Women's Resource Centre award winners announced

The annual Women's Resource Centre (WRC) Awards of Excellence honours the exceptional achievements of individuals within the University of Calgary community. Recipients embody leadership, resiliency, and have dedicated themselves to making a positive impact within their personal and professional lives.

Lucy Reyes 
WRC Distinguished Alum Award recipient

Lucy Reyes is a nursing professional with over four decades of experience in healthcare. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Philippines, a master's in nursing from the University of Calgary, and certificates in Health Informatics from the University of Victoria and Healthcare Ethics from the University of Washington. She has demonstrated leadership, resilience, and a commitment to patient care, professional governance, and health innovation.  

As an internationally educated nurse, Reyes overcame significant challenges to establish herself in Canadian healthcare. She served six years on the provincial council of the Alberta Association of Registered Nurses, now the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA), and earned the Vogel Award for Exemplary Service. Her expertise spans clinical management, health informatics, and project leadership, contributing to the development of electronic health records and remote patient monitoring initiatives. 

Reyes played a pivotal role in implementing remote monitoring for patients with Cardiac Electrical Implantable Devices (CIEDs), improving patient outcomes and reducing in-person clinic visits. This initiative earned the Health Quality Council of Alberta Patient Experience Award in 2020 and the Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses Health Promotion and Advocacy Award in 2021. Her contributions were further recognized with the Filipino Women’s Network Global Leadership and Innovation Award in 2021 and the Alberta Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Award in 2022. 

Beyond her clinical work, Reyes advocates for internationally educated nurses (IENs). In 2022, she founded the Philippine Canadian Nurses Association (PCNA) to streamline the credentialing process and integrate IENs into Canadian healthcare. Under her leadership, she worked with Philippine Consular officials to secure a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Alberta, positively impacting hundreds of internationally-trained nurses. 

Reyes’ governance experience extends to national provincial nursing organizations. She was a founding member of the Canadian Nursing Informatics Association, the Canadian Association of Cardiovascular Nursing, and a nurse adjudicator for the Canadian Nurses Protective Society. She is also a member of the editorial board of the Canadian Nurses Journal and serves on the Anti-Racism Advisory Committee of the Canadian Association of University and Schools of Nursing. 

Her dedication to nursing and patient care has been widely acknowledged with numerous accolades, including the CARNA Centennial Award and the University of Calgary’s 50 Faces of Nursing recognition. A respected mentor and educator, Reyes has influenced many healthcare professionals through her collaborative approach and ethical practice.  

In addition to her professional achievements, Lucy Reyes actively contributes to her community through faith-based and social justice initiatives. She has served as the founding chair of pastoral care and social justice ministries at Ascension Catholic Parish and has been involved in various health and wellness programs. 

Shanshan Wang   
WRC Distinguished Graduate Student Award recipient

Shanshan Wang is an accomplished researcher and doctoral student in immunology at the University of Calgary. She holds a Master of Science in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Medicine from Capital Medical University. Throughout her academic journey she has demonstrated exceptional research capabilities, earning numerous prestigious awards, including the Distinguished Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship and the International/National Outstanding Thesis Award. 

Wang has made significant contributions to scientific research, particularly in immunology and infectious diseases. Under the mentorship of Dr. Jongbok Lee and Dr. Douglas Mahoney at the at the Riddell Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy in the Cumming School of Medicine, Wang is pioneering innovative approaches in cancer immunotherapy. Her research integrates diverse scientific disciplines to transform cancer treatment and improve patient outcomes. She is spearheading the development of allogeneic double-negative T cell (DNT) therapies and CD4-targeting chimeric antigen receptors (CAR4) for high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML).  By leveraging cutting-edge immunological strategies, Wang’s work has the potential to drive breakthroughs in cancer treatment and immunotherapy.  

Beyond her research, Wang is a dedicated mentor and advocate for women and immigrant communities. She has actively supported first-generation students and international scholars through the First-Generation Mentorship Program and the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association. As a mentor, she has helped young immigrants explore career opportunities, gain confidence, and successfully apply for higher education and scholarships. Her leadership in organizing mentorship events and career development workshops has empowered many aspiring professionals. 

Wang’s resilience is evident in her personal and academic journey. As an international student from China, she faced challenges adapting to a new culture and academic system while overcoming financial and personal hardships. Despite these obstacles, she excelled in her studies and remained dedicated to her research. Her ability to overcome adversity while maintaining academic excellence highlights her perseverance and commitment to scientific discovery.    

Her contributions extend beyond academia into community service and advocacy. Wang has been actively involved in initiatives aimed at improving mental health support for immigrants, volunteering with organizations such as the Calgary Local Immigration Partnership and the ECSSEN Hotline. She has also participated in efforts to support families dealing with pregnancy and infant loss, demonstrating her compassion and commitment to community well-being. 

Wang’s dedication to scientific excellence, mentorship, and community service has earned her widespread recognition. She has received numerous accolades, including the HQP Travel Award from BioCanRx and the Governor General’s Gold Medal nomination. Her work in immunology, combined with her advocacy for diversity and inclusion, makes her a role model for aspiring researchers and community leaders. 

Shanshan Wang continues to make a profound impact in her field and beyond. Her passion for research, mentorship, and advocacy exemplifies her commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for students and professionals alike.

Muntaha Aamir   
WRC Distinguished Undergraduate Student Award recipient

Muntaha Aamir is an undergraduate student at the University of Calgary pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies with a minor in Political Science. Throughout her academic career, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, advocacy, and commitment to social justice, particularly in addressing issues affecting Muslim women. 

Aamir has been a strong advocate for Muslim representation, engaging with policymakers and community leaders to promote meaningful change. As a delegate for the National Council of Canadian Muslims' Day of Action, she spoke with Members of Parliament to support a bill banning imports linked to Uighur Muslim forced labor. She has also organized events featuring the Mayor of Calgary and Muslim scholars to raise awareness about pressing global issues. As an executive member of the Muslim Students’ Association, she has worked tirelessly to create safe spaces on campus for Muslim women to pray, connect, and find community support. Additionally, her role as a University of Calgary Senate representative and former Board of Governors student representative has allowed her to advocate for policies that improve campus safety and well-being for women. 

Aamir's resilience is reflected in her ability to navigate challenges and push for change despite facing obstacles. As a visibly Muslim woman who wears the hijab, she has confronted Islamophobia and discrimination while continuing to advocate for Muslim voices on campus. She has played an instrumental role in addressing gender-based violence, fundraising for campus resources, and organizing initiatives such as the Muslim Students’ Association’s first sisters' retreat. Her advocacy extends beyond the university, as she has written about the experiences of Muslim students facing discrimination and has been a leading voice in community discussions on inclusivity and justice. 

Beyond her activism, Aamir has demonstrated strong leadership and governance skills. She has held positions as a student senator, faculty representative in the Students’ Union, and summer student with the City of Calgary’s Green Line project. She has contributed opinion articles to publications like CBC Calgary and Daily Hive, highlighting critical social issues such as anti-Asian discrimination and gender-based violence. Additionally, her work with Alberta Health Services as an IT Summer Student showcases her versatility in both advocacy and technical fields. 

Aamir's commitment to community service is evident in her work with students facing sexual and gender-based violence. She has actively contributed to improving support systems and resources, working closely with university administrators to implement policy changes. Her compassionate approach ensures that the concerns of marginalized students are not only heard but addressed through actionable solutions. In recognition of her efforts, she received the Canadian Muslims for Peace and Justice Scholarship in 2023 for her dedication to advocacy and justice. 

Muntaha Aamir’s impact extends across multiple spheres, from governance and policy advocacy to grassroots organizing and mentorship. Her unwavering dedication to empowering marginalized voices, particularly Muslim women, has made her a respected leader and changemaker. With her passion for justice, advocacy, and community engagement, she continues to drive change both within and beyond the University of Calgary.