Faculty Awards & Honours
Marcia Anderson [MD/02], vice-dean, Indigenous health of the Rady Faculty and executive director
of Indigenous academic affairs for Ongomiizwin, received the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada’s 2021 Dr. Thomas Dignan Indigenous Health Award. This honour recognizes devotion to Canadian Indigenous rights and the pursuit of justice for Canada’s Indigenous Peoples.
Dr. Mandy Archibald, assistant professor of nursing and researcher with the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), is principal investigator for “A living lab for pediatric development and rehabilitation research: Innovating on integrated knowledge translation for family-centered care,” awarded $130,000 by Research Manitoba.
Dr. Devi Atukorallaya, assistant professor of oral biology and researcher with CHRIM, is co-investigator for “Teleost centre for development and repair to study the mechanisms of neural stem/crest cells in health and disease.” The project, led by Dr. Benjamin Lindsey, assistant professor of human anatomy and cell science, received $334,956 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation John R. Evans Leaders Fund.
Meghan Azad [PhD/10], associate professor of pediatrics and child health, Canada Research Chair in developmental origins of chronic disease and researcher with CHRIM, was honoured as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 for 2021. The awards recognize exceptional vision, innovation, leadership, influence and social responsibility. Azad was also elected a member of the Royal Society of Canada.
Dr. Ming-Ka Chan, co-director of the Office of Leadership Education in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, received the 2021 Royal College/Associated Medical Services Donald Richards Wilson Award. The award recognizes excellence in integrating CanMEDS roles into health-related training.
Rene Chu [DMD/08], assistant professor of restorative dentistry, was inducted as a fellow of the International College of Dentists. This honour recognizes outstanding professional achievement, meritorious service and dedication to the continued progress of dentistry.
Dr. Heather Dean, professor emeritus of pediatrics and child health, received the 2021 J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine from the Robarts Research Institute at Western University. Dean, a pediatric endocrinologist, has made globally important contributions to the understanding of Type 2 diabetes in children and youth.
Dr. Sanjiv Dhingra, associate professor of physiology and pathophysiology and principal investigator at the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre, received CIHR funding of $960,076 for “Role of COP 9 signalosome subunit 5 in preserving immunoprivilege of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells in the ischemic heart.”
Dr. Vernon Dolinsky [B.Sc.(Hons.)/96, M.Sc./98], associate professor of pharmacology and therapeutics and researcher with CHRIM, was awarded CIHR funding of $822,376 for “The role of SIRT3 in the developmental origins of gestational diabetes-induced cardiomyopathy in the offspring.”
Dr. Lisa Engel, assistant professor of occupational therapy, is co-investigator for “Enhancing the pandemic responses of disability support services,” which received $50,000 from Université de Montréal.
Dr. Evelyn Forget, professor of community health sciences, has been appointed to the Order of Canada. Forget, an internationally recognized health economist, was also elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
Keith Fowke [B.Sc.(Hons.)/88, PhD/95], professor and head of medical microbiology and infectious diseases, has been inducted as a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. This is one of the highest honours in Canada’s academic community.
Moni Fricke [BMRPT/87, M.Sc./98, PhD/16], assistant professor of physical therapy and director of the Office of Interprofessional Collaboration, leads “Collective action for anti-racism interprofessional health education: Ensuring a safe teaching and learning environment for all,” awarded $24,905 by the UM Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Program.
Dr. Ed Giesbrecht [BSW/87, BMROT/94, M.Sc./06], associate professor of occupational therapy, is co-investigator for “Co-creating a conceptual framework for digital game design to promote aging well,” which received $65,650 from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
Tom Hack [MA/91, PhD/95], who has received the title of distinguished professor of nursing, is co-principal investigator for “The development and evaluation of an evidence-informed, competency-based, accredited compassion training program for healthcare providers caring for older adults,” awarded $745,875 by the CIHR.
Gayle Halas [Dip.D.Hyg./87, PhD/16], assistant professor of dental hygiene and Rady Chair in Interprofessional Collaborative Practice, received $5,000 from the UM Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Program for “Experiential student learning to enhance interprofessional collaboration in healthcare practice: a scoping review of educational strategies beyond the classroom.”
Dr. Nicole Harder [BN/96, MPA/02], associate professor of nursing, is principal investigator for “Co-developing the pre-licensure curriculum in the health sciences: Interprofessional simulation-based learning as training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights and anti-racism,” awarded $18,453 by the UM Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Program.
Dr. Richard Keijzer, professor of surgery and researcher with CHRIM, received CIHR funding of $749,700 for “Circular RNAs and their role in congenital diaphragmatic hernia.”
Dr. Kaarina Kowalec [B.Sc.(Hons.)/08, M.Sc./11], assistant professor of pharmacy, was awarded $514,000 by the National Institutes of Health as principal investigator for “A Trans-Nordic study of extreme major depression.”
Dr. Marnie Kramer, assistant professor of nursing, is principal investigator for “Exploring the role of learner‐centered evaluation strategies to improve test‐taking in a combined pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment course in the College of Nursing,” awarded $5,000 by the UM Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Program.
Alia Lagace [BN/11], nursing instructor I, received the Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba 2021 Award of Excellence in Education.
Roland Lavallée [BA/80, BMRPT/83], instructor III in physical therapy, received the 2021 Golden Hands Award from the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. The award recognizes an exceptional orthopedic physiotherapist.
Michelle Lobchuk [BN/92, MN/95, PhD/01], associate professor of nursing, is principal investigator for
“CAreLab in your shoes web browser application: Usability testing,” awarded $9,991 by the University Research Grants Program.
Dr. Alyson Mahar, assistant professor of community health sciences, research scientist with the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and adjunct scientist with the CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, received an Emerging Scholar Award from the Canadian Cancer Society of $461,537 for “Measuring Equity and Generating Action in Cancer: Using research to promote equitable care delivery across Canada.”
Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie, professor of internal medicine and community health sciences and director of the multiple sclerosis clinic at Health Sciences Centre, has been inducted as a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. This is one of the highest honours in Canada’s academic community.
Dr. Donna Martin [BN/81, MN/97], professor of nursing and associate dean, graduate programs of the College of Nursing, has been inducted as a 2021 fellow of the Canadian Academy of Nursing.
Lyle McKinnon [PhD/09], associate professor of medical microbiology and infectious diseases and researcher with CHRIM, received CIHR funding of $749,700 for “Subsets of subsets: Investigating Th17 pathways in inflammatory bowel disease and HIV.”
Dr. James Nagy, professor of physiology and pathophysiology, received $742,050 from the CIHR for “Structural composition and regulation of electrical synapses in the CNS.”
Dr. Marcus Ng, associate professor of internal medicine, received $548,890 from the CIHR for “The REM-spike project: A set theoretic concordance evaluation of Rapid Eye Movement sleep in localizing the epileptogenic zone.”
Sheila Ng [B.Sc.Pharm/04], pharmacy instructor, received the Award of Merit from Pharmacists Manitoba. The award recognizes active participation and promotion contributing to the benefit of Pharmacists Manitoba and the profession of pharmacy.
Samantha Pauls [B.Sc.(Hons.)/09, PhD/17], assistant professor of pharmacy, is principal investigator for
“Investigation of a novel biological mechanism of action specific to the plant-sourced omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid,” which received $37,951 from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership-Ag Action Manitoba Program.
Jason Peeler [BPE/90, M.Sc./95, PhD/05], associate professor of human anatomy and cell science and researcher with CHRIM, received the Dr. and Mrs. H.H. Saunderson Award for Excellence in Teaching.
John Perry [DMD/76, M.Sc./86], associate dean (academic) of the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, received the Canadian Dental Association Award of Merit. This honour recognizes service to the association over a sustained period or outstanding contributions to dentistry or oral health.
Dr. Em Pijl, assistant professor of nursing, is principal investigator for “Exploring patients’ needs and preferences for opioid agonist therapy support in rural, remote and Indigenous communities: A mixed methods study,” awarded $7,000 by the Manitoba Primary and Integrated Healthcare Innovation Network.
Dr. Diana Sanchez-Ramirez, assistant professor of respiratory therapy, leads “Pulmonary rehabilitation post COVID-19: A pilot study,” awarded $22,428 by the Health Sciences Centre Foundation.
Robert Schroth [DMD/96, M.Sc./03, PhD/11], professor of preventive dental science, pediatrics and child health, community health sciences and oral biology, and researcher with CHRIM, was inducted as a fellow of the International College of Dentists. This honour recognizes outstanding professional achievement, meritorious service and dedication to the continued progress of dentistry.
Lynn Scruby [PhD/99], assistant professor of nursing, received a UM Community Engagement Award in recognition of her work with community organizations in advancing more sustainable, just and healthy communities and facilitating community-based opportunities to enhance student learning.
Dr. Tanveer Sharif, assistant professor of pathology and adjunct scientist with the CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, received an Emerging Scholar Award from the Canadian Cancer Society of $600,000 for “Effect of standard chemoradiotherapy interventions on metabolism and stemness in glioblastoma.”
Dr. Tabrez Siddiqui, associate professor of physiology and pathophysiology, received CIHR funding of $983,026 for “Regulation of a synaptic pathway in neuropsychiatric disorders.”
Tony Szturm [PhD/88], professor of physical therapy, is co-investigator for “Perturbation-based assessment and training of reactive balance control: Targeting neuromechanisms of falls in people with cognitive impairment,” awarded $190,000 by the National Institutes of Health.
Kellie Thiessen [PhD/14], associate professor of nursing, acting associate dean of the College of Nursing undergraduate program and researcher with CHRIM, is principal investigator for “Pathways to care: Partnerships to address gaps in maternity care,” awarded $32,950 by the Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Dr. Patricia Thille, assistant professor of physical therapy, is principal investigator for “Storying physiotherapy: Exploring fat stigma and clinical care,” awarded $39,965 by Research Manitoba.
Dr. Jude Uzonna, professor of immunology and associate dean (research) of the Max Rady College of Medicine, received CIHR funding of $990,676 for “Regulation of antigen-specific memory CD4+ T-cell responses in cutaneous leishmaniasis.”
Dr. Christina West, associate professor of nursing and researcher with CHRIM, received the Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba 2021 Award of Excellence in Research and the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing 2021 Award for Excellence in Nursing Education (Tenured).
Roberta Woodgate [BN/89, MN/93, PhD/01], distinguished professor of nursing, Canada Research Chair in child and family engagement in health research and healthcare, and researcher with CHRIM, received the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing 2021 Award for Research Excellence.
