The Top 40 Under 40 Class of 2026 is no different, and Mount Royal University is thrilled to see some of our own making this year's list.
From left, Dr. Trevor King, PhD, Dr. Alishau Diebold, PhD, and alumna Eden Wilson.
Two faculty members from the Faculty of Health, Community and Education (HCE), Dr. Alishau Diebold, PhD, and Dr. Trevor King, PhD, were chosen alongside alumna Eden Wilson, who graduated from Mount Royal's Bachelor of Health and Physical Education Sport and Recreation Management in 2019.
"Having three HCE members named to Avenue Magazine's Top 40 Under 40 is an incredible testament to the quality and dedication found across our faculty," says Dr. Douglas Gleddie, PhD, dean of the Faculty of Health and Physical Education.
Gleddie says the fact that three members from the same faculty were chosen speaks to the caliber of leadership, research and teaching within the departments.
It is always a proud moment for the MRU community when our faculty and alumni are recognized for the incredible impact they make beyond our campus.Tim Rahilly, PhD
"Seeing two of our exceptional professors recognized alongside one of our outstanding graduates illustrates the full life cycle of what we do, fostering research, teaching and leadership that ripple out directly into the Calgary community."
Diebold, an assistant professor in the Department of Child Studies and Social Work, is being highlighted for her work preparing the next generation of trauma-informed care workers. She teaches students in a variety of disciplines how to prepare for the situations they will encounter in the workforce through both experiential activities and simulation-based learning.
King, an associate professor in the Department of Health and Physical Education, is being recognized for his research into wildfire smoke and the cardiovascular system. King is currently working on a long term study looking at how exercise during smoke exposure impacts and affects cardiovascular health.
Wilson has already had a fairly eventful year, attending the 2026 Winter Games in Italy as an alternate for the women's bobsleigh team and being inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletic Hall of Fame. In between, Wilson works with KidSport Calgary where she helped raise $4 million in 2025, enabling a record 10,000 youth to participate in sport programs across Calgary.
"It is always a proud moment for the MRU community when our faculty and alumni are recognized for the incredible impact they make beyond our campus," says Dr. Tim Rahilly, PhD, president and vice-chancellor.
"Congratulations to these exceptional leaders; your impact continues to inspire our entire campus community! Thank you for representing Mount Royal with such distinction and for demonstrating what is possible when knowledge is put into action."
