The University of Winnipeg 50 Years

The University of Winnipeg's world-class researchers are taking their expertise out into the fi eld to share and collaborate with the broader community. We call this knowledge mobilization, which means using our academic expertise for the benefi t of many. From cancer research to fi ghting Dutch elm disease, here are some of the ways UWinnipeg professors are making an impact. S H A R I N G K N OW L E D G E T O B E N E F I T T H E C O M M U N I T Y DETECTING CANCER Dr. Anuraag Shrivastav's research focuses on cell signaling pathways and the variations in signals that lead to the growth of cancer cells. Shrivastav and his team are currently developing a blood test that will aid in the early detection and diagnosis of colorectal cancers. The blood test is less invasive, and more sensitive than current diagnostic tools. ANALYZING OUR SOLAR SYSTEM In 2016, when NASA launched a spacecraft from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, UWinnipeg geography professor Dr. Ed Cloutis was part of the team. The seven-year space trip is collecting a sample from an asteroid. The mission will help scientists address the origin of our solar system, and where the Earth may have gotten its water. HELPING REFUGEES SUCCEED The plight of refugees eeing war is in the news daily as Canada accepts and integrates 30,000 people from Syria — more than half of whom are under the age of 17. Dr. Jan Stewart is leading a Canadian study aimed at helping refugee youth navigate school. This research can be used in classrooms to help educators do what's best for refugee children so they can succeed in their new country. AIDING INDIGENOUS MOTHERS When a woman from a Northern Manitoba First Nation is going to have a baby, she often makes the long journey to Winnipeg alone, leaving behind her family and community support system. This causes unnecessary stress and potential harm to both mother and infant. Dr. Jaime Cidro is the principle investigator looking at Indigenous doulas as a cultural intervention for First Nations women. She works closely with the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba. SAVING OUR TREES This summer, in cooperation with the City of Winnipeg, UWinnipeg's Centre for Forest Interdisciplinary Research conducted eld research to detect and slow the spread of Dutch elm disease. Dr. Richard Westwood and two students monitored infected trees to determine the best candidates for rapid removal. This could signi cantly minimize the movement of disease-carrying beetles to healthy elm trees. UWinnipeg offers undergraduate students a well- rounded academic experience that includes valuable opportunities to engage in research alongside faculty in a vast array of topics. "University of Winnipeg students often find themselves fully engaged in all aspects of research," said Dr. Jino Distasio, Vice-President, Research and Innovation. "The outcome is transferable skills, offering our students the ability to learn to collect and analyze data, write reports and articles, and to present findings in various settings." Honours chemistry student Kelsey Duncan is working with Dr. Christopher Wiebe on nanotechnology research. This summer she went to the prestigious Grenoble Institute of Technology/ Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble in Grenoble, France to continue her study. 190 Rupert Avenue / Winnipeg, Manitoba ManitobaMuseum.ca @ManitobaMuseum Congratulations on 50 extraordinary years of leadership in research and education! S T U D E N T R E S E A R C H A B O U N D S "The University of Winnipeg is a great place to get involved as there is so much support available," said Duncan. "The smaller environment at our university offers undergrads access to opportunities that are often reserved only for graduate students at other institutions." Participation in research programs at UWinnipeg gives students the rare opportunity as an undergraduate to publish their research in peer-reviewed journals and present at national and international conferences. For example, third-year physical chemistry student Megan Rutherford recently took a top prize at the Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition in Toronto. Similarly, fourth-year science honours student Mohamed Abo Aoun received the 2017 American Society of Pharmacognosy (ASP) Research Award. Abo Aoun will present his research at next year's ASP meeting at Lexington, Kentucky. Kelsey Duncan (pictured left) and Megan Rutherford (right).

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