Meet Our Directors
Dr. Meghan Azad, PhDDirector of Science & Knowledge MobilizationAs the Director of Science & Knowledge Mobilization of THRiVE Discovery Lab, 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.
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Natalie Rodriguez, MBA, CCIPDirector of Operations, Diversity & InclusionNatalie is THRiVE Discovery Lab's Director of Operations, Diversity & Inclusion, she is a Canadian Certified Inclusion Professional and EQ-i.2.0 and EQ 360 Practitioner. Her focuses are centered around pediatric research integrating data with clinical application, a visionary approach designed to improve children's lives, transcending our differences and bringing everyone together.
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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.
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.
Affan Ali Sher - Biorepository Technician
Affan received his BSc in Genetics and Microbiology and MSc in Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases from the University of Manitoba. His MSc focused on the study of proteomic impact of Zika virus on human astrocytic cells using LC-MS/MS and SOMAScan platforms. In the THRiVE Discovery Lab, Affan handles laboratory activities at the MILC Biorepository including sub-aliquoting and distribution of milk samples for the International Milk Composition (IMiC) Consortium. He is starting to indulge in the data analyses in the lab and is interested in incorporating data analytics with wet lab research to better understand the health benefits of human breast milk for mothers and children.
Affan received his BSc in Genetics and Microbiology and MSc in Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases from the University of Manitoba. His MSc focused on the study of proteomic impact of Zika virus on human astrocytic cells using LC-MS/MS and SOMAScan platforms. In the THRiVE Discovery Lab, Affan handles laboratory activities at the MILC Biorepository including sub-aliquoting and distribution of milk samples for the International Milk Composition (IMiC) Consortium. He is starting to indulge in the data analyses in the lab and is interested in incorporating data analytics with wet lab research to better understand the health benefits of human breast milk for mothers and children.
Trainees
Dr. Melissa Manus - Postdoctoral Fellow
Melissa's research lies at the intersection of early life environments, the microbiome, and infant health. She holds an MSc in Global Health from Duke University (USA) and a PhD in Biological Anthropology from Northwestern University (USA). Melissa's PhD explored associations between infants' social environments and the development of the skin and gut microbiome. As a postdoc, Melissa applies microbiome science to understand how early life environments, including feeding practices, impact infant health.
Melissa's research lies at the intersection of early life environments, the microbiome, and infant health. She holds an MSc in Global Health from Duke University (USA) and a PhD in Biological Anthropology from Northwestern University (USA). Melissa's PhD explored associations between infants' social environments and the development of the skin and gut microbiome. As a postdoc, Melissa applies microbiome science to understand how early life environments, including feeding practices, impact infant 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.
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 is a MSc student in the Department of Immunology at the University of Manitoba. For his MSc project, Spencer is investigating the relationship between infant feeding practices and basal immune biomarkers of one-year-old infants in the CHILD Cohort Study. He has a strong interest in early life immune system development, and is passionate about integrating scientific research into clinical practice. Spencer received his BSc in Honours cellular, molecular and microbial biology from the University of Calgary.
Spencer is a MSc student in the Department of Immunology at the University of Manitoba. For his MSc project, Spencer is investigating the relationship between infant feeding practices and basal immune biomarkers of one-year-old infants in the CHILD Cohort Study. He has a strong interest in early life immune system development, and is passionate about integrating scientific research into clinical practice. Spencer received his BSc in Honours cellular, molecular and microbial biology from the University of Calgary.
Narges Khodabandehloo | MSc Student
Narges Khodabandehloo received her Bachelor of Science in Midwifery from Iran University of Medical Sciences in 2021. She is a MSc student in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. She is interested in integrating clinical practice into maternal-child health research. Her MSc project will describe the demographics and needs of lactating parents attending the Winnipeg Breastfeeding Centre.
Narges Khodabandehloo received her Bachelor of Science in Midwifery from Iran University of Medical Sciences in 2021. She is a MSc student in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. She is interested in integrating clinical practice into maternal-child health research. Her MSc project will describe the demographics and needs of lactating parents attending the Winnipeg Breastfeeding Centre.
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.
THRiVE Discovery Lab Alumni
- Dr. Merilee (Meredith) Brockway - Postdoctoral Fellow 2019-2022
- Siwon Jenguskusavat - Volunteer Research Assistant 2021
- Deborah Chan - Volunteer Research Assistant 2015-21
- Kaitlyn Hanson - Undergraduate Summer Student 2021
- 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
