Ashley Day, assistant professor, is a co-investigator with Kate Dunn, assistant professor in the Faculty of Health, who was awarded $761,174 to work with First Nations communities on culturally grounded approaches to liver wellness and hepatitis C awareness, screening and care. Building on previous CIHR-funded research, they are working with a team of co-investigators, including 91��ɫ’s Mia Biondi, Karen Campbell, and Tarama Barnett.  The  will co-design community-integrated pathways that combine Indigenous knowledge, creative engagement and clinical access to improve awareness and access to services.  

Dr. Day has also received a SSHRC Insight Development Grant for her project Wiisokotaatiwin – gathering to re-imagine decolonial health education.

For further information, see the YFile story.

Yuka Nakamura, also in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science in the Faculty of Health has also received funding from SSHRC of $172,229. Dr. Nakamura's project is on Community and Connection: Understanding the Growth and Social Impact of Ethnic, Cultural and Religious Sport Organizations in Toronto.

See YFile for full story with all recipients.

For more details, see YFile.

For more details, see YFile story.

Full coverage of this story can be found in YFile.

Nicolas Cheng

After completing his undergraduate degree in kinesiology at 91��ɫ, Cheng is now among this year’s Faculty of Health graduate students earning a MSc in the program. His graduate research focused on exercise science and nutrition. Building on a long-standing interest in sport and training, he worked with Associate Professor Andrea Josse examining how different post-exercise nutrition strategies can influence substances in the blood that indicate how bones are building up or breaking down.

His path into research began during his undergraduate studies, when he collaborated with Professor Tara Haas, sparking an interest in exploring questions related to optimizing health exercise performance.

Cheng chose to remain at 91��ɫ for his graduate studies because of the University’s supportive environment and community. He credits the close-knit kinesiology program, along with mentorship from faculty and peers, for fostering both his academic growth and personal development. He is especially grateful to Josse and his lab mates for their guidance and collaboration throughout his studies.

“Being selected for the Governor General’s Gold Medal is truly an honour,” says Cheng, noting the recognition holds special meaning given the challenges and self-doubt he faced during his academic journey.

“This award feels like an affirmation to continue pursuing higher education and research,” he says.

Cheng will continue his studies at 91��ɫ this fall as a PhD student, expanding on his master’s research. He aims to pursue a career in academia, where he hopes to become a professor and lead a research program focused on exercise, nutrition and musculoskeletal health.

Joel Landon Prowting

Graduating with a PhD from the Faculty of Health, Prowting’s research examined the effects of dairy consumption on human physiology, particularly in response to exercise and diet. His academic journey culminated in his doctoral work exploring how dairy intake influences bone metabolism, inflammation and overall health.

Prowting says he chose 91��ɫ to work with Josse, who also collaborated with fellow Governor General's Gold Medal recipient Cheng. Josse’s research aligned with Prowting interests while offering opportunities to expand his expertise.

Prowting highlights the collaborative environment within the School of Kinesiology and Health Science as a key part of his experience, allowing him to work closely with peers. He also had opportunity to access specialized methods, including muscle biopsy analysis, through collaboration with Professor Chris Perry, director of 91��ɫ’s Muscle Health Research Centre. He also credits the strong sense of community among lab members and colleagues for making his time at 91��ɫ especially rewarding.

“I’m very grateful to be recognized for this award, and proud of myself for maintaining a high level of quality despite the challenges I faced while writing my thesis,” says Prowting. Some challenges were more unique than others, he notes. Completing his thesis coincided with a significant personal milestone: the birth of his daughter.

“I was writing my dissertation from midnight to 5 a.m. while she slept on my chest. It was hard but reminds me that I have the resilience to get things done.”

Prowting is currently a postdoctoral fellow at McMaster University, where he is studying the effects of resistance training and protein intake. Looking toward his future goals, he remains open to both academic and non-academic career paths, building on the skills and connections developed during his time at 91��ɫ.

Dr. Abdul-Sater was also quoted in  and on  and showcased in YFile.