The University of Winnipeg

News

Research

Meet some Graduate Scholars

David Datzkiw, photo supplied

David Datzkiw, photo supplied

Graduate studies at UWinnipeg is a student-centered research program that attracts top national and international graduate students creating a diverse student body. The Faculty of Graduate Studies supports and promotes graduate education and research and fosters excellence in graduate programs. UWinnipeg is highly ranked among small Canadian universities. We aim to help students excel and to ensure that they have a superior student experience.

“With the support of Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships, the Michael Smith Foreign Study supplement provided through the federal tri-councils, and a Research Manitoba Award, Nicole, David, and Victory have been able to focus on their research and prepare for careers in bioscience and ecology,” said Dr. Mavis Reimer, Dean, Graduate Studies. “By providing opportunities for graduate students to conduct field research, these awards support University of Winnipeg’s Graduate Studies programs as we foster innovative research both globally and locally.”

Meet some of our graduate scholars
(in alphabetical order)

David Datzkiw (BioScience, Technology & Public Policy), is a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Outgoing Scholar (QES ) who also has received a Michael Smith Foreign Study supplement from Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) valued at $6,000.00 to assist with his research expenses in India. Under the supervision of Dr. Anuraag Shrivastav (biology), Datzkiw is investigating a unique enzyme, N-myristoyltransferase (NMT), which heavily influences the signalling environment of a cell, including pathways involved in cancer. Until recently, his project has focused on NMT’s role in the progression of breast cancer. Currently he has taken up an internship at the National Institute of Science, Education and Research (NISER) in Odisha, India to expand his research under the co-supervision of Dr. Palok Aich.

“I am able to extend my research on NMT by studying its role in the innate immune system and gut of mice following the administration of bacterial probiotics,” explains Datzkiw. “My research will shed light on NMT’s role in colon cancer and the potential of probiotics in the prevention of cancer. My internship has been made possible with the support I’ve been fortunate enough to receive through the QES program.”

Nicole Dorville, © UWinnipeg

Nicole Dorville, © UWinnipeg

Nicole Dorville (BioScience, Technology & Public Policy) is also a fellow QES Scholar. She has earned the incoming QEScholarship which is awarded to students from Commonwealth countries to pursue graduate study at UWinnipeg and is valued at $25,000 to $30,000. Dorville comes from Singapore, and is currently studying with Dr. Craig Willis (biology). Her research and thesis focuses on potentially finding a treatment for White-Nose Syndrome in North America. Dorville also received a President’s Scholarship for World Leaders Award.  Dorville holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and has pursued an equally ecologically conscious career as a zoo-keeper and a freshwater ecologist. She also is keen on encouraging her colleagues to pursue courses in life sciences.

Victory Coffey (BioScience, Technology & Public Policy Program) is a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada nominee and a Research Manitoba Award Winner.  This award is given on a competitive basis and is valued at $17,500 for 12 months and is non-renewable.

Victory Coffey, © UWinnipeg

Victory Coffey, © UWinnipeg

Coffey has attended the UWinnipeg since 2011. She completed her 4-year Biochemistry degree in 2015 and then realized shortly after trying out a field course, that she really enjoyed, she decided to continue her studies. She is currently doing research focusing on restoration ecology under the supervision of Dr. Rafael Otfinowski (biology).

Meet the Master’s in Development Practice scholarship winners and other UWinnipeg graduate scholars.