Health researchers recognized by SHRF

Adam Baxter-Jones, associate dean of graduate education and research in the College of Kinesiology, received SHRF's Achievement Award for his work as a researcher, teacher and leader. His work to understand how obesity and activity affect bone and muscle health in children and older adults has informed public policy and clinical guidelines for preventing diseases such as osteoporosis.

Two researchers won awards in SHRF's Establishment Grant program. Suraj Unniappan from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine took top honours in the biomedical category for his work investigating the hormonal basis of obesity and diabetes by characterizing novel proteins that are potential therapeutic targets. Catherine Trask at the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture was recognized in the socio-health category for her work to understand how on-the-job threats, such as heavy lifting and vehicle vibration, affect the risk of lower back disorders in Saskatchewan farmers.

In SHRF's Postdoctoral Fellowship program, Syed Qadri from the College of Medicine took the award in the biomedical for his work with supervisor Dr. Lixin Liu to find out how to reduce sickness and early death in diabetics by reducing complications caused by inflammation and infections.

Daniel Fuller from the College of Medicine took the award in the socio-health category for his work with supervisors Dr. Cory Neudorf from the U of S and McGill University economist Erin Strumpf, comparing two community-level programs— the smoking ban in Saskatoon and an intervention program in schools to increase physical activity and improve mental health. The goal is better understanding of such programs and their effectiveness in improving population health.