Several women with University of Guelph connections will be honoured in this year’s YMCA-YWCA of Guelph annual Women of Distinction celebration. Of the 20 women being recognized this year, half are U of G faculty, staff or alumna.
Women of Distinction celebrates women who are role models, pioneers and exceptional achievers in Guelph and Wellington County. The 2019 Women of Distinction fundraising event takes place Thursday, May 2 at the River Run Centre.
This year’s U of G honourees are as follows:
Prof. Manjusri Misra
School of Engineering and Department of Plant Agriculture, in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) category. A global expert in the study and development of biofibres and biocomposites, she is a leading researcher in green nanotechnology.
Dr. Dorothy Bakker
Lifetime achievement in health, wellness and fitness category, is a long-standing work student health physician at U of G and health advocate. She has a chemistry degree and an MA Leadership degree from U of G.
Jill Gill
Community champion category, a dynamic volunteer and a retired instructor of costume design in U of G’s School of English and Theatre Studies.
Indu Arora
Community champion category, bachelor of commerce degree from U of G.
Brenda Whiteside
Commitment to education, training and mentorship. A 35-year veteran of the University, she served as associate vice-president (student affairs) for 18 years and is interim assistant vice-president (diversity and human rights). She earned a BA and an MA in economics at U of G.
Anita Luu
For work in STEM as a U of G PhD candidate in the emerging field of mechanobiology and the microenvironment of osteosarcoma tumours.
Prof. Beth Parker
School of Engineering and NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Hydrogeology, is also a STEM honouree. She is an internationally renowned groundwater expert.
Prof. Jess Haines
Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, in the STEM category. She studies prevention of weight-related disorders in children and adolescents.
Sara Sayyed
Studied environmental science at U of G and volunteers for the Muslim Society of Guelph, helping foster awareness of Islam and reduce Islamophobia.
Raechelle Devereaux
Community champion category, the U of G graduate is executive director of the Guelph Community Health Centre.