Three Agricultural and Food Sciences profs recognized with emeriti title

Three retired faculty members were named professors emeriti in 2025 for their distinguished service to the University of Manitoba: Dr. Harold Aukema, Dr. Ying Chen and Dr. Qiang Zhang.

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.