Dr. Lynda Balneaves [B.Sc./90, BN/94, MN/96], associate dean (research) and professor at the College of Nursing, has been named a fellow of the Society for Integrative Oncology. Balneaves is principal investigator for “Complementary medicine use and risk of death among individuals living with cancer: A secondary analysis,” which received a College of Nursing grant of $15,000.

Marissa Becker [MD/99], professor of community health sciences, received Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) funding of $975,375 for “Prioritizing place in sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection prevention in Kenya: Reframing prevention programs through program science.”

Dr. Anna Chudyk, assistant professor of pharmacy and researcher with CHRIM, is a co-applicant for “Empowering communities: developing strategies to improve uptake of the CARE project,” which received $25,000 from the Ontario SPOR Support Unit. Chudyk is also co-principal investigator for “Beyond tokenism: a communication-based approach to strengthening patient-researcher partnerships,” awarded a Manitoba Centre for Nursing and Health Research grant of $7,500.

Cheryl Cusack [B.Hum.Ec./89, BN/93, PhD/15], instructor II in nursing, was inducted as a 2024 fellow of the Canadian Academy of Nursing. Cusack has made significant contributions to community health nursing at the provincial and national levels, including her role as past president of the Community Health Nurses of Canada.

Dr. Sandor Demeter, associate professor of community health sciences and radiology, received the 2024 Distinguished Achievement Award from the Canadian Radiation Protection Association, recognizing outstanding contributions to the field.

Dr. Christine Kelly [MA/07], associate professor of community health sciences, has been appointed to the National Seniors Council, which advises the Government of Canada on issues and opportunities related to seniors’ health, well-being and quality of life.

Yoav Keynan [PhD/14], professor of internal medicine, is a Manitoba principal investigator for the Ayaangwaamiziwin Centre, a new initiative to “test, treat and link to culturally safe care” people at risk for HIV and/or syphilis in the Prairies, Yukon, Nunavut and Northwest Territories. Following an initial $4 million in support from the CIHR and other funders, the centre received $3.75 million from the CIHR to expand its work.

Dr. Kaarina Kowalec [B.Sc. (Hons.)/08, M.Sc./11], associate professor of pharmacy, is principal investigator for “Polygenic applications to brain and physical reserve in multiple sclerosis,” which received U.S. Department of Defense funding of US$249,822. Kowalec is also part of a team that received CIHR funding of $1,999,180 for “Examining intersections of biographies and biologies: diversity and outcomes of people with multiple sclerosis in Canada (iBio2Div-MS).”

Dr. Jonathan McGavock [BPE/97], professor of pediatrics and child health and researcher with CHRIM, received CIHR funding of $1,266,075 for “Honouring ourselves and the land – Reducing inequities in trail use for First Nations and Métis people in urban centres in Manitoba.”

Dr. Deborah McPhail [BA/01], associate professor of community health sciences, received the 2024 Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Campbell Outreach Award from UM. The award recognized McPhail’s work in health equity, curriculum development and community partnerships, which has strengthened the relationship between UM and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Dr. Donald Miller, professor of pharmacology and therapeutics, leads “Improving therapeutic outcomes in medulloblastoma through optimizing brain delivery of agents targeting inhibitors of apoptosis proteins,” awarded $592,876 by the CIHR.

Kim Mitchell [BA/92, BN/97, MN/02, PhD/21], assistant professor of nursing, is principal investigator for “Can C-Tests predict early academic success? An exploratory study of performance and intersectionality in early program nursing students,” awarded a College of Nursing grant of $15,000.

Dr. Thomas Murooka, associate professor of immunology, received CIHR funding of $1,139,850 for “Role of mucosal neutrophils in driving HIV/HPV infection and disease progression.”

Joanne Parsons [BMRPT/03, M.Sc./09, PhD/14], associate professor of physical therapy and researcher with CHRIM, leads “Gendered sporting bodies: Exploring environmental influences on the ‘gendering’ of girls’ sports injuries,” which received Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council funding of $384,089.

Samantha Pauls [B.Sc.(Hons.)/09, PhD/17], assistant professor of pharmacy and researcher with CHRIM, leads “Effects of fatty acids on gene expression and function in the immune system,” which received NSERC funding of $202,500. Pauls is also principal investigator for “Impact of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on mouse monocyte metabolism,” awarded a Manitoba Medical Service Foundation grant of $45,000.

Christy Pylypjuk [MD/07], associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences and researcher with CHRIM, received a 2024 Terry G. Falconer Memorial Rh Institute Foundation Emerging Researcher Award in the health sciences category, recognizing her research to improve outcomes for pregnant patients and their babies.

Dr. Dake Qi, associate professor of pharmacy and researcher with CHRIM, leads “TAAR1 in adipose tissue is a novel therapeutic target to combat atypical antipsychotics-induced metabolic dysfunction via downregulation of MIF,” awarded $849,150 by the CIHR. Qi also leads “Dopamine receptor 1 (DRD1) regulates macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) expression and release in adipocytes: A novel endocrine mechanism in white adipose tissue,” which received $195,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council.

Dr. Inna Rabinovich-Nikitin, assistant professor of physiology and pathophysiology, received a CIHR grant of $1,032,750 for “Period gene regulates cardiac lipid metabolism and lipotoxic stress following myocardial infarction.”

Dr. Zulma Rueda, associate professor of medical microbiology and infectious diseases and Canada Research Chair in sexually transmitted infection – resistance and control, is co-principal Investigator for “All together 4 IDEAS: inclusivity, diversity and equity to address drivers and interventions to curtail the syndemics experienced by people diagnosed with HIV and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections,” awarded $2 million by the CIHR.

Dr. Diana Sanchez-Ramirez, associate professor of respiratory therapy, is co-investigator for “Association between chronic health conditions and long COVID symptoms and the role of vaccination status: Results from the Canadian COVID-19 Antibody and Health Survey 2022, 2023 cycles,” awarded Long COVID Web funding of $50,000.

Dr. Deanna Santer, assistant professor of immunology and researcher with CHRIM, received CIHR funding of $967,725 for “Role of type III interferons in regulating mucosal immunity in a healthy gut versus ulcerative colitis.”

Dr. Chrysi Stavropoulou [B.Sc.(Hons.)/09, PhD/17], assistant professor of dental diagnostic and surgical sciences and director of graduate periodontics, is co investigator for “The impact of a novel probiotic on non-surgical treatment outcomes in peri-implant diseases: a multi-centre randomized clinical trial,” awarded $20,000 by the Network for Canadian Oral Health Research.

Derek Stein [B.Sc.(Hons.)/05, PhD/14], assistant professor of medical microbiology and infectious diseases, is a co-principal investigator for “A collaborative path to syphilis vaccine development: Bridging biomedical research with community partnerships,” which received CIHR funding of $2 million.

Dr. Patricia Thille, associate professor of physical therapy, received a 2024 Terry G. Falconer Memorial Rh Institute Foundation Emerging Researcher Award in the social sciences category. She was recognized for research that reimagines how care is understood, taught and delivered in ways that promote equity.

Dr. Sonia Udod [B.Sc.(Hons.)/05, PhD/14], associate professor of nursing, is principal investigator for “Co-creating a nurse retention framework for hospital sustainability in Manitoba,” which received a CIHR grant of $15,000 and a Research Manitoba grant of $7,000.

Vanessa Van Bewer [BRS/00, MN/13, PhD/21], assistant professor of nursing, is principal investigator for “Alaantoor de la taab: Exploring leadership practices of Métis women leaders in healthcare using a kitchen table methodology,” awarded a College of Nursing grant of $15,000.

Dr. Mirella Veras, assistant professor of physical therapy, is principal investigator for “Building relationships with Indigenous communities: An initiative for primary health care,” awarded $14,670 by the UM Indigenous Research Program.

Jarret Woodmass [B.Sc./07, B.Sc.(Med.)/11, MD/11], assistant professor of surgery, received CIHR funding of $455,175 for “Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with and without subscapularis repair: Randomized controlled trial evaluating patient-reported and clinical outcomes.”p>

Frederick Zeiler [B.Sc./05, MD/10], professor of surgery, received Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council funding of $338,500 for “Near infrared spectroscopy for non-invasive modelling and derivation of core and subject-specific cerebral physiologic processes.” Zeiler also received CIHR funding of $300,000 for “Continuous neuroprotection based personalized depth of sedation targeting in biomechanical neural injury.”