Leading the Way to a Healthier Future: Celebrating Our 2025 Graduate Scholarship Recipients at Mount Saint Vincent University’s Centre on Aging 
February 20, 2026
Shannex is leading the way to a healthier future for aging adults through trusted partnerships with organizations like Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU). In May 2024, Shannex donated $3.5 million to three universities in Atlantic Canada: MSVU, Dalhousie University, and University of New Brunswick to advance research in healthy aging. As part of this partnership, MSVU established the Shannex Graduate Scholarship in Aging and Family Science or Applied Human Nutrition. This annual award is designed to enhance research capacity in long term care and support the next generation of leaders in this important field.
This year, we are proud to congratulate the 2025 MSVU recipients, Sara Mafla and Hende Eldlk, two exceptional students at MSVU. Both are enrolled in thesis-based programs in Applied Human Nutrition, and their research is focused on improving the lives of older adults through innovative approaches to care and nutrition.
To celebrate their achievement and learn more about their academic journeys, Sara and Hende joined Dana Power, VP Enhanced Care Nova Scotia, over lunch. The conversation was inspiring, exploring the different aspects of aging well.
Both students expressed how meaningful it was to connect directly with Shannex leadership, gaining insight into the realities of long term care, and how their research can have a tangible impact on the sector.
Investing in the Future of Care
We are proud to see this initiative come to life through students like Sara and Hende, who are helping bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring that innovative ideas are translated into meaningful improvements in care.
Their dedication reminds us that the future of long term care is bright. With emerging leaders focused on nutrition, family science, and aging, we are confident that the sector will continue to evolve in ways that prioritize health, dignity, and compassion.
Congratulations, Sara and Hende!
We are honoured to support your learning journey, and look forward to seeing the impact of your research in the years ahead.
To read a full bio of the scholarship recipients, visit: MSVU Centre on Aging.
