FACULTY
Dr. Meghan Azad, professor of pediatrics and child health and UM Canada Research Chair in early nutrition and the developmental origins of health and disease, received a UM Merit Award in the life sciences, natural sciences and engineering category for research, scholarly work and creative activities. Read more
Dr. Teresa Cavett, associate professor of family medicine, is the recipient of the Dr. Louis Levasseur Award for Distinguished Service. The award recognizes an individual whose collaboration has contributed in an extraordinary manner to the vision and mission of the Medical Council of Canada.
Stephanie Clarke, adjunct professor of biochemistry and medical genetics, received the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors Award for Leadership in Professional Practice, Innovation and Advocacy.
Dr. Keith Fowke, department head of medical microbiology and infectious diseases, received the James House Postdoctoral Fellow Mentoring Award from the Faculty of Graduate Studies. The award recognizes his excellence in mentorship.
Dr. Lawrence Gillman, associate professor of surgery, received the Max Rady College of Medicine Education Award for Excellence in Educational Scholarship. Read more
Jessica Hartley, instructor II of biochemistry and medical genetics, and program director of the master of science in genetic counselling program, received a UM Merit Award in the life sciences, natural sciences and engineering category for service. Read more
Dr. Sachin Katyal, associate professor of pharmacology and therapeutics, received a UM Merit Award in the life sciences, natural sciences and engineering category for service. Read more
Dr. Julie Lajoie, assistant professor of medical microbiology and infectious diseases, was awarded a Manitoba Medical Services Foundation Grant and the Kerry Bittner Communication Award.
Dr. Sylvain Lother, assistant professor of internal medicine, received the Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada (AMMI) New Investigator Award at the AMMI conference in Calgary.
Dr. Ronak Patel, associate professor of clinical health psychology, received the Doctoral Practicum Training Award, presented by the department of clinical health psychology. He also received the Max Rady College of Medicine Education Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching. Read more
Dr. Jason Peeler, associate professor of human anatomy and cell science, received the Max Rady College of Medicine Education Award for Excellence in Pre-clinical Teaching. Read more
Dr. Inna Rabinovich-Nikitin, assistant professor of physiology and pathophysiology, received the Heart and Stroke 2025/26 New Investigator Award ($180,000 for three years). She is also the recipient of the Ken Hughes Young Investigator Award, which honours outstanding early-career investigators for their contributions to medical science.
Dr. Christina Raimondi, assistant professor of family medicine, is the recipient of the Reproductive Health Award, presented by the Federation of Medical Women in Canada. Raimondi received the award in September at the organization’s annual conference.
Dr. Amir Ravandi, associate professor of internal medicine, is the recipient of the Duhamel Innovation Award, presented by the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation. The award recognizes outstanding leadership and innovation in advancing health care and research at St. Boniface Hospital.
Dr. Zulma Rueda, associate professor of medical microbiology and infectious diseases, received the Dr. Ed Kroeger Mentorship Award, presented by the UM Health Sciences Graduate Students’ Association. Rueda was also the recipient of the Max Rady College of Medicine Education Award for Excellence in Graduate Education. Read more
Dr. Sean Udow, assistant professor of internal medicine, received the Max Rady College of Medicine Education Award for Excellence in Postgraduate Medical Education. Read more
Dr. Jo Ann Unger, assistant professor of clinical health psychology, received the Dr. Robert McIlwraith Excellence in Clinical Training Award, presented by the department of clinical health psychology.
Dr. Ashley Vergis, professor of surgery, received the Max Rady College of Medicine Education Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership. Read more
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS
Bisi Akinlabi, a postdoc in Dr. Lyle McKinnon‘s lab, was awarded second place at the 3 Minute Postdoctoral Presentation held on Sept. 19.
Dr. Anne Manson, a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Meghan Azad‘s THRiVE Discovery Lab, was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from Research Manitoba. It will support her continued training toward a career as an independent researcher in the area of human milk oxylipins.
Dr. Titus Olukitibi, a post doctoral fellow in Dr. Keith Fowke‘s lab, received the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship for his project titled “Assessing HPV-specific immune responses and their role in the clearance of HPV among women of the Sex Worker Outreach Program in Nairobi.” The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program provides funding to the best postdoctoral applicants, both nationally and internationally, who will positively contribute to the Canada’s economic, social and research-based growth. Read more
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Ruzzell Flores, a master’s student in Dr. Inna Rabinovich-Nikitin’s lab, received the following awards: CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master (CGS-M); Academy of Cardiovascular Research Excellence Canada Trainee Presentation Award; Gerard and Maureen Rodrigue Graduate Student Cardiovascular Travel Award; and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Travel Award.
Deanne Nixie Miao, a PhD student in the department of biochemistry and medical genetics, received the prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. Read more
Hailee Morisseau, who is graduating with her master of physician assistant studies (MPAS) in October, won the MPAS Capstone Award for her exemplary work on her project titled “Recruitment and Retention Strategies of Indigenous Students to Canadian Physician Assistant Programs.”
Dr. Karinne Muniz, a master’s student in Dr. Meghan Azad‘s THRiVE Discovery Lab, received a Master’s Studentship Award from Research Manitoba. It recognizes her contributions to impactful research on the immunomodulatory components of human colostrum.
Taylor Orchard, a PhD student in human anatomy and cell science, placed third in UM’s Three Minute Thesis competition. Orchard’s presentation was titled “Musculoskeletal Education – The more a doctor knows, the better they treat.” Read more
Nilusha Wijewardana, who is graduating with her master of physician assistant studies in October, won the MPAS Leadership Award. This award acknowledges outstanding leadership skills throughout the course of study.
Hannah Zhang, a PhD student in physiology and pathophysiology in Dr. Amir Ravandi‘s lab, won first place in UM’s Three Minute Thesis competition. Zhang’s presentation was titled “Lipids as early markers of cardiogenic shock.” Read more
MEDICAL STUDENT
Akhil Ramdoyal, a third-year learner, received the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Award for Medical Students. The award honours students for academic excellence, outstanding leadership, superior communication skills and a commitment to advancing medical knowledge. Read more
Medical microbiology and infectious diseases student awards and recognition
Manitoba Student Health Research Forum 2025:
Health Sciences Graduate Students Association Poster Awards:
- Toby Le (K. Fowke)
- Julie Donahue (C. Nadon)
- Ruben Jamilchelvan (P. McLaren)
- Faisal Nuhu (L. McKinnon)
- Clarissa Klenke (Aida Sivro)
Dr. Forough Khadem Memorial Award:
- Termeh Shakery (L. McKinnon)
Dr. Forough Khadem Scholarship:
- Angela Copete (Z. Rueda)
Manitoba Medical College Foundation Travel Awards:
- Elise Gork (J. Kindrachuk)
- Toby Le (K. Fowke)
- Faisal Nuhu (L. McKinnon)
Faculty of Graduate Studies Awards
Travel Awards:
- Termeh Shakery (L. McKinnon)
- Matt Mayor (R. Su)
- Angela Copete (Z. Rueda)
- Julie Cerato (B. Porto)
- Samuel Lawal (D. Bay)
- Genevieve Loiselle (D. Bay)
- Elise Gork (J. Kindrachuk)
Allan Ronald Medical Microbiology Graduate Studentship:
- Christina Frederick (J. Kindrachuk)
Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master’s:
- Samantha Kirby (P. McLaren)
- Jack Vallis (C. Card)
Research Completion Scholarships:
- Muna Mohamed (M. Sharma)
- Melika Verdipanah (L. McKinnon)
- Chibuzor Emmanuel (L. McKinnon)
Research Manitoba Scholarships:
- Termeh Shakery (L. McKinnon)
- Toby Le (K. Fowke)
- Angela Copete (Z. Rueda)
Lorna Irene Eggertson Graduate Scholarship
- Angela Copete (Z. Rueda)
Medicine Summer Research Program – Outstanding Clinical Research Project:
- Fatima Saqib (A. Villabos)
Graduate Student Excellence
2025 Graduate Student Excellence Award (PhD):
- Mikayla Hunter
University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships (Recommended by MMID):
- Julia Cerato (B. Porto)
- Angela Copete (Z. Rueda)
- Cara Follows (J. Lajoie)
- Runqi Lin (B. Porto)
- Camilo Suarez Ariza (Z. Rueda)
Dr. Ed Kroeger Travel Award
Top graduate students will represent the University of Manitoba at ICAM, with travel support from the Dean of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
- Katherine Li (Hezhao Ji)
- Riley Tough (Paul McLaren)
Department of medical microbiology and infectious diseases Student Seminar & Journal Club Awards 2024-25 – Award winners by group
| Group | Best Rookie | Advisor | Best Veteran | Advisor |
| Group 1 (Natalie Knox) | Clarissa Klenke (Sept. 2024) | Aida Sivro | Olivia Ferreira | Scott Booth |
| Group 2 (Celine Nadon) | Olivia Lovett (Sept. 2024) | Cara Card | Domenica De Luca | Anjali Bharat |
| Group 3 (Derek Stein) | Samantha Kirby (Sept. 2024) | Paul McLaren | Brielle Martens | Jason Kindrachuk |
| Group 4 (Barbara Porto) | Daniel Barnabé (Sept. 2024) | Celine Nadon | Toby Le | Keith Fowke |