Executive Team – Graduate Student Association

President

Marie Kemetani

Vice-President

Position to be filled at by-election
gsas.utsc@utoronto.ca
If you are interested in joining the 2023-24 GSAS Executive Team please email gsas.utsc@utoronto.ca.

Treasurer

Elissa Kohdikian

Hi! My name is Elissa and I am the GSAS Treasurer. I am in my second year of my MSc studying the impact of climate change on olfaction in crabs at Dr. Cosima Porteus’ Lab. This is my second year as treasurer of the association and I’m excited to keep us on track! Beyond the lab, I enjoy hiking, crocheting, and cooking yummy food!

Secretary

Gloria Gao

Social Media Coordinator

Jasmin Patel

My name is Jasmin and I am a fourth-year PhD student in the Gazzarrini lab studying seed coat development in Arabidopsis thaliana. My research looks at the genetic effects that alter seed coat morphology and gene expression to understand genetic interaction modules. Aside from research, I love to travel, go hiking, bake, binge TV shows, and do a variety of creative things like embroidery, crafting and nail art! As your social media coordinator, I look forward to advertising and helping plan GSAS events throughout the year!

Graduate Association for Professional Skills (GAPS) Representative

Naiyara Ahsan

New Frontier Seminar Series Coordinators (uoft.me/NFSS)

Joseph Kawalec

Hello! I’m a second-year PhD student in Environmental Science, working in Professor Peter Molnar’s Laboratory of Quantitative Global Change Ecology. My work tracks host-parasite dynamics within the Greater Toronto Area, with a focus on how urban mammals may be transmitting parasites between one another across Toronto’s ravine system, and considering the risk posed to humans. In my free time, I enjoy bird-watching, jamming out to music, reading, running, and watching Netflix (these are not mutually exclusive). I’m looking forward to putting together some great talks this year as part of being one of your New Frontiers Seminar Series Coordinators!

Isla Wrightson

Hi! My name is Isla Wrightson and I’m a third year PhD student in Prof Myrna Simpson’s research group. My research examines the long-term impact of changes in litter quality and quantity on the molecular biogeochemistry of soil organic matter in forests. As secretary, I am looking forward to working with this year’s executive team and ensuring that the purpose and mandate of GSAS is achieved. In my (limited) free time, I like to play tennis and badminton and enjoy painting, salsa dancing and nail art.

Position to be filled at by-election
gsas.utsc@utoronto.ca
If you are interested in joining the 2023-24 GSAS Executive Team please email gsas.utsc@utoronto.ca.

Graduate Student Seminar Series Coordinators (uoft.me/GSSS)

Nigarsan Kokilathasan

I am a second year PhD student in the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, working under the supervision of Dr. Maria Dittrich. My research focuses on studying the impacts of nanoplastics on picocyanobacteria and microalgae. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, exploring nature and its wonderful inhabitants, and playing video games with friends. As one of your GSSS coordinators, I’m excited to showcase the diversity in research across our graduate community here at UTSC. I look forward to seeing you all (online or in-person) at our seminar series!

Hyuna Cho

Social Events Chair

Becky Heineman

Biological Sciences Department Representative

Sarah Solloum

Physical and Environmental Sciences Representative

Emmanuel Taiwo

Hey, I’m Emmanuel Taiwo, and I’m the Departmental Representative for Physical and Environmental Sciences (DPES) in GSAS! I’m a PhD student in Tozer’s Climate Policy and Action (IMPACT) Lab, and my research focuses on advancing justice and equity in climate and energy transitions, ensuring that no vulnerable or disadvantaged groups and communities are left behind as we transition to climate-positive futures. I’m from Nigeria, but previously lived, worked, and/or studied in London, Medway, and Oxford, United Kingdom, and in Nairobi, Kenya. When I’m not doing research, I love to chat with, motivate and inspire younger people! You can reach me via emmanuel [dot] taiwo [at] mail [dot] utoronto [dot] ca or find me on X/Twitter @Enviromanuel

Psychology Department Representative

Emily Collins

Hi there! My name is Emily and I am the Graduate Student Association at Scarborough’s Psychology Department Representative. I am in my second year of the Psychology PhD program in the Behavioural Neuroscience area studying decision-making and alcohol use in rats in Dr. Rutsuko Ito’s lab. I’m excited to bring my organizational and communicative skills to GSAS to help make this association great! Outside the lab, I like to read, write, sing, and drink beer. Oh, and when I’m lucky enough to visit my family in our hometown, I love to spend quality time with our chickens and ducks.

Reach me at emilyanna.collins@mail.utoronto.ca, on Twitter @e_colli

Social Sciences/Humanities Department Representative

Position to be filled at by-election
gsas.utsc@utoronto.ca
If you are interested in joining the 2023-24 GSAS Executive Team please email gsas.utsc@utoronto.ca.

Master of Environmental Science Representative

Kat Muzyliwsky

Master of Accounting & Finance Representative

Xi Ya Wang

Graduate Student Union Representatives

Position to be filled at by-election
gsas.utsc@utoronto.ca
If you are interested in joining the 2023-24 GSAS Executive Team please email gsas.utsc@utoronto.ca.

UTGSU Representative

Jessica Hu

Sports Representative

Menilek Beyene

Hello there,

My name is Menilek Beyene, I’m a third year Ph.D. student and this year’s sports representative for GSAS. I’ve been a member of GSAS since 2018, as a NFSS coordinator and GSAS president, and am returning to help bring fun physical activities to graduate students at UTSC! My goal is to provide information on the physical activities available to grad students as well as our own physical and outdoor activities for all to participate in. I am also very open to suggestions and helping you organize your ideas for having fun and staying active and invite anyone to reach out to me with ideas and/or resources you’d like to bring to your fellow grad students.

Wellness Representative (uoft.me/GSAShealthwellness)

Anisa Mazraeh