FACULTY
Dr. Polina Anang, associate professor of psychiatry, is the recipient of the UM 2024 Annual Community Engagement Award. Read more.
Dr. Rafiq Andani, assistant professor of family medicine, is the recipient of the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada 2024 Rural Heart Award.
Dr. Marcia Anderson, vice-dean Indigenous health, social justice and anti-racism at Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, was named to the Order of Manitoba, the province’s highest honour. Read more.
Dr. Meghan Azad, professor of pediatrics and child health, received the 2024 Canada Gairdner Momentum Award given to mid-career investigators recognized for exceptional scientific research contributions with continued potential for impact on human health. Read more.
Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov, distinguished professor of psychiatry, is the recipient of the 2024 Arthur M. Sutherland Award and Memorial Lecture from the International Psycho-Oncology Society. Read more.
Leilanie Clayton, instructor of human anatomy and cell science, received a 2023 Merit Award in the Life Sciences, Natural Sciences and Engineering teaching category. Read more.
Dr. Sandor Demeter, associate professor of community health sciences, is the recipient of the 2024 Canadian Radiation Protection Association Distinguished Achievement Award for outstanding contributions in the field of radiation protection.
Dr. Renée El-Gabalawy, associate professor of clinical health psychology, is the 2023 recipient of the Terry G. Falconer Memorial Rh Institute Foundation Emerging Researcher Award in the Health Sciences category. Read more.
Dr. Amani Hamad has been appointed UM Canada Research Chair in data curation and metadata and an assistant professor of community health sciences. Her research focuses on the intersection of medication effects in children, maternal and child health, mental health and data science.
Dr. Soheila Karimi, professor of physiology and pathophysiology, received a 2023 Merit Award in the Life Sciences, Natural Sciences and Engineering combination category. Read more.
Dr. Lorrie Kirshenbaum, professor of physiology and pathophysiology and Canada Research Chair in molecular cardiology, is the recipient of the 2023 Dr. John M. Bowman Memorial Winnipeg Rh Institute Foundation Award. Read more.
Dr. Lisa Lix, professor of community health sciences and a UM Canada Research Chair in electronic health data quality, has been elected to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, one of the highest honours in the Canadian health sciences community. Read more.
Dr. Lauren MacKenzie, assistant professor of internal medicine, successfully completed her final thesis defense for her PhD in community health sciences in August. Her thesis title is “Characterizing the impact of a novel electronic consultation platform on access to hepatitis C treatment in a Manitoba context.” Her advisor was Dr. Marissa Becker.
Dr. Bárbara Porto, assistant professor of medical microbiology and infectious diseases, was honoured at the Manitoba Medical Services Foundation reception as a grantee in the recent competition.
Dr. Jennifer Protudjer, associate professor of pediatrics and child health, received a 2023 Merit Award in the Life Sciences, Natural Sciences and Engineering teaching category. Read more.
Dr. Mojgan Rastegar, professor of biochemistry and medical genetics, has been elected as vice-president of the Canadian Society of Molecular Biosciences.
Dr. Noralou Roos, professor emeritus of community health sciences, has been appointed to the Canada Revenue Agency’s Disability Advisory Committee. She was also named a Top Scholar by ScholarGPS.
Dr. Zulma Rueda, associate professor in the department of medical microbiology and infectious diseases and a Canada Research Chair in sexually transmitted infection – resistance and control, is the 2023 recipient of the Terry G. Falconer Memorial Rh Institute Foundation Emerging Researcher Award in the Health Sciences category. Read more.
Dr. Deanna Santer, assistant professor of immunology and the GSK Research Chair in immunobiology of infectious diseases at UM, was awarded a 2023 Rosalind Franklin Society Award in Science. Read more.
Dr. Estelle Simons, professor emerita, was named to the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest honours. Read more.
Dr. Daniel Sitar, professor emeritus of internal medicine, was inducted as a Fellow in the Canadian Society of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at its Annual Scientific Meeting in Ottawa in June.
Dr. Katinka Stecina, associate professor of physiology and pathophysiology, is the recipient of the UM 2024 Annual Community Engagement Award. Read more.
Dr. Shayne Taback, associate professor of pediatrics and child health, and director of the Clinician Investigator Program, has been selected by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada to serve as Chair-Elect for the Royal College Clinician Investigator Program National Advisory Committee from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026.
Dr. Heather Watson, assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences, is the recipient of the UM 2024 Annual Community Engagement Award. Read more.
Dr. Ryan Zarychanski, professor of internal medicine and the Lyonel G. Israels Research Chair in Hematology, has been elected to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, one of the highest honours in the Canadian health sciences community. Read more.
ALUMNI
Dr. Jayelle Friesen-Enns [B.Sc./17, M.Sc./23, MD/2023] is a 2024 recipient of the prestigious Indspire Award. Read more.
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS
Dr. Mariana Herrera-Diaz, postdoctoral fellow with the department of medical microbiology and infectious diseases, received the Travel award – CIHR-IGH 2024 Summer Institute in Sex and Gender+ Science. Herrera Diaz is also this year’s recipient of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship Award in the amount of $1,000.
Dr. Titus Olukitibi, a postdoctoral fellow in the department of medical microbiology and infectious diseases, was named the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Dick Smith Postdoctoral Fellowship, a prestigious new award aimed at advancing the understanding and management of HIV in Manitoba. Read more.
STUDENTS
Allison Balasko, MD/PhD candidate in medical microbiology and infectious diseases, was presented with the Paul Foriter Prize for Student Activism by UMFA. This award is given to a current University of Manitoba student who demonstrates an active involvement in union related activities and/or community activism, and/or activities aimed towards improving student life, and/or working conditions of student employees including markers, research assistants and sessional instructors.
Angela Copete, a PhD student in medical microbiology and infectious diseases, received the Travel award – CIHR-IGH 2024 Summer Institute in Sex and Gender+ Science.
Dr. Qian Liu, a recent PhD graduate in biochemistry and medical genetics, received the University of Manitoba Distinguished Dissertation Award for ground-breaking original research. Read more.
Ruth Mwatelah successfully defended her PhD thesis on March 28, 2024. The department of medical microbiology and infectious diseases thanks Mwatelah’s advisor, Dr. Lyle McKinnon, and co-advisor, Dr. Keith Fowke, committee members, Drs. Neeloffer Mookherjee and Geroge Zhanel. They also thank Dr. Janilyn Arsenio for chairing the event and external examiner, Dr. Craig Cohen.
Mikayla Hunter passed their master’s defense in the department of community health sciences. Hunter will undertake their PhD degree in that department while maintaining their valuable position as the research coordinator in Dr. Jason Kindrachuk’s Lab, International Mpox Response Consortium.
Toby Le, PhD student in medical microbiology and infectious diseases, presented a TEDxWinnipeg talk about making science more inclusive. Watch here. He also met with Canadian Senators and represented Canadian Youth at the World Health Assembly.
Salina Pirzada, graduate student in community health sciences, has been awarded the Research Manitoba Doctoral Award.
Medical student Tooba Razi received a Canadian Medical Hall of Fame award honouring second-year medical students who demonstrate community leadership, superior communication skills and interest in advancing knowledge. Read more.
Congratulations to current department of medical microbiology and infectious diseases graduate student Jack Vallis (Dr. Catherine Card, advisor) and to new graduate student Samantha Kirby (a/o Sept 2024) (Dr. Paul McLaren, advisor) on being awarded a Canada Graduate Scholarship-Master’s in 24/25.
Athalia Voisin recently passed her master’s oral thesis defense on July 5. The department of medical microbiology and infectious diseases thanks Dr. Heather Armstrong, advisor, and Dr. Kevin Coombs, co-advisor, for their leadership. They also thank Voisin’s advisory committee members, Dr. Barbara Porto and Dr. Afshin Raouf (department of immunology) for their guidance, and Dr. Jason Kindrachuk for chairing the event.
The Manitoba Student Health Research Forum 2024 took place from June 17 to June 19, 2024. The following award recipients are from the department of medical microbiology and infectious diseases:
- Infectious Immunology Research Group Award in Immunology: Allison Balasko (MD/PhD; K. Fowke, advisor)
- Dr. Forough Khadem Memorial Award: Allison Balasko (MD/PhD; K. Fowke, advisor)
- Manitoba Medical Services Foundation Poster Awards: Toby Le (PhD; K. Fowke, advisor; J. Lajoie, co-advisor), Peter O’Reilly (MSc; D. Bay, advisor)
- Manitoba Medical College Foundation Travel Awards: Peter O’Reilly (MSc; D. Bay, advisor), Paula Pidsadny (MSc; G. Golding, advisor)
- Ed Kroeger Travel Award: Toby Le (PhD; K. Fowke, Advisor; J. Lajoie, co-advisor)
- Faculty of Graduate Studies Poster Award: Paula Pidsadny (MSc; G. Golding, advisor)
- Health Sciences Graduate Student Association Poster Awards: Julie Donahue (MSc; C. Nadon, advisor), Ruben Jamilchelvan (P. McLaren, advisor; B. Ball, co-advisor), Morgan Taverner (T. Murooka, Advisor; K. Fowke, co-advisor)
- Honorable Mentions: Abraham Awada (PhD; P. McLaren, advisor), Olivia Ferreria (PhD; S. Booth, advisor), Shanelle Gingras (PhD; P. McLaren, advisor; L. Larcombe, co-advisor), Katherine Li (PhD; H. Ji, advisor; P. Sandstrom, co-advisor), Jillian Ryz (PhD; N. Knox, advisor; C. Nadon, co-advisor)
The department of medical microbiology and infectious diseases congratulates the winners of the 2023-2024 student research seminar series and journal club. This year a student from each category with the highest peer evaluation was chosen as the winner:
| Student Research Seminar Series | ||
| Award | Winner | Advisor |
| Ph.D. | Toby Le | Dr. K. Fowke |
| MSc. | Paula Pidsadny | Dr. G. Golding |
| Rookie Student (start date Sept. 2023) | Christina Frederick | Dr. J. Kindrachuk |
| Rookie Student (start date Sept. 2023) | Olivia Ferreira | Dr. S. Booth |
| Student Journal Club Presentation | ||
| Award | Winner | Advisor/ Co-Advisor |
| Group 1 – Celine Nadon, Coordinator | ||
| Veteran Student (start date Sept. 2018) | Shanelle Gingras | Dr. P. McLaren/ Dr. L. Lacombe |
| Rookie Student (Start date Sept. 2023) | Candice Lemaille | Dr. J. Kindrachuk |
| Group 2 – Natalie Know, Coordinator | ||
| Veteran Student (start date Sept. 2018) | Alan McGreevy | Dr. T. Booth |
| Rookie Student (Start date Sept. 2023) | Olivia Ferreira | Dr. J. Kindrachuk |
| Group 3 – Derek Stein, Coordinator | ||
| Veteran Student (start date Sept. 2018) | Morgan Taverner | Dr. T. Murooka/ Dr. K. Fowke |
| Rookie Student (Start date Jan. 2023) | Ashely Hielmann | Dr. Y. Keynan/ Dr. Z. Rueda |
| Group 3 – Barbara Porto, Coordinator | ||
| Veteran Student (start date Sept. 2018) | Toby Le | Dr. K. Fowke/ Dr. J. Lajoie |
| Rookie Student (Start date Jan. 2023) | Elise Gork | Dr. J. Kindrachuk |