Faculty and staff

Learn about the Food and Human Nutritional Sciences team.

 

Department head

Academic staff

Administrative staff

  • Kevin Ferreira
    Graduate Program Assistant
    fhns.grad@umanitoba.ca 
    204-474-6874
    • Graduate Program Administration: Manage all aspects of graduate student lifecycle including admissions, registration, academic progress, and graduation requirements.
    • Student Advising: Analyze academic records and advise students on program requirements, policies, and available campus resources.
    • Committee Support: Provide administrative support to the Graduate Chair and various graduate-related committees.
    • Application Processing: Assess graduate applications, calculate GPAs, and coordinate with admissions committees.
    • Records Management: Maintain and archive confidential student records and databases; ensure compliance with university policies.
    • Scheduling & Coordination: Organize meetings, thesis defenses, and ensure adherence to internal and Faculty of Graduate Studies deadlines.
    • Communication & Liaison: Serve as the primary contact for student inquiries and liaise with university departments including FGS and the International Student Centre.
    • Payroll & HR Support: Process payroll, stipends, and employment paperwork for graduate students, TAs, and GMs; manage postings and onboarding in UM Careers.
    • Scholarship Administration: Advertise, process, and submit scholarship applications requiring department nomination; calculate GPAs and coordinate with the FHNS Graduate Studies Committee.
    Pam Gauthier
    Administrative Assistant
    pam.gauthier@umanitoba.ca
    204-474-9901    		 
    Carola Lange
    Administrative Assistant
    carola.lange@umanitoba.ca
    204-474-8180
    • Provide administrative support to faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
    • Maintain records and filing systems, including finance, HR, and general correspondence.
    • Support financial transactions, including processing invoices, honoraria, and expense reimbursements.
    • Organize committee meetings for curriculum reviews, graduate admissions, and thesis defenses. 
    Sarah Legall
    Dietetic Accreditation Specialist
    On leave    		 
    Helena Marak
    Office Assistant
    helena.marak@umanitoba.ca
    204-474-6411
    • Provide administrative support to faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
    • Maintain records and filing systems, including finance, HR, and general correspondence.
    • Procure material and supplies for the research and administrative needs of the department.
    • Process payroll, and employment paperwork for hourly and short term part time positions.
    • Arrange student travel and advise/finalize guest and student travel and expense claims.
    • Arrange meeting room bookings and coordinate department space allocations.
    Sina Sarviha
    Collaboration, Communication & Engagement Coordinator
    sina.sarviha@umanitoba.ca
    • Oversee and update the department’s website content to keep information current and engaging
    • Develop and distribute newsletters, announcements, and updates to students, faculty, and alumni
    • Manage internal and external communications to promote department events, news, and achievements
    • Support the planning and promotion of departmental events, workshops, and seminars
    • Maintain and grow the department’s social media presence to increase community engagement
    Kathleen McClinton
    MAHN Program Coordinator
    kathleen.mcclinton@umanitoba.ca
    204-474-7322
    • Coordinates program planning, scheduling, admissions, orientation, experiential learning, and student progression
    • Supports curriculum implementation and continuous program improvement
    • Maintains communication among students, faculty, preceptors, placement partners, and university units
    • Oversees program records, documentation, policies, and reporting requirements
    • Supports student advising, problem-solving, and appropriate referrals
    • Helps recruit and recognize preceptors and placement sites
    • Monitors program activities and uses feedback to strengthen the student and preceptor experience
    Chen Chen
    MAHN Program Assistant
    mahn.info@umanitoba.ca
    204-474-6564
    • Supports student admissions, onboarding, orientation, and placement preparation
    • Responds to routine questions and directs students and partners to the appropriate resource
    • Maintains student, preceptor, agency, and program records
    • Assists with scheduling, correspondence, meetings, meeting minutes and program event logistics and helps distribute forms, resources, deadlines, and policy information
    • Supports document preparation, data collection and program reporting
    • Assists with communications and website or learning management system updates
    Renee Hyndman
    MAHN Preceptor Liaison
    mahn.preceptor@umanitoba.ca 
    204-474-8194
    • Recruits and supports qualified preceptors and placement sites
    • Serves as the primary contact for preceptors throughout the placement cycle
    • Coordinates placement requirements, documentation, and compliance
    • Provides preceptors with expectations, resources, orientation, and updates
    • Supports communication, problem-solving, and feedback among students, preceptors, and partners
    • Collects and responds to feedback from preceptors and service delivery organizations
    • Strengthens MAHN experiential learning and recognizes preceptors’ role in preparing future dietetic professionals

Technical staff

  • Dennis Joseph
    Laboratory Technician (Duff Roblin Building)
    dennis.joseph@umanitoba.ca
    204-474-7508    		 
    Jerry Jin
    Technician (Ellis Bldg.)
    zhou.jin@umanitoba.ca
    204-474-8355
    • Oversees daily operations of the pilot plant and trains staff and students to ensures compliance with food safety regulations and maintain the provincial license.
    • Supports teaching, training and demonstration activities in Ellis labs and pilot plant, maintains and troubleshoots lab and food processing equipment and facility system.
    • Solicit price quotations, order and receive lab materials and supplies, including gas tanks.
    • Perform computer support for Ellis building, including equipment software, media support and personal computer issues.
    • Perform chemical and physical analysis of lab samples and prepare the reports for publication.
    Yang Qiu
    Laboratory Technologist (Ellis Building)
    yang.qiu@umanitoba.ca
    204-474-8355    		 
    Donna Ryland
    Laboratory Technologist (Human Ecology Building)
    donna.ryland@umanitoba.ca
    204-474-8071
    • Maintain lab equipment to ensure reliability and safety for teaching and research activities.
    • Prepare and organize lab materials (e.g., food ingredients, supplies) for undergraduate lab courses.
    • Train students and staff in safe use of lab equipment and adherence to lab protocols.
    • Monitor and enforce safety procedures related to food preparation and preservation.
    • Order and manage inventory of laboratory supplies and consumables.
    • Assist with data collection and quality control in research projects and experiments.
    Alison Ser
    Laboratory Technologist (Ellis Building)
    alison.ser@umanitoba.ca
    204-474-9621
    • Support teaching and research activities in the Ellis labs
    • Oversee laboratory facilities and infrastructure
    • Provide training and guidance on specialized analytical instruments
    • Serve as WHMIS Coordinator to promote safety and regulatory compliance
    • Manage resource booking and assist with billing and usage tracking
       
    John Thoroski
    Dairy Plant Manager (Dairy Science Bldg.)
    john.thoroski@umanitoba.ca
    204-474-9332    		 
    David Wu
    Laboratory Technician (Dairy Science Bldg.)
    yannan.wu@umanitoba.ca
    204-474-9332    		 

Cross-appointed staff

Adjunct professors

Retired academic staff

Professional, research associates, post doctoral fellows

More information

Contact Us

Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences 
Room 209 Human Ecology Building
35 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2
Canada

fhns.admin@umanitoba.ca
204-474-6411
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (CST)