Faculty Profile Research Articles

Western Faculty Profile: Dr. Vania F. Prado

Dr. Vania F. Prado is a Professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Western University. Dr. Prado has a background in dentistry and obtained a doctorate in biochemistry at the University of Minas Gerais in Brazil. Her focus is on neurochemical research, specifically on the cholinergic system. Zi Hao Liu had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Prado to learn more about her career path and her research.

Western Faculty Profile: Dr. Shiva Singh

Dr. Shiva Singh is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Western University. Dr. Singh obtained a doctorate in genetics at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. His research looks at genetic and epigenetic factors associated with complex diseases and phenotypes with a focus on neurogenomics. Ramon Brown had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Singh to learn more about his career path and his research.

Western Faculty Profile: Dr. Maxwell J. Smith

Dr. Maxwell J. Smith is an Assistant Professor at the School of Health Studies. Dr. Smith has a background in bioethics and obtained a doctorate in public health ethics at the University of Toronto. His research focus touches on a wide range of issues associated with modern biomedicine and its underlying policies. Yuxuan Jiang had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Smith to learn more about his career path and his research.

Western Faculty Profile: Dr. Steven Kerfoot

Dr. Steven Kerfoot is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at Western University. Dr. Kerfoot has a background in Zoology and obtained a doctorate in Immunology at the University of Calgary. His research focus investigates the contribution of B cells to tissue pathology and multiple sclerosis. Adrienne Chang had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Kerfoot to learn more about his career path and his research.

THE METAPHORICAL PERCEPTIONS OF PROSPECTIVE ENGINEERING TEACHERS TOWARDS THE “EDUCATION”, “TEACHER” AND “TEACHING” CONCEPTS

The purpose of this study is to display prospective teachers’ perceptions towards the concepts “education”, “teacher” and “teaching” through metaphors. This study is a qualitative research and data were collected via metaphors. The sample of this study consisted of 101 first year students studying in different faculties of Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania and participating in initial teachers training in the spring semester of 2016-2017 academic year. Participants completed the sentences: “Education is like … because …”, “Teacher is like … because …” and “Teaching is like…because…” The collected data was analysed through content analysis technique and interpreted accordingly. As a result, 6 categories with 71 metaphors about education, 6 categories with 52 metaphors about teacher and 6 categories with 64 metaphors about teaching were produced. It was concluded that prospective teachers had positive perceptions towards education, teacher and teaching. As another result, it could also be observed that their metaphors differed according to the faculty profile at which prospective teachers are being taught. Based on these data, the study offers a set of curriculum development solutions, oriented towards a more efficient academic teacher training program. The results are discussed in relation to their potential relevance for creating more reflexive prospective teachers and for the optimization of the teaching practice.

Graduate profile of guidance and counseling department faculty of education universitas negeri semarang

Faculty of Education Universitas Negeri Semarang, and 3) readiness alumni of Guidance and Counseling Department Education of Faculty Universitas Negeri Semarang to compete in the work world. The method used is a survey-descriptive. The population for this study is the alumni of Guidance and Counseling Department Faculty of Education Universitas Negeri Semarang that graduated in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 in the region of Central Java Province. The sampling used cluster random sampling techniques (cluster random sampling area). Cluster sampling technique procedures implemented by selecting a sample in Central Java Province randomly. An instrument which is used was questionnaire and interview. Quantitative data analysis techniques using descriptive statistical data and qualitative data analysis using interviews. The results showed that 1) the competence of alumni Guidance and Counseling Department Faculty of Education Universitas Negeri Semarang very well in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Education and Culture of the Indonesia Republic No. 27 of 2008 on Standards Academic Qualifications and Competencies Counselors Indonesia, 2) the suitability of the field work with the field of graduate studies Study Guidance and Counseling Department Faculty of Education Universitas Negeri Semarang is very appropriate, and 3) the alumni are very ready to compete with the alumni Guidance and Counseling Department from other universities.

The Declared Goals of Practicing Physical and Sports Activities by the Students of Babes-Bolyai University from Cluj-Napoca According to Gender and Faculty Profile

The Declared Goals of Practicing Physical and Sports Activities by the Students of Babes-Bolyai University from Cluj-Napoca According to Gender and Faculty Profile

Headache Interest in Academic Neurology Leadership: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Headache disorders are exceedingly common, debilitating neurological conditions, and there is a striking paucity of headache specialists nationally. However, headache education is underrepresented in the curriculum of neurology residency programs and few neurology residents elect to pursue headache medicine fellowships. We aimed to explore the possibility that a low degree of headache interest among neurology department chairs and residency program directors (PDs) underlies this mismatch. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of chairs and PDs associated with ACGME neurology residency programs. Data sources included the ACGME program list, faculty profiles on institutional webpages, Doximity profiles, the American Headache Society (AHS) membership directory, and the roster of United Council for Neurologic Specialties (UCNS) headache diplomates. A headache interest was deemed to be present with the presence of a declared headache or concussion interest, completion of a headache fellowship, active AHS membership, or UCNS certification. Our review included 137 residency programs comprising 127 department chairs, 132 PDs, and 5 faculty who were both chairs and PDs. Of all faculty, 62 (23.5%) were women. Headache expertise was declared by 10 (7.6%) chairs and 13 (9.5%) PDs. Headache fellowship training was pursued by 1 (0.8%) chair and 5 (3.6%) PDs, and among all faculty was the 10th most common subspecialty fellowship pursued. Three (2.3%) chairs and 7 (5.1%) PDs were AHS members. Seven (5.3%) chairs and 10 (7.3%) PDs were UCNS headache certified. An overall headache interest was present in 29 (11.0%) faculty, including 14 (10.6%) chairs and 15 (10.9%) PDs. A graduate degree aside from an MD (eg, PhD, MPH) was more likely to be achieved in faculty without a headache interest (29.4%) than faculty with a headache interest (6.9%, P = .0076). Residency programs where either the chair or PD had a headache interest were just as likely to feature a UCNS headache fellowship program than programs without chair or PD headache interest (25.0 vs 23.0%, P = .83). Current neurology department chairs and residency PDs have low rates of headache interest, which may influence the emphasis of headache education in neurology training. Headache interest is associated with lower rates of other graduate degrees, and future analysis should examine if academic faculty interested in headache are less likely to be in leadership positions because of a lack of research funding, opportunities, or accomplishments.

Western Faculty Profile: Dr. Silvia Penuela

Dr. Silvia Penuela is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Western Ontario. Her research is directed towards understanding the functions and mechanisms of a new family of channel-forming proteins known as Pannexins as well as their associations with and roles in melanoma and other skin cancers. Dr. Penuela also teaches a fourth-year Anatomy and Cell Biology course, “Translational Models of Cancer.”

Western Faculty Profile: Dr. David Hess

Dr. David Hess is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the University of Western Ontario, as well as a Scientist at the Krembil Centre for Stem Cell Biology at the Robarts Research Institute. The focus of his research is on multipotent stem cells and transplantation therapies. WURJ editorial review board member, Danielle Romanchik, had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Hess and hearing his insightful story about his road to research, and current endeavours.

Western Faculty Profile: Dr. Andrew Pruszynski

Dr. Andrew Pruszynski is an assistant professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Western Ontario. He currently teaches a few undergraduate courses offered in the department and has been appointed Tier 2 Canada Research Chair of Sensorimotor Neuroscience. His research interests lie in the neural mechanisms that occur during sensory perception and motor control. Joselia Carlos, a WURJHNS representative, had the pleasure of interviewing him to learn more about his career in research.

Western Faculty Profile: Dr. Graham Thompson

Dr. Graham Thompson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Western Ontario. He completed his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Zoology at the University of Guelph, before going on to complete his PhD in Genetics and Evolution at LaTrobe University. He then went on to complete postdoctoral fellowships at James Cook University, Simon Fraser University and the University of Sydney. He currently teaches undergraduate biology courses, including Animal Behaviour, Behavioural Genetics, and Behavioural Ecology, as well as a graduate seminar course in Behavioural Ecology. His research focuses on the biological basis of insect social behaviour. Dana Nguyen, a member of the Academic Affairs Committee for WURJHNS, had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Thompson to learn more about his career path and his research.

Western Faculty Profile: Dr. Robert Cumming

Dr. Robert Cumming is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Western University. He completed his BSc and Ph.D. at the University of Toronto and now teaches several undergraduate Biology courses. His research focuses on the changes in brain metabolism and antioxidant defenses that occur with age. Amina Kassam, a first-year representative of the Academic Affairs Committee for WURJHNS, interviewed Dr. Cumming to learn more about his career path and relay his advice for students who wish to pursue research.

Western Faculty Profile: Dr. Elizabeth MacDougall-Shackleton

Dr. Elizabeth MacDougall-Shackleton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Western University. Her research focuses on how evolutionary processes interact with ecological processes to shape patterns of genetic variation within and among songbird populations. Dora Parkinson, a member of the Western Undergraduate Research Journal, had the opportunity to interview Dr. MacDougall-Shackleton.

Western Faculty Profile: Dr. Burns Cheadle

Dr. Burns Cheadle is an Associate Professor of Petroleum Geology in the Earth Sciences Department at Western University, and the Director of Science Professionalism and Entrepreneurship in the Faculty of Science. Dr. Cheadle believes in responsible development, and that current industry practices must be informed by good science. WURJ member Wilson Ho had the opportunity to interview him and investigate his career and research.

Western Faculty Profile: Dr. Robert Hudson

Dr. Robert Hudson is a Professor of Chemistry, cross-appointed to Biochemistry. He has been at Western for 19 years, coming here from what he calls “the usual path”. Professor Hudson completed his postdoctoral research at California Institute of Technology in the lab of Professor Peter Dervan “one of the giants of bioorganic chemistry”, where he was for just over two years. Prior to that he completed his undergraduate education, Master’s and PhD at the University of Toronto. His free time is devoted to family, martial arts (something he has been doing for over twenty years), and travelling.

Western Faculty Profile: Dr. Susanne Schmid

Dr. Susanne Schmid is the Associate Dean Research, Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and an Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology at Western University. Dr. Schmid has a background in biology and psychology and obtained a doctorate at the University Eye Hospital in Germany. Her research looks at early stages of sensory information processing and filtering, in particular habituation and prepulse inhibition. Anthony Li, a member of the Academic Affairs Committee for WURJHNS, had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Schmid to learn more about her career path and her research.

Western Faculty Profile: Dr. Dan Lizotte

Dr. Dan Lizotte is an assistant professor cross-appointed in the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics at The University of Western Ontario. His current research focuses on transforming knowledge gleaned from reinforcement learning, machine learning, and statistical techniques into actionable information to be used in the healthcare world. After obtaining his Bachelor of Computer Science at the University of New Brunswick, Dr. Lizotte went to the University of Alberta to complete his Master of Science and Ph.D. in Computing Science. WURJHNS managing editor, Emerald Liang, had the pleasure of interviewing him to learn more about his research, its impact on medicine and advice for Western undergraduate students.

Western Faculty Profile: Dr. Stephen Lomber

Dr. Stephen Lomber is a professor at The University of Western Ontario in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. He completed his Bachelor of Science at The University of Rochester followed by his Ph.D. at the Boston University School of Medicine and he currently holds the Canada Research Chair in Brain Plasticity and Development. Dr. Lomber’s research revolves around the influence of experience on brain development and adaptive neuroplasticity. His lab studies how the brain changes following hearing loss and the changes that occur after a cochlear implantation. In addition, Dr. Lomber is a dedicated professor who teaches undergraduate courses in neuroscience and physiology. Shengjie Ying, a member of the WURJ Academic Affairs Committee, interviewed Dr. Lomber about his career path to Western, passion for teaching, and advice for students.

Western Faculty Profile: Dr. Brad Urquhart

Dr. Brad Urquhart is a Professor in the department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the University of Western Ontario. He completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as his postdoctoral research at Western. Professor Urquhart teaches several undergraduate Pharmacology courses, including Human Pharmacology and Therapeutic Principles (Pharm3620) and Human Toxicology (Pharm4660A). In his research, Professor Urquhart focuses on patients with kidney disease and their response to therapeutics. He supervises students at the graduate level as well as 4th year Honors BMSc students. In his free time, he is an avid sports fan and loves to spend time with his family.