SPH Dean's Doctoral Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to Shamsuddeen Ma'aruf and Maureen Nwobodo, recipients of the 2025 Deans' Doctoral Scholarship for International Students!

By Tyson Brown

The School of Public Health is very pleased to recognize and congratulate two outstanding students in our PhD programs, recipients of USASK 2025 Dean's Doctoral Scholarships for International Students!   You are both doing fantastic work in your chosen fields!

Shamsuddeen Ma'aruf with his doctoral supervisor Neeraj Dhar
Neeraj Dhar with Shamsuddeen Ma'aruf

 

Project Title:  Development and Evaluation of immune adjuvants for improving the chemotherapy of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections

Supervisor:  Neeraj Dhar

Program:  Doctor of Philosophy Program in Vaccinology and Immunotherapeutics

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that affects both humans and animals. As a member of the Laboratory of Infection Biology and Imaging (LIBI) group at Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan (USask), Shamsuddeen's PhD research focuses on addressing antimicrobial persistence in mycobacteria. Specifically, he is developing immunotherapeutic adjuvants designed to work synergistically with antibiotics.

This approach involves investigating key molecules used by both intracellular bacteria and host cells during their interactions, with the potential to harness them as immunotherapeutic adjuvants. Additionally, the adjuvants will be combined with nanoparticles to enhance their bioavailability and effectiveness upon administration.

 

Maureen Nwbodo and Thilina Bandara
Maureen Nwobodo, Thilina Bandara

Project Title:  Analysis of Canada's COVID-19 Societal Responses and their Impact on Pandemic Outcomes: Identifying the Most Effective Strategy at a Local Level.

Supervisor:  Thilina Bandara

Program:  Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical need for data-driven approaches to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs). This study would help to understand the role these NPIs played and how they influenced the COVID-19 outcomes in Canada as a preparedness response for any future pandemic. This work will also provide the framework for understanding how local outbreaks can behave differently within a province such that intervention can be more targeted and efficient in their deployment. The findings will help policymakers create adaptable, region-specific pandemic responses, boosting Canada's NPIs optimal implementation and pandemic readiness.