FAFS researchers and teachers recognized in 2024

Members of our Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences community were recognized nationally and internationally in 2024.

Michael Eskin
Michael Eskin, Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, received several honours this past year:

• Induction into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame for his remarkable contributions to the international field of food chemistry. His crowning achievement lies in his groundbreaking work on the early development and ongoing refinement of canola oil, now ranked as the third most consumed edible oil worldwide.
• The AOCS (American Oil Chemists Society) Award of Merit, given to honour those who have actively demonstrated outstanding leadership and service to the Society through committee participation, or have contributed exceptional quality of service that has advanced the Society’s prestige, standing or interest.

Nazanin Vafaei
Nazanin Vafaei, postdoctoral researcher in Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, won the Mitacs Innovation Award for Outstanding Innovation. Nazanin has pioneered a sustainable oil extraction method that supports Canada’s plant-based protein industry. Her eco-friendly approach to food production is driving sustainable change in the agri-food sector.

Rotimi Aluko
Rotimi Aluko, Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, receive the International Society for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods (ISNFF) Merit Award. This is the most important award of the ISNFF and is presented to an individual for outstanding contributions to the nutraceuticals and functional foods discipline and service to the ISNFF.

Don Flaten
Don Flaten, professor emeritus in Soil Science, was inducted into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame in honour of his significant field research in soil fertility and crop nutrition, his extension with commodity groups, industry and government and his dedication to agricultural education.

Bill Guenter
Bill Guenter, professor emeritus in Animal Science, was inducted into the Canadian Poultry Research Network Hall of Fame in recognition of his significant contributions to Canadian poultry science.

Nandika Bandara
Nandika Bandara, Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, also received several awards last year:

• The Institute of Food Technologists Outstanding Service award which honours current division members who have demonstrated a history of service to the division or field.
• 2024-2025 University of Manitoba Graduate Student Association Teaching Award, presented at Fall Convocation to recognize individuals who have made, in the estimate of their graduate students, a significant contribution to their teaching profession.
• International Society for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods (ISNFF) Young Scientist Research Award, presented to a researcher who is under 40 and has exemplary achievements within the nutraceuticals and functional food areas.

Mario Tenuta
Mario Tenuta, Soil Science, received the University of Manitoba Annual Community Engagement Award which recognizes those who to enlarge and enrich the contacts between the University and all segments of the community.

Kyle Bobiwash
Kyle Bobiwash, Entomology, received the Terry G. Falconer Memorial Rh Institute Foundation Emerging Researcher Award in the Interdisciplinary category. His innovative research on pollinator health and sustainable agricultural practices, along with his dedication to bridging Indigenous and Western scientific methodologies, highlights his significant contributions to both academia and community engagement.

Harold Aukema
Harold Aukema, Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, received the Earle Willard McHenry Award for Distinguished Service in Nutrition from the Canadian Nutrition Society.

University of Manitoba Merit Awards
A number of Faculty members were presented with the University of Manitoba Merit Awards in the Life Sciences, Natural Sciences and Engineering category for outstanding achievements:

• Fuji Jian, Biosystems Engineering, for Research, Scholarly Work and Creative Activities
• Claudio Stasolla, Plant Science, for Research, Scholarly Work and Creative Activities
• Danny Mann, Biosystems Engineering, for Service
• Harold Aukema, Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, for Service
• Natasha Jacobson, Biosystems Engineering, for Teaching