Eight UM faculty members were recognized at the May 22 Rh Awards ceremony, featuring a special presentation by Bowman Award recipient Dr. Can-Ming Hu. For more than 50 years, the Rh Awards have been in place to support the advancement of knowledge across disciplines at UM. Funds for the Rh Awards come from the royalties of serums and medical formulae invented and perfected at UM.
"It is wonderful to see Dr. Hu recognized for his decades of research in fundamental science, working behind the scenes to improve the smart devices we depend on every day," says Dr. Mario Pinto, Vice-President (research & International). "These awards are an important opportunity for UM to celebrate researchers across who are making frontier discoveries that lead later to transformative impacts in society. I congratulate all the recipients on this well-deserved honour."
Awards are given in two categories: The Dr. John M. Bowman Memorial Winnipeg Rh Institute Foundation Award, awarded to one established faculty member annually and the Terry G. Falconer Memorial Rh Institute Foundation Emerging Researcher Awards, awarded to seven early career faculty members.
Can-Ming Hu, distinguished professor of Physics and Astronomy at the UM Faculty of Science, is the recipient of the Dr. John M. Bowman Memorial Winnipeg Rh Institute Foundation Award in recognition of his advancements in quantum material interactions, helping shape the next generation of communication technology.
Terry G. Falconer Memorial Rh Institute Foundation Emerging Researcher Award recipients are:
Applied Sciences
Dr. Chyngyz Erkinbaev (biosystems engineering) is a scientist whose research is advancing intelligent sensing techniques in food production. Erkinbaev is internationally recognized for his leadership integrating engineering, digital and biological research in the real-time monitoring of food quality and safety using smart sensing technologies.
Dr. Xihui (Larry) Liang (mechanical engineering) is a leading innovator in the predictive maintenance of machinery such as gearboxes, pumps and turbine engines. Liang's independent research program at the Price Faculty of Engineering is driving advancements in reliability and efficiency for critical energy infrastructure.
Creative Activities
Ms. Anna Binta Diallo (School of Art) is an interdisciplinary visual artist who blends collaged images, vinyl adhesives and sculptural forms to create dynamic gallery and public space installations. Diallo's research is focused on re-framing and re-mixing stories as a means of de-centering dominant Eurocentric narratives in contemporary art.
Health Sciences
Dr. Heather Armstrong (internal medicine) conducts groundbreaking research on how diet, environment, and the gut microbiome interact to influence gastrointestinal diseases and immune health. Armstrong works with national and local patient cohorts to develop precision nutrition tools to support those with inflammatory bowel disease and other gut-related conditions.
Dr. Christy Pylypjuk (obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences) holds multifaceted clinical roles as Assistant Director of the Obstetrical Outreach Program, Assistant Director of the Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellowship Program and Health Sciences Centre Site Lead for the Canadian Preterm Birth Network. Her research uses fetal ultrasound to improve outcomes for pregnant patients and their babies.
Natural Sciences
Dr. Savino Longo (physics and astronomy) conducts research in experimental subatomic physics to explore the origins of the universe. Longo is a leader of international collaborations to better understand the building blocks of matter using high-energy matter-antimatter collisions as well as the development of new technologies for subatomic particle detectors.
Social Sciences
Dr. Patricia Thille (physical therapy) is a research-intensive associate professor at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences focused on issues like body size, chronic pain and self-management in community-based care. With expertise in both physiotherapy and sociology, Thille seeks to expose stigma and promote equity in health care.
To learn more about research excellence at UM, visit our Awards and Recognition webpage.
Research at the University of Manitoba is partially supported by funding from the Government of Canada Research Support Fund.
