The funding will back the work of Dr. Galen Wright, Dr. Mark Nachtigal, Dr. Sachin Katyal and Dr. Tanveer Sharif, whose combined research spans the fields of neurological disorders, cancer and therapy resistance.

Each project is focused on advancing precision medicine, an emerging field that tailors medical treatment to the unique characteristics of each patient, including their genetic profile, environment and lifestyle.

Unlike traditional treatments that primarily manage symptoms, precision medicine targets the root causes of diseases, providing a more personalized and potentially more effective approach. By investigating the molecular mechanisms behind these diseases and developing targeted therapies, these researchers aim to break through the limitations of current treatments.

“These groundbreaking studies have the potential to transform patient care, improve survival rates and enhance quality of life,” said Dr. Peter Nickerson, vice-provost (health sciences) and dean of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. “We are incredibly proud of these researchers, whose innovative efforts are pushing the boundaries of medical science and could lead to life-changing treatments for patients in Canada and beyond.”

Dr. Mark Nachtigal

Nachtigal, a professor of biochemistry and medical genetics, has been awarded a two-year grant of $130,000 to further his research into a groundbreaking treatment for chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer, one of the deadliest cancers affecting women.

His work, supported by Ovarian Cancer Canada and the Cancer Research Society, is focused on developing a novel drug that targets cancer cells in ways that traditional therapies cannot, offering new hope for patients whose cancers no longer respond to chemotherapy.

Ovarian cancer frequently develops resistance to treatment, leaving women with few options and poor survival prospects. By advancing this innovative drug, Nachtigal’s research has the potential to revolutionize ovarian cancer treatment, offering an effective alternative that could improve survival rates and enhance the quality of life for patients.

Dr. Galen Wright

Wright, an assistant professor of pharmacology and therapeutics and Canada Research Chair in neurogenomics, has been awarded a two-year grant of $130,000 to explore new treatments for Rett syndrome, a rare and devastating neurological disorder that primarily affects young girls.

Rett syndrome leads to severe developmental delays, loss of motor skills and cognitive impairments. Currently, there are no effective treatments.

Supported by the Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation of Canada, Wright’s research will investigate the underlying mechanisms of the disorder to identify potential therapeutic strategies. By gaining a deeper understanding of how Rett syndrome progresses, his work aims to uncover treatments that could alleviate, or even reverse, its effects.

The research not only offers hope for children with Rett syndrome but could also pave the way for new approaches to treating other genetic disorders with similar underlying causes, such as fragile X syndrome and some forms of autism.

Dr. Sachin Katyal

Katyal, an associate professor of pharmacology and therapeutics, is focusing on overcoming chemotherapy resistance in glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant forms of brain cancer.

Glioblastoma grows rapidly, infiltrating healthy brain tissue, and is known for its high recurrence rate even after surgery and chemotherapy. As the cancer progresses, patients often experience a severe decline in quality of life, with few effective treatment options remaining.

His two-year project, supported by a $130,000 grant from the Cancer Research Society, targets a protein that helps glioblastoma tumours survive chemotherapy. Katyal’s research aims to inhibit the protein responsible for the tumour’s survival, potentially resensitizing it to chemotherapy and offering patients more effective treatment options.

If successful, his work could significantly improve survival rates and provide a new avenue for treating this aggressive cancer.

Dr. Tanveer Sharif

Sharif, an associate professor of pathology, is focused on a different aspect of glioblastoma research. While Katyal’s work centres on protein inhibition, Sharif’s research examines how glioblastoma tumours adapt their metabolism to survive the harsh environment of the brain, making them resistant to conventional therapies.

Funded by the Brain Canada Foundation and the Cancer Research Society, Sharif’s research is supported by a two-year grant of $130,000.

Sharif aims to identify metabolic shifts in tumours and develop targeted therapies that exploit these vulnerabilities. By addressing the tumour’s metabolic adaptation, Sharif’s research has the potential to reduce the chances of recurrence and improve survival rates, offering a new approach to glioblastoma treatment that could complement existing strategies.

The Faculty Recognition Reception honoured recipients of Teaching and Community Engagement Awards, Merit Awards and those granted Tenure. Hosted by the Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), the event marked an occasion to celebrate the achievements of some of UM’s dedicated faculty members.

Congratulations to all the honorees:

Dr. and Mrs. H. H. Saunderson Award for Excellence in Teaching (2023)

• Bruno Dyck (I.H. Asper School of Business)

University of Manitoba Graduate Students’ Association (UMGSA) Teaching Award (2023)

• Youngjin Cha (Price Faculty of Engineering)

Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Campbell Outreach Award 

• 2022 – Hee Jung Serenity Joo (Faculty of Arts)
• 2023 – Randy Herrmann (Price Faculty of Engineering)

Annual Community Engagement Award (2024)

• Polina Anang (Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Science)
• Julien Arino (Faculty of Science)
• Jacquie Dawson (Desautels Faculty of Music)
• Adam Muller (Faculty of Graduate Studies)
• Janine Newton Montgomery (Faculty of Arts)
• Brandi Smith (Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management)
• Katinka Stecina (Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Science)
• Mario Tenuta (Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences)
• Shirley Thompson (Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth and Resources)
• Heather Watson (Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Science)
• Andrew Woolford (Faculty of Arts)
• Carla Zelmer (Faculty of Science)

Community Engagement Fund Award (2023)

• Shawna Ferris (Faculty of Arts)
• Zana Lutfiyya (Arthur V. Mauro Institute for Peace & Justice, St. Paul’s College)
• Emily McKinnon (Access & Aboriginal Focus Program, Extended Education)
• Victoria Sparks (Desautels Faculty of Music)

Merit Award (2022)

Each year, Merit Awards are awarded to faculty members for their outstanding achievements in teaching, research, scholarly work and creative activities, and service in three different categories. View the 2022 recipient list here.

Tenure (2024)

• Kjell Anderson (Faculty of Law)
• Devi Atukorallaya (Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Science)
• Yik Au (I. H. Asper School of Business) 
• Nandika Bandara (Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences)
• Denice Bay (Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Science)
• Lori Blondeau (School of Art)
• Cara Brown (College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Science)
• Leo Butler (Faculty of Science)
• Amine Choukou (College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Science)
• Susan Cooper (Faculty of Science)
• Andrew Deruchie (Desautels Faculty of Music)
• Philip Ferguson (Price Faculty of Engineering)
• Julia Gamble (Faculty of Arts)
• Aleeza Gerstein (Faculty of Science)
• Jason Gibbs (Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences)
• Colin Gilmore (Price Faculty of Engineering)
• Jesse Hajer (Faculty of Arts)
• Sarah Hannan (Faculty of Arts)
• Cameron Hauseman (Faculty of Education)
• Mohammad Khan (Faculty of Social Work)
• Bradley Klus (Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Science)
• Christian Kuss (Faculty of Science)
• RJ Leland (Faculty of Arts)
• Xihui (Larry) Liang (Price Faculty of Engineering)
• Robert Martin (Faculty of Science)
• Neil Minuk (Faculty of Architecture)
• Hee Mok Park (I. H. Asper School of Business)
• Jeremy Patzer (Faculty of Arts)
• Leslie Roos (Faculty of Arts)
• Soodeh Saberian (Faculty of Arts)
• Ben Schellenberg (Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management)
• Jillian Seniuk Cicek (Price Faculty of Engineering)
• Tanveer Sharif (Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Science)
• Olivia Wilkins (Faculty of Science)

The year associated with each award differs due to the timeframe of program. Learn more about the awards on the Faculty Awards webpage.

In the Fall 2021 funding competition, the CIHR awarded a total of nearly $8 million to UM in the form of 11 grants.

“This is an excellent showing by our faculty members and their research partners in obtaining support for projects that will advance vital knowledge and benefit people’s health and well-being,” said UM Vice-President (Research and International) Dr. Digvir Jayas.

“It’s impressive to see the breadth of health research taking place at UM in areas such as trauma recovery, mental health, kidney disease, HIV, cancer, diabetes and chronic pain.”

Dr. Myrle Ballard

Dr. Myrle Ballard, assistant professor and Indigenous scholar of chemistry in the Faculty of Science, is Anishinaabe from Lake St. Martin First Nation (LSMFN). She leads a research project that received a five-year grant of $2,067,415.

The LSMFN community’s traditional homelands have been uninhabitable since a human-made flood destroyed them in 2011. LSMFN members experienced trauma when they were forced to evacuate.

With input from community members, Ballard’s project will focus on implementing an Elder-Youth mentorship program to promote health and well-being.

“The post-traumatic distress suffered by LSMFN members requires culturally appropriate research interventions to lessen their grief and heal into a healthy community,” the researchers wrote.

Dr. Garry Shen

Dr. Garry Shen, professor of internal medicine in the Max Rady College of Medicine, co-leads a team with First Nations partners that received a five-year grant of $1,155,150.

A recent study by Shen and partners showed that an online and locally broadcast prenatal education program significantly increased participation rates in prenatal programs and breastfeeding when it was piloted in three First Nations communities.

The new project will enhance the program, which is community-based and incorporates both Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge about healthy pregnancy and breastfeeding. The goal is to improve pregnancy outcomes and maternal/child health in rural and remote First Nations communities.

Here’s a look at the other funded studies. More information on the studies and research teams is available here.

Dr. Tracie Afifi, professor, community health sciences/psychiatry, Max Rady College of Medicine; Canada Research Chair in childhood adversity and resilience; researcher, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM)

Grant: $75,000 (one year)

Afifi’s study focuses on adverse childhood experiences and peer bullying. She seeks to identify which protective factors during adolescence help to reduce the likelihood of substance use problems and mental or physical health conditions among those who have had these negative experiences.

Dr. Robert Lorway, professor, community health sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine; Canada Research Chair in global intervention politics and social transformation

Grant: $100,000 (one year)

Lorway’s community-based study in Nairobi, Kenya aims to understand and confront the role homophobia plays in men who have sex with men not seeking treatment for HPV-related and other anal diseases until their illness is extremely advanced. 

Dr. Dylan MacKay, assistant professor, community health sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine

Grant: $320,534 (three years)

MacKay will compare two groups of people with chronic kidney disease in a randomized feasibility trial of methods to reduce dietary acid. Half the patients will take baking soda pills, while the other half will have fruits and vegetables delivered to them to reduce acid through diet.

Dr. Lyle McKinnon, associate professor, medical microbiology and infectious diseases, Max Rady College of Medicine; researcher, CHRIM

Grant: $837,675 (five years)

McKinnon’s team has previously found that vaginal inflammation increases a woman’s risk of becoming HIV-infected if exposed. His study focuses on regulatory T cells and their potential to control female genital inflammation as an HIV prevention strategy.

Dr. Gerd Prehna, assistant professor, microbiology, Faculty of Science

Grant: $596,700 (five years)

Prehna will investigate how, during an infection, disease-causing bacteria kill beneficial bacteria by loading deadly toxins onto a “crossbow-like” secretion system. A detailed understanding of this process may make it possible to “disarm” many species of bacterial invaders.

Dr. Tanveer Sharif, assistant professor, pathology, Max Rady College of Medicine

Grant: $956,250 (five years)

Sharif’s study will build on the finding that metabolism plays a role in how a particular mutated gene promotes the spread of tumor cells in aggressive medulloblastoma brain tumors. His team will investigate using metabolism-targeting agents to suppress this process.

Dr. Roberta Woodgate, distinguished professor, College of Nursing; Canada Research Chair in child and family engagement in health research and healthcare; researcher, CHRIM

Grant: $600,524 (four years)

Woodgate will lead a cross-Canada study in which young people with chronic pain will be engaged as co-researchers. The goal is to better understand the experiences, needs and priorities of young people with chronic pain in order to provide better patient-centred care.

Grant: $546,976 (three years)

Woodgate’s team will also implement a youth mental health program in Winnipeg, partnering high schools in the Seven Oaks School Division with NorWest, a community youth hub. Multiple data collection strategies, including arts-based methods, will be used to evaluate the program.

Dr. Jennifer Yamamoto, assistant professor, internal medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine; researcher, CHRIM

Grant: $609,835 (four years)

Yamamoto’s project builds on a previous study of glucose monitoring in mothers with Type I diabetes during pregnancy. It will examine the possible relationship between the blood sugar patterns of these mothers while pregnant and learning difficulties and behaviour problems in their children.

“I think these two projects illustrate the diversity of the kinds of projects The Winnipeg Foundation supports, which expand the spectrum of research with high-risk, high-reward initiatives,” says Dr. Peter Nickerson, Vice-Dean (Research) and Distinguished Professor, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.

Role of endothelial NMDA receptors in glutamate-induced glioma growth

Dr. Chris Anderson, pharmacology and therapeutics professor, Max Rady College of Medicine, and director, Neuroscience Research Program, Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine, leads a team that will further research into glioblastomas, a deadly form of brain cancer with few treatment options and a median survival time of less than 15 months.

Along with co-leads Dr. Tanveer Sharif, department of pathology, and Dr. Ji Hyun Ko, department of human anatomy and cell science, Anderson will study whether a specific cell protein in the lining of brain blood vessels called an NMDA receptor, represents a viable new target for comprehensive therapeutic investigation.

“Dr. Sharif’s collaboration with McMaster University gives us access to patient glioblastoma samples, which we can study in Manitoba,” Anderson says. “We will culture the glioblastoma cells with brain endothelial cells to study the nature of molecular interactions between them, in detail, including the role of NMDA receptors. It’s kind of a simple approach, but it will be effective in allowing us to determine the role NMDA receptors play in glioblastoma cell movement and tumour expansion.”

The second part of the project will involve studying the development of tumours after transplanting patient-derived glioblastoma samples into live mice. 

“Using MRI and PET imaging, as well as other state-of-the-art approaches, we will look at patterns of glioblastoma cell infiltration, as well as tumour size, blood flow and metabolism. Performing these experiments in mice genetically engineered to eliminate NMDA receptors in endothelial cells will allow us to directly test the role of this intriguing host target,” says Anderson.

Big data in mother-infant health research

Dr. Sherif Eltonsy, assistant professor in the College of Pharmacy, was also awarded $100,000 grant, for a multi-site project that will create a national database on the effects of medications on mothers and their offspring.

“The idea is to use real-world data to inform mothers, policymakers and physicians on the effects of medications; which are the safest to use and which pose a risk to mother or infant health,” Eltonsy said. “Pregnant women are excluded from randomized trials, so often this becomes the only way to assess the safety of most medications in the market on mothers and infants.”

Eltonsy, a pharmacoepidemiologist with an academic focus on drug safety, leads the project with two researchers from the Max Rady College of Medicine, Dr. Marcus Ng and Dr. Chelsea Ruth, who specialize in neurology and neonatology respectively. The team is collaborating with researchers in Quebec, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

“The project aligns perfectly with The Winnipeg Foundation Innovation Fund as an interdisciplinary innovative project with short-term tangible outcomes – answers to questions mothers have about how best to keep themselves and their newborns safe – as well as a sustainable long-term platform that can be used regularly for big data analyses in mother-infant health,” Eltonsy said.

During the next year, Eltonsy’s team will focus on creating the infrastructure of the project and developing a pilot demonstration using epilepsy medications data. “We plan to create a national epilepsy and mother-infant health group covering over 1.5 million pregnancies and 20 years of follow-up,” he said.

The two grants are part of The Winnipeg Foundation’s $1-million commitment, over five years, to support cutting-edge medical research projects through the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba.