Amit Koul – President, Postdoctoral Affairs: vppostdoc@umgps.org (He/Him)
Dear Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Associates,
My name is Amit Koul, and I am honored to serve as the President of the Postdoctoral Fellow Association (PDFA) at the University of Manitoba. I completed my Ph.D. in Biochemistry at the University of Manitoba, where my doctoral research centered on innate immune enzymes, and the mechanisms by which oligoadenylate synthetases (OAS) recognize viral RNA. Following my Ph.D., I pursued postdoctoral training at Princeton University, where I investigated the structural and mechanistic basis of human OAS activation and antiviral signaling pathways. I am currently a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Microbiology, investigating adenoviral biology and host regulatory mechanisms involved in viral replication and transcription.
As President of the PDFA, I look forward to advocating for the postdoctoral community and fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive research environment. I am particularly interested in strengthening interdisciplinary engagement and making the PDFA more proactive in sharing interdepartmental research activities across the university. I also hope to expand opportunities for professional development, networking, and career advancement for postdoctoral researchers.
Please feel free to contact me with any suggestions, questions, or thoughts you would like to share.
Anita Eze – Postdoctoral Fellow Association Vice President Fort Garry (She/her)
Hello Bison!
Dr. Anita C. Ezeagba is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Biosystems Engineering at the University of Manitoba, Fort Garry campus, where she conducts research in smart vertical farming systems, agricultural ergonomics, and autonomous agricultural technologies. She earned her PhD in Biosystems Engineering from the University of Manitoba in 2026, building on her strong academic foundation in agricultural and biosystems engineering.
In addition to her research accomplishments, Dr. Ezeagba brings valuable teaching, mentoring, and leadership experience from both Canada and Nigeria. She has contributed to several peer-reviewed publications and international conference presentations focused on agricultural safety, warning systems, and human-machine interaction in modern farming systems. Her interdisciplinary background enables her to effectively support innovative research, student mentorship, and collaborative academic initiatives.
As the incoming Vice President of the Postdoctoral Fellow Association at the Fort Garry campus, Dr. Ezeagba is committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative research community. She looks forward to advocating for the professional development, visibility, and well-being of postdoctoral fellows while promoting meaningful engagement across the University of Manitoba community.
Cristina Chairez Jimenez – Postdoctoral Fellow Association Vice President Fort Garry, Treasurer (She/her)
cristina.chairezjimenez@umanitoba.ca
Hello Bisons!
My name is Cristina Chairez, and I am honoured to join the University of Manitoba Graduate and Postdoctoral Society (UMGPS) as the Postdoctoral Fellow Association Vice President for the Fort Garry campus.
I am a Food Engineer with a Master’s and PhD in Biotechnology, currently working as a DERISC Postdoctoral Fellow through the New Harvest program in the Protein and Bioproducts Lab at the University of Manitoba. As part of the Cellular Agriculture Prairies Ecosystem (CAPE) project, my research focuses on sustainable protein innovation, specifically, transforming canola meal into high-value ingredients through green extraction technologies and bridging the gap between the agricultural sector and next-generation food systems, including cellular agriculture.
Beyond my research, I bring nearly 10 years of experience in food industry R&D and consulting for small and medium-sized businesses, which has shaped my ability to connect scientific findings with real-world impact. I am also actively engaged in the broader scientific community, serving as Secretary of the Health and Nutrition Division at AOCS, Member at Large of the Protein Division at IFT, Secretary of the CIFST Manitoba Division, and Secretary of PDRAO.
As Vice President, I am dedicated to building a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative environment for postdoctoral fellows at Fort Garry. I believe in advocating for professional development, recognition, and well-being for every postdoc and research associate in our community.
I would love to hear from you, whether you have ideas, questions, or just want to connect. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Olufola Ige, Postdoctoral Fellow Association Vice President Bannatyne
Oluwafolahanmi.Ige@umanitoba.ca
TBD
Manpreet Kaur, Postdoctoral Fellow Association Secretary (She/her)
Manpreet.Kaur3@umanitoba.ca
Hello Bison!
It is with great enthusiasm that I express my interest in serving as the Secretary of the Postdoctoral Fellow Association under the UMGSA. I am driven by a sincere commitment to academic excellence, student development, research innovation, and the enrichment of scholarly and co-curricular communities. Currently, I hold a postdoctoral position in the Food Proteins and Bioproducts Lab within the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences. My research centres on advancing sustainable protein technologies, particularly the green extraction and modification of plant-based proteins to meet the growing global demand.
My academic journey began in India, where I also earned my Ph.D. from Punjab Agricultural University as a recipient of the esteemed Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship. I was also fortunate to expand my research horizons as a visiting scholar at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, collaborating with leading experts in food science and sustainability.
I have always been passionate about creating inclusive spaces where students and researchers can share knowledge and support each other. I believe that working together leads to real progress, helping us grow ideas, overcome challenges, and celebrate success as a community. I’m excited to be a part of the Postdoctoral Fellow Association and contribute in a meaningful way to its goals.
Thank you so much!
Nidia Leticia, Postdoctoral Fellow Association Secretary, Treasurer (She/her)
nidia.ruizzambrano@umanitoba.ca
Hello everyone,
My name is Nidia Leticia Ruiz Zambrano. I hold a degree in Biobusiness Engineering and a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico). My doctoral research examined how different processing technologies influence the nutritional, physicochemical, and bioactive properties of a chickpea-based beverage.
I am currently a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, conducting research in cereal science. My main project focuses on applying an electronic nose to the analysis of odor profile of Canadian wheat.
I am excited to serve as Secretary of the University of Manitoba Postdoctoral Fellows Association. Please feel free to reach out with questions, ideas, or concerns. I am committed to listening to our community, understanding its needs, and contributing meaningfully to its growth and improvement.
Outside of research, I genuinely enjoy dancing: ballet, jazz, contemporary, urban styles, salsa, bachata, west coast swing, and more. But tango has become my favorite.
I look forward to connecting with you, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to share something.
Mamta Masand, Postdoctoral Fellow Association Communication Officer (She/her)
Mamta.Masand@umanitoba.ca
My name is Mamta Masand, and I am a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Plant Science at the University of Manitoba.
My current research focuses on plant genomics and bioinformatics, particularly in Brassica napus, where I use long-read sequencing and structural variation analysis to better understand important agronomic traits. Through my work, I am passionate about applying advanced genomic tools to support crop improvement, sustainable agriculture, and future food security. Beyond my academic journey, I enjoy hiking, trekking, music, and long walks activities that help me stay connected, curious, and energized.
As a member of the postdoctoral community at the University of Manitoba, I am excited to contribute to a more inclusive, supportive, and collaborative environment for postdoctoral fellows. I am especially interested in strengthening scientific communication, professional development, and community engagement. am especially interested in professional development, scientific communication, engage in activities creating opportunities for researchers from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds to connect and grow together.
Mujahid Hussain, Postdoctoral Fellow Association Events and Activities Coordinator (He/him)
Dr. Mujahid Hussain is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Manitoba, Canada. He completed his Ph.D. at China Agricultural University and previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Shandong University of Technology, China. His academic and research background focuses on precision agriculture, crop production, and agricultural aviation technologies.
Currently, he is working in the Digital Weed Lab at the University of Manitoba, where his research involves UAV-based multispectral and LiDAR imaging, machine-learning-assisted weed detection, field-scale weed mapping, and targeted drone spraying technologies for sustainable weed management. His work aims to support site-specific crop protection strategies that improve spraying efficiency while reducing herbicide use and environmental impact.
His previous research also includes UAV spraying systems, droplet deposition analysis, plant growth regulators, nanomaterial applications, and sustainable crop production under stress conditions. He has authored multiple SCI-indexed publications and has presented his research at several international conferences related to precision agriculture and UAV applications.
In addition to research, Dr. Hussain has teaching and mentoring experience in agronomy and precision agriculture and enjoys collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to advance innovation in modern agriculture.