A cohort of dedicated residents and graduate students from the Department of Surgery has secured prestigious federal funding to drive the next generation of medical breakthroughs. These researchers have been awarded the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Canada Graduate Scholarship, a highly competitive grant reserved for the nation’s top-tier graduate students conducting high-impact health sciences research.
Dr. Oladapo Ekundayo: Reimagining Meniscus Repair
Congratulations to Dr. Oladapo Ekundayo, a senior orthopedic surgery resident, Clinician Investigator Program member, and MSc candidate in Experimental Surgery. He has been awarded a $27,000 CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarship for his research on developing biologically informed strategies for avascular meniscus repair. His work investigates how meniscal fibrochondrocytes can be mobilized, supported, and directed within biomaterial constructs to improve healing in the inner avascular zone, where intrinsic repair capacity is typically poor. Dr. Ekundayo was also awarded a Walter H. Johns’ Graduate Fellowship by the University of Alberta. "Oladapo's work ethic and commitment to scientific curiosity are super impressive," says supervisor Dr. Adetola Adesida.
Adrien Lam: Revolutionizing Pediatric Transplantation
Congratulations to Adrien Lam, an MSc student supervised by Dr. Jennifer Conway and Dr. Darren Freed, for receiving a $27,000 CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarship. Her research focuses on developing a pediatric universal donor heart strategy by enzymatically modifying human donor hearts during ex situ perfusion to expand donor compatibility in transplantation. She was also recognized with a Walter H. Johns’ Graduate Fellowship. Supervisor Dr. Darren Freed says, "Adrien is an aspiring scientist who is doing ground-breaking work on removing barriers and improving access to life saving organ transplants for those who are in desperate need. Her research has been well received at national and international meetings. Congratulations on the award!"
Parham Hassanzadeh: Advancing Heart Transplantation
Congratulations to Parham Hassanzadeh, an MSc student supervised by Dr. Darren Freed, for being awarded a $27,000 CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarship. His research is dedicated to heart transplantation. In addition to the CIHR award, he was also granted a Walter H. Johns’ Graduate Fellowship.
Dr. Dunavan Morris-Janzen: Analyzing Outcomes in Lung Cancer
Congratulations to Dr. Dunavan Morris-Janzen, a senior general surgery resident, clinical investigator, and MSc candidate in Clinical Epidemiology through the School of Public Health. He has been awarded a $27,000 CIHR graduate scholarship for his thesis research, "Impact of Body Composition on Post-Operative Complications and Oncologic Outcomes in Lung Cancer". Supervised by Dr. Eric Bedard, his work aims to better understand the relationship between body composition and patient outcomes after surgery to aid in pre-surgical risk stratification and therapy planning. Dr. Morris-Janzen was also awarded a Walter H. Johns’ Graduate Fellowship.
