Thursday, July 4, 2024 – Winnipeg, Manitoba
The Manitoba government and Research Manitoba would like to congratulate Dr. Titus Olukitibi of the University of Manitoba’s department of medical microbiology on being the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Dick Smith Postdoctoral Fellowship in HIV-AIDS Research, Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced today.
“It’s wonderful to see the work of Dr. Smith – work that he cared so deeply about – expanded and carried on by Dr. Olukitibi, to whom I extend my congratulations and appreciation.
Given Manitoba’s rising rates of HIV, there’s an urgent need to deepen our understanding of the disease and build knowledge and data that will drive local solutions and help prevent the disease from spreading.”
“I congratulate Dr. Olukitibi on being the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Dick Smith Postdoctoral Fellowship in HIV-AIDS Research.
His contributions to medical microbiology through the University of Manitoba continue to increase knowledge around prevention, transmission, and treatment of HIV-AIDS in our province.
His research is integral to determining the factors that make people more susceptible to HIV-AIDS.”
Dr. Olukitibi’s project, “Bridging HIV and STBBIs Science and Educational Outreach in Winnipeg,” aims to address the rising number of HIV cases in Manitoba. His research will focus on educational outreach to high school students, particularly those from underserved and immigrant communities, to increase knowledge about HIV prevention, transmission and treatment. Additionally, the project will investigate the link between solvent use and increased susceptibility to HIV, offering important insights into prevention strategies.
“We are grateful to the Manitoba government for establishing this important fellowship. This initiative honours Dr. Smith’s legacy and empowers researchers like Dr. Titus Olukitibi to advance HIV prevention and education. By supporting innovative research, we are making significant strides in addressing HIV-AIDS challenges in our communities. Research Manitoba is proud to be part of this important work.”
The fellowship was created by the Manitoba government and Research Manitoba in honour of the esteemed legacy of Dr. Dick Smith, a visionary pioneer in HIV-AIDS patient treatment and education in Manitoba. The fellowship supports an exceptional postdoctoral researcher dedicated to advancing the understanding and management of HIV epidemiology in Manitoba.
I am very thankful for being awarded the 2024 Research Manitoba Dr. Dick Smith Research Postdoctoral Fellowship in HIV Epidemiology.
Thanks also to my supervisor, Dr. Keith Fowke for guiding me through the application process. This funding will greatly advance our HIV and STBBI educational outreach and research initiatives in Manitoba. The funding will allow us to expand our efforts in educating high school students and IBPOC communities about the risk factors and prevention of HIV.
This is crucial as it will help address the increasing HIV rates among youth and indigenous populations. Our collaboration with Raising the Foundations of Generations Inc. (RFGimpacts), an organization guided by Biblical principles to provide academic and career guidance to children and teenagers, during their events such as the Scientific Spelling Bee Competition will target critical knowledge gaps among the youths aiming to reduce HIV transmission and improve community health.
Likewise, sessions at Sunshine House Community will target behavioural risks for HIV acquisition among the Indigenous community. Additionally, the award will support our research into the effects of solvent use on thyroid hormones and their potential impact on HIV acquisition, contributing to more targeted prevention strategies and informed public health policies.
For my career, this award provides an invaluable opportunity to deepen my expertise in HIV/AIDS research and community engagement.
The training and experience at the Fowke Lab, where I will be conducting this research, will enhance my skills in conducting immunological-based clinical research, positioning me as a molecular immunologist specializing in infectious diseases including HIV and other STBBIs.
Read the full Manitoba government news release, with information on additional initiatives undertaken to support HIV/AIDS treatment, here.
For more information about the fellowship, please visit: https://researchmanitoba.ca/funding/programs/dr-smith-fellowship
About Dr. Titus Olukitibi
Titus Olukitibi is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Manitoba, under the mentorship of Dr. Keith Fowke. He earned his Ph.D. under the supervision of Dr. Xiaojian Yao in the same department with a research focus on vaccine development. Currently, Titus is studying the immunological factors involved in the clearance of HPV infection in women. Titus is the founder of Raising Foundations of Generations Inc. (RFGimpacts), an organization dedicated to mentoring and providing academic and career guidance to children and teenagers, guided by Biblical principles. His exceptional contributions to the field have earned him numerous awards, including the 2023 Major Basic Science Research Award of Excellence from the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Titus has published over 15 scientific papers in reputable journals, one of which received the 2022 Departmental Publication Award of the Year. His work, which spans HIV, STBBIs (sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections), and other infectious diseases, continues to impact the fields of microbiology and infectious diseases, demonstrating his commitment to advancing public health and scientific knowledge.
Contact:
Research Manitoba
info@researchmb.ca | researchmanitoba.ca
Research Manitoba:
Research Manitoba promotes, supports, and coordinates the funding of research excellence and innovation in health, natural and social sciences, engineering, and the humanities in Manitoba. Research Manitoba supports local talent development by providing research support to early career researchers and graduate students, along with fostering strategic partnerships to strengthen research and innovation in Manitoba.