The annual list is compiled by the Women’s Executive Network, a national member-based organization that celebrates the advancement of women in all sectors and of all ages. Categories in which UM has been recognized include women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), corporate performance and professionals.    

The winners will be honoured at an awards gala on Nov. 27 in Toronto.  

Corporate Performance Category  

Krystyna Koczanski Associate Dean (Administration), Faculty of Science 

Krystyna Koczanski is a dynamic academic leader and educator whose work bridges vision and practicality.  

She helps steward more than $65 million in projects that strengthen research, sustainability, and create spaces that blend function and inspiration—beautiful environments where people feel they belong.  

A 2019 recipient of the UM Outstanding Teacher Award, she also launched UM’s participation in the SHAD program, Canada’s STEAM and entrepreneurship youth program. She spearheaded the transformative learning experience in Churchill celebrating Manitoba’s North and its role in shaping future innovators. 

STEM Category

Dr. Mojgan Rastegar Professor of biochemistry and medical genetics, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences 

Dr. Mojgan Rastegar is internationally recognized as a leader in the field of epigenetic regulation of brain development. Her research explores how epigenetic deregulations at the cellular and molecular levels lead to compromised brain function, mental disability and neurodevelopmental disorders such as Rett Syndrome, a rare and progressive neurodevelopmental disease.  With a leadership role in Rett Syndrome research in Canada, Rastegar has established the Human Rett Syndrome Brain Bio-Repository Laboratory in Manitoba as the Canadian site for post-mortem brain donations from Rett Syndrome patients. 

Beyond her scientific achievements, Rastegar is a passionate advocate for women in STEM, dedicating significant time to mentoring and training women in science, and inspiring them to cultivate their curiosity and pursue their ambitions from a young age. 

Professionals Category  

Dr. Lori Wilkinson Distinguished professor department of sociology and affiliated professor Faculty of Law   

A distinguished academic leader and Canada Research Chair, Wilkinson is renowned for her expansive research on the social impacts of humanitarian crises, refugee and immigrant resettlement, vulnerable children and youth, religious persecution, gender-based health inequities, Indigenous reconciliation, francophone resettlement, and anti-racism efforts.  

Her work integrates rigorous statistical and empirical analysis with qualitative methods to produce both scholarly insight and policy-relevant outcomes. As a public sociologist, she collaborates closely with immigrant community-led advisory committees to dispel migration myths and contribute meaningfully to anti-racism initiatives. A committed knowledge mobilizer, she ensures her findings are widely shared to inform policy and practice. Her research is deeply rooted in social justice, with a focus on inequality, migration and practical application. She also plays a vital mentorship role, guiding emerging scholars, new academics, policymakers and professionals in the settlement support sector. 

Awarded First Place was Dr. Michael Saley, a postdoctoral fellow in Chemistry, whose work creates new tools and techniques to uncover how cells communicate with one another—conversations that shape health and disease in ways often hidden from view.

Second Place in the competition was awarded to Dr. Olabisi (Bisi) Akinlabi, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Her presentation highlighted research examining how vaginal bacterial load and microbiota influence the clearance of human papillomavirus (HPV) and the progression of cervical cancer in Kenyan women. By advancing understanding of the microbiome’s role in HPV persistence and clearance, her work offers potential insights into improved strategies for preventing cervical cancer and related health outcomes.

Third Place in the went to Dr. Asim Joshi, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Dr. Joshi’s research focuses on understanding why lung tumors often develop resistance to treatment and how this resistance can be overcome. By developing laboratory models and studying the underlying mechanisms, his work aims to identify new therapeutic strategies that could improve treatment effectiveness and patient outcomes.

The People’s Choice Award went to Dr. Mariela Rodríguez, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Human Nutritional Sciences. Dr. Rodríguez’s research is advancing green technologies for extracting and improving plant proteins—particularly from pulses. Her work focuses on enhancing digestibility, taste, and functionality, with the goal of creating sustainable, high-value food ingredients that can strengthen Manitoba’s agri-food sector.

This competition shines a spotlight on the incredible contributions of our postdoctoral fellows,” said Dr. Kelley Main, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. “Their research is advancing knowledge in ways that will have a direct impact on our communities. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and the vital role they play in shaping the future”.

This year’s challengers included:

• Dr. Asim Joshi – Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Dr. Mariela Rodriguez – Human Nutritional Sciences
• Dr. Masoomeh Gomroki – Food Science
• Dr. Michael Saley – Chemistry
• Dr. Monire Nobahar Ahari – Occupational Therapy
• Dr. Olabisi Akinlabi – Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
• Dr. Ruchira Nandasiri– Human Nutritional Sciences
• Dr. Taalia Khan – Art and Architectural History

The competition highlighted the important contributions of 8 postdoctoral researchers across varied disciplines, showing how their work is creating real-world impact in Manitoba and beyond.

This dynamic competition challenges postdoctoral fellows to summerize their research into an engaging three-minute presentation using only one slide. Presenters will be evaluated by a panel of three judges on clarity, engagement, and impact. Audience members will also play a role by voting for their favourite presentation live at the event.

Eight postdoctoral fellows are set to take the stage this year, ready to share their groundbreaking work in a way that is both understandable and inspiring.

• Dr. Asim Joshi – Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Dr. Mariela Rodriguez – Human Nutritional Sciences
• Dr. Masoomeh Gomroki – Food Science
• Dr. Michael Saley – Chemistry
• Dr. Monire Nobahar Ahari – Occupational Therapy
• Dr. Olabisi Akinlabi – Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
• Dr. Ruchira Nanasiri– Human Nutritional Sciences
• Dr. Taalia Khan – Art and Architectural History

“The 3MP competition showcases not only the depth of research happening at UM but also the creativity and communication skills of our postdoctoral fellows,” says Dr. Kelley Main, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. “The Faculty of Graduate Studies recent name change to The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies highlights the important role postdoctoral fellows play in the university community.”

The event is open to students, faculty, and the public, offering a glimpse into the research being done at UM across multiple disciplines.

Event Details:
Date: Friday, September 19, 2025
Location: Senate Chambers, E3-262 EITC
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Register to attend in person: https://forms.office.com/r/RUgFDMkg4V

For more information, visit the University of Manitoba’s Postdoctoral Achievements and Awards page. https://umanitoba.ca/graduate-studies/postdoctoral-achievements-and-awards

Please tell us about your research and its importance.

My master’s research was in the field of proteomics, where we used analytical chemistry practices such as liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify thousands of proteins in the analysis of human tissues or cell cultures. A fundamental step in this process is to predictably break down proteins into smaller pieces called peptides, then separate these peptides by their chemical properties. The goal of my research specifically was to characterize how post-translational modifications, chemical modifications of proteins which serve a biological function, affect their separation on the peptide level. These characterizations served to generate prediction models that can be used to complement other validation tools, increasing the confidence of a researcher’s results during their proteomics investigations of human diseases, or can be used by companies in the quality control of commercial protein products.

Whom did you collaborate with in your research, and how was the experience for you?

My research project entailed minimal collaboration, but we did have one collaboration with a chromatography company, PolyLC, which provided materials and insights for us to generate a predictive model, which resulted in a paper. Nonetheless, I had a great experience. Despite being a chemistry student, my lab was on the Bannatyne campus in the Manitoba Centre for Proteomics and Systems Biology, a research centre with multiple research groups from different departments. Each week, we would have a research seminar for the centre where a student was given the opportunity to present their results and receive advice on their projects. This not only allowed me to gather knowledge from outside chemistry but also allowed me to benefit from the perspectives of different disciplines and learn to present outside of my field. In the end, this bolstered a novel sense of direction for my research and development of my communication skills.

Who were your mentors (committee members, supervisors, other professors or graduate students) throughout your MSc studies, and what were the biggest lessons you learned from them?

I had many mentors during my studies. From my co-supervisors, Dr. Oleg Krokhin and Dr. Helene Perreault, my committee members Dr. Sabine Kuss, Dr. Gregg Tomy, and Dr. Rene Zahedi, and to my other lab members Dr. Darien Yeung and Vic Spicer, I had many opportunities to learn where and how to improve. Each of them deserves some credit for my success over the last few years. By far, the biggest impact on my studies came from the support Dr. Krokhin and Dr. Perreault provided, always answering my questions and considering my ideas, no matter how outlandish they may have been. Dr. Krokhin trained me directly, which is quite different from many graduate experiences where senior students are responsible for training the new students. The biggest lesson I learned from my mentors was a line I heard often, “you have one chance in life”, which obviously isn’t always true, but comes with the notion that you need to be careful at every step. One mistake will set you back and delay your progress. Write out your ideas, think about them, plan, adjust if necessary, and then convert them into something actionable. Reminds me of the saying my dad used to say, “measure twice, cut once”.

What is your vision for the future of your research, and what do the next steps look like in your journey?

After some thinking, I decided I wanted to learn more biology and I have recently started a PhD with Dr. Rene Zahedi where I plan to venture into spatial proteomics where we will investigate not only at the protein content of samples, but how they are organized in tissue samples and the modifications that those proteins carry. I am interested in the idea of applying for medical school to go into the MD/PhD stream. This would open the door for clinical science research directly related to human diseases. Only time will tell.

Students shared powerful reflections on the impact their chosen teachers had on their lives, highlighting the dedication, compassion, and humour these educators brought to the classroom. For some, the most influential teachers were also the toughest—those who held them to high standards because they genuinely believed in their ability to succeed.

“My mom went to a parent-teacher conference. I had an excellent report card—except for all the classes I had with one teacher, Ms. Margaret Wiens. My grades in her class were thirty percent lower than every other class,” shared Christine Hay, the outstanding student selected from the Faculty of Education. “The rural school I attended was a Grade 4 to 12 school, with no high school art programming at all. Margaret Wiens was a teacher who saw the value of art in education. So, when I decided in Grade 12, four years later, that I wanted to apply to the School of Art at UM with no arts training at all, it was Ms. Wiens who learned how to build an entrance portfolio and mentored me through the entire process—during her lunches, her preps, and after school. I did end up getting direct entry into the School of Art. It is with deep gratitude that I stand here today and thank you, 23 years later, for showing up every day with grit, for showing me grace, and for being an example of how I hope to show up for my future students.”

Left image from left to right, Yvonne Fenner, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy, outstanding student, Ms. Margaret Hart, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy, outstanding teacher. Right image from left to right, Mr.  Ron Constant, Joe A. Ross School, outstanding teacher, Yvonne Fenner, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy, outstanding student

This year’s Students’ Teacher Recognition Reception was held on May 5 bringing together students, their selected teachers, faculty representatives, and invited guests for an afternoon of meaningful celebration. The event was hosted by The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning and emceed by the Centre’s Director, Dr. Erica Jung.

Dr. Diane Hiebert-Murphy, Provost and Vice-President (Academic) brought greetings and shared her own reflections on the educators who made a lasting impact in her life. “I think back to my high school teachers’ who encouraged me to recognize potential that I didn’t fully see in myself, and some University Professors who helped shape the direction of my academic life, and ultimately my professional life. These individuals will never fully appreciate or know the impact that they had on me, but I certainly think about them every year when I come to this reception.”

Throughout the afternoon, students spoke not only about the academic guidance they received but also the personal support their teachers offered—support that extended beyond the classroom. Many shared stories of educators who cared deeply, often becoming mentors, role models, and even friends.

Yvonne Fenner, the outstanding student from the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, spoke with heartfelt appreciation about the many ways her selected teachers supported her. “It wasn’t only the educational part of this journey that she helped me with. Ms. Margaret Hart was there for me on a personal note, as I have called on her many times in the last two years.” Ms. Margaret Hart, a First Nations Indigenous educator in the health sciences, shared that the presence of Indigenous students carries deep personal significance. “I’m there to nurture the students’ learning, but also, I’m there to nurture their identities too”—a sentiment that reflects a commitment not only to academic growth but to personal and cultural growth as well.

Following the ceremony, attendees had a chance to mingle, take photos, and reflect on the meaningful connections that helped shape their journeys.

Faculty of Law student Alessandro Potenza put it best: “I know that we were not uniquely smart, but instead, that we had a uniquely exceptional teacher.” A sentiment echoed by many—while talent may open the door, it’s great educators who help students walk through it.

For a full list of award recipients, please visit our webpage.

Oobleck pool!

Science Rendezvous is hosted by the UM Faculty of Science along with our campus and community partners. But the stars of the show are the more than 400 fantastic volunteers who make the event possible. We cannot wait to welcome you back for an exciting day filled with engaging science shows and booths. This is Winnipeg’s biggest and most remarkable science outreach event of the year!

Giant bubble trap!

Ready to get your hands dirty? Trap a person inside a giant bubble made of soap, water and glycerin. Run fast over our popular oobleck pool and don’t stop, or you will sink (up to your ankles)! Use plastic spoons to catch and release various critters from Oak Hammock Marsh.

Need a less messy activity? Visit us at the “Atomic Curiosities” booth to learn about radioactivity. Explore the “Math Mania” booth for brain-boosting math puzzles and games no matter how old you are. Or join us for a calm space to look at jaw-dropping rocks and fossils!

Look at the sun through the telescope!

This year’s theme is Wonder! We invite you to fuel your curiosity and look through our telescopes to view the sun. Learn more about polar bears at the “Polar Bears on Thin Ice” booth. Challenge yourself to code and move a pre-built robot arm. Or use small solar panels to light up little lights and sound buzzers!

Chemistry show!

With more than 50 science booths, our volunteers are excited to show kids the magic of science. But they are also secretly hoping to see the spark of curiosity and delight on adults’ faces, too. Whether you are bringing kids or coming on your own, we have something for you, and we are excited to see you there!

This event is FREE to attend, and no sign-ups are necessary except for science shows. To learn more, visit our website.

Undergraduate Student Sustainability Award

Sahand Babaie, Undergraduate Sustainability Award Winner

The Undergraduate Sustainability Award recognizes an undergraduate student who has led an initiative or project to advance sustainability. This initiative or project can be part of course work or take place outside of the learning environment.

Award Recipient: Sahand Babaie, Faculty of Science B.Sc. (General)

Sahand Babaie has been an active volunteer on sustainability projects across campus, including as president of the Science Student’s Association, where he led the work of digitalizing services to help decrease paper waste and shifting away from plastic cutlery to sustainable options. Babaie’s additional volunteer experience includes as a sustainability ambassador with the Office of Sustainability, recycling wood furniture with the Sustainability in Action Facility (SiAF), as social media coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) HUB, and as a student representative on the Sustainable Building Manitoba Board.

Recently, Babaie has been a participant in the SDG youth certificate classes put on by the Canadian Sustainable Development Solution Network and will be receiving his certification this spring.

Graduate Student Sustainability Award

Heather Eckton, Graduate Sustainability Award Winner

The Graduate Sustainability Award recognizes a graduate student who has led an initiative or project to advance sustainability. This initiative or project can be a part of course work or take place outside of the learning environment.

Award Recipient: Heather Eckton, Faculty of Education, PhD program

Heather Eckton is a SSHRC Doctoral Fellow in the Faculty of Education, the Climate Action Team Leader with Seven Oaks School Division, and the founder and program coordinator of the Sustainable Living Academy Manitoba in the Seven Oaks School Division. She is also a member of the Expert Advisory Council on the Environment and Climate Change and is a founding member of the Educators for Climate Action Manitoba.

Eckton’s doctoral research focusses on excellence in climate change education and transformational learning. She proposes to build capacity among MB school teachers towards climate change education.

Student Group Sustainability Award

The Student Group Sustainability Award recognizes a group of students who have led an initiative or project to advance sustainability at UM. This group also has made and will continue to make a lasting positive impact on the environmental, economic and social well-being of students at the University of Manitoba.

Prairie iGEM, Student Group Sustainability Award Winner

Award Recipient: Prairie iGEM

Prairie iGEM is a multidisciplinary student group targeting UN sustainable development goals through science and technology. Over two consecutive years, Prairie iGEM dedicated the team’s efforts to solve the polylactic acid (PLA) plastic pollution problem in Manitoba, by developing an engineered plastic eating bacteria that could improve PLA composting under challenging conditions.

The team researched waste management approaches used both within the university and across our province and created educational materials and programs for university members and visiting school students. Through these initiatives and in cooperation with different faculties and organizations, Prairie iGEM has contributed to the development of new strategies to manage waste in Manitoba.

Faculty Sustainability Award

The Faculty Sustainability Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional and continuous integration of sustainability into their teaching, research and engagement activities. This individual creates engaging opportunities for students through experiential learning, course design, innovative research and assignment creation. This person also shows a keen interest in campus related activities and sustainability as a whole.

Award Recipient: Dr. Joe Curnow, Educational Administration, Foundations & Psychology, Faculty of Education

Dr. Joe Curnow, Faculty Sustainability Award Winner

Dr. Joe Curnow has a track record of impactful research, community education, and international sustainability leadership. Curnow’s research explores how environmental activists learn through participation in social movements. Through participatory action research with fossil fuel divestment activists, her study examined a climate campaign with the potential to reveal both how mainstream environmental spaces become default spaces of Whiteness, masculinity, and settler-coloniality, as well as how these groups can become politicized, resisting social relations of dominance and centering reconciliation in their approach to climate justice.

Curnow’s research on sustainability learning has garnered prestigious awards. Curnow’s recent community-based education initiatives support sustainability organizing in Winnipeg. As part of the UM Social Justice Hub launch, she facilitated a Direct Action Organizing intensive workshop with cycling activists from UM and across Winnipeg. She has mentored community leaders as they develop practices to scale up their advocacy for sustainable transport infrastructure and safety policies.

For more than twenty years, Curnow has been active in sustainability and environmental activism.

Staff Sustainability Award

Debbie Armstrong, Staff Sustainability Award Winner

The Staff Sustainability Award recognizes an individual staff member’s efforts to educate, advocate and advance sustainability within their department and/or unit. This person shows a keen interest in campus-related activities and sustainability as a whole. Sustainability may or may not be defined in this person’s job responsibilities.

Award Recipient: Debbie Armstrong, Centre for Earth Observation Science, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources

Debbie Armstrong goes above and beyond to make UM a more sustainable place through her initiatives, teaching and research. Armstrong was instrumental in applying for and receiving a Strategic Initiative Fund to install a first of its kind solar panel system at the Sea-Ice Research Facility. She advances sustainability through cutting-edge environmental research in the ultra-clean trace elements laboratory, where she monitors pollutants and climate change indicators. And as an instructor, Armstrong is sure to include teaching on climate change and sustainability aspects in her courses.

Collaborative Sustainability Award

Period Poverty and Equity on Campus and Beyond, Collaborative Sustainability Award Winner

The Collaborative Sustainability Award recognizes a unique collaborative effort between students, faculty, staff and community members to integrate sustainability into a project or initiative. This unique category puts emphasis on interdepartmental interactions at UM in efforts to find solutions to sustainability-related challenges.

Award Recipient: Period Poverty and Equity, on Campus and Beyond

The Period Poverty and Equity, on Campus and Beyond (PPECB) project is a collaborative project based at the Center for Human Rights Research (CHRR). The PPECB project utilizes a menstrual justice lens to bring together faculty, staff, students and organizations to address period poverty (the increased economic vulnerability resulting from the financial burden posed by the need for menstrual supplies) and promote a broader vision of menstrual justice.

The PPECB was initially funded by a University of Manitoba Strategic Initiatives Award. This one-year project was anchored by an interdisciplinary and inter-faculty research team consisting of CHRR manager Dr. Pauline Tennent, Dr. Adele Perry (Arts), Dr. Julia Smith (Arts), and Dr. Lindsay Larios (Social Work), and supported by Heather Stark of the Office of Sustainability. The PPECB employed two graduate students, Chloe Vickar (Master of Human Rights) and Mikayla Hunter (Master of Community Health Sciences) and three undergraduate students: Bethel Alemaio (Arts), Hannah Belec (Arts), and Victoria Romero (Arts). The PPECB project has engaged approximately 80 volunteers, many of them students and a smaller number of staff and faculty.

Interested in nominating an individual or group for the Sustainability Awards? Keep an eye out for next year’s call for nominations in early 2026.

“One proven approach in drug discovery is to find the proteins that play a key role in a disease or help harmful microbes survive. If we can target those proteins with the right small molecules, we can disrupt the disease process”, says Hamid Hadipour, data scientist.

Hamid Hadipour, Data Scientist

Hadipour conceptualized the idea and designed the algorithms along with Dr. Pingzhao Hu. Hu is an adjunct professor at UM Max Rady College of Medicine.

Hadipour explains that GraphBAN predicts if a small molecule can bind to a protein. It can also tell us which parts of it the protein interacts with. This deep learning model speeds up the prediction process by doing a visual test using AI. It saves time and money, helping researchers focus on the best drug candidates. These can be antibiotics or cancer treatments.

Hamid Hadipour and Dr. Silvia Cardona

GraphBAN reflect a strong interdisciplinary collaboration between chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology and computer science. The project was made possible with Dr. Silvia Cardona‘s contributions and co-supervision. Cardona is a professor and associate head graduate at the Department of Microbiology. Her lab studies molecular microbiology and microbial genomics. All with a focus on antibiotic discovery. Cardona tells us that we are going to see more AI predictions in science. Predictions that we then have to confirm with experimental research. In a way, AI won’t replace experimental research but rather complement it.

GraphBAN has recently been published in Nature Communications. To learn more about GraphBAN and the team behind it, watch the full interview on our YouTube channel.

Tomy is a professor, director of the Centre for Oil and Gas Development and an associate head in the chemistry department. His lab develops analytical methods to detect and measure chemicals in the environment and then makes toxicological assessments on the potential health impacts these chemicals have on non-targeted biological organisms.

Watch the full interview with Loudon, as we learn more about her journey in science, her experience with the summer research program, and the work they have recently published.

This year, we talked with Dr. Katie Mitchell-Koch, associate professor at the Department of Chemistry and Kara Loudon, undergraduate chemistry student about their experience as a woman in science, their proudest achievements, and the challenges they have faced and how they have overcome those.

Dr. Katie Mitchell-Koch, associate professor, Department of Chemistry

When asked about the challenges women face in science, Mitchell-Koch tells us that her experience has been that men are believed to be capable, on the face of it and women must prove that they are capable.

“You just have to work a little harder. But I learned so much, because I did, because I had to go over and over again and try harder. My science got better”, says Mitchell-Koch.

Loudon points out the representation from a student point of view and that the majority of the professors remain male, and women are underrepresented in these and similar leadership roles.

Kara Loudon, undergraduate chemistry student

“I think maybe part of that is women entering jobs that were traditionally considered to be male-dominated with no adjustments for their unique needs”, explains Loudon.

Join us as we continue the conversation and watch the full video on the Faculty of Science’s YouTube channel. You can view the Women in Science news archive to learn more about the inspiring women in science.