Five Rady faculty on Future 40 list

Alan MacKenzie

Five Rady Faculty of Health Sciences faculty members have been named to a CBC Manitoba list that showcases “some of the brightest young minds and influential change-makers under age 40.”

The broadcaster released its annual Future 40 list on Jan. 26. In total, eight winners were selected by a panel based on nominations from the community. Those from the Rady Faculty are:

Robert Beattie

Dr. Robert Beattie, 39, is an assistant professor of biochemistry at the Max Rady College of Medicine and a board member with the Manitoba Neuroscience Network. His research approach is to create “genetic mosaic models” of different neurological disorders, such as autism or schizophrenia.

“What my lab tries to understand is how changes at the cellular level impact these disorders,” Beattie said.

In collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada, his lab was also involved in the creation of a “frozen zoo” to preserve the health of polar bears in Manitoba.

“It’s the first of its kind in Manitoba, and to my knowledge, it is the largest database of polar bear cell lines in the world,” he said. “I’m hoping this project will inspire some level of government to take it upon themselves to create their own archive or expand this to other critically endangered or threatened species in Canada.”

Dr. Robert Beattie

Renée El-Gabalawy

Dr. Renée El-Gabalawy, 39, is an associate professor of clinical health psychology at the Max Rady College of Medicine. Her research is focused on psychological factors implicated in adverse health events, such as how mental health can impact surgery, and how surgery can affect something like post-traumatic stress.

“I’ve been putting a lot of efforts into understanding accessible and feasible interventions that can be used to help support people’s mental health during a very vulnerable period,” she said.

Over the last 10 years, she has developed an interactive virtual reality program to psychologically prepare patients for surgery and help reduce their anxiety.

El-Gabalawy is also co-creator of the IMPACT program, along with Dr. Brigitte Sabourin, assistant professor of clinical health psychology, and a multidisciplinary team. The program uses an evidence-based approach called acceptance and commitment therapy to change the way people approach living with chronic pain. The program is part of the Power Over Pain portal, an online Canadian resource for those with chronic pain.

Dr. Renée El-Gabalawy

Ivan Iurchenko

Ivan Iurchenko, 39, joined the College of Pharmacy as a sessional instructor in 2022, after emigrating from his home country of Ukraine, where he has a PhD from Zaporizhzhya State Medical University.

He teaches four courses at the college focusing on pharmaceutics, toxicology of medications, and research methods in pharmacy.

He also works as an English language teacher for Ukrainian newcomers at the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League, and has worked with the Immigrant Centre Manitoba.

“It’s not just a dry English class, but also about understanding the culture of Canada,” he said. He also helps newcomers navigate Manitoba’s health-care system and will sometimes accompany them to appointments as an interpreter.

Iurchenko said he’d like to eventually have a full-time appointment at the college, as well as to continue helping new immigrants.

Ivan Iurchenko

Shakerah Jones Hall

When Shakerah Jones Hall, 39, heard about the Future 40 award, CBC told her she was the first nurse to receive the honour.

She practised nursing in Jamaica, her home country, for three years before moving to Manitoba in 2014. She joined the College of Nursing in 2020 and became a full-time instructor two years later.

In May 2024, she created the Manitoba chapter of the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance, a student-led initiative that offers support to Black and racialized nursing students through mentorship, community-building and culturally responsive programming. The group now includes more than 175 students, including many international students.

“The goal was to create a space where students feel seen, supported and empowered, a place where they can connect, learn from one another, and know they belong,” she said.

Jones Hall plans to grow the group to other nursing programs in Manitoba, with a long-term goal of improving retention and success rates for Black and racialized nursing students province wide.

Shakerah Jones Hall

David Perrin

Dr. David Perrin, 39, is Manitoba’s first and only orthopedic oncologist, treating adults and children who have benign or malignant tumors affecting the musculoskeletal system.

He is also an assistant professor in the department of surgery at the Max Rady College of Medicine. He teaches both at the post-graduate level, working regularly with orthopedic surgery residents, and undergraduate level, giving lectures to medical students.

The most common type of cancer Perrin treats is called sarcoma, the type of cancer Terry Fox was diagnosed with, which can arise anywhere on the body.

“I’m trained to do what’s called “limb-salvage” surgery, instead of amputation, meaning I try to remove the cancer while preserving someone’s limb, or at least trying to give them the best possible function,” he said.

“I get to give people some hope while they’re living through their darkest times. In cases where the cancer doesn’t spread, my work can save someone’s life, and I that brings me feeling very fulfilled and grateful for this career.”