OUR TEAM

2022-2023

PJ Gamueda

CO-PRESIDENT

Hey CSB! My name is PJ, and I am your ESC Co-President for the 2022-2023 term. I am a third year Ph.D. candidate in the Provart lab researching novel guard-cell specific drought tolerance genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. In my free time, I love listening to music, bouldering, petting my cat, playing PC games (hit me up if you play Smite or Deep Rock Galactic), and watching whatever comes up on my YouTube Recommended page. Hope to see y’all around in some of our events!

Tammy Lee

CO-PRESIDENT

Tammy is a 4th year PhD student in the Saltzman Lab. Her research focuses on understanding how histone methylation readers effect transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Outside of the lab, she enjoys brewing coffee at home, inline skating, people watching, and travelling.

Rowan Naidoo

TREASURER

Hi I’m Rowan, a second-year Master’s 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 :)

Racquel Singh

SECRETARY

Hi! I'm Racquel, a 3rd year Ph.D. student in the Guttman & Desveaux labs studying plant–pathogen interactions and microbial evolution. Outside of the lab, I enjoy birdwatching, scuba diving, binging reality TV shows, and reading about microbes =)

Eduardo Ramirez Rodriguez

GSU REPRESENTATIVE

As a fourth year as PhD candidate in the McFarlane Lab, my work uses a combination of proteomics, genetics and bioinformatics to unravel the signaling that regulates cell wall integrity in plants. Otherwise, you can find me swimming, binging series and anime, or trying to get as much sunlight before summer ends.

Tamar Av-Shalom

CUPE REPRESENTATIVE

OMBUDSPERSON

Elina Kadriu

Iyeh Mohammadi Champiri

OMBUDSPERSON

Kathryn McTavish

CAREER & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Hello, my name is Kathryn and I am one of your Career and Professional Development Officers for this year. I am a 5th year PhD candidate in the Guttman and Desveaux Labs studying host specificity of the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. Outside of the lab I enjoy hiking, baking, and hanging out with my pet rabbits!

Andrew Duncan

SPORTS COORDINATOR

Hey! I'm Andrew and I am a third year PhD student in the Mitchell and Moses labs studying the enhancer sequence code. When I'm not doing research I like to stay active by playing sports and going on runs.

Andrew Cheon

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Hi, I'm Andrew and I'm a first year MSc student in the Kim Lab. I study the behavioural functions of the anterior olfactory nucleus in olfactory context-dependent memory using optogenetics and fiber photometry. Outside of lab, I enjoy making music, playing sports, and going to the beach.

Clare Breit-McNally

SPEAKER

My name is Clare and I'm a third year PhD student in the Desveaux and Guttman labs. In my role as Speaker in the CSBGU, I ensure that our meetings are run efficiently and respectfully. In my spare time I enjoy reading, running, and walking my dog!

Christine Nguyen

Leo Xu

Linda Li

SEMINAR REP

Hello! I'm Christine and I am your 2022-2023 Seminar Representative. I am a second-year MSc student in the Nambara lab studying abscisic acid (ABA) transport. When I am not in the lab, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, playing with my dog and staying active!

SEMINAR REP

Hello, I’m Leo, second year master’s student from the Harris lab. I study epithelial development using the drosophila embryo. Outside lab, I like playing golf and travel.

Kailynn MacGillivray

SOCIAL REP

Hello! I'm Kailynn and I am a third year PhD student in the Saltzman lab studying histone modification writers in C. elegans. Outside of the lab I love to read murder mystery novels and play tennis!

FIRST YEAR REP

Hello! My name is Linda and I'm a fourth 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!

Mahmoud Bitar

UTM REP

As a PhD student studying hormones and behavior, I’m very passionate about contributing to a better understanding of the intersection between body and mind, improving our communication about it and supporting that connection for a better collective living. As the UTM representative of the CSBGU this year, I’m aiming to strengthen CSBGU’s communication with and support for its CSB graduates at UTM, and promote mindful approaches to living and connecting with others through all the events I’m involved with at the CSBGU.

Jeffrey Kates

UTSC REP

Hey there! I am a third-year PhD student in Dr. Ito’s lab, where I investigate brain areas used in approach-avoidance decision-making. Outside of research, I enjoy biking in Scarborough's parks, playing music, and catching up on my favourite shows. As the UTSC Rep, I hope to increase access to CSBGU resources and events for UTSC-based CSB grad students.