This prestigious award recognizes University of Manitoba educators who have demonstrated continuing teaching excellence and made significant contributions to advancing teaching and learning at UM.

Jennifer Watt

Professor, Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, Faculty of Education

Students and colleagues alike commend Jennifer Watt for her passion, empathy and creativity, which are having a transformative impact in the field of education.

Watt is deeply committed to advancing equity and social justice in education. Since joining the University of Manitoba in a faculty position in 2017, her teaching has inspired learners at all stages – from first-year undergraduates to experienced educators – to view teaching as a pathway to building a more compassionate and inclusive world.

She played a pivotal role in developing Introduction to Education: What It Means to Teach, a course grounded in the themes of Belonging, Meaning, Purpose, and Hope (outlined in “Mamàhtawisiwin”, a 2022 Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning Indigenous education policy document) and the four guiding questions taught by the late Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair. Due to its popularity, the course has expanded from three to five sections, drawing hundreds of undergraduate students. One student reflected, “Her class has taught me so much about the education system and gave me insight into whether teaching was the career for me. I have never felt so welcomed, cared for and appreciated in a classroom.”

Watt’s innovative approaches include thoughtfully designed teaching strategies and assessments that respect student autonomy, honour diversity, and encourage reflection and growth. Her “Choose Your Own Adventure” assignment, for example, offers students multiple pathways to demonstrate their learning in ways that reflect their identities, experiences and aspirations.

She also co-leads the Manitoba Writing Project and co-teaches a Summer Writing Institute with her colleague, Michelle Honeyford. The 6-credit graduate/post-diploma course brings together educators, researchers and writers to explore the transformative power of writing and place-based inquiry. Each year, this unique program is situated in a new context, from King’s Park to public murals and monuments across Manitoba.

Beyond the classroom, Watt shares her expertise widely through a variety of platforms – webinars, podcasts, creative multimedia tools and experiential learning activities, making knowledge accessible and impactful. Her passion for teaching is contagious, and her pedagogy – rooted in care, accountability and community – is shaping the next generation of compassionate, justice-oriented educators.

Wan Wang

Instructor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts

Wan Wang is a dedicated and passionate educator whose teaching has had a profound impact on undergraduate psychology students, particularly in the areas of research methods and assessment.

Wang teaches multiple sessions of three research courses that form the foundation for most programs within the Department of Psychology. Her student-centred approach makes abstract and technically complex research concepts both understandable and engaging. By grounding her pedagogy in self-determination theory, she fosters student motivation and well-being by addressing key needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness.

Her teaching strategies combine rigor with relevance, helping students build competency in critical thinking and problem-solving skills, leading to high engagement. In a glowing review from one student, they noted how Wang put them at ease despite the challenging material: “Dr. Wang is really good at explaining concepts that normally would be daunting and stressful.” She integrates current and relatable content – such as the ethical use of artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT – and develops experiential learning projects that allow students to pursue topics aligned with their own interests. She also demonstrates how their own research activities can contribute to ongoing efforts of reducing barriers to access building a more just society.

Wang is also deeply committed to her own professional growth and to advancing teaching and learning at UM. She regularly participates in teaching workshops both at the university and through external organizations and has received funding for research projects that enhance student learning, supported by the Provost’s Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Support Fund and the Faculty of Arts’ Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund. A strong advocate for knowledge mobilization, she actively shares her research findings and teaching practices with colleagues. Since joining UM in 2019, she has received multiple teaching awards from both university administrative units and student-led organizations.

Through her exemplary dedication and innovative use of psychological principles in teaching, Wang has positively impacted thousands of undergraduate students in the Department of Psychology.

The University of Manitoba proudly congratulates Jennifer Watt and Wan Wang on this well-deserved recognition of their excellence in teaching.

He talks about the psychological benefits and drawbacks of nostalgia, shares anecdotes about relationships, and explores why certain times of year like the first week of school trigger these memories.

To listen to the entire conversation, please follow the link to CBC Manitoba.

As the new federal Implementation Science Chair, Dr. Leslie E. Roos, of the Faculty of Arts Department of Psychology and Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba is leading a national effort to get mental health solutions into the hands of families faster.

“It commonly takes over 15 years for research breakthroughs to become a part of everyday care, and I think everyone recognizes that’s a problem,” says Roos. “Our goal is to increase the public’s access to the highest quality care, that is culturally appropriate and meets their needs.”

Children’s Hospital Research Institute staff, researchers, and community knowledge partners.

The need for coordinated care

Mental health challenges have always existed but have been historically under diagnosed, under considered and under treated. This means that the data available to help researchers understand causes, scope of need and impacts is limited, making it difficult to predict needs for mental health services before they arise.

Recent research shows that more than 70% of serious mental illness starts during childhood and when parents experience unaddressed mental health challenges, the risk for their children increases. However, as awareness of the importance of receiving care increases so does demand for services, putting strain on already heavily burdened systems.

“In the early years of a child’s life around 15% of Canadian families have a parent with a significant mental health issue, but at least half of them won’t access care,” says Roos. “By addressing mental health challenges early, we can reduce the chance of hospitalization and provide ongoing benefit for future generations.”

Research driven solutions

As the Implementation Science Chair, Roos is focused on closing the gap between research and action to ensure that mental health strategies reach the people who need them. Roos hopes to complement current healthcare systems with services co-designed between families, researchers and front-line practitioners to deliver innovations to the public as they are identified.

One exciting area of work follows the new national guidelines on universal mental health screenings for new parents. By implementing new screening protocols, identifying needs early and co-designing systems of care that can offer offering support, families can get the help they need, when they need it and before they reach a crisis point.

Dr. Leslie E. Roos presents to community advisory board partners at a 2025 event.

A growing network of care

Through Partnering for Research Innovation in Mental Health (PRIME), Roos and her colleague Dr. Mandy Archibald at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba have already connected with over 500 knowledge partners in Manitoba. The established group of community collaborators including Kids Brain Health, the United Way of Winnipeg, Family Dynamics, Child and Youth Treatment Services, Acorn Family Place and, Strengthening Families and Maternal Child Health Initiative on Pinaymootang First Nation.

“Mental health solutions are going to come from within communities,” says Roos. “Anytime a family is being pulled in multiple directions, with factors such as financial strain or the stress of parenting itself, the potential need for mental health and other tangible supports grows. The work of implementation is often really the work of building relationships to understand community needs, priorities, and appealing solutions.”

In Canada, legacies and ongoing impacts of colonization disproportionately impact Indigenous families. In addition, many newcomers communities’ face stress during the process of immigration, and they often face barriers to accessing care. Equitable approaches to mental health care will require community leadership and expertise to provide culturally appropriate high-quality care from a lens of self-determination.

Arts-based advocacy in community mental health care visioning activity, with art creation and leadership from collaborator Aimee-Mihkokwaniy McGillis.

“I have the incredible opportunity to collaborate with organizational and student leaders who are taking on this work to bring wellness to their communities, says Roos. It takes a lot of work to change practices and there is a lot of openness to improvements to care based on the great work already being done by researchers and community health organizations across Manitoba,”

Over her five-year term Roos plans to grow this network nationally, to identify different barriers and share insights between communities facing similar challenges.

The CIHR Implementation Science Chair in Human Development, Child and Youth Health includes one million dollars in funding over five years, beginning summer 2025.

Early motherhood is a very challenging time for anyone, especially in this day and age with so many things happening in the world. Gornik wants to better understand how that anxiety or stress is showing up for these moms (or maternal-identifying caregivers), how that impacts the way that they speak, behave, and communicate when around their young kids, and how the kids in turn communicate, express themselves, and experience emotions themselves.

This week Gornik chatted with CBC host Faith Fundal about their work and how people can get involved.

To listen to the entire conversation, please follow the link to CBC Manitoba Up to Speed.

Meet the challengers who will take the stage on April 1 at the Robert B. Schultz Theatre:

Anne Manson
Human Nutritional Sciences, Ph.D.
Advisor: Dr. Harold Aukema

Thesis Title: Using oxylipins to inform dietary omega-3 fat intake and heart drug development

Anne is a passionate researcher exploring the role of oxylipins in optimizing omega-3 intake for health and aiding in heart medication development. Fascinated by these powerful molecules that regulate numerous body functions, she investigates how diet, sex, and drugs influence oxylipin production—insights that can shape nutrition guidelines and therapeutic advancements. Holding a Bachelor of Science from the Federal University of Uberlândia, Brazil, and a 2021 Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship recipient, Anne will expand her research into epidemiology and human health during postdoctoral training. Her long-term goal is to become an independent researcher, leveraging oxylipin data to assess disease risk, inform treatments, and improve health outcomes.

Megan Crooks
Psychology, M.A.
Advisor: Dr. Renee El-Gabalawy

Thesis Title: Preventing invisible pain with the power of virtual reality

Megan is passionate about bridging psychological research and clinical practice. In the final year of her master’s degree in clinical psychology at the University of Manitoba, she has been able to do just that by working with real patients who try out the virtual reality treatment developed by her lab. Her ultimate goal is to become a clinical psychologist, using evidence-based interventions approved by her patients to improve mental health care.

Sanjana Grover
Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Ph.D
Advisor: Dr. Benjamen Lindsey

Thesis Title: Cracking the code of human brain repair using zebrafish as a model

Sanjana is a neuroscience researcher and a second year PhD student studying unique stem cells in the zebrafish brain that generate new neurons and enable brain repair, a process mammals cannot naturally achieve. Fascinated by the brain’s limited ability to regenerate, she uses zebrafish as a model to uncover insights into why brain repair fails in mammals. Sanjana holds a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Research from the University of Bristol, UK and has earned multiple research awards, including the Research Manitoba Master’s Studentship (2024). Actively involved in science outreach, she led a zebrafish workshop for MNN Brain Awareness Week 2024 & 2025 and currently serves as the Vice-President Internal for the HSGSA. She was also invited by the Canadian Association of Neuroscience (CAN) to represent as a neuroadvocate at the Parliament Hill, where she advocated for increased research funding. Sanjana plans to continue her research through postdoctoral studies.

Lam Nguyen
Education, Ph.D.
Advisor: Dr. Martha Koch

Thesis Title: Graph theory for children – an inclusive approach to developing mathematical identity in the classroom

Lam is a mathematics educator and school administrator exploring how school math experiences shape mathematical identities and how introducing advanced topics early can impact student perceptions. Their research examines the widespread negative attitudes toward mathematics and self-identified negative math identities, such as “I am not a math person.” With a Master of Education in Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning at the University of Manitoba, he is passionate about improving math education and fostering confidence in learners. With a strong background in teaching and administration, his future goals are to work with prospective teachers and graduate students, helping future educators transform the way math is taught and perceived in schools.

Andy Van Domelen
Biochemistry and Medical genetics, m.sc.
Advisor: Dr. Britt Drögemöller

Thesis Title: The colour of risk: using genetics to predict hearing loss and dementia

Andy is using genetics to improve healthcare for aging populations. As a researcher analyzing genetic data from thousands of older Canadians, he develops predictive models for hearing loss and dementia, enabling early intervention. With a B.Sc. in Microbiology, Andy is driven by a deep curiosity about the genetic connections between diseases and their impact on aging. His goal is to bridge the gap between lab discoveries and clinical applications, ensuring that research translates into real-world benefits. He looks forward to collaborating with clinicians, policymakers, and the community, and aims to contribute to innovative, genetics-based solutions for age-related conditions in Canada.

Hayley Smith
Pharmacology and Therapeutics, M.Sc.
Advisor: Dr. Renée Douville

Thesis Title: It all started with a mouse….model to study neurodegeneration

Hayley is a Master’s student researching how DNA damage caused by a viral protein may contribute to ALS, and exploring antiviral therapies as a potential treatment. With a B.Sc. in Genetics from UM, her passion for neurodegenerative disease research stems from a personal family connection. After discovering the fascinating world of endogenous retroviruses, she joined Dr. Renee Douville’s lab and is enjoying the topics she studies. She is open to various career paths in health sciences, including considering medicine or furthering her current research with a PhD. Grateful for her lab and mentorship, she is focused on making meaningful contributions to neurodegenerative disease research while taking her career in science one step at a time.

Mia-May Grabovac
Biological Sciences, M.Sc.
Advisors: Dr. Patricia Ramey-Balci and Dr. Andrea Niemi

Thesis Title: Larval invertebrates in a changing Arctic ecosystem

Mia- May is a Master’s student researching seafloor invertebrate larvae and the impacts of Arctic climate change on their communities. Her interest in Arctic ecosystems began during an 8-month co-op at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, where she studied zooplankton abundance and later led zooplankton sampling in the Western Canadian Arctic (2023-2024). With a B.Sc. in Biological Sciences (Evolution & Biodiversity) from the University of Manitoba, she focusses on meroplankton, an understudied group with key ecological roles. As a Biological Sciences Graduate Students Association representative, Mia-May is dedicated to Arctic conservation and will continue studying invertebrates, their environmental interactions, and the effects of climate change on Arctic ecosystems.

Taylor Orchard
Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Ph.D.
Advisor: Dr. Jason Peeler

Thesis Title: Musculosketal education – the more a doctor knows, the better they treat

Taylor is a medical education researcher focused on enhancing musculoskeletal medicine training for Canadian doctors. With a passion for anatomy education and healthcare, she found the perfect fit in medical education research within the Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Sciences. Holding a B.Sc. from the University of Manitoba, she has earned prestigious awards, including the Canada Graduate Studentship – Masters (2023) and the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship – PhD (2024). Actively engaged in academia, she serves as Vice-President of the Human Anatomy and Cell Sciences Student Council and a student representative for the Max Rady College of Medicine Council. Her goal is to secure an academic appointment in postsecondary and continue to advance clinical learning and knowledge retention among healthcare providers in Canada.

Rachele Molyneaux
Physiology and Pathophysiology, M.Sc.
Advisor: Dr Jeremy Chopek

Thesis Title: The Spinal Symphony: How V3 Neurons Help Orchestrate the Rhythm of Movement

Rachele is a researcher studying spinal V3 neurons using patch-clamp electrophysiology to understand their role in locomotion and spinal cord injury recovery. With a B.Sc. in Exercise Science from the University of Winnipeg, she combines her knowledge of movement and physiology through both research and hands-on experience. As a personal trainer, she focuses on functional fitness for older adults and aims to expand their practice by deepening their understanding of human physiology and spinal cord injuries. Rachele has worked as a sports director for immigrant and refugee girls, studying the relationship between early exposure to sports and increased self-confidence and overall wellbeing later in life. Her goal is to create a more inclusive, movement-focused approach to fitness and rehabilitation.

Adewunmi Giwa
Food Science, Ph.D.
Advisor: Dr. Rotimi Aluko

Thesis Title: Stripping cancer’s armor: how pea bioactive peptides trigger cancer self-destruction

Adewunmi is a passionate food scientist and Ph.D. student investigating how pea-derived bioactive peptides inhibit Glutathione Peroxidase IV (GPX4), triggering ferroptosis in cancer cells. Her interest in plant-based functional foods and nutraceuticals stems from a blend of scientific curiosity and personal experiences, including her mother’s use of herbal remedies and her father’s struggle with diabetes. These influences inspired her to explore how natural food components can contribute to disease prevention and treatment. Committed to sustainable and innovative therapies, Adewunmi aims to improve cancer treatment by developing solutions that are effective, sustainable, accessible, and safe.

Hannah Zhang
Physiology and Pathophysiology, Ph.D.
Advisor: Dr. Amir Ravandi

Thesis Title: Lipids as early markers of cardiogenic shock

Hannah is an MD/PhD student passionate about cardiovascular disease and metabolism. Despite being a leading cause of mortality worldwide, heart disease still requires deeper exploration, especially through a precision medicine lens. Fascinated by translational research for its direct clinical impact, she chose cardiovascular lipidomics—a field that merges all of her interests. Her work focuses on using lipids to detect cardiogenic shock in heart attack patients, utilizing advanced lipidomic technology with both human patients and animal models. With a Master of Science in Cell Biology from McGill University, she has earned multiple accolades, including the Martin Morad Young Investigator Exchange Award (2024). Her goal is to become a clinician-scientist, advancing heart disease treatment and precision medicine.

Madhushani Ariyadasa
Civil Engineering, Ph.D.
Advisor: Dr. M.T. Bassuoni

Thesis Title: Nano-based coatings: a way to make Canadian concrete last longer

Madhushani is a researcher in materials engineering whose work explores how the inclusion of nanoparticles in coatings can be tailored to combat different concrete durability problems—a crucial advancement to increase the service life of old and new concrete. She previously achieved a Master of Science in Materials Engineering and worked several years as a full-time researcher at National Building Research Organization in Sri Lanka where her keen interest on construction materials started. She believes novel materials as a key enabling technology in construction. Dedicated to both research and education, she aspires to become a university professor, shaping future engineers and advancing the field of materials science and to contribute to the development of stronger, more resilient infrastructure through cutting-edge materials research.

With an exciting lineup of finalists and a distinguished panel of judges, the 2025 3MT® final promises to be an inspiring showcase of graduate research at the University of Manitoba. Colleen Bready, CTV News weather specialist and host of Spotlight Entertainment, will return as emcee, guiding the evening with her signature energy. Judges Loren Oschipok, Moses (Moe) Levy, and Renée Cable will determine the winners of the top cash prizes, while the audience—both in-person and online—will cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award. Prizes for Dr. Archie McNicoll Prize for first place $2000, UM Retirees Association Prize for second place $1250 and Blenham & Associates prize for third place $500.

Don’t miss this exciting event on Tuesday April 1 at 7 p.m., at the Robert B. Shultz Theatre in St John’s College at the Fort Garry campus.

Register to attend in person at or watch online live.

Virtual reality is a rapidly developing technology. As the technology expands, becoming more portable and affordable, the potential uses have expanded as well.

One virtual reality creator calls virtual reality the “ultimate empathy machine.” Promising research shows that virtual reality can improve empathy toward groups such as people experiencing schizophrenia, children who are refugees and people who are unhoused.

Working with an interdisciplinary research team, we put this statement to the test within the context of residential schools in Canada.

Read the full store here. 

McHardy, currently in his first year of doctoral studies in Clinical Psychology under the supervision of Dr. Leslie E. Roos, recently completed his Master’s degree at the University of Manitoba. His research focuses on links between parent mental health and the mental health of young children. Knowing that family supports during the early years can lead to positive outcomes later in life, McHardy aims to identify protective factors both within the family system and in society that can be mobilized. His dissertation work plans to explore how broader systemic factors—including healthcare access—may interact with family well-being to impact mental health outcomes for both parents and their children.

“With increasing stressors in today’s world, it is crucial to understand how important social determinants of health, such as healthcare access, may shape family well-being and child development,” says McHardy. “This award is an incredible honour, and I hope my research contributes to meaningful changes for families.”

The CGS to Honour Nelson Mandela was established in 2013 to commemorate Mandela’s lifelong dedication to peace, democracy, justice, and education. Each year, ten of Canada’s highest-ranked doctoral candidates are selected to receive this honorary distinction. McHardy’s selection reflects his outstanding academic achievements and commitment to advancing knowledge in a field that aligns with Mandela’s legacy of social justice and equity.

The Faculty of Graduate Studies congratulates Bobby on this remarkable achievement and looks forward to the impact of his research on improving mental health supports for families and children regionally, nationally and globally.

Dr. Kelley Main, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, praised McHardy’s achievement, stating, “Bobby’s research embodies the spirit of the Nelson Mandela Award by addressing critical issues in mental health that affect both parents and young children while also considering the role of broader systemic factors. His work exemplifies the University of Manitoba’s commitment to creating research that matters. We are incredibly proud of his accomplishments.”

The Faculty of Graduate Studies extends its warmest congratulations to Bobby on receiving this remarkable honour. We look forward to witnessing the continued contributions and positive change his work will bring to the field of mental health and child development.

In a cohort study that included more than 35,000 patients, rates of anxiety and any mental disorder were more strongly associated with injury in the workplace than injury outside the workplace.

“There’s a lot of research detailing that workplace injury leads to bad mental health outcomes, but there’s not a lot of research comparing workplace injury to injury outside of the workplace head to head,” said co-author Dr. Anthony Wightman, a first-year internal medicine resident at UM.

You can read the full story in Medscape Medical News. 

“I think it’s long overdue. One of the things about the development of maturity and independence is that it has to be learned through experience. If we don’t give children the opportunity to grow and make mistakes occasionally then they don’t learn to develop the skills to manage those mistakes,” she said.

“Obviously we’re not encouraging unsafe behaviour, so it is a balance.”

For instance, kids should still wear a helmet when biking but be able to go on their own to a friend’s place.

To read the entire article, please follow the link to CBC Manitoba.

Today, MP Terry Duguid – alongside President Michael Benarroch and principal investigator Dr. Katherine Starzyk – announced $206,029 will be awarded to the Reconciliation Barometer under the Canada History Fund Program to help develop an advisory group for the project that includes Elders, Traditional Knowledge Keepers, Survivors, and youth and to develop learning materials in the form of infographics, info sheets, and tool kits for educators. The ceremony was opened by Grandmother-in-Residence Elder Karen Courchene who brought greetings and a blessing to those in attendance.  

Dr. Starzyk and team. Credit: J. Ogbonnaya

“Our government’s support for the Canadian Reconciliation Barometer Project reflects our unwavering dedication to advancing the vital process of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. This new funding will strengthen initiatives aimed at enhancing our understanding of this important journey,” said MP Duguid.   

“What Reconciliation and decolonization means to people can be difficult to measure, but it is essential that we track progress—and hold ourselves accountable—which is why today’s funding announcement is so very welcome: The Reconciliation Barometer is a key tool for us all,” said UM President Michael Benarroch. “I am grateful to be a part of many positive events celebrating our ongoing commitment to advancing Reconciliation.”

“We have focused on understanding what truth and reconciliation means to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada on an ongoing and evolving basis and respectfully tracking progress using the best practices,” said principal investigator and Professor of Psychology in the Faculty of Arts Dr. Kathrine Starzyk. “To the Government of Canada and especially Canadian Heritage, for this support, we say thank you, merci, miigwetch, maarsi, háw’aa! Because of this funding, we can continue to shed light on where we are in the long and winding path toward reconciliation and foster mutually respectful relationships at both personal and systemic levels so that Indigenous peoples and others in Canada can enjoy the good life.” 

More than half of the research team is Indigenous (Anishinaabe, Cree, Haida, and Métis). They also have many non-Indigenous identities. Collectively, through each of their lived experiences, the team seeks to understand what reconciliation means to Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada, on an ongoing and evolving basis.  

Read the latest annual report and learn more about the Canadian Reconciliation Barometer.