Your Elected '26-'27 Executive Team

Hey everyone! My name is Genevieve, and I am one of the Co-Presidents 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!

Hello everyone! My name is Christina, and I am one of your BMIGSA co-presidents for this year. I am a PhD student in the lab of Dr. Julie St-Pierre where I am working on enhancing the sensitivity of metastatic breast cancer cells to folate-based therapies. When I am not in the lab, you can find me reading, binge-watching a new TV show, or bouldering with friends! A fun fact about me, I simply refuse to parallel park (I haven’t done it in over 7 years).

Hi everyone! My name is Anastasia, I am VP comms this year. I am first year MD-PhD student at University of Ottawa Heart Institute in Dr. Katey Rayner’s lab where I study how the post-translational modification, lysine lactylation modifies inflammatory resolution responses in immune and vascular cells during chronic inflammatory diseases like atherosclerosis. When I am not at UOHI, you can find me baking, running, or spending time with my friends and two dogs.

Hi! My name is Namita Maunick, and I am the BMIGSA’s VP Social Media for 2026-2027. I am a Master’s student in the Slack Lab and the Blais Lab, where I am studying the early transcriptomic signatures of skeletal muscles in Alzheimer’s Disease. In my free time, I enjoy cooking and baking, playing video games, and playing badminton.

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Hello! My name is Will, and I will be one of BMIGSA’s VP Socials this year. I’m a second-year MSc student in the Giguère lab, investigating the role of G𝛼o in opioid receptor cell signaling and neurodevelopmental disorders. When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy playing sports, watching TV, and spending time with my friends!

Hi! My name is Théo and I am VP of wellness for the BMIGSA. I am currently in the TMM integrated master’s program. My research is focused on developing a fluorescent assay for an enzymatic activity related to Parkinson’s disease. Some recent side quests include: getting really good at ultimate frisbee, hiking Mount Washington in a white out, rock climbing, training for an iron man and starting a fundraiser for kids with cancer. If you have any fun ideas for activities, projects, or initiatives you'd like to start together, let me know!

Hi everyone! My name is Kainat Zahra, your VP Professional Development. I’m a PhD student in Dr. Couture’s lab, where I’m exploring the structural and functional roles of WDR82 and its interactions with protein complexes involved in transcription regulation. Outside the lab, I love exploring nature, capturing moments through photography, making new friends, and playing sports—especially badminton. I also enjoy singing, cooking, watching movies, and just having fun wherever life takes me!

Hello everyone! My name is Jordan Yin, and I am the VP Academic for this year. I am a first year MD-PhD student at the CHEO Research Institute and CBS co-supervised by Drs. Shawn Beug and Harinad Maganti studying adoptive cell therapies for high grade pediatric gliomas. In my free time, I love going out to eat, run, and swim!

Hey everyone! My name is George, and I’m this year’s VP Internal for the BMIGSA. I am a first year MD-PhD student in the lab of Dr. Jonathan Angel studying the use of oncolytic viruses as a treatment for HIV infection. When I’m not in the lab, you’ll probably find me browsing thrift store racks, exploring new coffee shops around the city, or playing volleyball.

Hi everyone! My name is Megan and I’m your VP External for this year. I’m a master’s student in the Slack lab and the Blais lab studying how exercise-responsive pathways might help protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of the lab, I like to spend my time reading, baking, or going for hikes!

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Hi everyone! My name is Gil, and I am your VP Francophonie this year. I am a master’s student working in Dr. Frank Oechslin’s lab studying bacteriophage-derived endolysins and their potential applications against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, gaming, and exploring new places whenever I have the chance to travel.

Hi all! My name is Cassandra Stabile, and I’m your VP Archives this year. I’m a master’s student in the Lee Immunology lab studying gene modifications to enhance Natural Killer cell function as a cancer immunotherapeutic. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing hockey, exploring new places with friends, and doing my granny hobbies like baking, crocheting and puzzling. I’m looking forward to a great year!

Hi everyone! My name is Ali, and I am the UOHI Representative for this year. I am a PhD student in Dr. Erin Mulvihill’s lab where my project investigates the immune-adipose tissue crosstalk in the context of obesity and type 2 diabetes for the progression of cardiovascular disease. When I am not in the lab, you can find me exploring new cities, trying and ranking new restaurants and cafes with friends, or cooking new dishes in the kitchen.

Hi! My name is Sam and I am your OHRI representative for 2026-2027. I am a PhD candidate in Dr. Carolina Ilkow’s lab, and my research focuses on using oncolytic viruses and extracellular vesicles to develop a vaccine for EML4-ALK+ lung cancer. When I’m not in the lab, you can find me at the gym, trying new cafés or petting dogs on the street.

Hi! My name is Eknoor and I am the student representative for CHEO! I am a PhD student in Dr. Tommy Alain’s lab studying the reovirus as a vector for cancer vaccination. In my free time I love to read, bake, and watch movies. I love exploring the city with friends and finding new spots to grab a coffee.

My name is Pallavi More, and my role as the International Student Representative while pursuing my PhD in Biochemistry is to build a welcoming and inclusive community for all students. My goal is to foster belonging, celebrate cultural diversity, and support students as they navigate both academic and personal transitions. Outside of my academic and community work, I enjoy taking peaceful walks and indulging in good chocolate treat — small joys that keep me grounded and connected. Thank you!