Your Elected '24-'25 Executive Team

Hey! My name is Karan, and I will be one of the co-presidents of BMIGSA this year. I'm a Ph.D. student in the Wang Lab working to improve chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy by targeting cancer stem cells in triple-negative breast cancer. I’m also a server at the Keg, so if I have any free time, I like to hit the gym or go on nature walks. Feel free to say hi in the halls of RGN (even if I have headphones on) if you want to discuss anything BMI – I'm here to listen :)

Hello! I'm Kailey, and I'm one of the co-presidents of BMIGSA this year. I'm a PhD student working on discovering new antibiotics for dormant bacterial infections. In my free time, I like to go for walks around the city, hit a patio/bar, watch movies, and play video games!  Fun fact about me: I'm terrified of the ocean... ever heard of giant squids? Don't look em' up.

Hello! My name is Dawson, and I am the VP of BMIGSA. I am a 2nd year PhD student studying the role of the microbiota (the bacteria in the gut) throughout treatment in adolescents with anorexia nervosa. In my free time, I enjoy both playing and watching soccer, cooking, and going to a bar with friends. Fun fact about me: I’m a big reader; in fact, I read 1 book last year.

Hi! I am your BMIGSA VP Internal for 2024-2025. I bring questions and concerns from the BMIGSA and student body to the BMI faculty. I work with the faculty to reach solutions beneficial to both parties. Feel free to reach out if there is anything you wish to bring up with the faculty! Other than that, I am an MSc candidate in Dr. Sad's lab. My project is centred around Crohn's disease and regulatory T cells. Outside of my studies, I am very active. I love snowboarding, playing hockey in the winter, and golfing in the summer.

Hey! My name is Rayan, and I will be one of the BMIGSA's VP Socials this year. I'm a Ph.D. student in the Sad and Blais labs working on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of host susceptibility against Salmonella infection by IFN-I signalling. During my free time, I enjoy going to the gym, playing sports and playing the piano. I'm looking forward to an enjoyable and fun year! :)

Hey everyone! My name is Melanie, and I’m your VP Social Media this year. I am currently a Master's student investigating the use of natural killer cell-derived extracellular vesicles to treat triple-negative breast cancer. When I’m not in the lab, you can usually find me going for hikes, playing video games, or trying new recipes. Fun fact about me: I can say the alphabet backward in three seconds!

Hi everyone! My name is Sopé, and I am the BMIGSA's VP Communications for this year. I am a PhD student in Dr. D'Costa's lab, and I study the molecular mechanisms of bacterial infections in host cells. Outside the lab, I'm either reading a romance novel, binge-watching my favourite shows, or practising aerial hoop in the studio. Fun fact about me: I read over 200 books during the pandemic.

Hello! I’m Sabrina, and I’m the VP Professional Development for BMIGSA this year. I’m a PhD student in the Couture lab studying epigenetic mechanisms in the context of leukemia. In my free time, I like to go to the gym or run. In the winter you can find me at the rink playing hockey. As for summer, I like to enjoy the great outdoors while camping. Fun fact about me: I sustained 4 concussions while playing hockey :(

Hi! My name is Houda Tantawi, and I am VP Academics for BMIGSA this year. I am a Ph.D. student in Dr. Mona Nemer’s lab working on understanding the mechanism of action of a novel drug designed for treating pancreatic cancer. As a current Ph.D. student and a master’s degree holder, I understand the struggles and needs of students in graduate school. Thus, I will organize workshops and sessions to equip you, BMI students, with the skills you need to unlock your potential in grad school and help you excel at it! Feel free to contact me anytime if you have any ideas or something you need support in. I am always ready to listen and discuss!

Hi, my name is Marena, and I am the VP Francophonie for the BMIGSA this year. I love languages, especially French. I recently moved from Halifax to Ottawa for my Master's in biochemistry and cancer biology. In my free time, I tutor and play soccer, but I also enjoy exploring new spots. Fun fact about me: I hate birds, especially pigeons.

Hey everyone! My name is Genevieve, and I am the VP Wellness for the BMIGSA this year. I am currently a master’s student and I am studying PGC1-alpha and how it affects mitochondrial metabolism in breast cancer. During my free time, I love to play tennis, go hiking, and try new restaurants. A fun fact about me is that I have an identical twin sister!

Hey everyone! I'm Danylo Aloshyn, the VP of Finance for BMIGSA. I'm a 1st-year PhD international student from Ukraine, working in the Giguère lab on opioid receptor signalling. When I'm not buried in research, you can find me at the gym or biking around Ottawa. Fun fact about me: I actually enjoy dealing with bureaucracy - crazy, right? Ha-ha!

Hello everyone! My name is Christina Sannan, and I am your VP Archives. I am a PhD student in the St-Pierre lab studying PGC1-α in breast cancer mitochondrial metabolism and its effects on chemosensitivity. When I am not in the lab, you can find me reading, binge-watching a new show, or bouldering with friends. A fun fact about me: I have successfully avoided having to parallel park for the last five years.

Hey! My name is Salar, and I’m the VP of the International Students for BMIGSA this year. I am a PhD student working on oncolytic viruses and cancer immunotherapy at CHEO. During my free time, I prefer to watch movies or go hiking with friends. If you are an international student and have any issues, I am always up for a chat over coffee. You can find my email below.

Hey everyone! My name is Kuzey, and I'm thrilled to be your VP External this year. I'm a Master's student in the Blais Lab, exploring the transcriptional regulators of muscle stem cell activation. When I'm not doing C1V1 = C2V2, you can catch me playing video games, soaking up the sun at Strathcona Park, or producing music that will never see the light of day. As your VP External, I'll represent you at the university-level graduate student association to promote and defend our common interests and enrich your graduate experience. Feel free to stop me in the hallway for a chat or to share ideas on how we can better achieve our goals together. Looking forward to an exciting year ahead!

Hello! My name is Valeria, and I am the OHRI representative this year! I am a Master student studying the metabolic causes behind Natural Killer cell dysfunction in cancer. When I am not in the lab, I love going to gym, hiking, and painting! One fun fact about me is that I have 11 pet budgie birds.

Hello! My name is Negar, and I'm thrilled to be your CHEO representative this year. I’m currently pursuing my PhD in Dr. Alain’s lab, where I’m researching an innovative oral vaccine for colorectal cancer. When I’m not immersed in my studies, you’ll find me exploring new recipes in the kitchen, grooving to my favourite tunes, and enjoying quality time with friends. And here’s a quirky fun fact about me: no matter how exciting the movie, I always end up dozing off!