Jan. 6, 2020

Members of UCalgary family among 20 Compelling Calgarians of 2019

Calgary Herald names Katrina Milaney, Douglas Kondro, Deanna Burgart, Marg Southern, Vincent Ho and Graham Mackenzie to annual list
Katrina Milaney
Katrina Milaney led a research project that helped create the safe drug-consumption site. Riley Brandt, University of Calgary

A medical researcher, a PhD student, an Indigenous advocate, and a longtime community booster with connections to UCalgary were honoured as Compelling Calgarians in the Calgary Herald's 2019 list. Each year, the Calgary daily newspaper highlights 20 people whose significant achievements may not have had high profile in the community.

Medical researcher and assistant prof Katrina Milaney, PhD'14, shown above, is one of them. Her research contributed to the creation of the supervised drug-consumption site at the Sheldon M. Chumir Centre.

PhD student in Biomedical Engineering Douglas KondroBSc (Eng)'16, found local fame five years ago for designing prosthetic feet for a frostbitten rooster. Now, he’s turned his sights to researching a process that could reverse Type 1 diabetes.

Deanna Burgart recently joined UCalgary’s Schulich School of Engineering, where she will integrate Indigenous knowledge and perspective into engineering education. She has spent her career guiding others and developing curriculum.

Many people know longtime university supporter Marg Southern’s contribution to Alberta tourism through her creation of Spruce Meadows with her late husband, Ron Southern. Without fanfare, Southern, Hon. LLD'90, spent her summer vacation in 2019 sharing her love of Alberta with other Canadians.

Alumni Vincent Ho, MFA'98, and Graham MackenzieBEd'09, were both named to the list. Ho is artistic director of Land’s End Ensemble and musical adviser for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Mackenzie is founder of the non-profit Major Minor Music Project, which helps youth thrive through music.