Scholarship@Western

Ollen-Bittle, Nikita

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Mapping molecular changes in neurodegenerative disease brain 
tissue 
Nikita Ollen-Bittle 
The University of Western Ontario, nollenbi@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Ollen-Bittle, Nikita, "Mapping molecular changes in neurodegenerative disease brain tissue" (2025). 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 
851. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/851 
Mapping molecular changes in neurodegenerative disease brain tissue 
Neurodegenerative diseases are some of the most devastating conditions for both patients and 
their families. They have the ability to change someone’s personality and impair their memory 
and motor function. Unfortunately, neurodegenerative conditions are also among the hardest to 
treat. My work uses state of the art molecular imaging to create spatial chemical heatmaps of 
molecular changes in post-mortem neurodegenerative disease brain tissue. By identifying 
changes in brain tissue from donors with neurodegenerative disease compared to those without 
neurodegenerative disease we aim to elucidate novel therapeutic targets for the development of 
future treatments.  


Mapping molecular changes in neurodegenerative disease brain tissue

lee, seunghoon

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
CAN PARALYMPIC GAMES MAKE MORE INCLUSIVE SOCIETY 
seunghoon lee 
Western University, slee3257@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
lee, seunghoon, "CAN PARALYMPIC GAMES MAKE MORE INCLUSIVE SOCIETY" (2025). Inspiring Minds – 
A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 761. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/761 
Can Paralympic Games make more inclusive society?  
The Paralympic Games are the second largest multi-sporting event, where the world class 
para-athletes compete every 4 years. Research has shown the Games create a positive 
social impact for people with disabilities. These impacts include disability awareness, 
human rights, accessibility of infrastructure, media misrepresentation, health promotion, 
socialization, and sport participation. The host cities and communities make meaningful 
improvements in these areas from hosting the Games. However, a critical question 
remains ‘how can the hosts maintain the benefits for the Games and beyond?’ I’m 
POSSIBLE, a toolkit designed to educate school children aged 6-12 about Paralympic 
values and disability awareness for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. 36,000 schools 
were involved and implemented the program before the Games and continue until now. 
The aim of my project is to explore the success of the I’m POSSIBLE and contribute to 
developing a sustainable social change legacy model for the future host cities.   


CAN PARALYMPIC GAMES MAKE MORE INCLUSIVE SOCIETY

Robertson Laansoo, Karen

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Examining how Abuse-Free Sport Policies are Implemented within 
Canadian Universities to Enhance the “Athlete” Experience for 
Student-Athletes. 
Karen Robertson Laansoo 
Western University, kroberts@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Robertson Laansoo, Karen, "Examining how Abuse-Free Sport Policies are Implemented within Canadian 
Universities to Enhance the “Athlete” Experience for Student-Athletes." (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital 
Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 777. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/777 
 Karen Laansoo, Western University 
 
   
 
Examining how Abuse-Free Sport Policies are Implemented within Canadian Universities 
to Enhance the “Athlete” Experience for Student-Athletes. 
Creating an abuse-free sport environment requires a collective commitment from 
institutions across the sector to prevent and address maltreatment. For the thousands of student-
athletes competing in interuniversity sport, participation in a safe, inclusive and positive 
environment is essential to their success and well-being. While national policies—such as those 
developed by non-governmental organizations like the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport—are 
designed to support abuse-free sport at the national level, their relevance and application within 
university settings remain under-explored. My research examines how abuse-free sport policies 
are developed and implemented within Canadian universities. By understanding this process, my 
research seeks to guide future policy discussions and support improvements that enhance the 
sport experience for student-athletes. 
 


Examining how Abuse-Free Sport Policies are Implemented within Canadian Universities to Enhance the “Athlete” Experience for Student-Athletes.

Ren, Jing

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
How to Develop Critical Consciousness in the Social Justice-
Oriented Educator? 
Jing Ren 
Western University, jren254@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Ren, Jing, "How to Develop Critical Consciousness in the Social Justice-Oriented Educator?" (2025). 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 
686. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/686 
 
 
How to Develop Critical Consciousness in the Social Justice-Oriented Educator? 
Author: Jing Ren 
          My study looks into how to develop the crucial capacity of critical consciousness in 
educators and school leaders through diverse and innovative strategies that can be incorporated 
into teacher and administrative preparation programs or professional training. Drawing on the 
works of various cultural theorists and critical educational scholars, my research explores using 
strategies such as acting as cultural workers, structured educational observation, immersive 
fieldwork, and other epistemic tools that heighten educators’ concern for and awareness of the 
needs of students from diverse backgrounds and identities. Such skills are essential in today’s 
culturally and demographically diverse schools and can be intentionally developed and fostered. 
Being able to effectively bridge cultural divides and engage in reflective and transformative 
practices ensure that educators act as change agents, striving for democratic and social justice 
goals in schools and moving away from practices of marginalization and exclusion. 


How to Develop Critical Consciousness in the Social Justice-Oriented Educator?

Labrie, Josh

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Petrological characterization of mantle xenoliths 
Josh Labrie 
Western University, jlabrie5@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Labrie, Josh, "Petrological characterization of mantle xenoliths" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital 
Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 705. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/705 
Earth’s mantle makes up the bulk of our planet’s mass and volume, but the way it varies 
in its exact composition remains somewhat of a mystery because of its inaccessibility beneath the 
planet’s crust. To investigate this, my research seeks to examine mantle xenoliths: pieces of rock 
from the mantle that have been brought to the surface and preserved within Earth’s crust. I aim to 
examine the minerals and elements present in mantle xenoliths in order to better understand how 
they may vary between different locations and geological settings. I will do this by using 
microscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron probe microanalysis, and modelling techniques to fully 
characterize the mineralogy and chemistry of each sample. My findings will be used to 
determine the physical and chemical conditions involved in the formation of the mantle xenolith 
samples that I study, with the overall goal of contributing to our understanding of Earth’s mantle.   


Petrological characterization of mantle xenoliths

Robinson, Sophia M H

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Illuminating the Neural Mechanisms of Impulsivity and Negative 
Emotions 
Sophia M H Robinson 
Western University, srobi83@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Robinson, Sophia M H, "Illuminating the Neural Mechanisms of Impulsivity and Negative Emotions" 
(2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative 
Activity. 717. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/717 
Illuminating the Neural Mechanisms of Impulsivity and Negative Emotions 
Words, actions, and choices are things we have all engaged in, at some point, with little forethought 
of their consequences. Often, these impulsive actions have minimal short-term consequences. 
However, for individuals who struggle to control these impulses in their daily lives, impulsivity plays 
a role in long-term development, social interaction or even the emergence of substance abuse. One 
characteristic that differentiates an individual’s ability to control their impulsive nature is their 
ability to do so under negative emotions such as frustration (i.e., negative urgency). 
My research applies a neuroimaging technique that shines light into the brain to record activity of 
specific neurotransmitters and neurons of rats while they perform an impulsivity task. By looking 
into the mechanisms and pathways of the emotional and reward processing centres of the brain 
that drive negative urgency, and the resulting impulsiveness, we seek to identify the factors that 
influence development of these traits. 


Illuminating the Neural Mechanisms of Impulsivity and Negative Emotions

Ariba, Olayinka O

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Women Experiencing Homelessness and Child Separation: A 
Critical Feminist Narrative Inquiry 
Olayinka O. Ariba 
Western University 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Ariba, Olayinka O., "Women Experiencing Homelessness and Child Separation: A Critical Feminist 
Narrative Inquiry" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, 
Scholarship and Creative Activity. 751. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/751 
Women Experiencing Homelessness and Child Separation: A Critical Feminist Narrative 
Inquiry 
When women lose their homes, they often lose more than shelter, they can lose their children 
too, inflicting deep emotional trauma. For mothers, the trauma of child separation, whether before 
or during homelessness, cuts deeply. Research in high-income countries has highlighted this 
devastating reality, but little is known about how it unfolds in low- and middle-income countries. 
This absence limits our understanding and risks making policies and interventions one-dimensional. To 
address this gap, the present study prioritizes amplifying women’s voices from both high- and low-
income settings. By capturing their narratives, it aims to uncover both shared and context-specific 
struggles related to child separation during homelessness. A globally inclusive perspective is essential 
to developing culturally responsive and effective support systems. As homelessness is a worldwide 
issue, incorporating diverse socio-cultural experiences will ensure that interventions are equitable and 
relevant. This research seeks to contribute meaningful, grounded insights that inform policy and 
practice,   


Women Experiencing Homelessness and Child Separation: A Critical Feminist Narrative Inquiry

Xue, Ruixuan

NO TITLE

Campbell, Maxwell

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
A Joint Effort: New Tools for Tackling Hand and Wrist Arthritis 
Maxwell Campbell 
Western University, mcamp225@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Campbell, Maxwell, "A Joint Effort: New Tools for Tackling Hand and Wrist Arthritis" (2025). Inspiring 
Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 757. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/757 
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent musculoskeletal disease affecting nearly half of 
Canadians over 80, commonly occurring in the hand and wrist. There is no known cure for OA, 
only treatments to reduce pain. Typical surgical treatment of OA in the hand and wrist removes 
parts of the arthritic joint, providing some pain relief but at the cost of joint function. My research 
aims to reduce the need for these types of surgeries by designing devices to help us better detect 
and treat hand and wrist OA. I have designed a 3D-printable, low-cost device to standardize wrist 
x-rays, allowing for earlier detection of wrist OA. Additionally, I am in the process of designing a 
new artificial joint to treat thumb OA while preserving function. By improving treatments for OA, 
I hope to help Canadians live longer without disability, promoting healthy and active aging and 
increasing quality of life. 
 


A Joint Effort: New Tools for Tackling Hand and Wrist Arthritis

Platkin, Rafaela

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Tuning In: Understanding How Children Process Sound in 
Complex Environments 
Rafaela Platkin 
Western University, rplatkin@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Platkin, Rafaela, "Tuning In: Understanding How Children Process Sound in Complex Environments" 
(2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative 
Activity. 784. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/784 
Tuning In: Understanding How Children Process Sound in Complex Environments 
Every day, we’re surrounded by sound from conversations, music, traffic, and more. Our brains 
work constantly to make sense of it all, helping us focus on what is important and decide how to 
respond. While this often feels effortless, certain environmental factors can increase the mental 
effort required to succeed. Our research uses neuroimaging and eye tracking to explore how 
children’s brains process different types of spoken stories. We’re particularly interested in how 
they stay engaged and how much listening effort is expended with different stories. By studying 
these processes, we aim to better understand the challenges children face when trying to listen 
and learn. This knowledge can inform the design of more supportive classrooms, reduce mental 
fatigue, and improve learning outcomes. Ultimately, my goal is to develop strategies that help 
children thrive, especially those most impacted by adverse conditions, and ensure every student 
has an equal opportunity to succeed. 
 


Western University

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