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.

The prestigious title of Distinguished Professor is conferred on academic staff members who have demonstrated outstanding distinction in research, scholarship, creative endeavours, professional service and teaching. Up to three people may receive this honour each year, and not more than 25 full-time professors may hold the title at one time. Distinguished Professors are appointed by the University’s Board of Governors on the recommendation of a Distinguished Professor Selection Committee, chaired by the University’s President and Vice-Chancellor.

The citation from the UM reads:

Dr. Michael Eskin, a food chemist, joined the Department of Foods and Nutrition at the University of Manitoba in 1968. Since then, he has become a global leader in canola research as he played a crucial role in the development of canola oil. While he has worked successfully in a number of different areas, his research on canola remains his primary focus. He has published over 140 peer-reviewed papers.

For his important scientific contributions, he was awarded the Order of Canada in 2016 and the Order of Manitoba in 2021. In addition to his research activities, he is one of world’s leading writers of Food Science with 17 books and 65 chapters to his credit. His first book, Biochemistry of Food, published by Academic Press fifty years ago, is in its 3rd edition and used in universities around the world.

In recognition of his remarkable accomplishments, he was recently elected by his peers as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. His involvement in the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS) is legendary as he has received most of their prestigious awards and is highly respected as a beloved Canadian scientist who is a long-time mentor, inspiration, and friend, to colleagues and students in the organization.

Tell us about yourself

I have a Bachelor of Science in Food Science from Clemson University in South Carolina and completed a dietetic internship at the University of Alaska Anchorage. After becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist, I continued my studies at James Madison University in Virginia where I earned a Master of Science in exercise physiology and Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore where I received a PhD in nutrition. I worked as Nutrition Communications Specialist for the California Strawberry Commission before returning to the University of Alaska as an assistant professor in dietetics and nutrition. My research is focused on public health nutrition, specifically the prevention of chronic disease in minoritized populations through culturally-appropriate and community-centered interventions, and I am excited to continue this work here at the University of Manitoba.

Why did you get into this area of study?

As an undergraduate student, I completed a summer internship in rural Alaska that set the trajectory for my entire career. Before the internship, I just knew that I liked food and was interested in how nutrition could impact health. After the internship, I knew that I wanted to work directly with minoritized communities to help overcome barriers to good health and nutrition. I also describe my PhD program as where “the rubber met the road” – in other words, it was where everything came together and I realized how much potential there is for public health nutrition to make an impact at the population level.

What are you seeking to explore with your research?

I’m interested in how we can create environments that support health for all people, and I have two main directions for my research. First, I want to explore environmental factors that contribute to chronic disease in Indigenous populations and understand how we can promote nutrition, physical activity, traditional knowledge, and cultural strengths for prevention. Second, I want to investigate the prevalence of food insecurity among students at UM and develop strategies for increasing food availability while considering the unique experiences of the culturally diverse student population.

What appeals to you about being a teacher?

I will be teaching courses related to food culture and nutrition across the lifespan. Nutrition is a subject that impacts everyone no matter what your background, culture, life experience, etc. If you eat food, then nutrition affects you! I love working with students and encouraging them to find their own personal connection with the material even if they end up doing something entirely different in their careers. If I can inspire them to find the same passion for the subject that I have along the way, even better!

And what do you like to do in your spare time?

I’m new to Winnipeg, so I like to get out and explore the city with my husband in my spare time. I love being outside, and while I miss the midnight sun of Alaska, I do appreciate being able to enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about bear and moose encounters. I also keep busy with CrossFit, soccer, reading, and baking.

The Indigenous Doctoral Program Fellowships celebrate the academic achievements and contributions of Canadian Indigenous graduate students who are pursuing their doctoral degrees at the University of Manitoba, awarding fellowships valued at $20,000 to each selected student. The Faculty of Graduate Studies launched this fellowship for the 2021-2022 year and will continue every year moving forward while funds are available.

Hope Ace, from the department of Indigenous studies, is focusing her research on ways to create spaces where Indigenous governance and legal systems subvert colonial systems, in order to reframe political climates with Indigenous sovereignty and treaties. She is particularly interested in resisting the colonial heteronormative patriarchy, and the area of political dispossession and disappearance.

Beyond her role in academic research, Ace embraces her part in connecting academia to the community – in turning knowledge into action. “I recognize the privilege I have to be in an academic setting and to learn from other scholars,” says Ace. “I’m grounded, and by extension, my work is also grounded in my responsibilities to my community, my nation and all my relations. My work is always for community.”

With this fellowship, Ace looks forward to traveling and allowing her research to take root in her home community of M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island. She’ll continue to learn about Anishinaabe legal and political practices, gender identities outside the colonial binary systems, responsibilities towards kinship, treaty understandings, and embodiments of sovereignty.

Monica Cyr [BSc(HNS)/15, MSC(HNS)/18] , from the department of community health sciences, is studying the perceptions of body image through the eyes of Indigenous women before, during, and after delivery. By analyzing self-image prior to giving birth and after, she hopes to explore how social, cultural and economic positions affect these stages of motherhood.

As an Indigenous dietitian, Cyr’s passions lie in food sovereignty and Indigenous research methodologies. Extending her expertise into this topic was a natural step in the progression of her career.

“I’ve had a number of exceptionally strong women blanket me with support and love, who have wanted to guide this next phase in my life’s pursuit,” says Cyr. “To learn more, help more, and to add to the existing discourse of body positivity, free of shame, stigma and Western concepts of beauty.”

Cyr is especially grateful to use the fellowship funding towards community support initiatives embedded in her field of work and study, as well as giving gifts to research participants that are not usually covered by typical funding budgets. Her work will continue to revolve around health care leadership, advocating for Indigenous rights-based change related to dietetics and physician care.

Learn more about the Indigenous Doctoral Program Fellowships and all funding, awards and financial aid opportunities for graduate students at UM.

UM also received support from the Tri-Agency Scholarships and Fellowships, which is seeing over $260 million awarded to more than 5,300 tri-agency scholarship and fellowship, and Canada Graduate Scholarship recipients.

“Congratulations to these chair holders on their success in being appointed to the prestigious Canada Research Chairs. They are now recognized as being among Canada’s best in their respective fields,” said Digvir Jayas, vice-president (research and international) and Distinguished Professor at the U of M. “Their research excellence will greatly benefit the learning experience of all the students they work with, and greatly enhance our collective efforts to drive discovery.”

The new chairs are:

Rotimi Aluko, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, Canada Research Chair in Bioactive Peptides, Tier 1

Food proteins are not only nutritious, but they can also play a role in the body’s physiological functioning. In this latter context, they become known as “bioactive peptides” and what they do in the body depends on how their amino acids are arranged. However, this critical information is missing and therefore, the proposed research program will elucidate how the chain arrangement of amino acids affect potency of peptides against proteins that play critical roles in maintaining normal body functions. The outcome of the research will provide new peptide tools for improved human nutrition.

John Ataguba, Director of the Health Economics Unit, University of Cape Town, coming to University of Manitoba’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences as Canada Research Chair in Health Economics, Tier 2

Universal health coverage and social protection are relevant considerations, especially in low- and middle-income countries where inequality and poverty are prominent. The research objectives are to: 1) develop and apply a framework and metrics for assessing progress towards universal health coverage; 2) examine how critical social sectors drive inequalities in health and influence the attainment of universal health coverage; and 3) explore the drivers of inequality in ageing in Africa. This research agenda builds on existing work and focuses on low- and middle-income countries, especially Africa, to design social protection systems to achieve sustainable development goals.

Samar Safi-Harb, Faculty of Science, Physics and Astronomy, Canada Research Chair in Extreme Astrophysics, Tier 1

Formerly the Canada Research Chair in Supernova Remnants Astrophysics, the long-term goal of Safi-Harb’s program is to answer fundamental questions about the behaviour of matter in extreme environments unattainable on Earth, and the origin of the heavy elements and of high-energy cosmic rays driving the chemical and dynamical evolution of galaxies. Through her new CRC program, she will address these questions through high-resolution imaging, spectroscopic and multi-messenger observations, and modelling of high-energy astrophysical phenomena associated with stellar explosions. This program drives innovation in technology and provides unique opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations and training personnel to tackle the large datasets that industry and government use today.

Professors Michael Eskin and Evelyn Forget are the newest UM Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) and associate professor Meghan Azad is a newest UM Member of the RSC’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

“These scholars and scientists are very worthy additions to the RSC, each having excelled and continuing to advance their respective fields,” says Dr. Digvir Jayas, UM’s Vice-President (Research and International) and Distinguished Professor. “My sincere congratulations to professors Eskin, Forget and Azad on this honour.”

Election to the RSC is considered the highest honour an academic can achieve in the arts, social sciences and sciences. The RSC’s mission is to recognize scholarly, research and artistic excellence, to advise governments and organizations and to promote a culture of knowledge and innovation in Canada and with other national academies around the world.

Dr. Michael Eskin
Food and human nutritional sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences

Eskin has made exceptional contributions to research on edible oils, particularly canola oil, for which he received many prestigious awards including the Order of Canada in 2016. He is one of world’s leading food science writers with 17 books to his credit. His book, Biochemistry of Foods, now in its third edition, is used in university courses around the world and has been translated into several different languages.

Evelyn Forget

Dr. Evelyn Forget
Community health sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences; Academic Director, Manitoba Research Data Centre

Forget is a multidisciplinary political economist who uses the tools of economics to inform policy debate locally, nationally and worldwide. Her methodological innovations, which ground big data and experimental techniques in a profound understanding of history and culture, have re-invigorated research on social welfare policy and created new hope for people caught up in dysfunctional bureaucratic systems.

Meghan Azad.

Dr. Meghan Azad
Canada Research Chair in Developmental Origins of Chronic Disease; pediatrics and child health, Max Rady College of Medicine; research scientists, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba; CIFAR Fellow in the Humans and the Microbiome Program.

Azad is an international expert in human milk science. She leads a diverse team with collaborators in over 20 countries. She co-founded the Manitoba Interdisciplinary Lactation Center (MILC) and co-directs the International Milk Composition Consortium. Azad’s trailblazing research is shaping policy and practice regarding infant feeding, human milk banking and maternal-child healthcare.

These new inductees bring UM’s number to: 53 RSC Fellows and 11 Members of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

Fellows, members and award winners from across the country will be officially inducted and honoured during the annual Celebration of Excellence and Engagement, Nov. 15-20, in Montreal. Over the course of the week, thousands of delegates from throughout Canada and around the world will engage in Science Sessions featuring the insights of hundreds of scholars, artists and scientists on the key issues of our time.

Activities include a G7 Research Summit on Climate Change Implications and Mitigation Options for Canada, a symposium organized by McGill on “Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic: Impacts, Consequences, Learnings and Looking Forward,” ceremonies welcoming new RSC Members and award winners from across disciplines and across generations. All are welcome. Details can be found on the RSC website.

As students, these graduands embraced opportunities available to them outside the classroom – from international exchanges to undergraduate research – that broadened their horizons and helped them to find their passions. 

Nina Lam – Bachelor of Arts – Advanced

A Fort Richmond Collegiate grad who grew up in Winnipeg’s West End, Nina Lam’s decision to do a B.A. (Adv.) in Global Political Economy stems from her passion for human rights and global issues. As the first child of Vietnamese immigrants who settled in Canada after the Vietnam War, her parents’ experiences are largely what ignited her passion for advancing equity and justice.

A recipient of the BMO Financial Group Leader of Tomorrow Scholarship, among others, Lam is also a President’s Scholar and has earned praise for her leadership. She was a Senator on the Arts Student Body Council, an Arts Student Ambassador, and the University of Manitoba Students’ Union’s chairperson. She did an international exchange at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and was a member of the inaugural cohort of the President’s Student Leadership Program. Nina volunteered at numerous events at UM – imparting her wisdom and experience to her fellow students. Following UM Convocation, she is headed to Geneva, Switzerland, where she will be starting her Master in Development Studies at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies.

Lam says that her biggest supporter and source of inspiration has been her mother. “She tirelessly packed my lunches, drove me to school in the morning, and did everything in her power to enable me to succeed in my studies. I owe where I am today to my parents’ love and sacrifices.”

Mariam Guindi – Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy

Mariam Guindi is putting her heart into her chosen profession. Selected as the Outstanding Graduating Student by the College of Pharmacy at the 2020 Students’ Teacher Recognition Reception, she says her passion lies in hospital pharmacy, but more specifically the fields of either cardiology or oncology.

She explains: “I have always been interested in the human heart, so especially when studying the many cardiology medications, I became even more fascinated with how this one organ has an impact on literally every aspect of human function and physiology far beyond just pumping blood out to the body.”

Born in Cairo and settling in Winnipeg in 2009, Guindi graduated from St. Mary’s Academy and says she chose UM: “I had heard the program was very strong and the healthcare community in Winnipeg is very tight-knit.”

Guindi received a Summer Undergraduate Research Scholarship award through the College of Pharmacy in 2018 and last year earned a UM Undergraduate Research Award from UM to conduct research at CancerCare Manitoba.

“Oncology interests me for similar reasons that cardiology does, showing just how much can go wrong in the human body on a cellular level and the larger scale effects that follow,” she says. “There is so much left to discover about the many different cancers. I am excited for how much of an impact I can hopefully have in the future in terms of drug discovery and patient care.”

Her career path set, Guindi starts her hospital residency in July.

Chris Voth – Bachelor of Physical Education

Superlatives are commonplace for Chris Voth, graduating this year from the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management. A four-time Academic All-Canadian, he has been CanWest and Canadian Interuniversity Sport Rookie of the Year and earned many scholarships and awards, among them a Vanier Cup Scholarship. A St. Paul’s High School grad, he came to UM specifically for its acclaimed volleyball program.

With parents who were both physical education instructors, he grew up seeing the impact they had on kids’ lives, and it was inevitable he pursued a career in sports. He says: “I grew up as a Bison in the club volleyball system and it was always my dream to play on the university team. My sister was also a Bison volleyball player, and it was really awesome to be able to go to school with her everyday!”

Voth took a six-year break from academics to play professional volleyball, but he says it was good to come back to campus.

Voth’s advice for students is to get out of your comfort zone and not follow along with what everyone else is doing: “To really learn, in school and about yourself, it’s important to take chances. With the current generation having computers and the internet their whole lives, I think that they’re too worried about things they do being permanent, leading them to not wanting to leave their bubbles. The only way to grow is to be uncomfortable sometimes. Be yourself. Be genuine.”

As for the future, he says one of his dreams is to coach professionally in Europe. He is also passionate about running a non-profit program called Out There Winnipeg and is an active member of the 2SLGBTQ* community.

Ashley Haverstick – Bachelor of Science in Human Nutritional Sciences

Ashley Haverstick says her parents are her best supporters and have been the most influential in her life, even though her dad jokes that she is a “professional student” because she’s in her tenth year of university. A Vincent Massey grad, through her first degree in biology, she received a long list of awards and medals including the Isabel Auld Entrance Scholarship and the Isbister Scholarship, only bested by the many awards earned during her second degree in human nutritional sciences. She was just accepted into medicine at UM, the field about which she is most passionate.

Haverstick is receiving both the University Gold Medal for Agriculture and the Lieutenant Governor Medal, given to the degree student with the best record in scholarship and personal qualities.

She has explored many avenues during her academic training to date, such as considering pharmacy as a career. And in 2018, she even went on a volunteer trip to Asia, where she worked with and cared for abandoned elephants in Sri Lanka.

Haverstick advises students: “Always be willing to try new things and to keep all of your options open; step outside of your comfort zone and you may just find a plethora of things that you never knew you enjoyed or that even existed.”

Kieran Saindon – Bachelor of Commerce – Honours

Originally wanting to become an engineer, Kieran Saindon attended open house sessions at UM and became intrigued by programs offered by the Asper School of Business. This was a good thing, because he realized his passion is working with numbers and doing complex analysis of information, leading him to enter accounting as a profession.

“Being able to serve clients to support their business is an important function, and one that I enjoy doing,” he explains.

Saindon earned an impressive list of scholarships and awards throughout his academic training, including a Louis Riel Bursary in 2015, an Indspire Award in 2016, and scholarships in Indigenous business education the following three years.

Saindon says part of his success at UM is due to his involvement in the Indigenous student community, particularly the UM Indigenous Commerce Students.

He says: “We are still friends after these many years, and make a point to get together nearly once a month to catch up.”

Adam Kriegl – Bachelor of Science in Engineering

A graduate of Collège Jeanne-Sauvé in Winnipeg, Adam Kriegl was part of the first graduating class of the Price Faculty of Engineering, and is a recipient of both the UM Queen Elizabeth II Entrance Scholarship and the Price Industries Limited Scholarship for Engineering, which set him well on the path towards his degree in civil engineering.

He says that creating friendships and working relationships with other students in the first Price Faculty of Engineering graduating class helped him immensely in his studies and growth.

“I formed close relationships with many of my fellow classmates, a huge help whenever I would require a second opinion on a problem or look to double check my solutions to assignments. From a professional development standpoint, I grew through my involvement with the University of Manitoba Engineering Society (UMES). I credit Katie Moist, Municipal Engineer-in-Training at KGS Group, who pushed me to reach higher and who saw leadership potential in me that I had not yet realized.”

Kriegl explains he is fascinated with the innovative design aspect of engineering and believes that the opportunity to contribute to the structural design of a new building or renovation project and ensuring public safety is extremely gratifying.

He is returning to UM this fall to begin a master’s degree in Civil Engineering.

At its 2020 UM Virtual Convocation, the University of Manitoba will confer degrees, diplomas and certificates on 4,255 graduates.

Don’t forget to check our UM Student Instagram to learn more about some of the students graduating June 29, 2020. You can also join the ‘Convocation conversation’ on social media by following #umanitoba2020.

“I think learning to cope with our everyday challenges is an essential part of being a student. None of the knowledge that we acquire in our university courses can be applied in class, in our communities or in our future careers if we are not mentally healthy,” she said.

As a child, Maureen lived in South America and had the opportunity to travel around with her family. She also worked as a research assistant in India in the summer of 2018. Her experiences abroad and her research into the cultural aspects of what motivates people to eat inspired her to use food as a method to bring people together socially.

When one of her classmates told her about the University of Manitoba’s Success Through Wellness grants, she applied with an initiative in mind that would not only address mental health but also promote nutrition and cooking.

The initiative, dubbed Brain Food Dinners, proposed monthly events where participants gathered in a food lab at the University of Manitoba in the evening, and as a group, prepare a three-course meal together in the kitchen facilities.

“One of my favourite things to do is cook with people, but with school being so busy, I never had the opportunity to do so. I know for many students and staff at the university, this ‘busyness’ can lead to social isolation and often, eating nutritious food falls to the bottom of the priority list,” she said. 

“The Brain Food Dinners allowed people to unwind, and learn new skills and nutritious recipes in a positive and judgement-free environment” she said.

Maureen was overwhelmed with the positive responses that her team received from attendees, which included local and exchange students, staff, friends and children.

“People really liked trying out new recipes and meeting new people. We created a relaxed environment by giving recipes and also facilitating a creativity in the kitchen and allowing participants to experiment with different ingredients,” she said.

Participants shared with her that the dinners provided a supportive and stress-free environment, where they had fun and also learned some new meal ideas that they could make on their own.

“Eating healthy food in the company of others contributes to overall well-being, and the Brain Food Dinners provided an opportunity for people to do that,” said Maureen. 

Group participating in Brain Food Dinners

The University of Manitoba is committed to addressing and improving mental health for the campus community. This program was created through the U of M’s Success Through Wellness Grants, a part of the Campus Mental Health Strategy. Learn more about what has been done over the past five years by reading the Success Through Wellness 2014-2019 Implementation Report. If you’re interested in sharing your feedback, or being a part of the next phase of the U of M’s mental health strategy, click here.

Miyoung Suh is Associate Professor in the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences at the U of M, and trained as a Clinical Dietitian in the areas of gastroenterology, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. She is also Principle Investigator for the Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders (DND) & Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine (CCARM), St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre. She was the first woman to be named Scientist of the Year in 2017 by the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST) for her research in lipids and retina photoreceptors.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.

The study by U of M’s Prashen Chelikani (oral biology) and Rotimi E. Aluko (human nutritional sciences) was published in the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. The authors report that beef protein, when broken down into peptides, can block bitter taste receptors on the tongue. Such peptides could someday be used to make other foods and even medicines taste better.

According to Drs Aluko and Chelikani, “This is the first study to suggest food protein-derived peptides can block bitter taste receptors.”

Most people try to avoid bitter flavours because they find them to be unpleasant. But some healthful foods are bitter, as are some medications. So, the food and pharmaceutical industries have been looking at ways to reduce or eliminate bitter sensations, which are detected in humans by 25 receptors known as T2Rs. Only a few inhibitors of T2R activity have been identified so far.

In recent years, bioactive peptides created from breaking down food proteins, through a process known as enzymatic hydrolysis, have gained attention for reducing bitterness and inflammation. Because beef proteins have been shown to generate desirable flavour-promoting peptides, Chelikani, Aluko and colleagues wanted to see if these peptides could block bitter tastes.

The researchers hydrolyzed beef protein with six different enzymes: alcalase, chymotrypsin, trypsin, pepsin, flavourzyme and thermoase. Peptides produced from trypsin and pepsin digestion were the most effective in reducing the intensity of the bitterness of quinine in a test with an electronic tongue. These peptides were also the longest, which suggests that peptide size might play an important role. The group notes this could impact not only the food industry but the pharmaceutical industry as well.

The authors acknowledge funding from the Alberta Agriculture and Forestry and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).