From left: Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) Programs and Engagement Manager Dr. Chelsea Cunningham (PhD), USask Interim Associate Provost Health Dr. Adam Baxter-Jones (PhD), Dr. Behzad Toosi (DVM, PhD), Tallan Black, Kundanika Mukherjee, Sahana Ramamoorthy, Jessica Sharpe, Dr. Nazeem Muhajarine (PhD), Mahesh Rachamalla, and Heather Alford. Photo: Tammy Zdunich.

2024 Life & Health Sciences Research Expo award recipients announced

Members of the University of Saskatchewan research community were recognized for outstanding research and/or mentorship achievement at the annual showcase of interdisciplinary health science research taking place on campus and throughout the province.

On May 2, 2024, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) community gathered to celebrate outstanding research, collaboration, and mentorship within the health sciences at the annual Life & Health Sciences Research Expo.

Now in its 31st year, the event offers USask graduate students, undergraduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and dentistry and medical residents the opportunity to compete for over $5,000 in student prizes and acknowledge exceptional graduate supervisors.

More than 100 research poster presentations were held throughout the day in the Health Sciences Building and adjudicated by volunteers with a PhD or equivalent degree. The expo concluded with an award ceremony where USask Vice-President Research Dr. Baljit Singh (PhD) delivered welcome remarks and highlighted the impact and potential of the dynamic research taking place through the University of Saskatchewan.

Research poster and best paper competition categories explored basic, translational, clinical, and applied science as well as social and population health. Awards were also presented in recognition of top student-nominated supervisors.

The expo included participation from students, supervisors, and/or judges representing all USask health science colleges and schools as well as units such as the College of Arts and Science, the College of Education, the College of Engineering, and VIDO (Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization).

BEST PAPER AWARDS

Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF)

From left: USask Interim Associate Provost Health Dr. Adam Baxter-Jones (PhD), Tallan Black, Kundanika Mukherjee, Mahesh Rachamalla, Heather Alford, and Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) Programs and Engagement Manager Dr. Chelsea Cunningham (PhD). Photo: Tammy Zdunich.

Best Basic Science Paper (first place)

Mahesh Rachamalla, College of Arts & Science
Chronic dietary exposure to arsenic at environmentally relevant concentrations impairs cognitive performance in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) via oxidative stress and dopaminergic dysfunction
Supervisors: Som Niyogi, PhD (College of Arts & Science), and Arash Salahinejad, PhD (University of Western Ontario)

Best Basic Science Paper (second place)

Kundanika Mukherjee, College of Medicine
Release of lipids stored in the intestine by glucagon-like peptide-2 involves a gut-brain neural pathway
Supervisor: Changting Xiao, PhD (College of Medicine)

Best Translational, Clinical, or Applied Science Paper

Tallan Black, College of Pharmacy & Nutrition
Characterization of cannabinoid plasma concentration, maternal health, and cytokine levels in a rat model of prenatal Cannabis smoke exposure
Supervisors: Allison Cammer, PhD (College of Pharmacy & Nutrition), and Paulette Hunter, PhD (College of Arts & Science)

Best Social & Population Health Paper

Heather Alford, College of Pharmacy & Nutrition
Employee experiences providing nutritional care during the COVID-19 pandemic
Supervisors: Robert Laprairie, PhD (College of Pharmacy & Nutrition), and John Howland, PhD (College of Medicine)

BEST SUPERVISOR AWARDS

Back-to-front, from left: Dr. Nazeem Muhajarine (PhD), USask Interim Associate Provost Health Dr. Adam Baxter-Jones (PhD), Dr. Behzad Toosi (DVM, PhD), Sahana Ramamoorthy, and Jessica Sharpe. Photo: Tammy Zdunich.
Dr. Nazeem Muhajarine (PhD)
Professor, College of Medicine
Nominated by: Sahana Ramamoorthy

Dr. Behzad Toosi (DVM, PhD)
Assistant Professor, Western College of Veterinary Medicine
Nominated by: Jessica Sharpe

Review the abstracts from the poster presentations, view the complete list of award recipients (including the winners from the research poster presentation competition) or learn more about the Life & Health Sciences Research Expo at healthsciences.usask.ca/expo.