Raj Bhullar [PhD/85], professor of oral biology and associate dean (research) of the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, and Robert Schroth [DMD/96, M.Sc./03, PhD/11], professor of preventive dental science and researcher with the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), belong
to a team of principal applicants for “Network for Canadian Oral Health Research,” awarded $2 million by the CIHR.

James Blanchard [B.Sc.(Med.)/86, MD/86], professor of community health sciences, Canada Research Chair in epidemiology and global public health, and executive director of the UM Institute for Global Public Health, has been elected a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

Mandy Buss [B.Sc./03, MD/09], assistant professor of family medicine, has been elected president of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada. Buss, who is Métis, is the Indigenous health lead in the UM department of family medicine.

Dr. Wael El-Matary, professor of pediatrics and child health and researcher with CHRIM, received $1,036,114 from the Shaare Zedek Medical Center/Helmsley Charitable Trust for “Prevention of inflammatory bowel diseases in persons at risk: The PIONIR trial.”

Dr. Evelyn Forget, professor of community health sciences, received an honorary doctorate of science from Queen’s University in 2022. Forget is a health economist whose research examines the health and social implications of poverty and inequality.
She is an international expert on the concept of basic income.

Tara Horrill [BN/05, PhD/21], assistant professor of nursing, is principal investigator for “How can health equity be integrated into cancer care? Identifying organizational factors to support equity-oriented care for older adults who are highly marginalized,” awarded an Oncology Nursing Foundation grant of $67,900.

Aaron Kim [B.Sc./82, DMD/87], associate professor of restorative dentistry, received the 2022 Lyle Best Humanitarian Award from the Manitoba Dental Foundation. Kim’s humanitarian work includes dental mission trips to countries such as Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Lorrie Kirshenbaum [M.Sc./88, PhD/92], professor of physiology/pathophysiology and pharmacology/therapeutics, Canada Research Chair in molecular cardiology and director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, received CIHR funding of $1.1 million for “Regulation of programmed necrosis in the heart.”

Dr. Josée Lavoie, professor of community health sciences and director of Ongomiizwin, Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing – Research, has been elected a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

Michelle Lobchuk [BN/92, MN/95, PhD/01], associate professor of nursing, is principal investigator for “Online empathy: Acceptability and effectiveness of the In Your Shoes app to nursing students,” which received a College of Nursing Endowment Fund grant of $7,500 and a Fort Garry Legion Poppy Trust Fund grant of $2,000.

Dr. Robert Lorway, professor of community health sciences and Canada Research Chair in global intervention politics and social transformation, received $512,550 from the CIHR for “Confronting homophobia in anal health: community-based program science and HPV among MSM in Nairobi, Kenya.”

Michael Mulvey [B.Sc./85, PhD/90], professor of medical microbiology and infectious diseases, was awarded the 2022 Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Medal. The award recognizes a significant and lasting impact on the Public Health Agency of Canada, its people or its work in the promotion and advancement of public health in Canada.

Dr. Thomas Murooka, associate professor of immunology, was awarded CIHR funding of $719,100 for “Understanding the cellular mechanisms that drive clonal T cell expansion of the HIV reservoir.”

Joanne Parsons [BMRPT/03, M.Sc./09, PhD/14] and Sandra Webber [BMRPT/90, M.Sc./96, PhD/10], associate professors of physical therapy, are part of a team awarded a Health Sciences Centre Foundation grant of $16,215 for “Adult outpatient musculoskeletal and hand physiotherapy services during healthcare system transformation.”

Bram Ramjiawan [M.Sc./96, PhD/06], adjunct professor of pharmacology and therapeutics, and director of research innovation and regulatory affairs/director of research at Asper Clinical Research Institute, St. Boniface Hospital, has been elected a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

Dr. Mojgan Rastegar, professor of biochemistry and medical genetics and researcher with CHRIM, received funding of $100,000 from the CIHR for “Investigating the molecular and cellular abnormalities of the brain in Rett syndrome.”

Jacquie Ripat [BMROT/92, M.Sc./98, PhD/11], associate professor of occupational therapy and associate dean (research) of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, leads “Power up! How becoming a new power mobility user contributes to children’s participation and well-being,” awarded
$16,750 from CHRIM.

Dr. David Rush, professor of internal medicine and past director of the nephrology training program at UM, has been appointed a member of the Order of Canada. The honour recognizes Rush as one of Canada’s leading kidney transplant clinician-scientists and acknowledges his work on the mechanisms underlying graft rejection.

Dr. Diana Sanchez-Ramirez, assistant professor of respiratory therapy, belongs to a team of investigators across Canada that received a CIHR grant of $10 million for “Canadian adaptive platform trial of COVID-19 therapeutics in community settings.”

Kellie Thiessen [PhD/14], associate professor of nursing, director of the UM midwifery program and researcher with CHRIM, is principal investigator for “Taking a LEAP in care: Complex needs in maternity care re-envisioned with a Lived Experience Advisory Panel,” which received a CHRIM grant of $50,000.

Genevieve Thompson [BN/97, MN/03, PhD/07], associate professor of nursing, received the 2022 Manitoba Gerontological Nursing Association’s Award of Distinction for Research.

Dr. Peter Thompson, assistant professor of physiology and pathophysiology and researcher with CHRIM, received $589,050 from the CIHR for “Mechanisms and consequences of senescent beta cell accumulation in Type 1 diabetes.”

Vanessa Van Bewer [BRS/00, MN/13, PhD/21], assistant professor of nursing, is principal investigator for “Mapping racial disparities in higher education: An Indigenous nursing student-led inquiry,” awarded a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grant of $74,977.

Michael West [B.Sc.Med./73, MD/73, PhD/80], professor emeritus of surgery, has been appointed a member of the Order of Canada. The honour recognizes West’s leadership and advancement of neurosurgery technologies. He introduced gamma knife surgery to Canada, improving the treatment of brain tumours.

Roberta Woodgate [BN/89, MN/93, PhD/01], distinguished professor of nursing, Canada Research Chair in child and family engagement in health research and healthcare, and researcher with CHRIM, is principal investigator for “Engaging youth in mental health research in the COVID-19 pandemic context via a youth co-design arts-based approach,” which received a New Frontiers in Research Fund grant of $177,478.

Dr. Ryan Zarychanski [B.Sc./95, B.Sc.(Med.)/00], associate professor of internal medicine, leads “Anti-thrombotic therapy to ameliorate clinical complications in community-acquired pneumonia,” awarded CIHR funding of more than $3.9 million.

George Zhanel [B.Sc.Pharm/84, PhD/94], professor of medical microbiology and infectious diseases, has been elected a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.