OUR TEAM
2025 - 2026
Mariia Cherednychenko
CO-PRESIDENT
Hey,
My name is Mariia (no typos here!). I am the CSBGU Co-President for the 2025-2026 term :) I'm in the third year of my PhD in Mitchell Lab, trying to understand how enhancers work in pluripotent stem cells! I love hiking, birdwatching and swimming, so don't be surprised if you run into me somewhere outdoors :P.
![CSBGU profile picture[27].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c04fb3_bf4e75f48459496b83dc1cce9156e2cc~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_20,w_490,h_493/fill/w_216,h_217,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/CSBGU%20profile%20picture%5B27%5D.jpg)
Vasilisa Nikiporets
CO-PRESIDENT & FIRST YEAR REP
Hi, I’m Vasi and I am a 2nd year MSc candidate in the Peever-Fraigne lab. I use fiber photometry to research the neural circuits responsible for producing theta activity during rapid-eye-movement sleep. Outside of the lab, I enjoy baking/cooking, spending time outdoors, going to concerts and seeing my friends!
Rowan Naidoo
TREASURER
Hi I’m Rowan, a fifth-year PhD student in the Harris lab. I study the structure and dynamics of the cell cortex. When not doing science, I enjoy writing and performing music with my band :)
Andrea Taylor
SECRETARY
Hi! My name is Andrea and I’m a fourth year PhD student in the Lumba and McCourt labs. I study the crosstalk between components of the blue light and karrikin signaling pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana. In my spare time I enjoy reading, cooking, and walking around the city!
Sharanja Premachandran
SEMINAR REP
Hi, my name is Sharanja and I’m a PhD student in the Calarco lab where I study how RNA-binding proteins influence neurite development in C. elegans. With the CSBGU, I help to organize trainee seminars and student-invited seminars of speakers from different institutions. When I’m not in lab, I love to read, cook, bake, paint, and go for walks with my dog!
Ruby He
SEMINAR REP
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Damo Shi
SEMINAR REP
Hello, I am Damo Shi, a second-year PhD student in the Harris lab. I study the internalization and the heterogeneous epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of the fruit fly embryonic gut. Outside of the lab, I love to cook and build scale models :)
Angela Sidsworth
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
As a fourth-year PhD student in the Goring lab, I spend my time studying plant developmental biology and compatibility. On the CSBGU, I am responsible for running our online presence. When I'm not in the lab, I enjoy hiking, going to concerts, and reading!
Gary Chatha
UTM REP
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Victoria Ivakitch
UTSC REP
Hi, I’m Victoria. I graduated from the University of Toronto Scarborough in 2025 with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Human Biology with minors in Psychology and French. During my undergraduate studies, I completed a thesis in Cell and Systems Biology and a supervised study in Developmental Psychology. I’m passionate about exploring how cellular, molecular, and behavioural biology can be applied to improve health outcomes. I am currently pursuing my M.Sc. in the Ito Lab, where my project focuses on ethanol. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, exploring new cafés, and playing lacrosse.
Cameron Parro
CUPE REPRESENTATIVE
Cameron is a 5th year PhD student researching decision making from a systems neuroscience perspective in the Lin Lab. Cameron uses the zebrafish model organism to investigate brain-wide neural activity during an operant learning task. He is also eager to build solidarity within CSB grads and across grad students of all departments as the CUPE 3902 rep for CSBGU in 2025.
Daniel Haghi
WELLNESS REPRESENTATIVE
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Mike Kengasalam
SPORTS COORDINATOR
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Myles Dockery
SPEAKER
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Michelle Wong
FUNDRAISING OFFICER
My name is Michelle Wong, I am a second-year master’s student in the Christendat Lab. I am studying the energy sensing pathway in P. Putida and its functional conservation across mammals. On the CSBGU, I am responsible for securing sponsorships for our holiday raffle!
Hyunsuh Lee
SOCIAL REP
Hi! I am Hyunsuh, a fourth year PhD student in the Yoshioka lab. I study the role of Arabidopsis calcium channels in plant immunity. Outside the lab, I enjoy biking and journaling.
Asia Anwary
GSU REPRESENTATIVE
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Ernest Liang
GSU REPRESENTATIVE
​I'm Ernest, and I'm a fourth year PhD student in the Calarco Lab! I study RNA-binding proteins associated with motor defects in C. elegans, so I spend a lot of time looking at worms crawling around and wondering why my Western blots don't work. When I'm not trying to understand the internal operations of the UofT Graduate Student Union, I enjoy baking, thrifting, and watching old movies.
OMBUDSPERSON
Fabrizio Chow
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Donna Guan
OMBUDSPERSON
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Ashleigh Brink
CAREER & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Hey CSB! My name is Ashleigh and I'm a fourth year PhD student in Corbit lab. My research uses fiber photometry to learn about the role of noradrenaline in error-dependent learning. Outside the lab, I love to play music and watch F1.
Saloni Modi
CAREER & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Hello! I’m Saloni, a third year Ph.D. candidate in the Mitchell Lab researching novel transcription factors involved in the various stages of pregnancy and labour. When I am not in the lab, you’ll find me reading, crocheting or baking!
Bryan Guo
RESEARCH DAY REP
Hi, I’m Bryan! I’m a second-year MSc student in the Chang Lab. My research investigates how mutations in the visual protein rhodopsin affect its structure and function in evolutionary and health contexts. Some things I enjoy outside the lab are making (and eating) food, video games, and naginata.
Ross Stewart
RESEARCH DAY REP
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