OUR TEAM
2024 - 2025
Stephen Bordeleau
CO-PRESIDENT
Hi, I’m Stephen and I am your ESC Co-President for the 2024-2025 term! I am a 5th year Ph.D. candidate in the Goring lab researching novel signalling pathways involved in plant reproduction. When I am not in the lab, I’m either playing PS5, reading, or sleeping.
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Mario Filice
CO-PRESIDENT
Howdy! My name is Mario and I’m a sixth year PhD student in the Mitchell lab where I study gene regulation in the developing fetus. In my free time I enjoy scuba diving, watching movies, and spending time with my dog.
Rowan Naidoo
TREASURER
Hi I’m Rowan, a fourth-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 :)
Christine Nguyen
SECRETARY
PhD Candidate, Year 4
Research: Investigating the transport of plant hormone, abscisic acid in the Arabidopsis thaliana.
Hobbies: Weightlifting, hiking/running/outdoors activities, spending time with my family + my dog, Luna!
Linda Li
SEMINAR REP
Hello! My name is Linda and I'm a sixth year PhD student in the Saltzman Lab studying chromatin regulation in C. elegans. I enjoy watching sci-fi, comedy, horror, and Pixar movies. And my dream travel destination is Egypt!
Karan Ishii
SEMINAR REP
Hi! My name is Karan and I am a third year PhD student in the Plotnikov Lab. I study how cell-to-matrix adhesions are regulated through calcium signaling. I enjoy skiing, cooking, and exploring Toronto by foot!
Angela Sidsworth
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
As a third-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!
Jevithen Nehru
SOCIAL REP
Hey! I'm JV and I am one of the career and professional development officers for this year. I am a 4th year PhD student in the Saltzman lab and I am studying the role of the PRC1 complex in neuronal development. Outside the lab, I enjoy playing sports and reading.
Natalia Gajewska
UTM REP
Hi, I am Natalia! I am a third-year PhD student in the Mitchell and Zovkic labs. Co-supervised by two PIs across the UTSG and UTM campuses, I focus on gene regulation and how Sox2 enhancers can affect neurodevelopment and adult behaviour in mice. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, music, traveling, and hanging out with friends!
Naiyara Ahsan
UTSC REP
Hi! I am Naiyara, from the Satyaki Lab, where I am studying the role of DNA methylation in seed development in Arabidopsis thaliana. My free-time is spent on fitness, music and video games.
Cameron Parro
CUPE REPRESENTATIVE
Cameron is a 4th 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.
Mariia Cherednychenko
FIRST YEAR REP
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Eskandar Mohammad
SPORTS COORDINATOR
My name is Eski and I am a second year Masters Student of Cell and Systems Biology. My research focuses on investigating the role of Homogalacturonan methyl esterification in Arabidopsis thaliana, particularly in terms of intercellular air space development. My hobbies include reading, calisthenics, weightlifting, chatting with friends.
Myles Dockery
SPEAKER
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Samini Hewa
FUNDRAISING OFFICER
M.Sc Candidate
Samini completed her undergraduate degree at McMaster University in 2023 where she received a Honours Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Chemical Biology. She joined the Christendat Lab shortly after as a MSc student. She will be studying the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens and investigating the biochemical processes involved in energy production. Samini’s project will look at establishing strategies to control A. tumefaciens propagation in plants by looking at proteins and enzymes involved in the utilization of aromatic compounds via the β-ketoadipate pathway for energy as well as identifying inhibitors for key proteins.
Iris Low
FUNDRAISING OFFICER
M.Sc Candidate
Iris graduated from the University of Toronto in 2023 with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Cell/Systems Biology and molecular biology. Her research interests lie in structural biology and protein evolution. Her research aims to characterize SKL2 by crystallization of its protein structure and identification its protein interactors. Characterization of SKL2, which is an important regulator of drought and salt tolerance in plants, furthers our understanding in the regulatory mechanism of drought and salt tolerance in plants for engineering drought and salt tolerant plants in the future.
Emily Deng
GSU REPRESENTATIVE
M.Sc Candidate
Emily received an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto in 2022, majoring in Cell & Molecular Biology and Human Health & Disease. In her fourth year of undergrad, she assisted in the analysis of shikimate kinase-like 1 (SKL1) localization in developing Arabidopsis tissues as part of an ongoing study at the Christendat Lab. Previous works have provided compelling evidence that SKL1 performs an essential role in chloroplast biogenesis, and hypothesize its involvement in the terrestrialization of plants. Under Dr. Dinesh Christendat’s supervision, Emily’s work will continue the investigation of SKL1’s evolutionary origin and the molecular complexity underlying its function in the chloroplast.
Ernest Liang
GSU REPRESENTATIVE
​I'm Ernest, and I'm a third 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
Tamar Av-Shalom
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Christine Tang
OMBUDSPERSON
Hello! I’m Christine, a second-year MSc student from the Lin Lab. My research investigates how changes in the light cycle can affect social behaviour in zebrafish. In my free time, I like to crochet while I watch shows or listen to audiobooks. :)
Ashleigh Brink
CAREER & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Hey CSB! My name is Ashleigh and I'm a third 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 second 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!
Racquel Singh
RESEARCH DAY REP
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Steven Chen
RESEARCH DAY REP
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