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Dr. Meghan Azad
Canada Research Chair in Developmental Origins of Chronic Disease
PhD, Biochemistry and Medical Genetics (University of Manitoba) MSc Epidemiology (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK) Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship, Pediatrics and Epidemiology (University of Alberta) Dr. Azad holds the following positions:
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Interested in joining our team? Open Staff Positions are listed here. Instructions for potential trainees (students and postdoctoral fellows) are here.
Current Team Members
Natalie Rodriguez, MBA - Program Director
Natalie has a long history in the healthcare field, through her 5 years in the Department of Surgery
and in CHRIM through her roles as Executive Director of the DEVOTION Network and Program Manager for Biology of Breathing research theme. Additionally, she is a senior mentor for the CIHR IGH Network and has completed the University of Manitoba Supervisory Excellence and Management Fundamentals programs. She was selected for the UM Learning Leaders Program, and is currently completing her International Coaching Federation Associate Certified Coaching credential through the Asper School of Business.
Natalie has a long history in the healthcare field, through her 5 years in the Department of Surgery
and in CHRIM through her roles as Executive Director of the DEVOTION Network and Program Manager for Biology of Breathing research theme. Additionally, she is a senior mentor for the CIHR IGH Network and has completed the University of Manitoba Supervisory Excellence and Management Fundamentals programs. She was selected for the UM Learning Leaders Program, and is currently completing her International Coaching Federation Associate Certified Coaching credential through the Asper School of Business.
Dr. John Schellenberg - Research Associate
John's background is in community-based HIV and STD prevention, which led to an MSc in microbial ecology (Université du Québec à Montréal). His PhD with Frank Plummer (University of Manitoba) defined the vaginal microbiome in a cohort of HIV-resistant commercial sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya. This was followed by research positions in omics of lignocellulosic microbial communities, molecular biology of newly defined Gardnerella species, and vaginal mucosal systems biology. In 2016, he co-founded "Science & Supper", an event series at Sunshine House that brings science to inner-city communities and vice-versa.
John's background is in community-based HIV and STD prevention, which led to an MSc in microbial ecology (Université du Québec à Montréal). His PhD with Frank Plummer (University of Manitoba) defined the vaginal microbiome in a cohort of HIV-resistant commercial sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya. This was followed by research positions in omics of lignocellulosic microbial communities, molecular biology of newly defined Gardnerella species, and vaginal mucosal systems biology. In 2016, he co-founded "Science & Supper", an event series at Sunshine House that brings science to inner-city communities and vice-versa.
Dr. Kozeta Miliku - Postdoctoral Fellow
Kozeta holds a Medical Doctorate from the Medical University of Tirana in Albania, and a PhD from Erasmus University in the Netherlands, where she also obtained her MSc and DSc in Clinical Epidemiology. Kozeta’s postdoctoral studies are focused on the impact of maternal factors on human milk oligosaccharides and subsequently on obesity and cardiovascular health in children.
Kozeta holds a Medical Doctorate from the Medical University of Tirana in Albania, and a PhD from Erasmus University in the Netherlands, where she also obtained her MSc and DSc in Clinical Epidemiology. Kozeta’s postdoctoral studies are focused on the impact of maternal factors on human milk oligosaccharides and subsequently on obesity and cardiovascular health in children.
Dr. Merilee (Meredith) Brockway - Postdoctoral Fellow
Merilee is a registered nurse and an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. She holds a BN from the University of Calgary and a BSc in biotechnology from the University of Lethbridge. Her PhD examined maternal experiences with infant feeding and breastmilk feeding outcomes in moderate and late preterm infants enrolled in the Alberta Family Integrated Care (FICare) trial. Merilee’s post-doctoral studies will explore clinical applications of donor human milk and its impact on the developing gut microbiome in early preterm infants.
Merilee is a registered nurse and an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. She holds a BN from the University of Calgary and a BSc in biotechnology from the University of Lethbridge. Her PhD examined maternal experiences with infant feeding and breastmilk feeding outcomes in moderate and late preterm infants enrolled in the Alberta Family Integrated Care (FICare) trial. Merilee’s post-doctoral studies will explore clinical applications of donor human milk and its impact on the developing gut microbiome in early preterm infants.
Dr. Shreyas Kumbhare - Postdoctoral Fellow
Shreyas previously worked as a senior research fellow at the National Centre for Cell Science, India. His Ph.D. work focused on understanding the influence of FUT2 secretor status and birth mode on the gut microbiome of children. He holds an MSc and BSc degree in Microbiology from the University of Pune and is an ‘aspirant’ computational biologist. His previous work also focused upon exploring the changes in the gut microbiome during pregnancy and in the early stages of infancy. Shreyas’s post-doctoral studies will explore the microbiome mediated clinical benefits of nutritional fortifiers in preterm infants.
Shreyas previously worked as a senior research fellow at the National Centre for Cell Science, India. His Ph.D. work focused on understanding the influence of FUT2 secretor status and birth mode on the gut microbiome of children. He holds an MSc and BSc degree in Microbiology from the University of Pune and is an ‘aspirant’ computational biologist. His previous work also focused upon exploring the changes in the gut microbiome during pregnancy and in the early stages of infancy. Shreyas’s post-doctoral studies will explore the microbiome mediated clinical benefits of nutritional fortifiers in preterm infants.
Dr. Sarah Reyes - Postdoctoral Fellow
Sarah's background is in translational research in maternal and child nutrition. She holds a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University and an MSc Animal Sciences and BA Interdisciplinary Studies (Human Nutrition and International Studies) from the University of Idaho. For her doctoral research, Sarah characterized the effects of typical at-home pumping and handling practices on the human milk microbiome. Sarah's post-doctoral studies will explore the roles of human milk components and the nasal microbiome on the occurrence of respiratory disease and ear infection in early life.
Sarah's background is in translational research in maternal and child nutrition. She holds a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University and an MSc Animal Sciences and BA Interdisciplinary Studies (Human Nutrition and International Studies) from the University of Idaho. For her doctoral research, Sarah characterized the effects of typical at-home pumping and handling practices on the human milk microbiome. Sarah's post-doctoral studies will explore the roles of human milk components and the nasal microbiome on the occurrence of respiratory disease and ear infection in early life.
Dr. Shirin Moossavi - PhD Student in Medical Microbiology
Shirin obtained her Medical Doctorate from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran, and her MSc in Genetic Manipulation and Molecular Biology from University of Sussex, UK. She is interested in factors shaping the human microbial communities and physico-chemical alterations underlying microbial community dysbiosis. She is currently studying milk microbiota in Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) Study.
Shirin obtained her Medical Doctorate from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran, and her MSc in Genetic Manipulation and Molecular Biology from University of Sussex, UK. She is interested in factors shaping the human microbial communities and physico-chemical alterations underlying microbial community dysbiosis. She is currently studying milk microbiota in Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) Study.
Dr. Jacqueline Richelle - Pediatric Resident
Jacqueline Richelle is currently a Pediatric Resident at the University of Manitoba. She received her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Manitoba in concurrently with her Bachelor of Science in Medicine. She also completed her undergraduate degree in General Sciences at the University of Manitoba. She is investigating the association of breast milk fatty acid composition with childhood atopic diseases.
Jacqueline Richelle is currently a Pediatric Resident at the University of Manitoba. She received her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Manitoba in concurrently with her Bachelor of Science in Medicine. She also completed her undergraduate degree in General Sciences at the University of Manitoba. She is investigating the association of breast milk fatty acid composition with childhood atopic diseases.
Stephanie Goguen - Data Analyst/Manager
Stephanie previously worked as a Data Manager at the George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation at the University of Manitoba. Her interests include healthcare research and exploring statistical methods and software. Stephanie received her undergraduate degree in Statistics at the University of Winnipeg and MSc (Community Health Sciences with a concentration in Biostatistics) from the University of Manitoba.
Stephanie previously worked as a Data Manager at the George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation at the University of Manitoba. Her interests include healthcare research and exploring statistical methods and software. Stephanie received her undergraduate degree in Statistics at the University of Winnipeg and MSc (Community Health Sciences with a concentration in Biostatistics) from the University of Manitoba.
Sarah Turner - PhD candidate
Sarah is a PhD student in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Her research focuses on how breastmilk and breastfeeding contribute to child neurological development and behavioural outcomes. She is interested in how both the nutritional qualities of breastmilk and the psychological benefits of breastfeeding contribute to infant health and wellbeing. Sarah is interested in knowledge translation and how to best communicate breastfeeding research to the public.
Sarah is a PhD student in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Her research focuses on how breastmilk and breastfeeding contribute to child neurological development and behavioural outcomes. She is interested in how both the nutritional qualities of breastmilk and the psychological benefits of breastfeeding contribute to infant health and wellbeing. Sarah is interested in knowledge translation and how to best communicate breastfeeding research to the public.
Kelsey Fehr - Research Assistant
Kelsey specializes in microbiome research and is interested in the role host microbiota play in health and disease. She received her MSc in Animal Science at the University of Manitoba.
Kelsey specializes in microbiome research and is interested in the role host microbiota play in health and disease. She received her MSc in Animal Science at the University of Manitoba.
Deborah Chan - Research Assistant
Deborah recently completed a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Manitoba and has worked in the Azad lab throughout her undergraduate degree. She is passionate about maternal and child health in the context of early life exposures on future health outcomes as well as all things statistics. Her most recent project examines the relationship between breastmilk hormones and infant obesity.
Deborah recently completed a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Manitoba and has worked in the Azad lab throughout her undergraduate degree. She is passionate about maternal and child health in the context of early life exposures on future health outcomes as well as all things statistics. Her most recent project examines the relationship between breastmilk hormones and infant obesity.
Faith Kirabo - Student Research Assistant
Faith is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at the University of Manitoba. She is interested in learning about the differences between rural and urban environments and how these can influence atopy.
Faith is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at the University of Manitoba. She is interested in learning about the differences between rural and urban environments and how these can influence atopy.
Alumni
- Michelle La - Student Research Assistant
- Jana Slaght - DREAM Research Coordinator
- Michaela Groen - Undergraduate General Biological Sciences Student
- Dhasni Muthumuni - Undergraduate Medical Student
- Faisal Atakora - Data Analyst / Statistician
- Lorena Vehling - Student Research Assistant
- Thomas Roberts - Undergraduate Summer Student 2018
- Linda Lam - Undergraduate Medical Student 2017-18
- Olivia Coneys - Masters of Physician Assistant Studies Student 2017
- Lindsey Shumila - Masters of Physician Assistant Studies Student 2017
- Nicole Weins - Undergraduate Medical Student 2017
- Alyssa Archibald - Undergraduate Medical Student 2017
- Keely Loewen - Undergraduate Medical Student 2016-18
- Dr. Jessica Forbes - Postdoctoral Fellow 2017
- Sandra Ragheb - Undergraduate Nursing Student 2016
- Asif Ahmed - Undergraduate Student 2016
- Dr. Arthur Owora - Postdoctoral Fellow 2016
- Hasantha Sinnock - Student Research Assistant 2016
- Amy Dytnerski - Community Health Sciences Graduate Student Research Assistant 2015-16
- Dr. Annika Klopp - Pediatric Resident 2014-16
- Ashleigh (Reid) Derksen - Masters of Physician Assistant Studies Student 2014-15
- Cheryl Hirst - Masters of Physician Assistant Studies Student 2014-15
Interested in joining our team? Open positions are listed here. Instructions for potential trainees (students and postdoctoral fellows) are here.
