The Top Researcher Awards, recognizing researchers at the beginning of their careers, were presented Dec. 6 at the annual Santé! Awards Dinner in Saskatoon. Janet Hill, Saija Kontulainen, Chantal Bussiere and Yang Li, all from the U of S, took home the evening’s top honours, said a news release.

Janet Hill, Top New Investigator Establishment Grant (Biomedical)

Hill, from the Department of Veterinary Microbiology, won the Top New Investigator Establishment Grant (Biomedical) award. She is developing new diagnostic tools to detect Campylobacter, which contaminates food and water and is a major cause of gastrointestinal disease in humans. Hill is looking at the role of animals, particularly pets, in spreading the bacteria to humans, according to the release.

Saija Kontulainen, Top New Investigator Establishment Grant (Socio-Health)

The College of Kinesiology’s Kontulainen won the Top New Investigator Establishment Grant (Socio-Health). Kontulainen is examining how excess fat accumulated during teen years may affect bone strength later in life. Her work is expected to provide insight into how youth’s lifestyle choices may affect their susceptibility to osteoporosis.

Chantal Bussiere, Top Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship (Socio-Health)

Bussiere, also from the College of Kinesiology, won the Top Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship (Socio-Health). She is studying how legumes may offer protection against gestational diabetes in expectant mothers. According to the news release, legumes were once a central part of some North American aboriginal diets, but the descendants of those people now have high rates of obesity and diabetes.

Yang Li, Top Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship (Biomedical)

Li, from the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), won the Top Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship (Biomedical). He is working to better understand how the flu virus takes over cells. His research aims to lay the foundation for improved prevention strategies and treatments for the disease, said the news release.

- On Campus News. Photos provided by Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation