On October 24th, 2025, the School of Public Health held its annual Student Research Conference, showcasing the excellent research work done by all the students in all the different programs within the School.  With over 100 posters presented, this was the largest, most wide-ranging research event in the School's 18 year history, displaying to the University public the high calibre of work School of Public Health students are capable of!  The event, held in the Health Sciences D-Wing Atrium, kicked off at 11:30 with a welcome from the School's Executive Director, Dr. George Mutwiri. 

 

Opening Speech by Dr. George Mutwiri Master of Ceremonies Dr. Barb Fornssler kept everything running tightly on track.  This was followed by public poster viewing and lunch with refreshments. Our distinguished panel of judges evaluated posters and presenters between 12:30 and 2:30, and retired to tally and deliberate between 2:30 and 3:00, ably assisted by Howler the Husky.  

Poster Judging deliberation

New this year were the Peoples Choice awards, where the viewing public were able to vote for their favourite student posters across a wide range of critera.  Voting on the People's Choice awards coincided with a networking event (both fuelled by a marvellous charcuterie board, a first for the School!).  Awards presentations began ahead of schedule at around 4:15 pm,

Awards Presentation

with closing remarks from Dr. Michael Szafron at 4:45. 

You can review each of the award-winning posters below: 

 

 

MPH - In-person poster judging:

  1. First place winner: $ 300.00 – Esha Saleem
  2. Second place winner: $ 200.00 – Amna Aburawi
  3. Third place winner: $ 150.00 – Group award for work in Barbados (Nick- Ana- Emma)

MPH -Online poster judging:

  1. Second place winner: $ 200.00 – Elizabeth Thomas
  2. Third place winner: $ 150.00 -Hannah Riddell

MPH - The Holistic Public Health Practice Award:

Winner: Amna Aburawi

Award: $ 300.00

 

MPH - Excellence in Public Health Progress:

Total award allocated is $ 300.00

Winners: Roshan Karki & Zahra Gheflatifeizabadi

Award: $ 150.00 each

 

MPH - Excellence in Public Health Practice

  1. Megan McConnell - $ 300.00
  2. Chloe Meppem - $ 300.00

 

MPH - Thesis

First place winner: $ 300.00 – Atefeh Amin Salehi

Biostatistics & Epidemiology

First place winner: $ 300.00 - Barada Mohanty

Second place winner: $ 200.00 - Visna Rampersad

Public Health

First place winner: $ 300.00 – Candy Ochieng

Second place winner: $ 200.00 - Faisal Rozars

Third place winner: $ 150.00 – Gemma Kinyua

V&I

First place winner: $ 300.00- Naga Suresh Kola

Second place winner: $ 200.00 - Faryal Dar

V&I Social Stream

First place winner: $ 300.00 - Robert Wasonga

 

People's Choice Awards

MPH – C

Excellence in Assessment & Analysis

Zeinab (Aida) Norouzi Shahrestani

Excellence in Program Planning and Evaluation

Wasim Al-Khanati

Excellence in Partnerships, Collaboration and Advocacy

Aribah Rauf

Excellence in Diversity and Health Inclusiveness

Barbara Oparanozie

Excellence in Communication

Oyindamola Sodunke

Excellence in Leadership

Kaushal Patel

Indigenous Public Health

Komal Chhabra

Thesis

Excellence in Assessment & Analysis

Fatima Ali

Excellence in Partnerships, Collaboration and Advocacy

Barada Mohanty

Excellence in Diversity and Health Inclusiveness

Shuo Yang

Excellence in Communication

Maureen Nwobodo

Indigenous Public Health

Abhiroop Saha