Every year, the University of Manitoba bestows the title of Emeritus on distinguished former and current members of the UM faculty and administration. It is one of the highest honours at the University, and individuals are selected based on their distinguished service to administrative leadership, teaching, research, creative and scholarly works, and service.
On November 21, UM honoured 24 exemplary individuals, which included a Vice-President Emerita and three Distinguished Professor Emeriti.
St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre’s Dr. Grant Pierce and Dr. Peter Zahradka, were among those honoured.
Grant Pierce, Distinguished Professor Emeritus
(Distinguished Professor Emeritus (2024)
BPHE (Hons) (Lakehead), MSc (Dalhousie), PhD (Manitoba)
Dr. Grant Pierce has made extraordinary contributions to cardiovascular research, education and leadership over his distinguished career at the University of Manitoba.
His over 250 peer-reviewed research manuscripts and eight textbooks on ischemic heart disease, diabetes-related heart dysfunction and the cardiovascular benefits of flaxseed have attracted over 11,300 citations. He recently identified a new platform for antibiotics that was transformed into a multimillion-dollar biotech company.
His leadership and visionary contributions include the creation of the Canadian Centre for Agri-food Research in Health and Medicine, a unique collaboration of the Universities of Manitoba and Winnipeg, St. Boniface Hospital and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. He created the Youth BioLab, the only one of its kind, which has hosted over 10,000 Manitoban children.
Dr. Pierce served as Chair of the Executive Review Committee for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Executive Director of Research for St. Boniface Hospital and Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. He is World President of the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences.
Dr. Pierce’s accomplishments were recognized with investiture in the Order of Manitoba, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Research Canada Leadership Award, election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and in 2023, he received the Order of Canada, the highest distinction for a citizen in Canada.
The University of Manitoba is proud to confer upon Dr. Grant Pierce the title of Distinguished Professor Emeritus.
Peter Zarahdka, Professor Emeritus
Professor Emeritus (2024)
BSc (Hons), PhD (Western)
Dr. Peter Zahradka has been a valued member of the University of Manitoba since 1991, making significant contributions to research, teaching and service.
His internationally recognized work in vascular physiology focuses on how metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes contribute to cardiovascular disease. His groundbreaking research on natural products like lentils and buckwheat has led to innovative treatments for improving arterial health and reducing blood glucose levels. He is the author of over 170 peer-reviewed publications, including articles in prestigious journals such as Circulation Research and holds five US patents.
As a dedicated mentor, Dr. Zahradka supervised over 50 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and mentored more than 80 undergraduate students and research technicians. He also played a pivotal role in course development, particularly in endocrinology and physiology.
In addition to his research and teaching, Dr. Zahradka held leadership roles such as Head of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases and Director of the Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine. He also served as a University Senator, contributing significantly to the university community.
The University of Manitoba is honoured to confer upon Dr. Peter Zahradka the title of Professor Emeritus.