Efficient targeting of multiple components of a tumour might be a successful strategy in aggressive types of cancer such as glioblastoma (GBM), which remains the most common and malignant primary brain tumour with an extremely poor patient survival of less than 15 months. The significant therapeutic challenge posed by GBM stems from its genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity fueled by multiple components of the tumour biology including aggressive and treatment-resistant populations of tumour initiating cells (TICs) and high levels of angiogenesis contributing to tumour evolution, evasion of therapy and recurrence. TICs, which are at the source of GBM patient relapse, thrive in the niches close to the blood vessels where they interact with endothelial cells (ECs), exit the cell cycle, and evade therapies. Targeted antiangiogenic drugs, preventing GBM cells from recruiting new blood vessels, are only effective in 50% of patients and display temporary effectiveness due to acquired secondary resistance by the tumour. Thus, there is an urgent need for new and effective therapeutic strategies. This project will explore the TIC-EC interplay and its role in propagating tumour aggressiveness and therapy resistance. This project will investigate the impact of ECs on the aggressive characteristics of individual, specific populations of TICs using GBM patient-derived systems, including 3D organoid models and zebrafish patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). Elucidating the details of specific cellular populations of aggressive TICs with dependence on the EC component will contribute to the identification of improved therapeutic targets and personalized approaches for treatment of patients with GBM.

Background International Agricultural Workers (IAWs) are vital to Canadian agriculture but face significant language and cultural barriers. Windsor-Essex is uniquely situated to support programs serving IAWs, as over 50% of Canada’s IAW population resides in this region. An English language support program was established with the University of Windsor (UoW) and Schulich School of Medicine (SsoM) to address barriers exacerbating healthcare challenges. Objectives This work seeks to report on the program’s implementation and protocols and assess effectiveness in enhancing language proficiency, community integration, and medical student engagement with IAWs. Proposed Methods IAWs were recruited from the South Essex Community Council (SECC), and English partners from UoW and SSoM. Following an oral presentation outlining the program, 18 IAWs and 15 medical students enrolled. Participants were paired based on availability and language proficiency. Partners were given a weekly slide deck that guided conversations aligned with IAWs’ language lessons. Weekly reflections, monthly meetings, surveys and interviews will be conducted with medical student volunteers to evaluate their experiences and program impact. Future Directions Preliminary survey and interview results indicate positive outcomes for both IAWs and participating medical students. IAWs reported improved English proficiency and a greater sense of community inclusion. Medical students demonstrated increased cultural awareness and understanding of challenges faced by IAWs, fostering a deeper commitment to addressing inequities in healthcare. This work underscores the potential of a language support program to enhance cultural competency among future healthcare professionals while improving quality of life and access to resources for IAWs.

How can we harness data and community engagement to create safer, more connected neighbourhoods? Funded by WE-SPARK and conducted in collaboration with St. Clair College and the City of Windsor’s Social Policy & Planning team, this project sought to answer that question. Initially focused on developing a data consortium to support affordable housing, the project evolved based on stakeholder feedback to address two key objectives: (1) assessing the user experience of the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) to enhance its usability and effectiveness, and (2) developing a Neighbourhood Safety and Crime Prevention Walk Toolkit to equip residents, municipalities, and law enforcement with practical strategies for community-based crime prevention. The HIFIS assessment involved an online survey distributed to 11 organizations, with 46 users providing insights on training needs, system strengths, and challenges. The crime prevention toolkit was co-designed with stakeholders, incorporating Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles, and piloted in real-world settings. Survey findings identified critical training and system improvement opportunities, informing targeted recommendations for enhancing HIFIS usability in our local context. The crime prevention toolkit received positive stakeholder feedback, empowering communities to take an active role in fostering community well-being via safer neighborhoods. By combining data insights with community-based safety initiatives, this project lays the groundwork for sustainable improvements in crime prevention, and overall community health, safety, and well-being across Windsor-Essex.

Background: Windsor Shelter Health (WSH) offers = on-site medical services at shelters and drop-in centres for people experiencing homelessness (PEH) in Windsor, Ontario. PEH face barriers to health, including competing demands that may outweigh their desire for healthcare, transportation barriers, and being lost to follow up. WSH was established to improve healthcare experiences and outcomes for PEH by enhancing access to care that addresses their needs and improves population health. Approach: A survey was developed, validated, and distributed to client-facing staff at shelters and drop-in centres to understand the current state of healthcare access for PEH in Windsor and identify unmet healthcare service needs of PEH in Windsor as understood by client-facing workers to enhance the WSH model. Results: Survey results (n = 60) indicated strong support (96.7%) for continuous, ongoing, and direct shelter health supports accessible to PEH. Services felt to be most important included access to physicians for primary care, psychiatric care, addictions medicine, access to harm reduction, wound care, and counselling. Delays in access to care were felt to be due to clients’ fear and mistrust of the healthcare system, clients’ concerns regarding stigma experienced, and a lack of transportation. Conclusion: Results of the project will serve as a baseline for the development of targeted programs and services to effectively support and improve health care access and outcomes for people experiencing homelessness in Windsor. This may serve as a model for similar jurisdictions on how to build a well-integrated shelter-health model.

Background: previous research highlights many barriers faced by individuals experiencing homelessness and nearing the end of life. Despite years of research examining the gaps in palliative and end-of-life care, people experiencing homelessness remain unsupported by both medical and social services systems. Objectives: this study examines health equity at the intersection of palliative and non-profit care for individuals experiencing homelessness in Calgary, Canada. We were guided by the Health Equity Framework to interpret our findings. Our aim was to identify actionable solutions within existing systems and explore strategies that can bridge silos between medical and social services. Proposed Methods: semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven service users of a mobile palliative care organization and 11 healthcare providers whose work intersected both medical and social services. Using inductive thematic analysis, supported by NVivo 14 software, we identified opportunities for promoting equitable palliative and end-of-life care. Results/Implications: three interconnected themes emerged where shifts in (1) provider attitudes, (2) governance and policy changes, and (3) improved access to resources/streamlined navigation, shaped access to care. This study emphasizes locally adaptable, equity-driven solutions, moving beyond identifying barriers to care. It also contributes to the dialogue on collaboration and inter-systemic reform to better support individuals experiencing homelessness and nearing the end of life. Our findings encourage health care professionals from social work and medical settings to come together to deliver equity-focused care and for accessible sharing and dissemination of information and resources. Keywords: palliative end of life care, health equity, homelessness, houselessness, resource navigation, community-based care