Tracie Afifi [B.Sc./99, M.Sc./03, PhD/09], associate professor of community health sciences, has been inducted as a member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. Afifi conducts research on child maltreatment and problem gambling.
Hope Anderson [B.Sc.Hons./92, PhD/97], associate professor of pharmacy and vice-dean, graduate studies of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, is a principal investigator for “Novel strategies to circumvent anti-HER2-induced cardiotoxicity,” which received a U of M Research Grant of $7,500. Anderson is a co-principal investigator for “Estimating the Relationship between Cardiovascular Health and the Use of Neurodegenerative Pharmaceuticals,” which received a Manitoba Medical Service Foundation grant of $30,000.
Jonathon Bellas [B.Sc.Med./03, MD/03], assistant professor of medicine and medical director of the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program, received the 2017 Physician Assistant Educator of the Year Award from the Canadian Physician Assistant Education Association and the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants. The award recognized Bellas for his significant impact on the education of PAs in Canada
Mary Bertone [Dip.D.Hyg./05, B.Sc.D.Hyg./11, MPH/15], director of the School of Dental Hygiene and the Centre for Community Oral Health, has been selected for the 2018-2019 American Dental Education Association Leadership Institute, a professional development program for dental education faculty and administrators. Participants meet four times during the year for training sessions. They develop skills in areas such as leading change and financial management, receive executive coaching and undertake team projects with their peers.
Adam Burgener [B.Sc.Hons./99, PhD/05], adjunct professor of medical microbiology, received $249,888 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) for the study “Mechanisms of metaproteome factors in HIV infection risk in young women.”
Dr. Bhupendrasinh Chauhan, assistant professor of pharmacy, received a Manitoba Centre for Nursing and Health Research grant of $7,500 as principal investigator for “Recurrent wheezing or viral respiratory infections as determinants in early childhood asthma inception: A longitudinal populationbased cohort study.”
Prashen Chelikani [PhD/04], professor of oral biology, is co-principal investigator for the study “The synthesis of isoform selective activators of adenylyl cyclase and their effect on pulmonary hypertension of the newborn,” which received $25,000 from the University Collaborative Research Program. Chelikani is also co-PI for “Pea protein hydrolysates as bitter taste modifiers,” awarded $25,000 from the University Collaborative Research Program.
Catherine Cook [MD/87, M.Sc./03], vice-dean, Indigenous health in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, was named a Women’s Executive Network Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award winner for 2017 in the “trailblazers and trendsetters” category. In her role as vice-dean, she leads Ongomiizwin, the U of M’s Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing. She is also the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority’s vice-president of population and Aboriginal health.
Dr. James Davie, professor of biochemistry and medical genetics and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in chromatin dynamics, received $140,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council for the study “Histone arginine methylation and transcriptionally active chromosomal domains.”
Marc Del Bigio [B.Sc.Med./82, MD/82, PhD/87], professor of pathology, was inducted as a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Del Bigio, a research scientist at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, received the honour in recognition of his achievements in pediatric and developmental neuropathology.
Dr. Paul Fernyhough, professor of pharmacology/ therapeutics and physiology/pathophysiology, received $400,000 for the study “Topical pirenzepine for treatment of neuropathy in type 1 diabetes,” jointly funded by the CIHR Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) and WinSanTor Inc.
Henry Friesen [B.Sc./58, MD/58, D.Sc./98], distinguished professor emeritus, has been appointed a distinguished fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. The endocrinologist, professor of medicine at the U of M from 1973 to 1991, discovered the hormone prolactin. In 1998, the U of M awarded Friesen an honorary doctorate and established the Henry G. Friesen Endowed Chair in Metabolic and Endocrine Diseases. Among his many honours, he is a laureate of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.
Dr. Jean-Eric Ghia, associate professor of immunology and internal medicine, received a 2017 University of Manitoba Outreach Award. Ghia has become a major voice on RadioCanada (French CBC), promoting science to make it accessible. As a regular contributor on Radio-Canada, Ghia showcases leading researchers from across the U of M to French audiences in the province and beyond.
Dr. James Gilchrist, professor of oral biology, was honoured with a 2017 University of Manitoba Outreach Award as director of the university’s Biomedical Youth Program (BYP). The program builds science literacy among inner-city youth by providing hands-on science experience with the help of Rady Faculty of Health Sciences students, who volunteer as leaders and mentors.
Tom Hack [MA/91, PhD/95], professor of nursing, received the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada Award for Psychosocial Oncology Excellence for “A randomized controlled trial of consultation recording use to enhance psychosocial well-being and coping behaviour in patients with brain tumours.”
Dr. Nicole Harder [BN/96, MPA/02], assistant professor of nursing, received an Award of Excellence in Nursing Education from the Association of Registered Nurses of Manitoba. The award is presented to registered nurses who practise as nurse educators and demonstrate teaching excellence by encouraging critical thinking and innovation.
Dr. Mike Harlos, section head of palliative medicine in the department of family medicine and medical director of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority’s palliative care program, received the Canadian Hospice and Palliative Care Association’s Award of Pediatric Excellence.
Dr. Jennifer Hensel, assistant professor of psychiatry, has been awarded the Gerry McDole Professorship in Improved Healthcare Delivery to Rural, Remote and Underserved Populations of Manitoba, valued at $50,000 annually for three years. The professorship is funded through an endowment of $1 million by AstraZeneca Canada Inc. Hensel will implement a pilot project using remote communication strategies to connect rural adult patients with mental health care.
Dr. Anthony Iacopino, who has concluded his second term as dean of the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, was honoured by the Manitoba Dental Association with its Distinguished Service Award. The award recognized Iacopino for his sustained efforts to unite the Manitoba dental community by building relationships between the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, U of M Dental Alumni Association, Manitoba Dental Association, Winnipeg Dental Society and Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity.
Dr. Ji Hyun Ko, assistant professor of human anatomy and cell science, was honoured by CBC Manitoba as a member of the 2017 Manitoba Future 40. The awards recognize 40 Manitoba leaders, builders and change-makers under the age of 40.
Paul Komenda [B.Sc./97, B.Sc.Med./01, MD/01], associate professor of internal medicine, is principal investigator for “Optimal approaches to chronic kidney disease cased funding in Indigenous communities: A cluster randomized clinical trial,” awarded $458,394 by the CIHR Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR).
Dr. Ted Lakowski, assistant professor of pharmacy, is principal investigator for “Inducing sequence specific decreases in histone H3 methylation using conjugated oligonucleotides,” funded by a grant of $25,000 from the University Collaborative Research Program.
Barry Lavallee [MD/88], director of education at Ongomiizwin, the Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing, received an Indigenous Award of Excellence from the U of M, recognizing his efforts to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Lavallee advocated for, and now leads, the Indigenous Health Longitudinal Course in the Max Rady College of Medicine, which delivers about 70 hours of Indigenous health content to medical students.
Salaheddin Mahmud [PhD/09], associate professor of community health sciences and pharmacy, was renewed as a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in pharmacoepidemiology and vaccine evaluation. He was also inducted as a member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.
Lyle McKinnon [PhD/09], assistant professor of medical microbiology and community health sciences, leads the study “Impact of Vedolizumab on immune cell homing to the female reproductive and gastrointestinal mucosa,” awarded $249,460 by the CIHR.
Dr. Diana McMillan [MN/95], associate professor of nursing, is principal investigator for “The Impact of Bedside Video Education on Patient Knowledge and Health Behaviour Change Related to Heart Failure and Pressure Injury Prevention,” which received a Health Sciences Centre Foundation Gembey Nursing Research Grant of $25,534.
Dr. Deborah McPhail [BA/01], assistant professor of community health sciences, was honoured by CBC Manitoba as a member of the 2017 Manitoba Future 40. The awards recognize 40 Manitoba leaders, builders and change-makers under the age of 40.
Dr. Elaine Mordoch [BN/91, MN/96], associate professor of nursing, is principal investigator for “The lessons from and for Pimicikamak (Cross Lake) Cree Nation: A pilot project to promote mental health among youth,” which received a University Indigenous Research Program award of $25,00.
Michael Namaka [B.Sc.Pharm/91, M.Sc.Pharm/97, PhD/00], professor of pharmacy, received Mitacs Accelerate funding of $30,000 as principal investigator for “Testing of Cannabinoid Oil Extracts in an Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) Animal Model of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)-Induced Neuropathic Pain (NPP).”
Dr. Nelson Oranye, assistant professor of occupational therapy, is part of an interdisciplinary U of M team that received $24,704 from the University Collaborative Research Program. The project will apply the Sense of Coherence Scale for understanding the barriers and facilitators to successful transition and integration of refugees to Manitoba.
Joanne Parsons [BMRPT/03, M.Sc./09, PhD/14], assistant professor of physical therapy, is a co-investigator with colleague Dr. Sandra Webber for the study “A randomized pragmatic feasibility trial to promote student perspectivetaking on client physical activity: a collaborative project,” awarded $24,948 by the University Collaborative Research Program.
Dr. Lalitha Raman-Wilms, dean of the College of Pharmacy, is co-investigator on a research team that was awarded $257,000 through the Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation for “Building Capacity for De-prescribing Guideline Development, Implementation and Evaluation.”
Gayle Restall [BMROT/79, PhD/10], associate professor of occupational therapy, is a co-investigator for the study “The Canadian HIV Stigma Index CBR Project: Examining the social and structural drivers of stigma to shape the actionable solution(s) to support people living with HIV and their affected communities,” awarded $450,000 by the CIHR.
Jacquie Ripat [BMROT/92, M.Sc./98, PhD/11], associate professor of occupational therapy, leads the study “What constitutes successful transition for young adult Manitobans with cerebral palsy?” supported by a $19,556 grant from the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba.
Robert Schroth [DMD/96, M.Sc./03, PhD/11], associate professor of preventive dental science and of pediatrics/ child health, and research scientist at the Manitoba Institute of Child Health, received the 2017 Canadian Association of Public Health Dentistry’s Public Service Award. The award recognized Schroth’s commitment to Manitoba’s longrunning Healthy Smile Happy Child program.
Lynn Scruby [PhD/99], assistant professor of nursing, is principal investigator for “Building a Convincing Case for CIHR Funding through Interprofessional Research Collaboration on Refugee Health Care Provision,” which received a University Collaborative Research Program grant of $25,000. Co-investigators include Silvia Alessi-Severini and I fan Kuo (College of Pharmacy), Moni Fricke (College of Rehabilitation Sciences) and Ian Whetter (Max Rady College of Medicine).
Tony Szturm [PhD/88], professor of physical therapy and adjunct professor of mechanical engineering, is principal investigator for “A pilot study assessing the feasibility of a game-based tele-rehabilitation platform for in-home therapy of hand-arm function in young children with Cerebral Palsy,” awarded $10,000 by the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba.
Navdeep Tangri [MD/04], associate professor of internal medicine, received $1,057,980 from the CIHR for “Improvising clinical decision-making for patients with chronic kidney disease.” Tangri was honoured by CBC Manitoba as a member of the 2017 Manitoba Future 40. The awards recognize 40 Manitoba leaders, builders and changemakers under the age of 40.
Dr. Geoff Tranmer, assistant professor of pharmacy, is principal investigator for “Development and Applications of Boron-Containing Therapeutic Agenda,” which received a three-year grant from Research Manitoba of $72,000 per year. Tranmer also received $24,992 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council for “Development of Flow Chemistry Techniques: Resolution of Problematic Industrial Process Chemistry Reactions.”
Dr. Marcelo Urquia, assistant professor of community health sciences and Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in applied population health, leads a multidisciplinary research team for the study “Addressing gender-based health inequities among immigrants to Canada,” awarded $1,086,322 by the CIHR.
Sandra Webber [BMRPT/90, M.Sc./96, PhD/10], associate professor of physical therapy, is principal investigator for the study “Stress and physical activity in Physical Therapy (MPT) and Occupational Therapy (MOT) students as compared to that of students applying to MPT and MOT programs at the University of Manitoba,” supported by a College of Rehabilitation Sciences Catalyst Grant of $22,059.
Roberta Woodgate [MN/93, BN/93, PhD/01], professor of nursing, has been awarded a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in child and family engagement in health research and healthcare. Woodgate is principal investigator for the project “Designing responsive, integrative and sustainable respite care,” which was awarded a University Collaborative Research Program grant of $24,878. She is also principal investigator for “Integrating Indigenous and Western models of mental well-being for youth,” which received a University Indigenous Research Program grant of $24,910.
