SRSA Team
Meet our team! Elections take place at the beginning of every academic year. We also recruit non-elected Site Representatives on a rolling basis.
About Our Team
SRSA 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.
Current Team Members
Kayla Baker
Chair
Hey everyone! My name is Kayla Baker and I have the pleasure of serving as the Chair for SRSA this year. As the previous Vice-Chair and Director of Community Outreach, I am so excited to continue being a part of the SRSA team! Currently, I am a fourth-year PhD candidate at the Institute of Medical Science, working under the supervision of Dr. Gaspard Montandon. I am really looking forward to this upcoming year and working with this amazing team!
Vida Maksimoska
Vice Chair
Hey everyone I am Vida, the vice chair for SRSA this term. I have a M.HSc. through the TRP at UofT, focused on advancing research from bench to bedside. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in my 4th year at the Institute of Medical Sciences. I am working on identifying key molecular signaling proteins involved in skin inflammation. Beyond academics, I contribute to the science to business network, teach on campus and collaborate actively with industry. My passion for student engagement, community and research led me to join SRSA. I bring a genuine enthusiasm to the group and aim to make new students feel welcome and heard.
Priyal Shah
Vice Chair
Hi everyone! My name is Priyal Shah and I am one of the vice-chairs this year for SRSA. I am a 5th year PhD student at the Institute of Medical Sciences and I am working in the Branch lab, located on the 4th floor. I have been involved with SRSA for the past 3 years as directors of academics and student life and enjoyed working with the team and getting to meet new trainees through our events. Looking forward to meeting you all!
Catherine Dong
Student Life Director
Hi everyone! My name is Catherine and I’m thrilled to be the Student Life Director of SRSA for the 2024-2025 academic year. I’m responsible for organizing social and recreational events related to directly enriching the wellbeing of everyone. My goal this year is to foster a strong and welcoming community for all students and encourage everyone to attend at least one event. I look forward to meeting you all at SRSA events!
Jonathan Monteiro
Student Life Director
Hi guys :) I’m Jonathan, one of the Student Life Directors along with Catherine. I’m a first year PhD student in Immunology and a part of the MD/PhD program at UofT. In my role, I hope I can create fun and engaging ways for everyone to make new friends and get more involved with the institute. See you all at events!
Aria Afsharian
Director of Community Outreach
Hi everyone I’m Aria and I’m one of your Directors for Community Outreach for this year. I am a first year MSc student in IMS at St. Michael’s Hospital in the Kapus Lab. Really excited to join the team and to meet more of you at our events!
Neetu Rambharack
Director of Communications
Hi everyone! I’m Neetu, and I’m a first year masters student in the department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology. I’m so excited to be SRSA’s communication director this year and I hope to continue to foster a sense of community between the trainees here at St. Michael’s.
Gabriela Blaszczyk
Co-Director of Communications
Hi! My name is Gabriela, and I am excited to be the co-director of communication this year. Grad school can definitely get lonely, and I believe that fostering connections and clear communication is key to creating a supportive community. I look forward to collaborating with everyone to make our year great!
Ria Khan
Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Hi everyone! My name is Ria Khan, and I am exhilarated to be the EDI Director of SRSA for the 2024-2025 academic year. I am currently a second-year MSc student at The Farcas lab at the Institute of Medical Science. I look forward to ensuring that minority/ vulnerable populations in the St. Michael’s Hospital Student Research body are well-represented and given a podium ensuring our student body is more socially aware and culturally competent to foster safer and more inclusive academic environments.
Johnny Lu
Site Representative
Hey y'all I’m Johnny your Site Rep this year. I'm a third year MSc student in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology. Under the guidance of Dr. Katalin Szaszi, I am delving into research on kidney fibrosis and its underlying molecular mechanisms. I hope to have a great year with SRSA and create some great events & memories.
Francis Fernandes
Site Representative
Hi everyone, I’m Francis and I’ll be your site representative for this year! I am a 1st year MSc.student at the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) working in neurodegenerative disease and neuro-imaging space in the Neurosciences Research Lab (supervised by Dr. Tom Schweizer). Super excited to be apart of the team and look forward to seeing you at future SRSA events :)
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