SASKATOON — Dr. Colleen Dell (PhD), professor in the Department of Sociology and the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Centennial Enhancement Chair in One Health and Wellness, is the recipient of Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) Achievement Award at the 2024-2025 SHRF Santé Awards.
Honouring Saskatchewan-based researchers, this award recognizes researchers who have made significant contributions to advancing knowledge and advancing health, economic and social impact.
Dell is the founder and co-director of the PAWSitive Connections lab at USask, which explores the interactions between animals and people. Dell and lab members are investigating how animals can help individuals who are recovering from addiction and the ways this connection supports mental health and wellness.
“I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this recognition. As a community-based researcher working with large teams of colleagues, the invaluable connections I am privileged to make fuels my devotion to undertaking social justice projects to help shape the health of our province and beyond,” said Dell.
Dr. Amira Abdelrasoul (PhD), associate professor and graduate chair of chemical engineering in the College of Engineering at USask, was also recognized with this year’s SHRF Impact Award. This award celebrates recipients of a SHRF Establishment Grant who received funding five years prior and recognizes the future potential and continued impact of their research.
Abdelarsoul is celebrated for her research in membrane science and her aspirational goal of transforming dialysis patient care with the creation of a wearable kidney.
“I am deeply honoured to receive this award, which recognizes the work we are doing to improve the lives of patients living with kidney failure. For me, it is a deeply personal journey to provide life-changing solutions for patients,” said Abdelarsoul, who is a fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada.
Four USask researchers with top ranking SHRF grant applications from the past year were also recognized for their innovative research projects. The following researchers are recipients of Excellence awards and have received investment from SHRF’s 2024-25 Solutions Innovation Grant, Establishment Grant and Solutions Impact Grant.
Dr. Kelsey Cochran (PhD), College of Pharmacy and Nutrition
Evaluating whether donated breastmilk is an acceptable and feasible feeding option for individuals living with HIV and their babies
Dr. Amanda Hall (PhD), College of Medicine
A Novel Organoid Model to Explore the Gut-Brain Axis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Dr. Rachel Engler-Stringer (PhD), College of Medicine; Dr. Hassan Vatanparast, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition and the School of Public Health
Growing the Good Food for Learning School Food Program
