FGPS Award Reception 2026 Awardees
Estimated Read Time:
3 minutes
FGPS Award Reception 2026 Awardees
FGPS Award Reception 2026 Awardees
Estimated Read Time:
3 minutes
Awards

Graduate Studies Honours Excellence in Mentorship, Research and Student Support

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS) celebrated outstanding achievement across the University of Manitoba community by recognizing faculty, staff, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows whose contributions have strengthened graduate education, research and mentorship.

These annual awards recognize excellence in student support, graduate supervision, scholarly achievement and postdoctoral research, highlighting the individuals who help create an exceptional environment for advanced study and discovery. 

Outstanding Support and Administrative Leadership 

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Outstanding Support Staff Award was presented to Jody Bohonos, Graduate Program Coordinator in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management. The award recognizes exceptional administrative support for graduate students and faculty, responsiveness to student needs, and excellence in supporting graduate programs. 

Dr. Michael Benarroch and Jody Bohonos
Dr. Michael Benarroch and Jody Bohonos
Dr. Michael Benarroch and Jody Bohonos

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Outstanding Administrator Award was awarded to Dr. Silvia Cardona of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science. The award honours academic staff members who have demonstrated outstanding administrative leadership and service in support of graduate students and graduate education. 

Dr. Michael Benarroch and Silvia Cardona
Dr. Michael Benarroch and Dr. Silvia Cardona
Dr. Michael Benarroch and Dr. Silvia Cardona

Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring 

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring Awards recognize faculty members who have demonstrated sustained excellence in mentoring graduate students, fostering scholarly inquiry and supporting student success. 

The awards celebrate mentors who have made lasting contributions to graduate student development through guidance, encouragement and the creation of supportive learning environments. 

This year's recipients were: 

Dr. Sandra Webber, Dr. Nathalie Piquemal and Dr. Tracie Afifi
Dr. Sandra Webber, Dr. Tracie Afifi and Dr. Nathalie Piquemal

Dr. David Herbert, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, recipient in the Natural and Applied Sciences category.  

Dr. David Herbert
Dr. David Herbert
Dr. David Herbert

Distinguished Master's Thesis Prizes 

The University of Manitoba Distinguished Master's Thesis Prizes recognize graduates whose master's research made exceptional scholarly contributions during the previous academic year. Recipients receive a citation certificate and a $1,000 prize. 

This year's recipients were: 

Matthew McCorquodale-Bauer, Faculty of Education (Social Sciences) 

Paige Boyd, Department of Classics, Faculty of Arts (Humanities) 

Fangqing Liu, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science (Natural Sciences) 

Jess Crawford, College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (Health Sciences) 

Mark Tachie, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Price Faculty of Engineering (Applied Sciences) 

 

2026 Master Thesis Prize Award Winners
2026 Master Thesis Prize Award Winners

Distinguished Dissertation Awards 

The University of Manitoba Distinguished Dissertation Awards recognize doctoral graduates whose dissertations represent groundbreaking research and scholarly excellence. Award recipients receive a citation certificate and a $3,000 prize. 

This year's recipients were: 

Dr. Mario Phaneuf, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Price Faculty of Engineering (Applied Sciences) 

Dr. Nitesh Sanghai, College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (Health Sciences) 

Dr. Little Hermie Monterde, Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science (Natural Sciences)

Dr. Jordan Laidlaw, Faculty of Education (Social Sciences) 

Dr. Mario Phaneuf, Dr. Nitesh Sanghai, Dr. Little Hermie Monterde and Dr. Jordan Laidlaw
Dr. Mario Phaneuf, Dr. Nitesh Sanghai, Dr. Little Hermie Monterde and Dr. Jordan Laidlaw

Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow Awards

The Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow Awards recognize postdoctoral researchers whose innovative research programs are advancing knowledge while contributing to the mentorship of emerging scholars. 

This year's recipients were:

Dr. Kelley Main, Dr. Ruchira Nandasiri (top) and Dr. Nayara Rampazzo Morelli (bottom)
Dr. Kelley Main, Dr. Ruchira Nandasiri and Dr. Nayara Rampazzo Morelli

Honouring a Legacy of Mentorship 

The ceremony also featured the presentation of the James House Memorial Awards for Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring, established in honour of the late Dr. James "Jim" House, whose remarkable contributions to nutrition science, sustainable protein research and mentorship left a lasting impact on the University of Manitoba and the broader academic community. 

The awards recognize faculty members who demonstrate exceptional commitment to mentoring postdoctoral fellows and supporting their professional development. 

This year's recipients were: 

Dr. Sabine Kuss, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science (Natural Sciences and Engineering) 

 

Dr. Steve Kirkland and Dr. Sabine Kuss (top)/ Dr. Meghan Azad (bottom)
Dr. Steve Kirkland and Dr. Sabine Kuss
Dr. Steve Kirkland and Dr. Sabine Kuss

Dr. Megan Azad, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (Health Sciences) 

Dr. Meghan Azad
Dr. Meghan Azad
Dr. Meghan Azad

Through these awards, the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies celebrates the individuals whose dedication to research, mentorship and student success continues to strengthen graduate education and advance discovery at the University of Manitoba.