Faculty
Dr. Robert Beattie, assistant professor of biochemistry, was named to the CBC’s Future 40 list that showcases “some of the brightest young minds and influential change-makers under age 40.” Read more
Dr. Renée El-Gabalawy, associate professor of clinical health psychology, was named to the CBC’s Future 40 list that showcases “some of the brightest young minds and influential change-makers under age 40.” Read more
Dr. Alan Katz, professor of family medicine, began his term as president of the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) in November.
Dr. Katherine Kearns, associate professor of family medicine and obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences, was named among Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women in 2025 in the professionals category. The annual list is compiled by the Women’s Executive Network.
Dr. David Perrin, assistant professor in the department of surgery, was named to the CBC’s Future 40 list that showcases “some of the brightest young minds and influential change-makers under age 40.” Read more
Dr. Mojgan Rastegar, professor of biochemistry and medical genetics, was named among Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women in 2025 in the STEM category. The annual list is compiled by the Women’s Executive Network.
Dr. Gina Rempel, professor of pediatrics and child health, is the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Nutrition Support International Service Award from the American Society of Parenteral Enteral Nutrition. The recognition highlights Dr. Rempel’s steadfast commitment and dedication to the safety of childhood nutrition support, as well as her advocacy for optimizing nutrition in children with complex care needs.
Dr. Chi Yan, assistant professor of immunology, received the Canadian Society for Immunology New Investigator Travel Award, and the CIHR – Institute Community Support Travel Award for Spring 2026 New Investigators Forum.
Postdoctoral fellows
Dr. Mariana Herrera, postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Zulma Rueda‘s lab, received the prestigious Global Health Travel Award from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This award will support her participation in the C4: Tuberculosis – Understanding the Disease Across Scales conference in Cape Town, South Africa, in March 2026.
Dr. Carmine Slipski, postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Denice Bay‘s lab, placed second overall in the oral presentation competition at the 2025 UM Postdoctoral & Graduate Research Showcase, held October 23–24, 2025.
Students
Júlia Cerato, a PhD student in medical microbiology and infectious diseases, placed second overall in the poster presentation competition at the 2025 UM Postdoctoral & Graduate Research Showcase, held October 23–24, 2025.
Ruzzell Flores, a master’s student in Dr. Inna Rabinovich-Nikitin‘s lab, received the 2026 Gerard and Maureen Rodrigue Graduate Student Cardiovascular Travel Award; Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Travel award; Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences Award for Master’s Student; and IACS Milosav Kostic Poster Award.
Ashraf Kadar Shahib, a PhD student in biochemistry and medical genetics, was one of nine Rady Faculty of Health Sciences students to receive the 2025 Dean of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Graduate Student Achievement Prize. The award recognizes exceptional academic achievement, strong leadership skills and notable personal service. Read more
Deanne Nixie Miao, a PhD student in biochemistry and medical genetics, received the prestigious 2025 Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships. Read more. She was also one of nine Rady Faculty of Health Sciences students to receive the 2025 Dean of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Graduate Student Achievement Prize. The award recognizes exceptional academic achievement, strong leadership skills and notable personal service. Read more
Zipporah Njeri Gitau, a student in the Canadian International Development Scholarships program in the department of medical microbiology and infectious diseases, received a CIHR Travel Award – Institute Community Support Competition for the project: “Impact of Methamphetamine Use on the Vaginal Microbiome and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Adult Females in Winnipeg, Manitoba.”
Dr. Patrick Choy Distinguished Lectureship Award winners from the department of medical microbiology and infectious diseases:
- Abraham Awada — Poster award
- Stephen Amos, Ryan Darragh, and Ruben Jamilchelvan — Poster award (honourable mention)
- Clarissa Klenke — Oral presentation award
Prairie Immunology and Infectious Diseases Network Conference Award (Saskatoon, Sask.) winners from the department of medical microbiology and infectious diseases:
- Stephen Amos (Advisor: Dr. Xiao-Jian Yao) — Poster award
- Jack Vallis (Advisor: Dr. Catherine Card) — Poster award
Department of medical microbiology and infectious diseases Annual Awards Celebration 2025
The department of medical microbiology and infectious diseases proudly recognized the outstanding achievements of faculty, staff, trainees and learners at the Annual Awards Celebration on December 8, 2025:
- Dr. Hannah Wallace — Dr. Frank Plummer Postdoctoral Fellow/Research Associate Researcher of the Year Award
- Dr. Jeremy Li — Dr. Ethan Rubinstein Clinical Fellow Research Award
- Samuel Lawal, Toby Le, and Benjamin Procak — Graduate Student Knowledge Into Action Award
- Tosin Omole — Graduate Student Publication of the Year Award
- Dr. Lauren MacKenzie — PGME Clinical Educator of the Year
- Christina Gavino — Theresa Birkholtz Support Staff Award
- Dr. Sergio Fanella — UGME Jim Parker Educator of the Year Award
- Dr. Barbara Porto — Medical Microbiology Graduate Program Faculty Educator of the Year Award
- Dr. Julie Lajoie — Dr. Frank Plummer Researcher of the Year Award
- Dr. Sylvain Lother — Dr. Ethan Rubenstein Clinical Scientist Award