Graduate students recognized in College of Pharmacy awards

By Danica Hidalgo Cherewyk

“Take a moment and imagine yourself at 18 years old,” said Sasha Kullman as she began her presentation at the College of Pharmacy’s graduate studies awards ceremony on March 12.

“Were you graduating high school? Starting university or college? Beginning a new job? Maybe travelling or moving away from home for the first time? ... Now imagine navigating all of that while living with a complex heart condition that requires lifelong care.”

The PhD student said youth with congenital heart disease (CHD) and their families have told her the transition to adult care is challenging.

“My research aims to reimagine that transition,” she said. “I will collaborate with youth with CHD, their families and the health-care professionals who care for them to co-design a program that supports the transition to adult CHD care in Manitoba.”

Kullman, who won the Samuel and Beatrice Faiman Pharmacy Graduate Fellowship, was one of 10 students recognized at the event for excellence in research, academics and community involvement in 2025. Each student delivered a three-minute presentation on their research. 

Honouring graduate achievement

Dr. Jillian Stobart, associate professor and graduate studies chair in the college, congratulated all the student award winners.

“It’s always a pleasure to gather, to celebrate our student achievements in the past year,” she said at the ceremony. “I’m always so impressed with what you have done in terms of awards, contributions to teaching, volunteer work, community service, the profession. You continue to blow me away with all of your successes.”

The event also featured a slideshow highlighting student achievements and favourite memories. 

A college with open arms

Kullman, who completed her undergraduate and master’s degrees in kinesiology in UM’s Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, said she values the college’s welcoming community and support from her supervisor, assistant professor Dr. Anna Chudyk.

“As someone who is not a pharmacist by trade and who came to the College of Pharmacy through a different path, I felt extremely welcomed,” she said.

“The diversity of research areas and the wealth of knowledge among students and faculty members is incredible. The student community has been amazing, and the faculty and staff have been incredibly supportive.” 

The economics of medications

Trang Nguyen, a master’s student specializing in pharmacoeconomics, received one of two College of Pharmacy Merit Scholarship awards.

“Breast cancer still remains one of the leading causes of death among women all over the world,” she said. “Through my research, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with the College of Pharmacy and receive great guidance from assistant professor Dr. Shweta Mital to help inform better treatment decisions for patients.”

Nguyen’s research focuses on the economic evaluation of capivasertib, a second-line therapy for advanced breast cancer that became available in Canada in May 2024. While the medication shows promise in safety and efficacy, her work aims to inform policy decisions around adopting the treatment.

“The results were clear ... capivasertib is not cost-effective when compared with other existing therapies,” Nguyen said. “Innovations are important, but it should also be affordable.” 

Supported by generous donors

Michael Byun, a master’s student in the College of Pharmacy supervised by assistant professor Dr. Samantha Pauls and a first-year medical student in the Max Rady College of Medicine, received the William G. Eamer Graduate Achievement Fellowship.

Byun’s research examines how omega-3 fatty acids influence immune cells involved in chronic inflammation, particularly how those cells produce and use energy in conditions such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

Eamer, who established the scholarship in 2004, presented the award in person.  

“It’s a responsible thing to do,” Eamer said when asked why he continues to give. “I can see the excellent work that the faculty and students are doing — the things they achieve.”

Eamer’s connection to pharmacy dates back to the early 1950s, when he worked as a delivery boy for a local drugstore. He later served as executive director of the Manitoba Society of Pharmacists — now Pharmacists Manitoba — in the early 1990s, where he eventually retired. 

College of Pharmacy graduate studies awards