Welcoming our newest Fellows to St John’s College
St John's College is excited to introduce four new fellows into our community
St. John’s College is pleased to welcome four distinguished scholars as new Fellows: Dr. Gerd Prehna, Dr. Punam Mehta, Dr. Patty Thille, and Dr. Shirley Thompson.
Gerd Prehna: Faculty of Science, Department of Microbiology
Dr. Gerd Prehna is an associate professor in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Manitoba. The Prehna Lab investigates how bacteria interact with their hosts, each other, and other microorganisms through structural biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Their primary focus is the biophysical and biochemical characterization of bacterial proteins to explore their functional roles in secretion, disease, and competition between bacterial species.
I am excited to be a Fellow and join a new community at the University. Expanding my relationships with new colleagues and understanding new perspectives is a welcomed opportunity.
Shirley Thompson: Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources
Dr. Shirley Thompson is an associate professor at the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Manitoba. Thompson’s research focuses on community-led education on homebuilding, ecosystem restoration, and food with York Factory First Nation and other communities.
So joyful to be welcomed into a vibrant, caring community at University of Manitoba through this fellowship. The dialogue with community-minded people across many disciplines provides opportunities for collaboration and learning.
Punam Mehta: Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Health Sciences
Dr. Punam Mehta is an instructor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Mantioba. Mehta’s research is deeply rooted in her hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she has led significant projects, including a yoga and body mapping initiative for mothers with addictions and a recent study of HIV stigma.
I’m honoured to join the Fellows at St. John’s College and be part of this diverse community. I look forward to building meaningful relationships, collaborating with fellow scholars, students, and the community, and co-creating spaces for collective growth and transformative learning.
Patty Thille: Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy
Dr. Patty Thille is an associate professor in the Department of Physiotherapy at the University of Manitoba. She is a hybrid scholar: a physiotherapist by first degree, and medical sociologist by PhD. Her core scholarship bridges critical sociological theories to highlight how discrimination manifests in physiotherapy and primary care, and more importantly, how to disrupt it. She does this work in solidarity with those fighting to end injustice. Outside of the University of Manitoba, she supports the integration of humanities and critical social sciences into physiotherapy through her work on the Executive Committee of the international Critical Physiotherapy Network.
As someone whose career is built on bridging across disciplinary boundaries, the St. John’s College Fellowship is a great opportunity creating new relationships across disciplines, and campus locations, here at the University of Manitoba.
Welcome to the College, Gerd, Shirley, Punam and Patty! We’re so excited to have you as part of our community!