International Research Students Enhance Western’s Global Reputation

International research students are making significant contributions to Western University’s academic community, acting as vital links between Canada and their home countries. Among them, two standout students, Osmany Hernandez Cruz from Cuba and Lucas Ferreira Marques dos Santos from Brazil, exemplify the positive impact these visiting scholars have on research and campus life.

Cruz, who arrived in London, Ontario in 2019, recalls his first night in Canada vividly. Coming from Holguín, Cuba, where temperatures were a sweltering 33°C, he faced a shocking transition to the bitter cold of -19°C upon landing in Toronto. He was invited to Western University by engineering professor Greg Kopp to work as a Visiting Research Only (VRO) student. Cruz had previously met Kopp while presenting his research on wind impacts on communication towers at the University of Holguín, but faced challenges due to a lack of access to wind tunnels.

Kopp encouraged Cruz to leverage Western’s state-of-the-art facilities, allowing him to advance his research. Over the years, Cruz has become a crucial contributor to the Northern Tornadoes Project, collaborating with Kopp and his team to assess tornado damage across Canada. “Meeting Greg and being part of the research culture at Western has been life changing,” Cruz stated.

The VRO program at Western invites students from around the world to conduct short-term research. These students, who pay tuition at their home institutions, do not incur additional costs at Western. According to Lise Laporte, the senior director of Western International, VRO students enrich the campus environment and foster international connections. “Even though they’re short-term students, they’re important members of our community,” Laporte explained.

Cruz’s experience at Western not only deepened his knowledge of wind engineering but also ignited a passion for structural engineering. After completing his master’s degree in civil engineering in Cuba, he returned to pursue a PhD at Western, which he received in 2024. His doctoral research has significantly influenced the development of building code provisions related to tornadoes, contributing to the National Building Code. Kopp praised Cruz’s work, noting its relevance to real-world applications.

Now a postdoctoral fellow, Cruz is furthering his research on wind fields in downbursts and derechos—windstorms associated with thunderstorms. Beyond his academic pursuits, he has taken on a mentorship role, assisting new students from Cuba in navigating the challenges of living in Canada, from finding housing to understanding local systems.

Another inspiring story comes from Lucas Ferreira Marques dos Santos, who joined Western as a VRO student through the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP). After a long journey beginning with his undergraduate studies at the Federal University of Bahia in Brazil, Ferreira fulfilled a lifelong dream by coming to Canada in 2024.

Having developed a passion for chemistry from a young age, Ferreira self-taught English through online resources. His determination and persistence paid off when he secured an ELAP award, granting him the opportunity to work in a chemistry lab at Western. With a background in analytical chemistry, he embraced the opportunity to explore inorganic chemistry, where he developed catalysts that enhance chemical reactions. “It’s a bit like designing a tool to make reactions work better,” Ferreira explained, highlighting the creative aspects of his research.

His contributions were recognized when he received the inorganic chemistry division award at the 52nd Southern Ontario Undergraduate Student Chemistry Conference in 2024. He also successfully defended his thesis, marking it as the first international undergraduate thesis in his university’s chemistry department.

Ferreira’s transformative experience motivated him to return to Western as a direct-entry PhD student in 2025, where he continues to work under the guidance of professor Johanna Blacquiere. Ferreira is now committed to inspiring other Brazilian students by sharing his journey and serving as a mentor in his community.

Laporte notes the reciprocal benefits of hosting VRO students, stating, “These visiting student researchers often end up becoming great ambassadors for Western.” By enhancing their engagement with the campus community, Western aims to ensure these students take positive experiences back to their home institutions.

Both Cruz and Ferreira exemplify how international research students can foster global connections while contributing to their fields. Their stories highlight not only the academic growth facilitated by Western but also the broader impacts on their respective communities.