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Dr. Meghan Azad, PhD
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Dr. Azad is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Child Health at the University of Manitoba, where she holds a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Developmental Origins of Chronic Disease. Her research program is focused on the role of infant nutrition and the microbiome in child growth, development and resilience. Dr. Azad co-Directs the new Manitoba Interdisciplinary Lactation Centre (MILC) and leads the new International Milk Composition (IMiC) Consortium. She 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. Research in the Azad Lab 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. In 2020, she was awarded the International Human Milk Genomics Mid-Career Investigator Award, and named among the WXN Canada Top 100 Most Powerful Women.
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Natalie Rodriguez, MBA ACC
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Staff
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.
Tricia Choquette - Operations Officer
Tricia received her BSc in Microbiology and MSc in Biochemistry and Medical Genetics from the University of Manitoba. Her MSc focused on the development of a novel 3D co-culture system to study Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, and later research focused on mitochondrial metabolism in cancer. She is eager to expand her knowledge on the roles of breastfeeding and the microbiome in infant health and disease.
Tricia received her BSc in Microbiology and MSc in Biochemistry and Medical Genetics from the University of Manitoba. Her MSc focused on the development of a novel 3D co-culture system to study Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, and later research focused on mitochondrial metabolism in cancer. She is eager to expand her knowledge on the roles of breastfeeding and the microbiome in infant health and disease.
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.
Kelsey Fehr - Research Technician
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 manages the sample database and laboratory activities at the MILC Biorepository, and leads the sub-aliquoting and distribution of milk for the International Milk Composition (IMiC) Consortium.
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 manages the sample database and laboratory activities at the MILC Biorepository, and leads the sub-aliquoting and distribution of milk for the International Milk Composition (IMiC) Consortium.
Trainees
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.
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.
Rilwan Azeez - MSc Student
Rilwan received his medical degree at Igbinedion University, Nigeria in 2014. He is completing his MSc in Immunology and concurrently enrolled in the Visual and Automated Disease Analytics graduate training program (VADA) at the University of Manitoba. Rilwan is studying antibody response following SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. He is passionate about computational immunology, artificial intelligence, and the role of pre-natal and early life influences in shaping childhood health
Rilwan received his medical degree at Igbinedion University, Nigeria in 2014. He is completing his MSc in Immunology and concurrently enrolled in the Visual and Automated Disease Analytics graduate training program (VADA) at the University of Manitoba. Rilwan is studying antibody response following SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. He is passionate about computational immunology, artificial intelligence, and the role of pre-natal and early life influences in shaping childhood health
Spencer Ames - MSc Student
Spencer received his BSc in Honours Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology from the University of Calgary. He is eager to investigate the immunomodulatory ability of breast milk and the development of infant microbiomes. Spencer is a volunteer researcher for the MEDi humanoid robot program at the Alberta Children’s Hospital and is passionate about integrating scientific research into clinical practices.
Spencer received his BSc in Honours Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology from the University of Calgary. He is eager to investigate the immunomodulatory ability of breast milk and the development of infant microbiomes. Spencer is a volunteer researcher for the MEDi humanoid robot program at the Alberta Children’s Hospital and is passionate about integrating scientific research into clinical practices.
Kaitlyn Hanson - Undergraduate Summer Student
Kaitlyn is an undergraduate student graduating with a BSc Honours degree in Bioanthropology in Fall 2021 from the University of Winnipeg. Her undergraduate thesis reconstructed the breastfeeding and weaning practices of an archaeological population in Cuba using stable isotopes. Kaitlyn will be starting medical school at the University of Manitoba in the fall of 2021, She is interested in the connections between infant and early childhood events, socioeconomic and environmental factors and health inequities. Kaitlyn studies the coping mechanisms to stress in parents from the CHILD cohort before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kaitlyn is an undergraduate student graduating with a BSc Honours degree in Bioanthropology in Fall 2021 from the University of Winnipeg. Her undergraduate thesis reconstructed the breastfeeding and weaning practices of an archaeological population in Cuba using stable isotopes. Kaitlyn will be starting medical school at the University of Manitoba in the fall of 2021, She is interested in the connections between infant and early childhood events, socioeconomic and environmental factors and health inequities. Kaitlyn studies the coping mechanisms to stress in parents from the CHILD cohort before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Research Assistants
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 attending the University of Colorado to obtain her MA in Anthropology. She 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 attending the University of Colorado to obtain her MA in Anthropology. She is currently working on a project involving breastfeeding outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deborah Chan - Volunteer 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.
Siwon Jengsuksavat - Volunteer Research Assistant
Siwon recently completed his sophomore year and will be a junior at St Paul’s high school. He is a well-rounded student and is involved in many extracurricular activities in and out of school. He holds the title of MB provincial cross country running junior-varsity champion and swims competitively at a provincial/national level. He loves to play music and is a violinist for the Winnipeg youth symphony orchestra and principal alto saxophonist in the Manitoba honour band. As a new member of the Azad Lab team, he has interests in atopic dermatitis, asthma in adolescence, and preventatives to genetic diseases that are diagnosed in children.
Siwon recently completed his sophomore year and will be a junior at St Paul’s high school. He is a well-rounded student and is involved in many extracurricular activities in and out of school. He holds the title of MB provincial cross country running junior-varsity champion and swims competitively at a provincial/national level. He loves to play music and is a violinist for the Winnipeg youth symphony orchestra and principal alto saxophonist in the Manitoba honour band. As a new member of the Azad Lab team, he has interests in atopic dermatitis, asthma in adolescence, and preventatives to genetic diseases that are diagnosed in children.
Azad Lab Alumni
- Dr. Shreyas Kumbhare - Postdoctoral Fellow 2020-21
- 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
