Elections take place at the beginning of every academic year! We are looking for Director(s) of Student life, Equity, Community Outreach, Academics, Communications and a Treasurer. Please click here to find out more.
We also recruit non-elected Site Representatives on a rolling basis. Please click here to find out more.
Hey everyone! My name is Zoya Tawhidi and I have the pleasure of serving as the Chair for SRSA this year. As the previous Vice-Chair and Director of Student Life, I am so excited to continue being a part of this team! Currently, I am a third-year PhD candidate at the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, working under the supervision of Dr. Alan Lazarus. My research is focused on studying the pathogenesis of antibody-mediated disorders in transfusion medicine. I am really looking forward to this upcoming year!
Hi there! My name is Farbod Khorrami, and I am one of SRSA’s Vice Chairs this year. Last year, I had the pleasure of serving as one of the Academic Directors, and I am thrilled about being part of SRSA again and am looking forward to all the events we have planned for you this year! Currently, I am in the second year of my Master’s degree at the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, working at the Yucel-Gupta eye pathology research lab. My research focuses on identifying non-invasive biomarkers for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Hello everyone! My name is Christopher Zhang and I am one of the Vice Chairs for SRSA this year. I was a Director of Community Outreach over the last year and I look forward to working with SRSA on events throughout this year. I am a second year Master’s student in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology whose research involves investigating the role of novel protein targets in non-small cell lung cancer treatment.
Hey everyone, my name is Kevin, I’m a research trainee investigating novel antibody therapies for autoimmune disease. I’ve been a part of SRSA for the past two years and I’m super excited to now be helping out as the Senior Advisor! Looking forward to meeting a lot of you this year!
My name is Kayla Baker, and this is my second year as Co-Director of Community Outreach with SRSA, and we are excited to connect with the St. Mikes and greater Toronto communities. I am a second-year PhD student with the Institute of Medical Science and my research is focused on reversing opioid-mediated respiratory depression by targeting brainstem breathing centers.
Hi everyone, my name is Babishaa Sauntharrajan and I will be one of the Community Outreach members! I completed my undergrad in the Neuroscience Specialist Co-op program at the University of Toronto and I am currently in my first year of my master’s program under the supervision of Dr. Yeni Yucel. My research primarily focuses on the lymphatic system and assessing the different ways to promote lymphatic drainage under microgravity conditions. Fun fact about myself, I enjoy playing basketball and recently started a small business!
Hi! My name is Asa and I am one of the Directors of Communications this year. I am currently a second year MSc student with the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology working in the lab of Dr. Kelsie Thu. My research is focused on delineating the mechanisms of innate immune check point inhibitors in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
My name is Vida Maksimoska, and I am the Director for Communications at SRSA. I completed a Master in Translational Scientific Research from UofT. I am currently a PhD candidate at the Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto (UofT) under supervision of Dr. Katalin Szaszi in the Keenan Research Centre. My work is focused on evaluating the effect of a novel drug on human keratinocytes and aiming to identify the drug’s mechanism of action. Simultaneously I am looking at the importance of growth factors in wound healing and their role in regulating small proteins that are vital in collective cell migration.
Hello! I am the Academics Director for SRSA. I am a second year Master’s student in Dr. Zhang’s Lab (you can find me on the 6th floor!) I am currently working on a lung bioengineering project. Apart from the lab, I enjoy hiking and playing tennis. I look forward to planning exciting academic events where students can network, build their skills and share their research. I hope to collaborate with staff, be a support to my peers and make this academic year as enjoyable as possible.
My name is Jady Liang, and I am the Co-Director of Academics at SRSA. I am currently a third-year PhD candidate at the Department of Physiology, University of Toronto under the supervision of Dr. Haibo Zhang in Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Science, Unity Health Toronto. My dissertation is focused on investigating mechanisms and inhalation therapeutic approaches of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern infection using 3-dimentional (3-D) organ-simulating lung organoids system and in vivo models of disease.
Hi everyone! My name is Priyal Shah. This year, I am the Director of Student Life and I am very excited to be part of SRSA. I am currently in the final year of my Master’s degree at the Institute of Medical Sciences program. My research is focused on understanding the role of our natural blood group antibodies in inhibiting the entry of coronavirus into host cells.
Hi! My name is Noa Chazot, and I am one of SRSA’s Student Life Director’s this year. This is my first year being a member of SRSA and I am so excited to help plan and participate in many of the programs and events SRSA has to offer! Currently, I am in the first year of my Master’s degree at the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, completing my thesis in Dr. Heyu Ni’s laboratory. My research focuses on how an apolipoprotien effects the cardiovascular system, specifically platelet functions.
My name is Anisa Nazir, and I am the Director of Student Equity for SRSA this year. I’m a transferring PhD student at the Institute of Medical Science under the supervision of Dr. Brodie Nolan and Dr. Teodor Grantcharov. My research is focused on identifying adverse events and latent safety threats in trauma.
Hi everyone, my name is Mashiat and I am excited to be joining SRSA this year as a treasurer. I am a 3rd year PhD student at the department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology. My research focuses on brain cancer diagnostics and classification.
Hi everyone, my name is Grace and I am the site representative for LKSKI/KRC. I am a second year PhD student in the department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology under the supervision of Dr. Warren Lee. My research is focused on elucidating the mechanisms as well regulation of LDL transcytosis in endothelial cells
