Faculty Awards & Honours

Tracie Afifi [B.Sc./99, M.Sc./03, PhD/09], professor of community health sciences and psychiatry, Canada Research Chair in childhood adversity and resilience, and researcher with the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), received $114,746 from the CIHR for “Cannabis and mental health among veterans in Canada: Understanding the role of trauma and impact on help-seeking.”

Dr. Francis Amara, professor of biochemistry and medical genetics, was honoured with a Certificate of Merit Award from the Canadian Association for Medical Education, recognizing his significant contribution to medical education.

Portrait of Dr. Mandy Archibald.

Dr. Mandy Archibald, assistant professor of nursing and researcher with CHRIM, is principal investigator for “Connecting through story: Working with community co-researchers to inform a novel storytelling initiative for pediatric disability and rehabilitation research,” awarded $4,000 by the George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation.

Ruth Barclay [BMRPT/87, PhD/08], associate professor of physical therapy, is co-investigator for “Advancing virtual care in stroke rehabilitation: TeleRehabilitation with Aims to Improve Lower Extremity Recovery Post-Stroke (TRAIL),” awarded $100,000 by the CIHR.

Portrait of Dr. Charles Bernstein.

Charles Bernstein [MD/85], distinguished professor of internal medicine and director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical and Research Centre, is co-principal investigator with Lesley Graff [PhD/93], professor and head of clinical health psychology, for “Integrating psychological and nutritional interventions for patients with inflammatory bowel disease,” awarded $450,000 from Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.

Portrait of Dr. James Blanchard.

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, was awarded $1,277,635 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for “Exemplars in global health: Understanding the drivers of success in maternal and newborn mortality reduction in India.”

Portrait of Dr. Clara Bohm.

Dr. Clara Bohm, associate professor of internal medicine, is principal investigator for “Trial of intradialytic cycling as kidney exercise rehabilitation for cardiac stunning in hemodialysis,” awarded
$439,874 by the CIHR.

Portrait of Dr. Dan Chateau.

Dr. Dan Chateau, assistant professor of community health sciences and research scientist at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, co-leads the study “Investigating use of prescription opioids and multiple psychotropic medications during pregnancy: Impact on the mother and developing child,” awarded $432,226 by the CIHR.

Amine Choukou

Dr. Amine Choukou, assistant professor of occupational therapy, received Mitacs funding of $30,000 for “Evaluation and validation of end users’ perception, attitude and behaviour toward iAccompany online healthcare services.”

Portrait of Dr. Catherine Cook.

Catherine Cook [MD/87, M.Sc./03], inaugural vice-president (Indigenous) of UM, was honoured with a national 2021 Indspire Award for health. Cook is the former head of Ongomiizwin – Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing and former Rady Faculty vice-dean of Indigenous health. Indspire Awards recognize individuals who demonstrate outstanding achievement and whose stories inspire, uplift and educate Canadians about the contributions of Indigenous people.

Portrait of Dr. Shyamala Dakshinamurti.

Shyamala Dakshinamurti [MD/92, M.Sc./03], professor of pediatrics and child health and researcher with CHRIM, is principal investigator for “Effect of hypoxia and nitric oxide therapy on adenylyl cyclase activity in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn,” awarded $784,125 by the CIHR.

Portrait of Dr. Allison Dart.

Allison Dart [MD/02, M.Sc./10], associate professor of pediatrics and child health and researcher with CHRIM, co-leads “iCARE 2.0 – Biopsychosocial risk factors for kidney disease in youth-onset Type 2 diabetes: longitudinal evaluation and pilot study of a novel skills-based mental health intervention,” awarded $1,300,500 by the CIHR.

Portrait of Dr. Britt Drögemöller.

Dr. Britt Drögemöller, assistant professor of biochemistry and medical genetics, Canada Research Chair in pharmacogenomics and precision medicine and researcher with CHRIM, was awarded a one-year Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship to collaborate virtually with Stellenbosch University in South Africa. The fellowship program pairs African-born scholars in North America with institutions in Africa.

Portrait of Dr. Robert Drummond.

Dr. Robert Drummond, assistant professor of preventive dental science, is principal investigator for “Hard and soft tissue changes associated with the correction of Class II malocclusions treated with Invisalign Treatment with Mandibular Advancement,” which received $5,000 from Align Technology.

Portrait of Dr. Elsie Duff.

Dr. Elsie Duff [M.Ed/03], assistant professor of nursing, is principal investigator for “Utilizing nurse practitioners to increase access to opioid agonist therapy: A cross-sectional study in the prairie provinces,” awarded $15,000 by the CIHR.

Portrait of Dr. Joan Durrant.

Dr. Joan Durrant, professor of community health sciences, was honoured with the 2020 Dr. John M. Bowman Memorial Winnipeg Rh Institute Foundation Award in recognition of her outstanding research accomplishments as an expert on violence against children.

Dr. Netha Dyck [BN/88], dean of the College of Nursing, received the Award of Excellence in Nursing Administration from the Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba. The award recognizes nurses who exemplify transformational leadership qualities and promote a culture of innovation and practice excellence.

Dr. Lisa Engel, assistant professor of occupational therapy, is co-principal investigator for “Brain Injury Pandemic Preparedness: Optimizing Community Strategies,” which received $218,025 from the CIHR.

Portrait of Dr. Rodrigo França.

Dr. Rodrigo França, associate professor of restorative dentistry, received $20,000 from the Network for Canadian Oral Health Research for “Development and Application of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Targeted Drug Delivery in the Oral Environment.”

Portrait of Dr. Jody Haigh.

Dr. Jody Haigh, professor of pharmacology and therapeutics and senior scientist at the CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, received $400,000 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund for “Generation of in vivo imaging platform for cancer models.”

Portrait of Dr. Andrew Hatala.

Dr. Andrew Hatala, associate professor of community health sciences and researcher with CHRIM, co-leads a team that was awarded $1,748,025 by the CIHR for “Anishinaabe Mikinak Kinamakamik: An Indigenous-led, strengths-based inquiry of Turtle Lodge as an innovative centre for Indigenous education, wellness, and flourishing.”

Portrait of Dr. Soheila Karimi.

Dr. Soheila Karimi, professor of physiology and pathophysiology and researcher with CHRIM, was awarded $399,400 from the MS Society of Canada for “Role and therapeutic potential of Neuregulin-1 in multiple sclerosis.”

Portrait of Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis.

Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis [DMD/92, Dip. Perio/98], dean of the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, was named a fellow of the International College of Dentists in recognition of outstanding professional achievement, meritorious service and dedication to the continued progress of dentistry.

Portrait of Dr. Christine Kelly.

Dr. Christine Kelly, assistant professor of community health sciences, received a 2020 Terry G. Falconer Memorial Rh Institute Foundation Emerging Researcher Award. The awards recognize UM faculty members in the early stages of their careers who display exceptional innovation, leadership and promise in their fields.

Portrait of Dr. Jason Kindrachuk.

Dr. Jason Kindrachuk, assistant professor of medical microbiology and infectious diseases, Canada Research Chair in molecular pathogenesis of emerging and re-emerging viruses, and researcher with CHRIM, received $726,750 from the CIHR for “Identification of the molecular determinants underlying asymptomatic Ebola virus testicular infections and long-term effects on reproductive health.” He was also awarded a Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Campbell Award, UM’s premier award for meritorious service in outreach activities, for his outreach work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Portrait of Dr. Marnie Kramer.

Dr. Marnie Kramer, assistant professor of nursing, is principal investigator for “Coping in complex systems: An action research study of senior practicum students during the COVID-19 pandemic response,” awarded $10,000 by the University Research Grants Program.

Portrait of Dr. Hagar Labouta.

Dr. Hagar Labouta, assistant professor of pharmacy, is principal investigator for “Tracking the accumulation of gold nanoparticles in tumour tissues,” which received $30,000 from the Manitoba Medical Service Foundation.

Portrait of Dr. Christine Leong.

Dr. Christine Leong [B.Sc.Pharm/10], assistant professor of pharmacy and researcher with CHRIM, is co-principal Investigator for “The experiences, preferences, values, and concerns of caregivers, people who are pregnant and healthcare providers on medication use around breastfeeding,” awarded $4,000 by the George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation.

Portrait of Melanie MacKinnon.

Melanie MacKinnon [BN/96] was awarded a Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Campbell Award, UM’s premier award for meritorious service in outreach activities, for her outreach work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Portrait of Dr. Lyle McKinnon.

Lyle McKinnon [PhD/09], associate professor of medical microbiology and infectious diseases and researcher with CHRIM, received $250,000 from the New Frontiers in Research Fund for “Contextualizing the ethical implications of HIV molecular epidemiology: a critical knowledge exchange project.”

Portrait of Dr. Gigi Osler.

Gigi Osler [B.Sc.(Med.)/92, MD/92], assistant professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, was honoured with the 2021 May Cohen Award in Equity, Diversity and Gender from the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada. The award recognizes achievement in improving the equity, diversity and gender environment in academic medicine in Canada.

Portrait of Dr. Claudio Rigatto.

Claudio Rigatto [B.Sc.(Med.)/93, MD/93], associate professor of internal medicine and academic director of the Chronic Disease Innovation Centre at Seven Oaks General Hospital, received $562,275 from the CIHR for “A pragmatic randomized controlled trial of a chronic kidney disease (CKD) specific telemonitoring platform to minimize adverse outcomes in high-risk CKD patients.”

Dr. Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg, distinguished professor of pediatrics/child health and biochemistry/medical genetics and researcher with CHRIM, is the UM lead for the new Canadian Prairie Metabolic Network, which will use genomics-based tools to rapidly diagnose patients with rare genetic conditions. The network received $2.1 million in funding through Genome Canada.

Portrait of Dr. Robert Schroth.

Robert Schroth [DMD/96, M.Sc./03, PhD/11], professor of preventive dental science, pediatrics/child health and community health sciences and researcher with CHRIM, is co-principal investigator for “The oral health of Canadians: an investigation of status and disease burden, access to care, risk determinants, and associations with systemic health and well-being,” awarded $3.3 million by the CIHR.

Portrait of Dr. Annette Schultz.

Dr. Annette Schultz, professor of nursing, received the Award of Excellence in Nursing Research from the Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba. The award recognizes registered nurses who promote the value of nursing and enhance the body of nursing knowledge.

Jillian Stobart [B.Sc.(Hons.)/06, PhD/12], assistant professor of pharmacy, received a 2020 Terry G. Falconer Memorial Rh Institute Foundation Emerging Researcher Award. The awards recognize UM faculty members in the early stages of their careers who display exceptional innovation, leadership and promise in their fields.

Portrait of Dr. Tony Szturm.

Tony Szturm [PhD/88], professor of physical therapy, leads the study “Rehab@Home: Bringing Interactive Rehabilitation Devices to Homes,” awarded $100,000 by Research Manitoba. He is also an investigator for “Changes in metabolic activity and gait function by dual-task cognitive game-based treadmill system intervention,” awarded $1.5 million by the Weston Brain Institute.

Portrait of Dr. Kellie Thiessen.

Kellie Thiessen [PhD/14], associate professor of nursing, director of the bachelor of midwifery program and researcher with CHRIM, received the Award of Excellence in Nursing Research from the Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba. The award recognizes registered nurses who promote the value of nursing and enhance the body of nursing knowledge.

Portrait of Dr. Elizabeth Wall-Wieler.

Elizabeth Wall-Wieler [M.Sc./15, PhD/18], assistant professor of community health sciences, research scientist at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, and Canada Research Chair in population data analytics and data curation, is principal investigator for “The relationship between health and child protection services involvement among parents in Manitoba, Canada,” awarded $393,976 by the CIHR.

Portrait of Dr. Jun-Feng Wang.

Dr. Jun-Feng Wang, associate professor of pharmacology and therapeutics, received CIHR funding of $623,475 for “The role of neuronal and glial thioredoxin-interacting protein in chronic stress-induced neuronal dysfunction: indications for depression and cognitive impairment.”

Portrait of Dr. Galen Wright.

Dr. Galen Wright, assistant professor of pharmacology and therapeutics and Canada Research Chair in neurogenomics, was awarded a one-year Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship to collaborate virtually with Stellenbosch University in South Africa. The fellowship program pairs African-born scholars in North America with institutions in Africa.

Portrait of Danielle Yaffe.

Danielle Yaffe [BN/96], nursing instructor II, received the Award of Excellence in Nursing Education from the Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba. The award recognizes nurse educators in a college/university or clinical setting who demonstrate teaching excellence by encouraging critical thinking and innovation.

Portrait of Dr. George Zhanel.

George Zhanel [B.Sc.Pharm/84, PhD/94], professor of medical microbiology and infectious diseases, received $698,000 from Merck Canada/U.S. for “CANWARD: A national surveillance study assessing antimicrobial resistant pathogens in Canada” and $479,669 from the same funder for “In Vitro Activity of Ceftolozane/Tazobactam, Imipenem/Relebactam, Ertapenem, Tedizolid and Comparators in the CANWARD 2017-2022 Study.”