Advancing excellence: celebrating success at the Faculty of Health Sciences

By University of Ottawa

Faculty of Health Sciences, Communication

June 16, 2025

3 min read

A gloved researcher uses lab equipment to test liquid samples in test tubes.
The Faculty of Health Sciences continues to thrive thanks to the outstanding achievements of our members. Recently, several of our professors have earned prestigious awards and secured competitive research funding, reflecting the excellence and impact of their work. We take great pride in their contributions to the health sciences and to our academic community.

Awards and recognition

  • Jennifer O’Neil, a professor in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences, earned the Global Health Award from the Canadian Physiotherapy Association for her distinguished contribution to her profession. She also received the Emerging Community-Based Researcher Award from Community-Based Research Canada for her work on language-accessible rehabilitation services.
  • Jennifer Brunet, a professor in the School of Human Kinetics, renewed her standing as a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity Promotion and Cancer for her research on physical activity as a way to optimize health, well-being and quality of life. She specifically focuses on cancer symptoms and treatments along with the impact of cancer on physical and mental health outcomes.
  • Chibuike Udenigwe, a professor in the School of Nutrition Sciences, was elected a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciencesin the Chemical Sciences discipline for his significant contributions to the advancement of science, technology and scholarship in Africa and globally.
  • Katrine Sauvé-Schenk, a professor in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences, was awarded an Honorary Mention: Excellence in Community–Campus Research Partnership by Community-Based Research Canada for her work on the Decisions for Affordable/Social Housing (DASH) system.

Research grants

  • Josephine Etowa also received a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Catalyst Grant for her project Moving Upstream to Uproot Racism (MUUR): Tackling Structural Determinants of Health Inequities for Racialized Populations in Canada. The study focuses on addressing the root causes of health disparities by examining the structural and systemic barriers impacting racialized communities across the country.