Miguel’s work focuses on the DNA and microbiological content in water, revealing its impact on public health and environmental quality. This video highlights his collaborative efforts with First Nations communities in Manitoba, emphasizing the importance of clean water and sustainable management practices. Watch to understand the connection of human health and aquatic environments and the innovative steps being taken to preserve this essential resource.

Delve further into Miguel Uyaguari’s research

What you should know about Dr. James Blanchard and his research:

• Dr. James Blanchard [B.Sc.(Med.)/86, MD/86], executive director of the UM Institute for Global Public Health, leads health research and programming to support reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health in Asia and Africa.

• The Institute for Global Public Health (IGPH) has helped position UM health researchers as leaders in global public health. IGPH is rooted in the Department of Community Health Sciences in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences but has a university-wide mandate.

• In Canada, he has been a leader in developing methods to study the emerging epidemics of diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease.

Research impacts:

• In 2014, approximately 45 out of every 1,000 babies died within the first month of life in Uttar Pradesh, India. By 2019, neonatal mortality rates decreased to 36 per 1,000 live births.

• Over the past 25 years, Blanchard has also provided leadership globally to applying research to improve the design and implementation of large public health programs related to sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS.

Recent honours and honourable mentions:

• In 2022, Blanchard’s research was given a major injection of support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The funding of US$87 million will help the government of Uttar Pradesh scale up critical initiatives across the state to prioritize the health of pregnant women and their children.

• Elected as a fellow the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) in 2022. The CAHS Fellowship recognizes excellence in health sciences. Election to Fellowship in the Academy is considered one of the highest honours for individuals in the Canadian health sciences community.

Must-read or Must-see:

READ: Cross collaborations in health with university and government in India

VIDEO: How UM researchers are saving lives in India

What’s next:

• New global health initiatives and collaborations with partners will advance UM’s role in promoting the use of science in designing and implementing high-impact public health programs.

• Advancing knowledge to improve health programs and services for socially and economically excluded urban and peri-urban populations in south Asia.

• Developing partnerships with academic institutions in other countries for graduate education in community health sciences and global health.

UM Faces & Spaces is a monthly feature showcasing the people and places across UM that are transforming the student experience, advancing innovation in research, driving change and creating a lasting impact here in Manitoba and globally. For more stories go to our YouTube playlist.

Tell us about your research.

I’m a social epidemiologist – epidemiology being the study of patterns of health-related events in specific populations, and then applying this knowledge to try and control the spread of disease. The “social” part is about moving beyond looking at individual behaviours, and really trying to understand what it is about people’s context – things like where people live, and to whom they are connected– and then to examine how that contributes to their vulnerability to adverse health conditions. My main field of study is sexually transmitted and blood borne infections. My PhD research looked at developing a framework, which tied together evidence from different levels – geographical, molecular and individual behaviour, for example, in order to understand why these infections seemed to persist in the same groups over space and time. At the end of the day, what I am hoping to achieve is to inform ways of reducing avoidable illnesses and deaths. The issues that some populations face have nothing to do with how people behave, and have everything to do with how society is structured. Invariably, people fall through the cracks, sometimes systematically so. In addition to understanding patterns of disease in new and innovative ways, I am hoping to understand the systems that leave some people behind, and then find ways to work with communities, and scientists, and those in charge of delivering healthcare to mitigate avoidable mortality and morbidity.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Although I’m not originally from here, Manitoba is where I grew up, and it is home. UM, despite its smaller size, has a large footprint when it comes to research in global public health. And what UM does really well is to not conduct research for research’s sake, but to try and make a difference in people’s lives. I originally started my research career in Dr. John Wylie’s laboratory, examining the impact of social networks on risky behaviours associated with HIV and other blood borne infections. I did my Master’s degree with Dr. Lisa Lix at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, and ended up on the global public health work with Dr. James Blanchard. This CRC is a natural extension of this work, and I am excited to work on the projects and the collaborators that have been established by Dr. Blanchard and others at the Institute for Global Public Health.

What does CRC funding mean to you as a researcher?

It really means the world to me. It allows me to hit the ground running, so to speak, when it comes to establishing a career as an independent researcher.  

How did you feel when you learned you were awarded your Canada Research Chair?

Extremely relieved, and then utterly grateful to all the folks who have supported me, mentored me, and have guided me down this path.

What inspires you?

I’d say there were a number of people who inspired me, probably too numerous to name. Locally, Drs. James Blanchard and John Wylie were highly influential, and internationally I’d list Drs. Sevgi Aral, Sandro Galea, and Martina Morris as inspirations. The commonality amongst each of these scientists is that they are all creative and innovative thinkers, and they all pushed the boundaries of epidemiology, and the way scientists understand how infectious diseases are transmitted, and sustained in populations. And I think this is what I love about what I do – uncovering mysteries, thinking about problems in ways that are probably a little unconventional, and finding solutions that chip away at the disproportionate burden of disease carried by those whom society makes most vulnerable.

What about you would people find surprising?

There are probably several things – how about that I used to play in a rock band in Winnipeg? Although I feel being in a band is sort of a badge of honour for anyone who grew up in Winnipeg.

Do you have any advice for students/young grad students starting their career?

I’d say find a good fit, when it comes to finding mentors, and seek opportunities, when they’re presented to you. Some folks have their lives planned out in minute detail. For others, like myself, you never know which opportunities and skills that you’ve picked up along the way will turn out to be your passion.

Dr. Maryanne Crockett, a faculty member in the Max Rady College of Medicine and associate with the Centre for Global Public Health, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences was recently honoured in the first-ever Canadian Women in Global Health (CWIGH) List.

The list, released Nov. 21, highlights the work of 112 Canadian women in leadership positions who have made a substantial contribution to global health. Published by the Canadian Society for International Health (CSIH), the list aims to improve the visibility of women in global health by recognizing their achievements and offering a useful guide of expert sources to journal editors, conference organizers and media.

“I am honoured to be included on this list of amazing women who are making a difference in global health,” said Crockett. “I also know that the list represents a small percentage of the many Canadian women who focus their time and energy on improving health and equity around the world, including my colleagues at the University of Manitoba, Dr. Lisa Avery and Dr. Marissa Becker.”

Crockett, section head, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, and associate professor, Pediatrics and Child Health, Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and Community Health Sciences, has been involved in global health since medical school when she spent a summer in rural Guyana. Her research interests include maternal, newborn and child health, as well as infections among pediatric immigrants and travelers.

According to CSIH, women make up the majority of the health workforce and yet remain under-represented in leadership and decision-making positions.

“I think that historically there have been more men in leadership and decision-making positions in global health as in many other areas, however, I am optimistic this is changing,” Crockett said. She noted that initiatives like the list and global meetings such as the Women Leaders in Global Health Conference, which was held in England last month, are working to address the wage gap issue through networking and mentorship.

Crockett is currently working in India with the Centre for Global Public Health’s maternal, newborn and child health team at Uttar Pradesh Technical Support Unit. She’ll also be delivering a lecture this month at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) and participating in a number of meetings in Delhi.

“KGMU has been an implementing partner on our child health grant in Uttar Pradesh and we are currently finalizing an agreement between the U of M and KGMU for faculty and student exchanges,” she said.