Hi everyone, my name is Redaet and I am one of the Co-Presidents for the BMIGSA. I'm a Ph.D. student studying lysosome positioning, lysosome functionality, and Ebola infection. When I'm not in the lab you can find me at BMIGSA events, reading a book, doing a puzzle, or trying to get my cats to show me some affection. Fun fact about me I've lived in 3 capital cities so far: Winnipeg, Toronto, and Ottawa.

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Contact: rdani022@uottawa.ca
 

Hello! I am Valérie and I am one of the Co-Presidents for the BMIGSA this year! I am a master’s student in biochemistry studying cellular lipid metabolism in the context of cardiovascular disease. I usually spend my free time in the gym, listening to podcasts, reading, or on the hunt for bubble tea! Fun fact about me, I adopted two cats during the pandemic!

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Contact: vroch037@uottawa.ca

Hey! My name is Karan, and I will be one of the VP Socials for 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. In my free time I like to hit the gym, go hiking, or work at the Keg. Feel free to say hi in the halls of RGN or message me with any social event recommendations - let's make this year lit! :D

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Contact: kmedi072@uottawa.ca

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Hello! I’m Fjolla and I’m one of the Co-VP socials this year! I’m a masters student studying the host immune response to bacterial infection. I spend my free time cooking new dishes, binge-watching all sorts of movies, and biking around the city. Fun fact about me: I have a massive sweet tooth and will never turn down chocolate!

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Contact: fberb042@uottawa.ca
 

Hello! My name is Kailey and I'm the VP of Communications for BMIGSA this year.  I'm a Ph.D. 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.

Contact: bmigsa@gmail.com

Hi everyone, my name is Victoria and I am the VP of social media this year! I am a Masters student studying the role of key metabolic kinases in immune cell function. When I am not in the lab you can find me reading a book, doing yoga, or at the gym. Fun fact about me is that I read about 50 books per year.

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Contact: vrobe047@uottawa.ca
 

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!

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Contact: bmigsa@gmail.com
 

Hey everyone! My name is Noah, and I’m this year’s VP Archives and CHEO Representative. I’m a master’s student in microbiology and immunology studying cell death-related proteins in the context of skeletal muscle fibrosis. When I’m not in the lab, I like to spend my time outdoors cycling, skiing, or hiking. Fun fact about me: I’m colourblind.

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Contact: bmigsa@gmail.com
 

Hello, everyone! My name is Alicia, and I'm your VP of Professional Development. I'm currently in the Microbiology and Immunology Ph.D. program studying vaccines against respiratory viruses. Outside of the lab, you can find me indulging in my love for food and gaming. I enjoy venturing out to discover new restaurants or staying in to try the latest release. To balance out all of that sitting, I also find great joy in spending time in nature. Fun fact about me: as a child, I used to spend my summers at my uncle's peanut farm.

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Contact: wzhan238@uottawa.ca

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!

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Contact: htant041@uottawa.ca

Hello! I'm Toka and I am your BMIGSA GSEAD representative. I am a Ph.D. student in biochemistry studying pentameric ligand-gated ion channels and how their function is modulated by lipids in the membrane. When I am not PhDing, I like to cook, watch movies, travel to new places, and learn about different cultures and histories. I also love the outdoors and enjoy hiking, biking, and stargazing. Fun fact about me, I have lived in 4 countries in 3 different continents so far!

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Contact: thuss090@uottawa.ca

Hi there! My name is Katie Madden, and I am the BMIGSA VP internal for the 2023-24 academic year. What does this mean? It means that I will be in regular communication with BMI faculty to bring forward any questions, concerns, or ideas from BMI students (you!), and likewise reciprocate communications from faculty to students. So feel free to communicate anything to me that you think our faculty should know about! A bit about me: I am a 4th year PhD student in Dr. Sun’s lab where I study epigenetic regulation in Tuberculosis. Prior to my Ph.D. I worked in industry, academia and did my masters abroad so I am always down for a chat about career or study paths. Outside of being a scientist you can find me cross-country skiing or running in Gatineau Park, in the kitchen, or curled up with a good book

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Contact: kmadd079@uottawa.ca

Hello! My name is Fatemeh and I am the VP of finance for BMIGSA this year. I am a Ph.D. student working on the structure-function of ABCG5/G8 membrane protein. In my free time, I play the guitar, sing pop songs, or read books.  Fun fact about me: I have a nickname that is challenging to say when you first hear it, Parnian.

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Contact: freza065@uottawa.ca

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Hello! I am Arlette and I am the UOHI Rep. I am a master’s student in biochemistry studying the role of ORP6 in brain and whole-body lipid metabolism at UOHI. During my free time, I enjoy playing piano, cooking, painting, and trying new restaurants. A fun fact about me is “I have more than 50 cousins from both my mum and dad’s side".

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Contact: akaso085@uottawa.ca

Hello! My name is Dawson and I am a CUPE steward for the 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 won a multiplication competition in grade 7 and I’m still riding that high. 

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Contact: dlivi057@uottawa.ca

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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.

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Contact: vvasi026@uottawa.ca

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I'm Mahya, your VP for international students. I'm currently in my second year of MSc, studying the Regulation of γδ T cell immunity to CMV and cancer via receptors for HLA class I. Outside the lab, you can catch me watching anime. I'm always up for a chat about international student struggles, especially 💸, over coffee or bubble tea, but I would be happier to make new friends. Here's a fun fact: When I was ten, I had four turtles, and I named them after my favorite cartoon characters!

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Contact: mrazm102@uottawa.ca

Hi! I'm Kadambari, a 2nd year PhD student and I work on characterizing the structure-function relationship of eukaryotic phospholipid flippases. Outside the lab, you can find me out on walks in nature, window-shopping, baking, or cooking something that might look questionable but ultimately taste pretty good. Fun fact: Two reasons I will never use a smartwatch - 1. I think analog watches are special and (maybe more importantly) 2. I cannot tell left from right without my watch.

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Contact: ksai086@uottawa.ca

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