As the Winter term winds down, we’re giving a nod to the MacEwan community members who made an impression this academic year.

Seen, read and heard

Over the past few months, we’ve seen many familiar names pop up in journals, books, podcasts and more.

Dr. Mrinal Das co-authored three chapters in Coastal Fishes of the Western Indian Ocean. 

Dr. Rohit Jindal’s work with rural communities in India was covered in The Hindu. 

Frontiers in Environmental Science featured research on microplastics in urban stormwater co-authored by faculty members and students from the Department of Physical Sciences and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, led by Dr. Matthew Ross.

Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience published research on zebrafishes’ aversion to infrasound co-authored by Dr. Rodney Schmaltz and Dr. Trevor Hamilton. Speaking of Dr. Hamilton, he and his students also had their work on the effect of cannabis on zebrafish published in Nature.

Dr. Albena Pergelova’s work with student Sabrina Capito delves into licensing effects and their influence on our use of food delivery apps, and how that use affects our well-being and food well-being. The research was published in the Journal of Consumer Affairs, and the complete thesis can be read on the Wiley Online Library.

Who doesn’t love a good podcast? If you’re looking for a good listen on microbes, check out Dr. Janice Kenney on the Homeless Romantic podcast. If you want the latest on inclusive entrepreneurship, don’t miss Dr. Leanne Hedberg on Edmonton Global’s Economic Development Matters podcast. And if you’re interested in Alberta’s LGBTQ2S+ history, listen to Dr. Kristopher Wells, director of the Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity on The Well Endowed’s Vriend Versus Alberta series.

Awards and honours

Several members of our community received the royal treatment this year, when they were awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medal. Recipients include MacEwan President Dr. Annette Trimbee, Board Chair Carolyn Graham, Director of the Office of Human Rights, Diversity and Equity Irfan Chaudhry, Dr. Kris Wells and Dr. Michael Vekasi all received the honour (and we’ll be on the lookout for more familiar names when the complete list of recipients is released).

Wen Tzu Dillon, administrative support in MacEwan’s finance department, received an Outstanding Committee Member of the Year award from the United Way.

Groundbreaking alumni

This year was a big one for alumni changing the game in their industries – Shani Gwin, Public Relations ’10 is turning the traditional work week on its head – she’s been successfully piloting a four-day work week model at pipikwan pêhtâkwan, the public relations firm she founded. And George Krissa, who studied voice at MacEwan, delighted audiences with his role in The Holiday Sitter, the first Hallmark movie to revolve around a same-sex romance.

Community connections

At MacEwan, we are passionate about our community. From research partnerships to appointments at iconic Edmonton institutions, you can always find our people working to make their communities a better place. Most recently, Dr. Cynthia Zutter and Bachelor of Nursing student Ashley Stoltz partnered with the Green and Gold Garden to examine the intersection between human health and the environment; and alum Megan Kumpula, Theatre Production ‘06 has taken on the role of director of production at the Edmonton Opera.

Congratulations to all of our students, alumni, faculty and staff for their achievements. 

Did we miss someone? If you know a MacEwan community member who deserves a shout-out, let us know!