Outstanding Rady Faculty grad students earn Dean’s Prize

The Dean of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Graduate Student Achievement Prize was awarded to 10 extraordinary graduate students in 2024. 

The award recognizes outstanding academic achievement, strong leadership skills and notable personal service of grad students at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Max Rady College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy and College of Rehabilitation Sciences. 

“Congratulations to these exceptional graduate students,” said Dr. Peter Nickerson, vice-provost (health sciences) and dean of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. “They have excelled in their studies and are being recognized for their hard work and dedication. They are our future leaders.”  

Each college could nominate one master’s student and one doctoral student. Colleges without a doctoral program could nominate two master’s students. 

“On behalf of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, congratulations on receiving this year’s prize,” said Dr. Hope Anderson, vice-dean, graduate and postdoctoral studies, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.  

“This award recognizes the academic excellence and skills in leadership, community engagement, social accountability and volunteerism achieved by these students, and we look forward to seeing their future achievements.” 

Prize winners 

Pelumi Samuel Akinola, who received his master’s from the College of Pharmacy, examined the risks of autism spectrum disorder in children after exposure to anti-seizure medications during pregnancy. He is grateful for his supervisor, Dr. Sherif Eltonsy, assistant professor of pharmacy, who encouraged him to explore opportunities beyond the lab and classroom. 

“Winning this prize feels like a powerful affirmation that I am on the right path and should keep pushing forward,” Akinola said. 

Eunice Korkor Assem-Erhaze, a PhD student in the College of Nursing, is researching the transition to practice experience of recent nursing graduates with learning disabilities. Receiving the prize has boosted her confidence and encouraged her to achieve higher goals.  

“Winning the Dean’s Prize is an honour and a privilege I do not take lightly,” Assem-Erhaze said.  

Meagan Brown, a master of dentistry in oral and maxillofacial surgery student at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, is looking at using ultrasound to diagnose pathologic conditions of the temporomandibular joint because it is readily available, comparatively cheap and has no contraindications to use. She was grateful to be recognized for the prize.  

“Being recognized for this award as I soon transition from residency to fellowship has reinforced that engaging in lifelong learning and giving back to your community is important at any stage in your career,” Brown said.  

Shelly Lam, who received her master of physical therapy from the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, is passionate about advocating for improved accessibility to publicly funded physiotherapy services that address social determinants of health through holistic and patient-centred care. She said that after moving to a new city after graduation, winning the award will remind her to continue creating new goals and get to know the community and its needs. 

“Receiving this award will hold me accountable to maintaining trusting relationships and ground me in the needs of the community throughout my career as a physiotherapist,” Lam said.  

Emma Martell, who will graduate in Feb. with her PhD in human anatomy & cell science and pathology from the Max Rady College of Medicine, is focused on characterizing and targeting novel metabolic weaknesses in adult and pediatric brain tumours to inhibit their growth, reduce the risk of recurrence and extend patient survival. She said her supervisor, Dr. Tanveer Sharif, associate professor of pathology, went above and beyond to support her through every step of her PhD.  

“Winning this award is a validation of my hard work and commitment to academia and research,” Martell said.  

Tobi Olanipekun, a master’s student in physiology and pathophysiology at the Max Rady College of Medicine, is studying a protective protein called thioredoxin to see if it can protect brain cells and potentially be used as a treatment for neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. He sees the award as recognition of his ongoing work through the BioinformHER initiative to increase accessibility and representation of underrepresented groups in bioinformatics. 

“This award reinforces my efforts and commitment to contribute to meaningful social impact in my community,” Olanipekun said.  

Nicole Prenovault, a master’s student at the College of Nursing, is exploring if newly graduated nurses are able to thrive in the workplace. She was grateful for being selected.  

“This prize not only demonstrates to others the importance of my research topic but also helps to take some of the pressure off of me in paying for my tuition and gives me a chance to focus more on my studies and less on how to support myself as I study,” Prenovault said.  

Karlynne Sagert, who received her master of occupational therapy from the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, completed a project examining the extent of overlap between current community living policies and practices in Manitoba with total institutions of the past for people living with intellectual disabilities. Winning the prize has helped Sagert recognize that she can be committed to her profession, personal growth and lifelong learning while staying involved in the community. 

“I want future graduate students to know that leadership is diverse, and they, too, can be considered leaders,” Sagert said.   

Nitesh Sanghai, a PhD candidate in the College of Pharmacy, is working to develop new and improved versions of the drug edaravone to slow down the progression of incurable amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He said the award recognizes his academic achievement, strong leadership skills and notable personal service to empower his fellow graduate students. 

“I encourage everyone to stay motivated and inspired. Embrace every moment of your life as a powerful opportunity to create meaningful and impactful change in the world,” Sanghai said.  

Ana Schettini, who received her master of dentistry in prosthodontics at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, investigated the effect of the three manufacturing processes on the mechanical properties and microstructure of cobalt-chromium dental alloys. Winning the prize reinforces that her hard work and dedication are recognized and valued.  

“It will push me to continually strive for excellence, reminding me that there is always room for growth,” Schettini said. 

Matthew Kruchak