The title is one of the University’s highest honours. Individuals are selected on their distinguished service to teaching, research, creative and scholarly works and service.

Each of the awardees contributed to the Faculty and UM throughout their accomplished research and academic careers. Their nominations read:

Harold Aukema, Food and Human Nutritional Sciences

A dedicated faculty member for 26 years, Dr. Harold Aukema has made transformative contributions to nutritional science, becoming a global leader in the study of diet and fatty acid metabolites, known as oxylipins.

His pioneering research has advanced understanding of dietary interventions for kidney health, directly shaping national and international dietary recommendations for polycystic kidney disease. He has published more than 150 peer-reviewed papers in leading journals of nutrition, lipid, and renal research. His widely cited review on oxylipins derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids is regarded as a foundational reference for researchers and graduate nutrition programs worldwide. His extensive collaborations, spanning Canada and abroad, have influenced research across a wide range of diseases.

An equally dedicated educator, Dr. Aukema has supervised over 35 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in academia, health, government, and industry. He has served the Faculty of Human Ecology and the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences in administrative leadership roles and has contributed to many university and national committees.

Dr. Aukema was also a founding member of CanU Canada, an initiative that has provided nutrition education to more than 2,000 youth while creating experiential learning opportunities for UM undergraduate students. For his achievements in research, teaching, and service, Dr. Aukema has received numerous awards from the Canadian Nutrition Society and the University of Manitoba.

Ying Chen, Biosystems Engineering

A dedicated educator, Dr. Chen developed and taught a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses, while supervising 40 graduate students and mentoring numerous post-doctoral fellows, visiting scholars, and summer students. Known for her dynamic, student-focused approach, she inspired excellence in her classroom and was honoured with the Faculty of Engineering Award for Excellence in Engineering Education. A strong advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion, she also championed programs that encouraged and supported women in engineering.

Dr. Chen established the Machinery and Soil Dynamics Lab, pioneering research on soil-tillage interaction. She is internationally recognized for her expertise in agricultural machinery and soil dynamics, authoring 134 peer-reviewed scientific articles that are widely cited. Her extensive collaborations with industry advanced both theory and practice in biosystems engineering. Notably, she co-developed a machine for harvesting fiber crops generated worldwide interest.

Her leadership includes service as Graduate Chair and Associate Head in her department and as President of the Canadian Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (CSABE). In recognition of her professional impact, she has been elected Fellow of the CSABE, the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, and the Engineering Institute of Canada.

Qiang Zhang, Biosystems Engineering

A dedicated faculty member for 36 years, Dr. Qiang Zhang has advanced the field of biosystems engineering through his exceptional teaching, research, and leadership. In his storied career, he served the University of Manitoba as Professor, Department Head, Acting Associate Head, and Acting Associate Dean.

An innovative and adaptative educator, Dr. Zhang created nine new courses and taught 15 different courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. With a strong commitment to mentorship, he supervised 97 graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and research associates, and supported many others through advisory roles. His teaching excellence was recognized with the Price Faculty of Engineering Graduating Class Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2022.

Dr. Zhang established three laboratory facilities and maintained a well-funded research program, securing more than $21 million in research funding as principal or co-investigator. Internationally renowned for his research in agricultural engineering, his recent work in smart vertical farming has had immense local impact, helping to increase food security in northern and Indigenous communities.

Highly regarded by his peers, he served as President of the Canadian Society for Agricultural and Bioengineering (CSABE) (formerly CSBE), was elected a CSABE Fellow, and received its greatest honour, the Maple Leaf Award, in recognition of his leadership and impact.

To listen to the full interview, please visit CBC.

Drs. Michael Eskin and Rob Duncan were interviewed by Radio-Canada for this documentary and article.

Watch the documentary here https://ici.radio-canada.ca/tele/la-semaine-verte/site/segments/reportage/2184121/canola-resistant-chaleur

Read the article at https://ici.radio-canada.ca/info/long-format/2195233/canola-difficultes-chaleur-recherche-prairies

Do you have high blood pressure?

Are you a woman who is at least 35 years old?

If so, you may be eligible to participate in a short nutrition study at the University of Manitoba investigating the effects of haskap berry powder on blood pressure.

If you are interested in volunteering with us, please contact:

University of Manitoba
Principal Investigator: Semone Myrie
haskapberrystudy@umanitoba.ca

Title: Acceptability of Bread with a Bioactive Ingredient

Principal Investigator: Dr. Cristina Rosell (cristina.rosell@umanitoba.ca)

Activity: Observe, smell and taste bread samples to determine degree of liking of appearance, aroma, flavor, texture and overall

Eligibility: No allergies to foods or beverages, no sensitivity to gluten, 18 years of age or older, and no direct involvement or knowledge of the project

Commitment: One Session about 20 minutes

Session Options: September 23, 25, 26, October 1 and 2 every 30 minutes from 11:30 to 1:30 inclusive

Where: Fourth Floor Human Ecology Building

Honorarium Provided

For information and/or to sign up: email Donna at donna.ryland@umanitoba.ca, telephone 204-474-8071

This research has been approved by the Research Ethics Board at the University of Manitoba, Fort Garry campus – Contact: Human Ethics Coordinator (humanethics@umanitoba.ca) at 204-474-7122

Information Package

Interest in protein isn’t new (see the popularity of the Atkins and keto diets), but social media has raised the essential nutrient to cure-all superfood status.

“We’re bombarded by this idea that we need to eat more protein to have more muscle and look better, and that is changing consumer behaviour,” says Dr. Dylan MacKay, an assistant professor in the department of food and human nutritional sciences and department of internal medicine at the University of Manitoba.

To read the entire story, please follow the link to the Free Press.

“Were a relatively small grower compared to Saskatchewan and Alberta, but it’s still the largest contributor to the Manitoba economy in terms of over 2.2 billion dollars,” said Dr. Michael Eskin, University of Manitoba professor in the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences.

To read the entire article, please follow the link to CityNews.

When she began her career, she wondered why some people in care settings were not eating. She recalls a particularly memorable scene: a lone gentleman seated at a dining-room table with others — he required eating assistance and could not socialize. Instead, he would pick up sugar packages, take them to his room and consume them there.

To read the entire story, please follow the link to The Free Press.

Dr. Harold Aukema was inducted as a CNS Fellow, one of the highest distinctions granted by the Society. This elite recognition is awarded by peers to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service and leadership within both the Canadian Nutrition Society and the broader nutrition profession, nationally and globally. Dr. Aukema’s induction reflects a career of impactful research, mentorship, and advocacy in nutritional science.

Dr. Carla Taylor was honoured with the Earle Willard McHenry Award for Distinguished Service in Nutrition, presented annually to a Canadian or Canada-based professional who has made significant and lasting contributions to the field. Dr. Taylor was recognized for her inspiring mentorship, academic leadership, pioneering research, and support for developing innovative nutrition programs.

Graduate student Anne Manson, a PhD candidate in Dr. Aukema’s lab, also earned national recognition with two highly competitive awards:

• The Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism Abstract Award, given to the best student abstract applying physiology, nutrition, or metabolism to human health, physical activity, or fitness. Her abstract was selected from over 250 submissions.
• The Nutrition Graduate Student and Trainee Award / Christine Gagnon Memorial Travel Award, presented to only eight students across Canada. This award included the opportunity to deliver an oral presentation in a dedicated session at the conference, highlighting her research to national experts and peers.

These achievements highlight the department’s leadership in advancing nutritional science, fostering student success, and shaping the future of nutrition in Canada and beyond.