Category: Member Highlights

Written by Karen E. Mosier

Chris O’Grady has a MSc in Biochemistry conferred from the University of Saskatchewan. He has worked at the University of Saskatchewan for the last 12 years. Chris started working on campus in early 2010 as a Research Technician in the biochemistry lab in the Health Sciences building. In April 2015, he transitioned to Lab Manager for the USask Health Sciences, formerly known as the Council of Health Sciences Deans Office. In January 2022, he accepted a position as the Director of Operations for USask Health Sciences.   

Written by Jane Onuma

Banjo Olaleye moved to Saskatoon from Nigeria in 2015 for his master’s program at the University of Saskatchewan. He has a BSc honor in English and International studies from Osun State University, Nigeria; a master’s degree in English and is currently completing a PHD in English from the University of Saskatchewan. He has worked at the University for 7 years, starting as a research assistant, becoming a teaching assistant between 2016 and 2017. Between 2017 and 2019 he worked for the International Student and Study Abroad Center (ISSAC) and has also worked as a sectional lecturer for St. Thomas More College (STM) and the English department. Banjo currently works as an academic advisor mentoring students in Arts and Science.

Written by Karen E. Mosier

Sherry Pederson has a BA in Psychology from the University of Regina, and has worked for the University of Saskatchewan for 25 years. She started in a contract position with Student Career & Employment assisting university graduates to find jobs through subsidized 3, 6 and 12 month placements. She managed the government contract, as well as budget and work placements. She then moved for 2 years into SESD to help with first year orientation, followed by a maternity leave position as an Academic Advisor in Kinesiology. When the maternity leave ended, Kinesiology created a position for her enhancing the first year program for Kinesiology. She moved to take a position in the College of Education managing their undergrad program, remaining in that role for 10 years before transitioning to special projects for the Dean in the College of Medicine in February 2, 2015 and now managing the Undergraduate Medical Education program.

Written by Karen E. Mosier

Lisa Krol did her Bachelor of Arts at King’s College, Western University in 1992 and her Bachelor of Education through Queens University in 1993. She went on to do her Masters of Education in Special Education at the University of Saskatchewan in 2004. In 2002, Lisa joined the Language Centre and now works as the Bridging Class Coordinator.     

Written by Karen E. Mosier

Megan Fillatre joined the University of Saskatchewan in 2015 as an international student recruitment and liaison officer and moved to the International Office in 2016.

“This is where I truly found a passion,” says Megan. “Knowing that I am a small piece of the puzzle in an organization that advances and supports global academic and research opportunities and that what I do has purpose, drives me forward.”

Written by Karen E. Mosier

Bonnie Kraska has worked for the University of Saskatchewan in Prince Albert for almost 13 years. She started in January 2008 as a CUPE employee in an Administrative Assistant position and in 2014 she joined ASPA as the PA Campus Manager for the College of Nursing. In the fall of 2020, the new USask PA campus building opened which amalgamated a number of existing and new USask operations located in Prince Albert. Bonnie has continued her operations management role in the new facility in support of a broader stakeholder group, including the College of Nursing, the Distance Education Unit, and the College of Dentistry’s on site Dental Clinic.

Written by Karen E. Mosier

Kamal graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Sri Lanka in 2007. He came to Canada in 2009. He completed an internship in Large Animal Medicine in 2012 and completed a 3 year residency training in Food Animal Production Medicine in 2016 at the WCVM. Kamal is a specialist in food animal production medicine and holds diplomate status of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Food Animal Practice. He gives credit to his WCVM colleagues and friends Dr. Ted Leighton, Dr. Lyall Petrie, Dr. Fritz Schumann, Sherry Presnell, and Jane Fitzpatrick for their support during this time. In particular, he acknowledges his mentor and role model Dr. Ted Leighton, Professor Emeritus, WCVM, and former Executive Director, Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, who helped him to overcome racial barriers, financial difficulties, visa challenges, and cultural stereotyping that international students often face when they move to a different country to continue their studies and find employment. 

Written by Karen E. Mosier

Nicole has been on campus since 1991 when she started a job in the Department of Plant Sciences as a Research Assistant. In 1999, she received her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Agricultural Biology Major with Minor in Microbiology) and a Bachelor of Science in Biology both from the University of Saskatchewan. In November 2004, she accepted a position as a Grants Officer in Research Services. This position has changed in job title and office name, to her current position as Research Support Specialist housed within Connection Point but reporting to RASI (Research Acceleration and Strategic Initiatives).   

Written by Karen E. Mosier

Bonita has been on campus for much of her adult life. From a young age, she had a strong interest in the natural world and came to the University of Saskatchewan to pursue that interest. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology (1989), and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (1997), both from the University of Saskatchewan. Bonita has worked continuously on campus since September 1989 but had worked as a secretary and an undergraduate student research hire prior to that time. In 1989, she started working as a Research Technician with the Crop Development Centre, followed by several years with the Department of Biology, and then moved over to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. In 2000, she accepted a new position as Administrative Assistant with the Department of Biology where she stayed for 12 years. She accepted a promotion in 2012 to become the Finance and Operations Manager with the Department of Chemistry.