The University of Winnipeg is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Danielle Defries as Acting Dean of the Gupta Faculty of Kinesiology and Applied Health, effective July 1, 2025.
Since 2021, Dr. Defries has served as Department Chair of Kinesiology and Applied Health. During her time as Chair, she led the department through strategic planning, encouraged development of clearer curricular paths, and supported the creation of work-integrated learning opportunities for students. She has been active in maintaining articulation agreements with partner institutions such as the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and developing micro-credentialling agreements with agencies such as Sport for Life Canada and the Coaching Association of Canada/Sport Manitoba Coaching.
Dr. Defries joined UWinnipeg as an Instructor in the Department of Kinesiology and Applied Health in 2013. Prior to that, she held Research Associate positions with the Department of Vascular Surgery at the University of Manitoba and the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba.
She holds a PhD in Human Nutritional Sciences (University of Manitoba). Her research, which focuses on metabolic disease, inflammation, and the impact of nutrients on cells of the enteric nervous system, has received funding from the Manitoba Medical Services Foundation and internal funding from UWinnipeg. Her teaching practice includes courses in introductory nutrition, sports nutrition, and human physiology.
Dr. Defries has held positions on numerous University committees, including Senate, the Senate Academic Standards and Misconduct Committee, the Graduate Studies Committee, and the Strategic Enrollment Management Steering Committee.
