The Manitoba Student Health Research Forum (MSHRF) provides opportunities for advanced training, networking, and professional development for Manitoba graduate students and postdocs. The MSHRF’s goal is to recognize and showcase excellence and to foster collaboration in health research at all levels. CHRIM is proud to not only sponsor this event, but also to have many investigators who speak at the Forum and contribute their expertise in a variety of ways. The MSHRF committee is led by CHRIM investigator, Dr. Samantha Pauls.

“The MSHRF brings together the health research community in Manitoba for three days of connection, development, and celebration,” says Dr. Pauls. “CHRIM students, staff, and faculty researchers are a huge part of that! It was wonderful to see a wide variety of poster presentations and Major Award applications related to child, youth, and family health. The future of pediatric health research in Manitoba is bright!”

Many students who received recognition at the MSHRF awards ceremony are supervised by CHRIM investigators. This year saw the return of a major award that had been on pause since 1996. PhD candidate Saeid Maghsoudi, who is supervised for Dr. Shyamala Dakshinamurti, received the Manitoba Lung Association Major Award for Research in Lung Health. This award was presented to him by CHRIM’s Dr. Andrew Halayko, who was the last person to receive this honor. Saeid also received the CHRIM-sponsored Major Award for Research in Child Health.

Dr. Abdullah Al Maruf and Dr. Shyamala Dakshinamurti both received the student-governed Ed Kroeger Mentorship Award, which acknowledges current professors who have exemplified excellence in graduate and professional teaching, have been portrayed as noteworthy mentors, and strive to enhance student abilities and potential. Other notable major award winners include Pediatric Grad Program student Angela Krutish, who received the HSGSA-sponsored Dr. Forough Khadem Major Award in the PhD category, as well as Bo Xiang, who was nominated by Dr. Vern Dolinsky, who received the Karol D. McNeill Research Technician Award.

A big congratulations to all who received awards, including the many CHRIM-affiliated students who received both poster and travel awards.