President: Mary Kudaibergenova
What would you like to accomplish as a BGSA executive and why did you get involved?
I got involved with the BGSA after I started “Slice of Science” seminars in our department, I realized the importance of building a strong community and the positive impact it has on many of us. I wanted to create events and opportunities beneficial and fun for all of our graduate students going forward. For this reason, I decided to get involved with the BGSA. As a BGSA executive, I would like to bring graduate students together to create a stronger sense of community and provide the best possible grad experience. I also would like to engage more students in sciences and research, potentially giving an opportunity for our students to engage and share research with a broader community. Overall, my aim is to create memorable, fun and meaningful experiences in our community while also providing much needed support and resources for our grad students.
What is your research project?
I did my undergraduate degree in Biology, but currently I am doing PhD in Biochemistry. I study drug interactions with a potassium channel in the heart known as hERG (human-ether-a-go-go-related gene). I use computational techniques such as molecular dynamics simulation and light scripting to analyze and detect drug binding spots in the channel. Moreover, I work in collaboration with experimental biologists and use a multidisciplinary approach in elucidating drug block mechanisms of the channel. The outcome of my research project will contribute to better understanding the complexity of heart diseases at the molecular level and it may be critical for improvement of therapies currently available to patients suffering from heart diseases.
Where are you from?
I was born in Aktau, Kazakhstan and spent most of my childhood in Almaty (Apple city). I went to Russian school so I speak Russian almost fluently which catches many by surprise. I moved to Calgary, Canada when I was about 12 years old and pretty much spent most of my life here including high school, undergraduate and graduate years.
What do you do in your free time?
I love outdoor activities, hiking, camping, snowboarding and so on. Given our Calgarian weather, outdoor activities are not always possible, to keep myself active, I also regularly enjoy lifting weights at the gym and going out dancing. Apart from that, I also enjoy making paintings with oils, acrylics and resin.
VP Internal: Breton Fougere
What would you like to accomplish as a BGSA executive and why did you get involved?
During my undergraduate degree (which was at a much smaller school), I learned how valuable and fulfilling it is being involved in your school community. The previous BGSA did an amazing job with bringing members of the department together for a variety of different activities, and I want to be able to continue that! As a BGSA executive, I hope to help connect new and experienced graduate students, and to maintain a sense of community in the department. The ultimate goal is to get graduate students engaged in both social and educational/professional events. I also hope to be a line of communication and a voice for graduate students to raise any concerns they may have to the department.
What is your research project?
My research specialization is in Host-Parasite Interactions. Specifically, my project is looking at the kinetics of B cell and antibody responses using natural models of gastrointestinal parasite (H. polygyrus) infection.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Calgary! I did my undergraduate degree at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, and moved back home for my MSc.
What do you do in your free time?
In my free time, I like to relax and listen to music, spend time with my friends, or hang out (watch netflix) with my cat. In the summer, I play rugby and spend a lot of time at my cabin, and in the winter I like to snowboard and spend as much time in the mountains as possible!
VP Finance: Kevin Sule
What would you like to accomplish as BGSA executive and why did you get involved?
So far in my graduate studies, I have seen the social and academic events held by previous BGSA executives and appreciated the efforts that they put into it. I figured now that I am in my 3rd year of graduate studies, doing my PhD, I am in a good position to pay it forward and get involved with the BGSA. Additionally, I am excited to put my leadership skills in the forefront acting as VP finance to work with the rest of the BGSA execs and the Department of Biological Sciences to develop events and strategies that will benefit everyone. As VP finance, my ultimate goal is to manage the BGSA budget towards organizing events and socials that will be meaningful for us graduate students. I also plan on building strong ties with the Graduate Student Association (GSA) and the Faculty of Science.
What is your research project?
My research project has to do with investigating the interactions of manganese (Mn) with biomimetic lipid membranes. I use a biophysical approach, like fluorescence spectroscopy, light scattering, and Langmuir techniques, to assess changes in membrane properties caused by the metal.
Where are you from?
I was born in Manila, Philippines where I spent my childhood and moved to Winnipeg, MB, where I did my high school and first 2 years of University. Halfway through my undergrad degree, my family decided to move to Calgary and so I moved with them, and did the last 2 years of my Bachelor’s degree at the UofC. (Thankfully I was able to transfer all my credits from UofM… phew.)
What do you do for your free time?
Hmm let’s see, during me down time, I like to go out and about to have fun or relax in the great indoors as well. These are my top leisure activities: going out to have drinks with friends to do karaoke or play board games, riding my bike (Summer), go to the mall, travel to places whenever I can, be a couch potato and play on my switch, watch Netflix or read a book. I also like to cook and challenge myself to new recipes I’ve never done before (Famous chef was the dream, but Research Scientist is the reality… Gosh I hope my supervisor is not reading this). I’m also an avid Pokemon Go player, hit me up if you play too!!! Let’s be friends! I could always use some gifts 😉
VP Communications: Laura Sosa
What would you like to accomplish as a BGSA executive and why did you get involved?
I joined the BGSA because I think the organization is important for bringing the BioSci community together. Early in my graduate degree I felt isolated because everyone seemed to know each other, and I didn’t know anyone. Attending BGSA events helped me make friends in the department and feel like I was part of the community. In my time as a BGSA executive I want to continue this legacy and create events for grad students to showcase their skills.
What is your research project?
I study a lipid anticancer drug called edelfosine. Edelfosine and other lipid anticancer drugs have always been marketed as cancer therapeutics that don’t target DNA. However, it accumulates in the nuclear envelope, which is where DNA is stored! So I work in a collaboration between the Zaremberg lipid lab and the Cobb DNA lab to find out how affecting the place where DNA is stored can affect DNA integrity.
Where are you from?
I was born in Venezuela, a country at the top of South America known for its multiple Miss Universe winners and beautiful landscape. Since leaving at the age of 3 I’ve lived in Michigan, Ontario, England and Alberta. I’m very proud of my heritage and I celebrate it by singing in a latin folk choir here in Calgary called Cantares Latin Choir.
What do you do in your free time?
Pre-COVID my free time was spent mostly between my choir, spending time with my family and friends, and traveling. Now in my abundance of free time I’ve returned to old crafts and hobbies: knitting, painting, drawing, reading and playing guitar. I also love video games and music.
VP Events: Azin Baharain
What would you like to accomplish as a BGSA executive and why did you get involved?
Since I have always wanted to contribute to the community that I belong to, I decided to be a member of BGSA. As all of us know, our lives have been affected and changed drastically by COVID-19. Despite this totally new and challenging situation, we do our best to have both real and virtual events in a year ahead as we want BioSci grad students keep in touch together.
What is your research project?
I am doing my Master’s under the supervision of Prof. Hans Vogel. My research is about protein-drug interaction, polymer-protein conjugation and their characterization using NMR.
Where are you from?
I was born and bred in Iran. Regarding my education background, I got my PharmD degree from Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
What do you do in your free time?
It pretty much depends on my mood and of course on the weather. I am into playing badminton or hiking on sunny days, while gathering with my friends in a café or even grabbing a cup of coffee and reading a psychology book or a novel would be my preference during winter.
VP Student Life: Kayla Dias
What would you like to accomplish as a BGSA executive and why did you get involved?
I used to be on the DGA and GSA during my Masters at University of Toronto and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I couldn’t imagine going through my PhD without being an active member of the department. During my time on BGSA, I want to focus on building a stronger, more connected graduate community. Graduate school can be difficult but the experience of being here can be one to remember (hopefully for the better!)
What is your research project?
In the Ro lab, we study plant secondary metabolism and yeast metabolic engineering. My project specifically looks at understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern natural rubber biosynthesis in sunflowers and lettuce.
Where are you from?
I grew up in Dubai and moved to Ontario in 2010. I did my undergrad in Physiology and Masters on abiotic stress responses and recovery in poplar trees, both at University of Toronto, Mississauga campus. I moved to Calgary in 2019 to join my fiancé and start my PhD in the Ro lab. Sun and warmth make me happy, yet I find myself moving to places with shorter summers and one too many cold days!
What do you do in your free time?
Well this pandemic has got me hooked on Netflix, but when I’m not in front of my computer (for leisure and/or work), I love gardening and have spent a little too much time and money on building two garden beds that I hope will yield some delicious fruits by the end of the summer. I also love exploring the Rockies and really can’t get enough of them. One of my most favourite things to do is to explore the world of food – I can spend hours trying new recipes from different cuisines and have been collecting a list of restaurants/bars I need to try – so if you have any suggestions, send them my way!
