Scholarship@Western

Thirunavuakarsu, Bavina F

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Answers Begin with Questions 
Bavina F. Thirunavuakarsu 
Western University, bthiruna@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Thirunavuakarsu, Bavina F., "Answers Begin with Questions" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection 
of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 722. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/722 
Answers Begin with Questions 
 
The miracle of life is a world full of unasked questions and hidden answers. In this 
miracle I learned that the art of caring can extend beyond the bedside and to under a microscope. 
My inspiration to pursue diabetes research stems from a question I’ve asked my whole life: 
Why? As a child, I was deeply moved by my grandmother’s strength. The pancreas has been a 
lifelong challenge for her, from being treated for gestational diabetes in bunkers during wartime 
to managing daily insulin injections decades later. She survived; she’s alive. Her resilience 
stayed with me and sparked my desire to understand: Why? Today, my research focuses on how 
the pancreas adapts during pregnancy, particularly whether delta-cells may convert into insulin-
producing beta-cells and contribute to the expansion of beta-cell mass seen during pregnancy. 
My curiosity lies in uncovering how the body heals from within, and to understand; Why?   


Answers Begin with Questions

Hazrati, Forough

Letters as a Laboratory: Rethinking Émile Zola’s Battles Through His Correspondence

Parameswaran, Shajaky

Cunningham, B. J.

Holmes, Jeffrey David

Page, Allyson D.

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Giving Voice to Experience: A Scoping Review of Speech Therapy 
Perceptions in Parkinson’s Disease and Hypokinetic Dysarthria 
Shajaky Parameswaran 
The University of Western Ontario, sparame3@uwo.ca 
B. J. Cunningham 
The University of Western Ontario, bj.cunningham@uwo.ca 
Jeffrey David Holmes 
The University of Western Ontario, jeff.holmes@uwo.ca 
Allyson D. Page 
The University of Western Ontario, allyson.page@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Parameswaran, Shajaky; Cunningham, B. J.; Holmes, Jeffrey David; and Page, Allyson D., "Giving Voice to 
Experience: A Scoping Review of Speech Therapy Perceptions in Parkinson’s Disease and Hypokinetic 
Dysarthria" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship 
and Creative Activity. 797. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/797 
Giving Voice to Experience: A Scoping Review of Speech Therapy Perceptions in 
Parkinson’s Disease and Hypokinetic Dysarthria 
 
Parameswaran S., Cunningham, B.J., Holmes, J., & Page, A.D. 
 
Communication is at the heart of human connection—but for people with Parkinson’s disease 
(PD), successful communication can be disrupted by a motor speech disorder called hypokinetic 
dysarthria. Speech therapy can help, but how do individuals with PD actually experience these 
therapies? This research project takes a closer look. Through a qualitative scoping review, we 
aim to explore what people with PD say about their challenges with communication and their 
experiences with speech therapy—what works, what doesn’t, and what truly makes a difference. 
By gathering insights from existing studies, we hope to uncover key themes that reflect real-life 
perspectives and needs. Our findings will help shape future research and guide speech therapy 
practices that are more responsive and personalized. Ultimately, this work will support more 
effective, patient-centered care—ensuring that every voice has the chance to be heard. 
 


Giving Voice to Experience: A Scoping Review of Speech Therapy Perceptions in Parkinson’s Disease and Hypokinetic Dysarthria

Al-Banaa, Nouran N

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Friend or foe? The immune system. Friend or foe? Stem cells. 
Nouran N. Al-Banaa 
Western University, nalbanaa@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Al-Banaa, Nouran N., "Friend or foe? The immune system. Friend or foe? Stem cells." (2025). Inspiring 
Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 800. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/800 
Nouran Al-Banaa 
Title: Friend or foe? The immune system. Friend or foe? Stem cells. 
Ancient philosophies speak of balance as the essence of the universe, our solar system, 
our planet, our bodies, and even our cells, which orchestrate every imperative microscopic 
process that keeps us healthy. Balanced. In type 1 diabetes, the orchestra of our immune 
system turns on us when an imposter joins the symphony: rogue immune cells attacking 
the pancreas, ruining its melody by killing off the insulin-producing cells. How do we 
restore balance? How do we keep those harmful immune cells from ruining the harmony 
again? I work with a special kind of stem cell called multipotent stromal cells (MSC). These 
cells are tireless protein factories producing factors that fight off unwanted immune 
attacks and help the pancreas regenerate new insulin-producing cells. The best of both 
worlds. My research explores how to harness the full potential of MSC and restore 
pancreatic balance at the cellular level, where health begins. 
 
 


Friend or foe? The immune system. Friend or foe? Stem cells.

Regier, Tielly

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
When Dementia Throws Punches—Can Knowledge Be a Shield? 
Tielly Regier 
Western University, tregier6@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Regier, Tielly, "When Dementia Throws Punches—Can Knowledge Be a Shield?" (2025). Inspiring Minds – 
A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 801. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/801 
When Dementia Throws Punches—Can Knowledge Be a Shield? 
 
Caring for someone with dementia can be overwhelming—especially when behaviours like 
aggression or wandering show up unannounced, catch you off guard, and sweep you off your 
feet… in the worst way. My research focuses on informal caregivers—the unspoken (and often 
unpaid) heroes of our healthcare system—who support loved ones with dementia at home through 
all the chaos and heart. I’m exploring how these caregivers perceive the influence of education 
about dementia-related behaviours. Do they believe it could actually help them? Could it improve 
care quality, reduce stress, or help their loved ones stay at home longer? Through surveys and 
interviews, I’m asking what they wish they’d known earlier, and what kind of information could 
make a real difference in their day-to-day lives. The goal? To create an educational tool that helps 
caregivers feel more confident, less burned out, and better equipped. Because when we empower 
our everyday superheroes, everyone wins. 
 
By Tielly Regier – MScN (candidate) 


When Dementia Throws Punches—Can Knowledge Be a Shield?

Flanagan, Morgan

Cunningham, BJ

Page, Allyson

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Beyond Speech Quality: Exploring Speech Outcomes for Adults 
with Velopharyngeal Dysfunction 
Morgan Flanagan 
The University of Western Ontario, mflana3@uwo.ca 
BJ Cunningham 
The University of Western Ontario, bj.cunningham@uwo.ca 
Jeffrey David Holmes 
The University of Western Ontario, jeff.holmes@uwo.ca 
Allyson Page 
The University of Western Ontario, allyson.page@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Flanagan, Morgan; Cunningham, BJ; Holmes, Jeffrey David; and Page, Allyson, "Beyond Speech Quality: 
Exploring Speech Outcomes for Adults with Velopharyngeal Dysfunction" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A 
Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 828. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/828 
Speaking clearly is something many of us take for granted—but for adults with velopharyngeal 
dysfunction (VPD), it can be a lifelong struggle. VPD happens when the soft palate doesn’t close 
properly, letting air escape through the nose and making speech sound nasal and sometimes 
unclear. Even after surgery or speech therapy, many adults continue to struggle—not just with 
being understood, but with confidence, relationships, and life participation. Yet, most research 
focuses on physical speech traits like airflow and sound quality, with less attention given to 
understanding how VPD affects participation in everyday life. This project reviews speech 
outcomes currently measured in adults with VPD and compares them to the broader International 
Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework. The goal? To reveal 
research gaps and advocate for outcome measures that capture the real-world participation of 
adults with VPD, because truly successful communication is about participating in life.  
 
 
 
 


Beyond Speech Quality: Exploring Speech Outcomes for Adults with Velopharyngeal Dysfunction

Niazigharemakher, Afieh

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
What patients tell us can predict future back pain or disability 
Afieh Niazigharemakher 
aniazigh@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Niazigharemakher, Afieh, "What patients tell us can predict future back pain or disability" (2025). Inspiring 
Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 832. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/832 
What patients tell us can predict future back pain or disability 
Afieh Niazigharemakher, Ph.D. Candidate in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences 
Low back pain is one of the main reasons people live with long-term disability. When patients 
share information about their health, it can help guide treatment decisions. This works well for 
new or short-term back pain, but it's less clear how helpful it is for long-lasting (chronic) back 
pain. 
In this project, we reviewed 57 studies that looked at what patient-reported information might 
help predict future pain or disability in people with chronic low back pain. We found that 
people who believe less in their ability to manage their pain (low self-efficacy) are more likely to 
experience more pain and disability in the short term. Also, people who report more pain early 
on tend to have more disability later. 
This suggests that self-confidence and early pain levels are important when planning care for 
chronic low back pain. More research is needed to better understand other possible predictors. 
 


What patients tell us can predict future back pain or disability

Du, Haoran

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Microclimate meteorology in urban environments 
Haoran Du 
hdu59@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Du, Haoran, "Microclimate meteorology in urban environments" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital 
Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 834. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/834 
Microclimate meteorology in urban environments 
Haoran Du 
My research investigates the complex flow dynamics within the atmospheric boundary layer 
(ABL), with a focus on urban environments modelled by street canyons - the narrow spaces formed 
between buildings. The recirculating vortices, shear layers, and channeling effects caused by street 
canyons influence the dispersion of airborne pollutants, often leading to the accumulation of 
contaminants at pedestrian level. These same flow mechanisms also govern snow drifting patterns, 
where localized turbulence results in uneven snow deposition, impacting pedestrian mobility and 
accessibility. By combining computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations with wind tunnel 
experiments, my research goal is to gain a deeper understanding of these processes. Furthermore, 
the integration of deep learning techniques enhances the prediction of flow behaviours. This 
research ultimately supports the development of data-informed urban planning strategies that 
improve air quality, pedestrian wind comfort, and overall environmental resilience in cities. (140 
words) 


Microclimate meteorology in urban environments

We discuss two examples of modeling common systems for heating, including the definitions of the thermal processes, block diagrams, modeling equations and simulation using Maple:
Example A – Domestic Tapwater Boiler  (20 mins)
Example B – Electric Kitchen Oven (22 mins

Andriessen, Willem

Applications of Maple in Education Part 1

George, Catherine M

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Has your world shrunk? 
Catherine M. George 
Western University, cgeorg48@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
George, Catherine M., "Has your world shrunk?" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s 
Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 685. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/685 
Catherine George 
 
Word Limit: 150 
Word Count: 135 
 
Has your world shrunk? 
Have you had to give up skiing or going to a restaurant with friends because you are 
concerned about having a fall? Do you feel like your world has shrunk because you must 
miss out on activities and places that might lead to a fall? 
 We all have had a fall, but it doesn’t limit us from doing things that matter to us. For stroke 
survivors, the risk of falling is much higher and falls or the potential risk of falling often 
affects their participation in important life activities. My project aims to understand what 
some of the common causes of falls among stroke survivors and the impact of falls on daily 
activities are. Along with stroke survivors, we will also list out ways to address some of 
these causes or the impact of falls.  
 
 
 


Western University

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