For the 2015 Program the following faculty members, their
department and a brief description of the research project that they
have developed for students follows. Once the students have been
matched with faculty they will receive a detailed description of the
research project.
University of Manitoba | University of Saskatchewan
University of Manitoba
Dr. Rotimi Aluko, Professor
Department Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba
Students will learn how to extract bioactive peptides that have the potential to be new medicines from
plant proteins such peas, flax seed and hemp seed.
Dr. Nancy Ames, Adjunct Professor
Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba
For students interested in how research is developing more nutritional foods that taste good. Students
will have the opportunity to develop new recipes for traditional foods using more nutritious ingredients.
For more information you can see Dr. Ames and Georgina Balfour (2012 Kirkness Program participant)
on our website. It’s the first video in Program Description.
Dr. Nazim Cicek, Professor
Department of Engineering, University of Manitoba
Students will learn about biological waste water treatment and the recovery of nutrients like phosphorus
from waste streams.
Dr. Annemieke Farenhorst, Professor
Department of Soil Science, University of Manitoba
For students who are interested in spending time both in a laboratory and traveling off campus to learn
about soil, water and air quality. Students will do experiments that will give them an idea of what it would
be like to study environmental science, agricultural science or soil science.
Dr. James Friel, Professor
Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba
For students interested in learning about the importance of infant nutrition they will learn about the
importance of a class of compounds called antioxidants that play a special role in human health. Our
particular focus is in feeding and biology of mother’s milk. Students will participate in ongoing research
with mothers and infants either in the laboratory or in the field.
Dr. Norman Halden, Dean
Department of Geological Sciences, University of Manitoba
For students interested in conservation and management of fish stocks you will have a chance to test fish
from your own community and learn about environmental factors that affect behavior and growth. At the
end of the week you will have a report that you can take back and share with your fellow students and
members of your community.
Dr. Witold Kinsner, Professor
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Manitoba
For students interested in robotics, part of the project introduces the concept of a robot, and particularly
the BEAM robot. It discusses the various components of a robot, as well as their interactions and
constraints. It then attempts to design a small robot and implement it using inexpensive components. The
objective of this part is to show that mathematics, physics, electronics, circuits, and design principles are
all needed to accomplish such a task.
Dr. Ayush Kumar, Associate Professor
Departments of Microbiology and Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba
Students will have an opportunity to learn about antibiotic resistance in bacteria (superbugs) and why this
is one of the biggest challenges to the human health today. They will also learn basic molecular biology
techniques like extracting a plasmid from bacteria and then analyzing it by gel electrophoresis.
Dr. Juliette Mammei, Assistant Professor
Department of Physics, University of Manitoba
For the students who have always wondered about Geiger counters, radioactive material and how to see
cosmic rays, this is your opportunity. Students will do a variety of experiments and build a cloud chamber.
Dr. Michele Piercey-Normore, Professor
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba
For students interested in natural products from lichens, you will learn about a group of compounds
called polyketides that have well known anti-microbial, anti-herbivore, and sunscreening properties. We
will plan an excursion to a field site to collect and learn about these lichens in their natural environment
and which lichens would be best for natural products. Then we will spend three days in the lab extracting
and testing some of the products from the lichens to determine the function of the natural products.
Dr. Liz Ready, Professor
Department of Kinesiology, University of Manitoba
For students who are interested in understanding how physical activity relates to health. You will
participate in several activities in clinical and on-campus settings, with opportunities to visit up to three
labs, including one that measures human movement. As a main focus, students will have opportunities to
learn more about the role that physical activity can play in helping to prevent and manage diabetes in
First Nation populations.
Dr. Kateryn Rochon, Assistant Professor
Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba
For students who are interested in insects in livestock pest management and tick-borne diseases.
Students will collect specimens in the field for identification in the laboratory. Students will prepare a
final presentation which will include photographs and images of the collected specimens.
Dr. Barbara Sharanowski, Assistant Professor
Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba
For students who are interested in insects in northern communities, taxonomy, and web-based
biodiversity information. Student’s will be asked to bring some insect specimens collected from in and
around their community that they are interested in identifying, imaging, and writing a web-based
description about. Information regarding how to collect the specimens will be provided to the students.
University of Saskatchewan
Dr. Baljit Singh
College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
Students will experience a series of laboratory methods especially immunohistology to detect proteins in
lung tissues collected from animals. In addition, students will get to meet with clinical researchers to
listen to diseases that are common to animals and humans and learn about One Health.
Dr. Robert Blyth, Assistant Director of Research and Tracy Walker, Educational Outreach
Coordinator
Canadian Light Source (CLS), Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Student participants will work with their mentors and other CLS staff to use the synchrotron, a foot-ball
field-sized research facility producing extremely brilliant light, to conduct an experiment that is part of an
ongoing research program in an area of the students' choice.
Dr. Alison Oates, Dr. Marta Erlandson, Dr. Leah Ferguson, and Dr. Louise Humbert
College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan
Kinesiology is the study of human movement and how movement impacts how we feel and respond
physically, mentally and socially. Students who engage with faculty members from Kinesiology will have
the opportunity to learn about physical literacy, learn how to use equipment to monitor balance and
movement and learn how our body's mechanics affect that movement. They will also have a chance to
examine the effect of physical activity on bone and muscle health using novel imaging machines and have
their bones measured, as well as learn about how to interview athletes about the psychological well-being
and sport experiences.
Dr. Sean Maw, Huff Chair in Innovative Teaching
College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan
Students will learn about crash pad design for improving safety in sports. Students will get a chance to
design different pads and test them with instrumented "heads" dropped onto the pads from various
heights.
Mr. Rick Retzlaff, Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan
Students will begin to understand and experience the engineering design process through exercises and
hands-on activities. Ultimately, this process will be used to design and fabricate a device to solve a
problem identified by the student's experience.