LABCONIC Winnipeg

Nyasha P. Katedza is a pioneering entrepreneur and founder of BioInsight DNA & Blood Services. With a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and CSMLS certification as an MLA, Nyasha brings her diverse experience in laboratory science, including clinical and community-based healthcare initiatives.

Passionate about emerging technologies, she advocates for their transformative impact on medical laboratories, and their potential to revolutionize healthcare in remote communities, telehealth, and for individuals with disabilities.

Nyasha is also an author, educator, and advocate for healthcare accessibility and literacy. Through BioInsight, she strives to bridge the gaps in access to diagnostic services, empowering individuals and communities with reliable, state-of-the-art specimen collection solutions. Her mission is to transform the healthcare landscape by making high-quality diagnostics accessible to all.

William has worked at Westman Lab in Brandon, Manitoba for over 10 years in chemistry, hematology, and transfusion medicine. He grew up in Southern Ontario, where he attended Trent University and Cambrian College, receiving both his Bachelor of Science degree and Medical Laboratory Science diploma, respectively. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge, particularly about pseudoscience and general quackery in medicine and science.

Matt has been a Sr. Technologist for over a decade and plans to keep his childlike excitement for research and science in general.

University of Manitoba MSc graduate from the department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics. Clinical Genetics Technologist at Shared Health with specialty in Genomics since 2024. Always excited about science, neophyte Jets fan, arts enthusiast.

Dannielle graduated from the University of Manitoba with a BSc., majoring in Microbiology, and attended Red River College in Winnipeg for Medical Laboratory Sciences, eventually becoming a certified MLT. Dannielle worked as a General Duty Technologist in a rural core lab, an urban Biochemistry Lab, became the Point of Care Testing Specialist for Shared Health Manitoba, and is now working as a Practice Advisor for Indigenous Services Canada, where she focuses on Point of Care and Laboratory Diagnostics in remote Indigenous nursing stations.

At RRC Polytech, Michele Sykes, Harvey Suski, and Karla Anjos made up part of the dream team behind the Medical Laboratory Sciences program. Equal parts science gurus, mentors, and motivators, they transformed microscopes and textbooks into launching pads for learner success. Whether perfecting pipettes or decoding diagnostics, their passion was contagious—and thankfully, not under a microscope. With sharp minds and even sharper wit, they built an environment where learning was rigorous but never dull. Their legacy lives on in every graduate who still hears their voices reminding them to label. Science was serious—but they made it seriously fun. – Created and modified thanks to ChatGPT.

An introduction to the fascinating work that is done in an IVF Laboratory. Starting with an overview of a Fertility Clinic and the patients they serve. A photographic review of the meticulous laboratory work and technology involved in the process of In Vitro Fertilization treatment. 25369

An outline of the IVF steps in the laboratory including egg retrieval, egg insemination, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), fertilization checks, embryo development, embryo and egg freezing. All a part of helping people achieve their dream of having a baby.

Cindy Faraci has worked as an embryologist and lab manager at the Heartland Fertility Clinic for the last 27 years. During this time the clinic has grown from 100 IVF cycles per year to over 500 a year. At the end of 2023, Cindy successfully led the re-location and setup of the IVF laboratory at Heartland’s new larger state-of- the-art facility.

Cindy began her career at the HSC Clinical Chemistry Laboratory and went on to work with the Organ Transplant research team. Cindy then joined Heartland to work in the IVF laboratory. She found it to be both fascinating and rewarding, a wonderful combination of laboratory work and patient interaction. Without aging herself Cindy would like to point out that she graduated as an MLT when the CSMLS was still called CSLT.

Medical Laboratory Technologist in the field of Transfusion Science at Canadian Blood Services for the last 25 years. Laboratory Research Technician for 6 years at the University of Manitoba and Cancer Care Manitoba.

This session will, through case presentations, review some of the more common presentations of death on the forensic pathology service. Attendees will gain an appreciation of how the forensic pathologist fits into the overall death investigation and how their job extends beyond the morgue.

Jason Morin is a forensic pathologist working as a part of a team of forensic pathologists at the Health Sciences Centre and St. Boniface Hospital. He completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Alberta in human physiology, followed by a medical degree at the University of Calgary. He then went on to complete a residency in anatomical pathology at the University of British Columbia and a fellowship in forensic pathology at the Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque, New Mexico (through the University of New Mexico).

Formulated from a base of thematic analysis and proposed further research via a case study approach. We will examine what the future holds for accommodations within clinical practice and will touch on what the student perspective looks like along with clinical challenges. We will conclude with expected findings and how this information can provide valuable recommendations for industry partners.

Currently an Instructor at RRC Polytechnic with previous 11 years of Industry experience in both Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Microbiology. Now currently working to complete his Master of Education degree in Health Professions Education graduating in spring 2026. Work within his masters has sparked many interests of research within health education.

Discuss how we are not born knowing everything. We can all learn from each other. Even when we achieve great accomplishments in our work life or personal life, we can still find ways to improve. When we are new to our profession, we carry a burden on our shoulders of why don’t know everything already. Why does it feel so hard? When we have been doing this a long time, we just grow accustomed to our routine and dislike change very much. These all have big feelings attached and those feelings can grow in the forms of stress that are difficult to manage. We should all try and strive to improve ourselves and our lives. We are human, not computers. We need to be more present in our lives and learn how to handle the good and the bad.

Lorenne Friesen. Graduated from RRC in 2010 from the Medical Laboratory Sciences Program. I have worked most of my lab career at Portage District General Hospital and became the Senior of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine in September 2018. I have 3 busy kids ages 13, 10 and 8.