Scholarship@Western

Kalman, Ben

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Under Pressure: Experimentally Studying the Cores of Planets and 
Moons 
Ben Kalman 
Western University, bkalman2@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Kalman, Ben, "Under Pressure: Experimentally Studying the Cores of Planets and Moons" (2025). Inspiring 
Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 783. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/783 
Under Pressure: Experimentally Studying the Cores of Planets and Moons 
 
 
The Earth’s magnetic field protects all life on the planet from the constant stream of harmful 
solar radiation. This magnetosphere is produced by the movement of material within the Earth’s 
liquid, metallic outer core. Other terrestrial, or “Earth-like” planets, such as Mercury and Mars, 
also have metallic cores made of iron, nickel, and several lighter elements. However, the 
extreme pressures and temperatures within these cores make them difficult to study 
experimentally. My research uses large-volume presses to study the physical properties of iron 
alloys, specifically iron-silicon, at high pressures and temperatures. The goal of my research is 
to use the “melting boundary” of iron-silicon to determine the composition of cores in small 
terrestrial bodies. These include the Moon, Mercury, Ganymede, Io, and Europa. Understanding 
what these cores are made of can tell us more about how they formed, and whether they could 
have possessed a magnetosphere in their lifetime.  


Under Pressure: Experimentally Studying the Cores of Planets and Moons

Kenny, Karla M

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Messy, Beautiful, Queer: Through Science to Justice 
Karla M. Kenny 
Western University, kkenny6@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Kenny, Karla M., "Messy, Beautiful, Queer: Through Science to Justice" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital 
Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 806. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/806 
MESSY, BEAUTIFUL, QUEER: 
THROUGH SCIENCE TO JUSTICE  
I explore many facets of queer existence, how we
love, desire, survive and resist, not just through
surveys or theories, but through the lens of lived,
complex, and often messy realities. 
Drawing from both social and evolutionary
psychology, my research asks: What does love and
connection look like when we stop assuming
straightness is the default? How do queer people
navigate relationships or loss the of social support?
And how do systemic barriers, like housing precarity,
food insecurity, and lack of care shape queer lives?
 As a lifelong advocate for marginalized communities,
I am motivated by a deep belief that research should
serve the people it studies. Inspired by Magnus
Hirschfeld’s principle of advancing “through science
to justice,” I challenge outdated models and create
space for the full spectrum of queer experience. For
me, research isn’t just about data, it’s about visibility,
inclusivity and lasting change. 
Karla Kenny


Messy, Beautiful, Queer: Through Science to Justice

Loh, Aidan

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Active Children, Stronger Future: A New Approach to Enhancing 
Childhood Arthritis Care 
Aidan Loh 
Western University, aloh3@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Loh, Aidan, "Active Children, Stronger Future: A New Approach to Enhancing Childhood Arthritis Care" 
(2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative 
Activity. 809. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/809 
Inspiring Minds                                                                                                                                          Aidan Loh  
 1 
Active Children, Stronger Future: A New Approach to Enhancing 
Childhood Arthritis Care 
 
Arthritis in children? That’s unheard of, right? Surprisingly, juvenile idiopathic 
arthritis (JIA) is more common than you might think. Often thought of as an adult condition, 
children with arthritis face daily challenges like pain, stiffness, and limited movement. 
Seems like a tough battle, but there’s a solution: exercise therapy! Exercise can help 
children with arthritis get stronger and move better. My project focuses on the development 
of the JIA Exercise Therapy Index (JETI) – a tool to help healthcare providers create 
personalized exercise plans for children with arthritis. The JETI will be developed 
collaboratively with patients, community organizations, and healthcare experts in arthritis 
and rehabilitation. This work will provide healthcare providers with an evidence-based tool 
to deliver personalized therapy for children with arthritis. It will improve treatment 
outcomes, enhance mobility, and increase quality of life – giving active children a stronger 
future. 


Active Children, Stronger Future: A New Approach to Enhancing Childhood Arthritis Care

Saxena, Nishtha

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Unraveling Hidden Corrosion Risks in Canada's Nuclear Waste 
Containers 
Nishtha Saxena 
nsaxena2@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Saxena, Nishtha, "Unraveling Hidden Corrosion Risks in Canada's Nuclear Waste Containers" (2025). 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 
825. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/825 
Unraveling Hidden Corrosion Risks in Canada's Nuclear Waste Containers 
Nishtha Saxena 
How can we ensure the long-term safety of nuclear waste storage? Canada's plan to store used 
nuclear fuel under deep geological repositories relies on 3 mm-thick copper-coated steel 
containers as a corrosion-resistant barrier. These coatings have unique microstructures that 
might act as local hotspots for localized corrosion, threatening the container’s integrity over 
time. And when it comes to nuclear waste storage, even small failures can have serious 
consequences. My research uses a high-resolution technique called Scanning Electrochemical 
Cell Microscopy (SECCM) to investigate how the microstructural features influence corrosion 
at the sub-microscale.  I aim to detect early signs of localized corrosion under aggressive 
environmental conditions by mapping the relationship between the microstructures and 
electrochemical activity. This high-resolution approach will help improve coating design and 
fabrication, enhancing the durability of these containers under real repository conditions. 
Ultimately, this work contributes to safer, more sustainable nuclear waste management in 
Canada and beyond. 


Unraveling Hidden Corrosion Risks in Canada\u27s Nuclear Waste Containers

Zhao, Jiehan

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Forms of Stigma and Risk of HIV Transmission, Prevention, and 
Treatment among Men Having Sex with Men (MSM): A Scoping 
Review 
Jiehan Zhao 
The University of Western Ontario, jzhao352@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Zhao, Jiehan, "Forms of Stigma and Risk of HIV Transmission, Prevention, and Treatment among Men 
Having Sex with Men (MSM): A Scoping Review" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 839. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/839 
HIV-related stigma creates barriers to prevention, testing, and care for men who have sex with men 
(MSM) in Canada. It appears as healthcare discrimination, internalized stigma, and fear of rejection, 
discouraging service use. Despite initiatives like education, trust-building, and PrEP promotion, gaps 
remain in addressing intersecting stigmas related to sexuality, race, and healthcare access. 
This scoping review will examine how different types of stigma affect HIV risk, prevention, and treatment 
outcomes among MSM in Canada. Eligible studies are peer-reviewed, conducted in Canada, and use 
quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods. Databases include PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, and 
Web of Science. Data will be screened and synthesized to identify patterns. 
Findings will guide stigma-reducing interventions and inclusive policies. Knowledge mobilization through 
stakeholder engagement and recommendations, will support healthcare providers, communities, and 
policymakers in promoting health equity for MSM. 
 


Forms of Stigma and Risk of HIV Transmission, Prevention, and Treatment among Men Having Sex with Men (MSM): A Scoping Review

Van Loon, Colleen L

Housing Insecurity & Health Impacts

Delarosbil, Andrea

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Educational Assistants: It’s about time we let them shine 
Andrea Delarosbil 
Western University, adelaros@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Delarosbil, Andrea, "Educational Assistants: It’s about time we let them shine" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A 
Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 846. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/846 
Educational Assistants: It’s about time we let them shine 
 
Educational assistants typically work with the highest needs students in Ontario schools, 
yet they have received the least amount of training. How equitable is this system? I argue 
that we are not setting up students for success nor are we ensuring staff have the 
resources and skills to meet the needs of learners. Students with learning challenges 
continually do not meet their goals while staff loose efficacy in their roles. My research 
examines the current work of educational assistants in relation to students, teachers, 
administration and themselves. I propose alternative ways of utilizing school staff to better 
support inclusive classrooms. Perhaps we simply flip the script: the teacher can work with 
one-on-one with the student with a learning disability while the educational assistant 
supervises the rest of the class during work time. There is a level of grief of letting go of how 
we think classrooms should look before we can imagine how they could be.  


Educational Assistants: It’s about time we let them shine

Zhu, Lisa Y

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Lift, Eat, Repeat: Understanding Eating Disorders in People Who 
Want to be More Muscular 
Lisa Y. Zhu 
Western University, lzhu343@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Zhu, Lisa Y., "Lift, Eat, Repeat: Understanding Eating Disorders in People Who Want to be More Muscular" 
(2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative 
Activity. 848. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/848 
Lift, Eat, Repeat: Understanding Eating Disorders in People Who Want to be More 
Muscular 
  Lisa Y. Zhu 
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect how a person eats and 
how they feel about food and their body. Historically, we have assumed that all people with 
eating disorders are women who want to be thin. However, there is now a growing cultural 
pressure to be muscular, which affects people of all genders, including women, men, and gender 
diverse individuals. The purpose of my research is to better understand unhealthy eating and 
exercise behaviours in people who are trying to build muscle. I focus specifically on how 
anxiety-related factors, such as fear of having a body that doesn’t match the “ideal”, can lead to 
excessive exercise, strict rules around food (like tracking macronutrients), and cycles of bulking 
and cutting. My findings will help us understand how to diagnose and treat eating disorders in 
people who want to be more muscular, not just more thin. 


Lift, Eat, Repeat: Understanding Eating Disorders in People Who Want to be More Muscular

Guneththi, Ushani Tharuka Silva

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Nurses need support too! Well-being among nurses working with 
women who experience intimate partner violence 
Ushani Tharuka Silva Guneththi 
Western University, ugunetht@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Guneththi, Ushani Tharuka Silva, "Nurses need support too! Well-being among nurses working with 
women who experience intimate partner violence" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 687. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/687 
Nurses need support too! Well-being among nurses working with women who experience 
intimate partner violence 
Guneththi Ushani Tharuka Silva 
 
Nurses are often called the backbone of healthcare for their dedicated service to people, 
organizations, and the system. But who takes care of nurses? Do they have the organizational 
support they need? Nurses caring for women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) are at 
risk of experiencing vicarious trauma (VT), moral distress (MD), and burnout, which profoundly 
affect nurses, survivors, as well as the organizations. However, little attention has been given to 
addressing systemic and structural factors and effective organizational interventions to support 
well-being of these nurses. Hence, I am exploring experiences of VT, MD, and burnout among 
nurses working with IPV survivors, organizational/structural and leadership factors contributing 
to these experiences, and their insights on how nurses’ well-being should be addressed in their 
organizations. My findings will inform organizational-level intervention development to address 
nurses’ well-being and help reduce the burden of VT, MD, burnout on nurses, survivors, and the 
organizations. 
 


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Under Pressure: Experimentally Studying the Cores of Planets and Moons

Messy, Beautiful, Queer: Through Science to Justice

Active Children, Stronger Future: A New Approach to Enhancing Childhood Arthritis Care

Unraveling Hidden Corrosion Risks in Canada\u27s Nuclear Waste Containers

Forms of Stigma and Risk of HIV Transmission, Prevention, and Treatment among Men Having Sex with Men (MSM): A Scoping Review

Housing Insecurity & Health Impacts

Educational Assistants: It’s about time we let them shine

Lift, Eat, Repeat: Understanding Eating Disorders in People Who Want to be More Muscular

Nurses need support too! Well-being among nurses working with women who experience intimate partner violence

Interfacial Synthesis of Spirane Nanorods for Selective Detection of Proteinogenic Amino Acids: A Novel Template-Free Approach

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