Dean’s Prize honours extraordinary Rady Faculty grad students

Nasiba Ahmed, a PhD candidate in the College of Community and Global Health, is using advanced analytical methods and health data to identify clusters of chronic health conditions that co-occur among people. She is thankful for her supervisor, Dr. Lisa Lix, who has been supportive of her academic development and service-oriented leadership.  

“Receiving this award affirms the importance of integrating scholarship, leadership and service, and reinforces my commitment to contributing meaningfully to academic and community life,” Ahmed said.

Eunice Assem-Erhaze, a PhD student in the College of Nursing, is studying how recent nursing grads with learning disabilities experience their first years of work and what supports help them succeed and feel included in the profession. Assem-Erhaze said she is honoured to receive the Dean’s Prize for the second year in a row.  

“It reflects sustained progress and continued trust in my academic work, and it reinforces my responsibility to maintain high standards in my scholarship while remaining grounded in research that addresses real-world challenges in nursing and health systems,” Assem-Erhaze said. 

Ashley Bell, who received her master’s from the College of Nursing, used arts-based methods to explore the experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ parents whose babies were cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit. Bell said that winning the Dean’s Prize was a special way to end her master’s program.  

“I would not be where I am today without the incredible support of my professors in the College of Nursing. I hold specific appreciation for my thesis advisor, Dr. Roberta Woodgate, who has been a tremendous source of encouragement, knowledge and wisdom,” Bell said.

Deanne Nixie Miao, a PhD student in biochemistry and medical genetics in the Max Rady College of Medicine, aims to understand why a common chemotherapy drug (cisplatin) causes hearing loss by looking at changes in genes within individual inner ear cells. She said that receiving the Dean’s Prize motivates her to keep aiming higher and reinforces her commitment to research.

“As a Filipino Canadian graduate student, I hope this recognition also helps strengthen representation in health research and encourages other students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue research, leadership and advocacy,” Miao said.  

Derek Oryniak, a master’s student in oral and maxillofacial surgery in the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, is comparing novel treatment adjuncts to non-invasive surgery of the jaw joint. He said this recognition encourages him to continue integrating research into his clinical career.  

“Winning this prize reinforces my commitment to that path and provides momentum to pursue future research, collaboration and leadership opportunities,” Oryniak said.  

Mary Osunlusi, a master’s student in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, uses stories to understand how physiotherapists treat people in bigger bodies. Her goal is to help create tools that aid physiotherapists in noticing and questioning unfair beliefs about body weight in health care. Osunlusi said the Dean’s Prize recognition reinforces her belief that leadership rooted in service and social responsibility matters.  

“My professors, especially my advisor, Dr. Patty Thille, have created an environment where I feel supported, not only as a student, but as a developing leader,” Osunlusi said. 

Ashraf Kadar Shahib, a PhD student in biochemistry and medical genetics in the Max Rady College of Medicine, is looking at how changes in a brain protein (MeCP2) can cause problems in how brain cells work. He is testing drugs that might help reset these changes in Rett syndrome. He said receiving the prize reinforces his confidence in pursuing a research-driven career.  

“Winning the Dean’s Prize reminds me of the responsibility that comes with recognition, and to keep advancing science that can translate into tangible benefits for patients and their families,” Shahib said.

Jenna Villarba, a PhD student in the College of Pharmacy, is focused on opioid agonist therapy to improve access and quality of care in treatment programs across primary care clinics in Winnipeg. Villarba said they are grateful to be recognized with the Dean’s Prize.    

“Graduate school is incredibly challenging, but awards like this, which celebrate the hard work and achievements of UM students, are an affirmation of our journeys and experiences, helping us feel more confident and supported in our contributions to science and our communities,” Villarba said.

Yen Vuu, a master’s student in the College of Community and Global Health, studies whether children are more likely to develop autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder if their parents have the same disorders, and whether other factors influence these risks. Vuu said she is honoured to receive the Dean’s Prize.  

“This award is especially meaningful to me, as it recognizes not only academic achievement but also my commitment to research, volunteer work, community engagement and the leadership skills I have developed throughout my graduate program,” Vuu said.