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Dr. Meghan AzadTier 2 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 (University of Alberta) Dr. Azad holds the following positions:
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Dr. Azad is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Child Health at the University of Manitoba. She holds a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Developmental Origins of Chronic Disease and co-Directs the new Manitoba Interdisciplinary Lactation Centre (MILC). Her research program is focused on the role of infant nutrition and the microbiome in child growth, development and resilience. Dr. Azad serves as Deputy Director of the CHILD Cohort Study, a national pregnancy cohort following 3500 children to understand how early life experiences shape lifelong health. She is leading a clinical trial to improve matching procedures for preterm neonates receiving donor human milk, and directing the new International Milk Composition (IMiC) Consortium. Her research is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Dr. Azad serves on the International Society for Research in Human Milk and Lactation Executive Council and the joint US/Canada Human Milk Composition Initiative.
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 holds an MBA from the Asper School of Business and ACC from the International Coaching Federation, along with being an EQ-1 2.0 Certified Practitioner she is a senior mentor for the CIHR IGH Network and has completed the University of Manitoba Supervisory Excellence and Management Fundamentals programs.
Natalie’s journey and passion in patient care, research and advocacy, began in the Department of Surgery in the clinical scope of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery and evolved to include a focus in postgraduate/undergraduate surgical education in the specialty of Neurosurgery. In her role as Executive Director for the DEVOTION Network and Program Manager for the Biology of Breathing theme Natalie expanded her expertise to the field of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, allowing her to contribute to changing the landscape of patient care, translational research, and trainee development within CHRIM. As Program Director, Natalie co-leads organizational and strategic development of the Azad Lab, with focuses in capacity building, EDI, global health, maternal nutrition, infant growth and human milk composition.
Natalie holds an MBA from the Asper School of Business and ACC from the International Coaching Federation, along with being an EQ-1 2.0 Certified Practitioner she is a senior mentor for the CIHR IGH Network and has completed the University of Manitoba Supervisory Excellence and Management Fundamentals programs.
Natalie’s journey and passion in patient care, research and advocacy, began in the Department of Surgery in the clinical scope of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery and evolved to include a focus in postgraduate/undergraduate surgical education in the specialty of Neurosurgery. In her role as Executive Director for the DEVOTION Network and Program Manager for the Biology of Breathing theme Natalie expanded her expertise to the field of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, allowing her to contribute to changing the landscape of patient care, translational research, and trainee development within CHRIM. As Program Director, Natalie co-leads organizational and strategic development of the Azad Lab, with focuses in capacity building, EDI, global health, maternal nutrition, infant growth and human milk composition.
Dr. Larisa Lotoski – Research Associate
Larisa’s primary research interests include child health and the effects of the physical and social environment on children’s health outcomes. Larisa’s interest in child health research began during her MSc (Immunology) training at the University of Manitoba where she studied severe childhood asthma and allergic disease. She holds a PhD in Community and Population Health Sciences (Community Health and Epidemiology) from the University of Saskatchewan. Her doctoral research involved the characterization of children’s sedentary time and physical activity in their lived environment.
Larisa’s primary research interests include child health and the effects of the physical and social environment on children’s health outcomes. Larisa’s interest in child health research began during her MSc (Immunology) training at the University of Manitoba where she studied severe childhood asthma and allergic disease. She holds a PhD in Community and Population Health Sciences (Community Health and Epidemiology) from the University of Saskatchewan. Her doctoral research involved the characterization of children’s sedentary time and physical activity in their lived environment.
Nicole Fiorentino - Project Coordinator
Nicole received her BS in Biology and MS in Nutrition from Kansas State University where she performed research on improving fortified food aid products for malnourished children and mothers, and founded a philanthropic organization on her campus that raises money and awareness for local children with serious illnesses. In her professional career, she has taken on various project management roles in Washington state within academia and NGOs, and more recently her interests led her to Guatemala, where she had the opportunity to start up a maternal and child health program there.
Nicole received her BS in Biology and MS in Nutrition from Kansas State University where she performed research on improving fortified food aid products for malnourished children and mothers, and founded a philanthropic organization on her campus that raises money and awareness for local children with serious illnesses. In her professional career, she has taken on various project management roles in Washington state within academia and NGOs, and more recently her interests led her to Guatemala, where she had the opportunity to start up a maternal and child health program there.
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.
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.
Rilwan Azeez - MSc Student
Rilwan received his Medical degree in 2014 from Igbinedion University, Nigeria, before relocating to Canada to pursue his Master’s degree in Immunology at University of Manitoba. Prior to this, he worked in some of the top Infectious Diseases Units and Organ Transplant Centers in West Africa for 4 years. This experience piqued his interest in the immunological basis of both Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases. He is interested in a cross-disciplinary approach to learning about the little things that add up to make the big differences in the Biological Sciences. He is also passionate about translational research, statistics, artificial intelligence, and the role of pre-natal and early life influences in shaping childhood health.
Rilwan received his Medical degree in 2014 from Igbinedion University, Nigeria, before relocating to Canada to pursue his Master’s degree in Immunology at University of Manitoba. Prior to this, he worked in some of the top Infectious Diseases Units and Organ Transplant Centers in West Africa for 4 years. This experience piqued his interest in the immunological basis of both Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases. He is interested in a cross-disciplinary approach to learning about the little things that add up to make the big differences in the Biological Sciences. He is also passionate about translational research, statistics, artificial intelligence, and the role of pre-natal and early life influences in shaping childhood health.
Sarah Turner - PhD candidate
Sarah is a Vanier Scholar and PhD student in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Her research focuses on how breast milk and breastfeeding contribute to child neurological development and behavioral outcomes. She is interested in how both the nutritional qualities of breast milk and the psychological benefits of breastfeeding contribute to infant health and well-being. Sarah is interested in knowledge translation and how to best communicate breastfeeding research to the public.
Sarah is a Vanier Scholar and PhD student in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Her research focuses on how breast milk and breastfeeding contribute to child neurological development and behavioral outcomes. She is interested in how both the nutritional qualities of breast milk and the psychological benefits of breastfeeding contribute to infant health and well-being. 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.
Bridget McGann - Volunteer Research Assistant
Bridget’s scientific curiosity is centered around the bio-behavioral adaptations associated with lactation in human and non-human primates. She is passionate about science communication and improving access to careers in science for mothers and for individuals with neurological differences. Bridget holds a BA in Anthropology from Indiana University, and is pursuing graduate programs in this area. She has long been involved in nonprofit work and advocacy around maternal health and U.S. science policy. Bridget is currently working on a project involving breastfeeding outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bridget’s scientific curiosity is centered around the bio-behavioral adaptations associated with lactation in human and non-human primates. She is passionate about science communication and improving access to careers in science for mothers and for individuals with neurological differences. Bridget holds a BA in Anthropology from Indiana University, and is pursuing graduate programs in this area. She has long been involved in nonprofit work and advocacy around maternal health and U.S. science policy. Bridget is currently working on a project involving breastfeeding outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Azad Lab Alumni
- Dr. Sarah Reyes - Postdoctoral Fellow 2020
- Faith Kirabo - Undergraduate Summer Student 2019-20
- Dr. Jacqueline Richelle - Pediatric Resident 2015-20
- Dr. Kozeta Miliku - Postdoctoral Fellow 2017-20
- Shirin Moossavi - PhD Student 2015-20
- Anuradha Ravi - Visiting Researcher 2019
- Michelle La - Student Research Assistant 2019
- Jana Slaght - DREAM Research Coordinator
- Michaela Groen - Undergraduate General Biological Sciences Student 2019
- Dhasni Muthumuni - Undergraduate Medical Student 2019
- Faisal Atakora - Data Analyst / Statistician 2016-19
- Lorena Vehling - Student Research Assistant 2016-18
- 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
