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Thanks to their hard work in scientific fields, mentoring and empowering a new generation of changemakers, founding research initiatives, and volunteering, the newly announced recipients of this year's Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) Awards of Excellence provide ongoing inspiration and meaningful impact. 

Each recipient exemplifies a commitment to advancing equity and strengthening the campus community.

Rita Hannawayya
Distinguished Alumna

Rita Hannawayya, BSc'22, is a research manager and laboratory technician at the at UCalgary. She holds a Bachelor of Science honours degree in cellular, molecular and microbial biology. Hannawayya has resiliently built a strong career in STEM, exemplifying professional excellence through her remarkable scientific maturity, technical mastery, and leadership. 

As a young professional in academia, Hannawayya’s expertise in complex research models and proficiency in a wide range of techniques has contributed to studies on inflammatory conditions in the guts of preterm infants, helping advance the understanding of disease mechanisms while identifying novel targets for timely diagnosis, intervention, and improved management practices in neonatal care. 

Hannawayya’s meticulous attention to detail, commitment to scientific rigour, and capacity to balance technical and managerial responsibilities make her a key member of the Cobo research team and a model of professional excellence. 

Cultivating a supportive and inclusive environment within the Cobo Laboratory, Hannawayya mentors graduate and undergraduate students with patience, empathy, and genuine investment in their growth, ensuring that each trainee feels valued and capable. Her leadership style prioritizes psychological safety, collaboration, and shared learning, qualities that are especially impactful for women and under-represented trainees navigating scientific spaces.  

Hannawayya consistently advocates for equitable opportunities, encourages confidence in younger women scientists, and models a balanced, humane approach to research culture. Her commitment to uplifting others extends beyond technical guidance; she fosters community, belonging, and empowerment, making her not only a scientific leader but a compassionate force for positive change in her field. 

Hannawayya’s resilience shows up in the way she has built her STEM career where women are still under-represented. As a young woman and first-generation Canadian, she had to learn an unfamiliar academic system, create her own networks, and prove herself in spaces where women are often overlooked. Instead of being discouraged, she pushed forward with determination, curiosity, and a strong sense of purpose.  

The cultural transitions, high expectations, and steep learning curves Hannawayya had to navigate simultaneously, carried responsibilities many peers did not have to shoulder. She persisted through uncertainty, proving herself in spaces where women are often required to work twice as hard for recognition. Her determination propelled her to excel academically and professionally, stepping into leadership roles early in her career and expanding the path for the women who follow. 

Muskaan Muse Laroyia
Distinguished Graduate Student 

Muskaan Muse Laroyia, BSc'23, holds a UCalgary degree in psychology, with distinction, and is currently an MSc candidate in neuroscience at ´ºÉ«Ö±²¥ . Throughout her academic journey, Laroyia has demonstrated exceptional vision and leadership by examining how climate-driven environmental stressors affect neurological conditions in equity-denied communities across Canada. 

Laroyia exemplifies professional wisdom through advancing understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying memory, with a particular commitment to addressing critical gaps in female-specific neuroscience. In particular, her graduate research investigates the female-specific neurological mechanisms of memory and dementia, addressing critical gaps in understanding why women are disproportionately affected by these conditions. 

In recognition of her research excellence, she was awarded the prestigious Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s program (CGS-M) by the Government of Canada. 

A cornerstone of her academic portfolio is the co-founding and leadership of the (Brain-CE Collab), a foundation addressing the critical intersection of brain health, climate justice, and health equity. This initiative is Canada’s first national effort focused on climate-resilient brain health through an equity lens, a groundbreaking response to an under-recognized public health crisis. 

Laroyia’s ability to translate complex research into actionable strategies is evident in her four-pillar framework (Generate Evidence, Raise Awareness, Drive Systemic Change, Foster Innovation), which has mobilized more than 40 fellows, secured competitive grants, and forged partnerships at local, national, and international levels. 

This strategic, evidence-based approach reflects a deep understanding of systemic challenges and a commitment to creating sustainable, inclusive solutions in science and health. Laroyia has secured strategic alignment and funding opportunities by representing the collaborative at national conferences and engaging with major foundations, establishing Brain-CE as a leading voice in the neuro-climate equity field. 

Within academia, Laroyia proactively serves as the faculty representative on the EDIA Committee, advocating for inclusive practices and ensuring that women and diverse voices are represented in research and leadership. By advancing institutional change through EDIA, promoting female-focused neuroscience, and founding a forward-thinking organization, she is actively overcoming interdisciplinary and systemic barriers and opening doors for the next generation of women in science and social innovation. 

Outside the laboratory, Laroyia is deeply dedicated to community-engaged scholarship and mentorship. This commitment is reflected in her work as a curriculum developer with the , where she has helped translate more than a decade of Indigenous youth mental health programming into a culturally grounded digital curriculum. Her passion for community impact is further exemplified through her successful fundraising efforts for the . 

Laroyia ensures that her scientific work remains connected to human stories, amplifying community voices in public dialogues about climate health and advocating for policies that protect women and equity-denied communities. Her leadership is consistently guided by an ethic of care, striving to make communities healthier, more equitable, and more supportive for all, particularly women and marginalized individuals. 

Ghazal Panahi  
Distinguished Undergraduate Student

Ghazal Panahi is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences with honours, and a member of ´ºÉ«Ö±²¥ Scholars Academy program. Throughout her academic career and personal life, Panahi has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to uplifting newcomer and refugee communities and advancing women’s health. Through leadership, research, and compassionate advocacy, she transforms adversity into meaningful service. 

Growing up in an immigrant family, Panahi came to understand first-hand the quiet pressures, sacrifices, and barriers that shape newcomer life. This lived experience grounds her work in a deep empathy for the social, cultural, and systemic challenges many families navigate, fuelling her commitment to creating spaces rooted in care, dignity, and belonging.  

Since 2024, Panahi has volunteered and worked with the as a program facilitator and tutor, supporting newcomer youth and immigrant families. She has led tutoring sessions to improve students’ academic performance and language skills, and develop culturally relevant lesson plans to ensure they feel supported both academically and socially. Through this commitment, Panahi has provided comprehensive academic and emotional support, helping newcomer youth adjust to the Canadian education system and build confidence. 

Panahi has served as a youth mental health advocate and speaker with the . In this role, she has led discussions on youth mental health with newcomer and immigrant parent groups, helping them understand the evolving landscape of mental health support. Furthermore, she has collaborated with numerous non-profits across Calgary, advocating for the incorporation of culturally sensitive mental health services, an essential aspect often overlooked in therapy and mental health research. 

To reach broader audiences, Panahi has also promoted awareness of mental health resources at various cultural events, encouraging families to embrace mental health practices and helping to break down barriers to seeking support. 

Inspired by her family's experience with the health-care system, Panahi is a strong advocate for equitable access to medicine and women’s health. Her passion for the field is evident in her research on postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) — a condition that disproportionately affects women — and long COVID, examining their physiological effects that often result in debilitating symptoms that significantly disrupt daily functioning and quality of life. Since 2024, she has investigated POTS-management strategies, aiming to improve treatment for affected individuals. Through her research, Panahi strives to contribute meaningfully to the scientific understanding of this condition and to help reduce health-care inequities among underserved populations. 

Rather than being constrained by the barriers she encounters, Panahi has chosen to confront them directly through advocacy, mentorship, and scholarship. She navigates systemic barriers while actively creating opportunities for women and newcomer communities. As an immigrant woman pursuing higher education, leadership, and research in spaces where racialized women remain under-represented, Panahi has consistently transformed challenge into purpose-driven action.