 General Admission: $185 (Regular $225)

Join us for the 2026 WE-SPARK Health Research Conference on March 28, 2026, a day to present, share, and discuss health research with researchers, clinicians, trainees, and community partners.

✨ Meet Our Plenary Speakers:
🔹 Dr. Sunit Das, MD PhD
🔹 Dr. Nikki Woods, PhD
🔹 Dr. Ross Upshur, BA(Hons), MA, MD, MSc

📢 Call for Abstracts – Now Open!
We’re excited to introduce a special abstract category:
“Case Studies / Learnings from the Field” — highlighting real-world applications and practical research insights.
🗓 Abstract deadline: January 30, 2026

👉 Register, submit an abstract, and learn more: https://wesparkconference.com/

12/12/2025

A huge thank you to the WonderBroads for donating $2,200 toward breast cancer research! 💗

Dr. Bre-Anne Fifield took the team behind the scenes for a tour of our cancer research labs, and they were blown away by the incredible work happening right here in Windsor! 👩‍🔬

We’re grateful for their passion, support, and dedication to supporting cancer research. 🌟

11/28/2025

🎗️ Big news in cancer research at !

Dr. Munir Rahim is the first recipient of a national grant from the Cancer Research Society, in collaboration with Play For A Cure and WE-Spark Health Institute.

His team has been awarded $135,000 to explore how our immune system responds to cancer, paving the way for new therapies to fight cancer.

A huge thank you to our community, youth leaders, donors, and the incredible U11 Lakeshore Lightning Girls hockey team, who donated their $100,000 Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup prize to CRCF, for making this possible. 💙

Together, we’re building the next generation of scientists and bringing hope to cancer patients everywhere.

🔗 Read more about the project: https://brnw.ch/21wXSU5

Address

Windsor, ON

Telephone

+15192533000

Website

http://www.wesparkhealth.com/

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