UM welcomes Canada’s top graduate students

The University of Manitoba congratulates nine PhD students on receiving the prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship – the most Vanier Scholars to attend UM in its history.

Vanier Scholars are Canada’s top graduate students, chosen for their academic excellence, research potential, and leadership – united by a passion to create a better world. They will receive $150,000 over three years towards their research.

UM’s Vanier Scholars for 2022 are*:

Keeley Edwards (Price Faculty of Engineering) will study innovative ways to apply machine learning to imaging problems, with the potential to improve safe and accessible imaging in health care and reduce food waste in agriculture. She is supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Fadi Ennab (Faculty of Education) will explore ways to build and maintain anti-racist solidarity between refugees and Indigenous peoples based on mutual support and understanding. He is supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Gabrielle Fontaine (Faculty of Science) will design and test a small, safe, and low-cost breast cancer screening device that may be used in remote and low-income areas. She is supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Braedon Humeniuk (Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources) will identify possible drivers of ecological change in freshwater ecosystems, and work to enhance public participation and buy-in for their protection. He is supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Kayla Joyce (Faculty of Arts) will explore how to develop better treatment programs for postpartum individuals struggling with depression and substance use concerns. She is supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Lindsey Mazur (Rady Faculty of Health Sciences) will study the multiple barriers women can face in the healthcare system and review how current policies can be changed to help all women receive more equitable care. She is supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Darrien Morton (Rady Faculty of Health Sciences) will gain an understanding of how different placement types for First Nations and Métis children and youth in the care of child welfare affect their mental health. He is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Jennifer Sebring (Rady Faculty of Health Sciences) will use arts-based research methods to attain insight into people’s experiences of living with chronic illnesses. She is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Jared Star (Rady Faculty of Health Sciences) will study the links between social and sexual media, bodies, substance use, and the self, particularly within and among queer, cis and trans men’s communities. He is supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

*Learn more about each scholar and their research by clicking their name for full bio.

“Research by these nine graduate students demonstrates exceptional leadership and research skills, distinguishing them amongst their peers across Canada,” says Dr. Mario Pinto, Vice-President (Research and International). “We are excited to host students of such calibre at UM.”

The Vanier Scholarships recognize students who demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health.

Students are nominated by their university, evaluated by multi-disciplinary peer-review committees and selected by a board composed of world-renowned Canadian and international experts. The scholarships are administered by Canada’s three federal granting agencies: CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC.

“These Vanier scholars now have the funding support to transform our world through their research and leadership,” says Dr. Kelley Main, Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies. “They will each bring something unique and impactful to our understanding of the world. Congratulations to them on this prominent award.”

The Vanier program honours distinguished Canadian soldier and diplomat Major-General the Right Honourable Georges Philias Vanier (1888-1967), who served as Governor General of Canada from 1959 to 1967.

A total of 48 Vanier Scholars have attended UM over the past 14 years.