President - Jennifer Maxwell (She/Her)

PhD, Year 2, Lady Davis Institute, The Rose Lab

Research Focus: My research project focuses on characterizing novel genomic vulnerabilities in non-V600E BRAF mutant cancers to optimize treatment strategies. Specifically, I aim to characterize and target Shp2/PTPN11-mediated mechanisms of therapeutic resistance to MAPK inhibitors in cancers with Class 3 non-V600E BRAF mutations.

Role: It is an honor to be the EMGSS President for the 2023-2024 year. I am very excited to work alongside a great EMGSS council, where we will work hard to provide the Experimental Medicine students at McGill with engaging academic and social opportunities. We will strive to act as a resource to students in need of support, offering help when needed and redirecting them to the many resources and services available. I am committed to advocating for students’ interests including their health and well-being.

Co-VP Academic - Emma Rousselle (She/Her)

M.Sc. Year 2 at the Lady Davis Insititute, Dr. April Rose’s lab

Research Focus: My research focuses on identifying the MAPK dependent and independent roles of CRAF, a kinase of the MAPK pathway, in the context of BRAF V600 Colorectal cancers and BRAF non-V600 non-tumor specific background. In investigating protein-protein interactions, I employ various techniques such as co-immunoprecipitation assays, nuclear protein extracts, and proximity ligation assays.

Role: As Co-VP Academic with Selin, our primary responsibility is to organize the upcoming 24th annual McGill Biomedical Graduate Conference (AMBGC). Taking the feedback from last year’s AMBGC we aim to improve this in-person experience for all McGill biomedical graduates. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any ideas, questions, or feedback!

Co-VP Academic - Selin Bilgic (She/Her)

M.Sc. Year 2 at the RI-MUHC Glen Site, Dr. Allan Sniderman’s Lab

Research Focus: My Master’s project is focused on investigating the discordance between apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein B particles in atherosclerosis.

Role: As one of your VP Academics, I am mainly responsible for planning the upcoming Annual McGill Biomedical Graduate Conference! We are excited to host another in-person conference showcasing students’ innovative research across various scientific fields. Emma and I will also be organizing other academic events throughout the year

VP Marketing - Sahar Ebrahimi Samani (She/Her)

PhD Year 5 at Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, Dr. Kaartinen’s Lab

Research Focus: My research focus is to understand the mechanisms of osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption at the molecular level

Role: My role in the EMGSS is to manage social media accounts and oversee the Spotlight series, where we highlight the accomplishments of our peers in Experimental Medicine. I will also collaborate with the VP Social to promote our events and engage EXMD students by coordinating sponsorships and promoting our services.

VP Communications - Farida Zakariya (She/Her)

M.Sc. Year 1 at Lady Davis Institute, Dr. Moulay Alaoui-Jamali’s Lab

Research Focus: My research revolves around determining the selectivity and efficacy of a novel PKC-theta inhibitor. This molecule has the ability to regulate cancer cell differentiation. Thus, it is a promising molecule with the potential to reprogram undifferentiated high grade cancer cells where PKC- theta is frequently overexpressed.

Role: My role as VP, Communications will involve promoting the publicity of events, managing the society's website and emails, and fostering communications with all members of the society.

VP Social

VP Finance - Emmanuel Asante (He/Him)

Ph.D., Year 3 at the Lady Davis Institute ; Dr. Witcher’s Lab

Research Focus: I study an oncogene known as poly (ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase and how we could leverage its inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of melanoma.

Role: As VP Finance, I oversee all EMGSS-related financial transactions, including budgeting and reporting in a transparent and secure manner.

VP Internal Affairs - Daniel Rodolfo Gonzalez (He/Him)

M.Sc. Year 1 at the Lady Davis Institute in Dr. Del Ricon’s Lab

Research Focus: Uveal melanoma is the most common type of intraocular cancer. Approximately 50% of all diagnosed cases will lead to liver metastasis, resulting in a poor prognosis for patients, as there is no effective treatment for those cases. My research aims to find novel potential targets for targeted therapies for uveal melanoma and decrease the metastatic and invasive properties of this disease. Particularly, I am studying the role of CD36 and the phenotype arising from the modulation of this receptor in uveal melanoma cell lines.

Role: I am in charge of helping with the organization of sporting events such as intramurals, as well as coordinating the clothing orders for EMGSS. I am also responsible for easing the communication between the different Experimental Medicine institutes.

VP Administration - Sarah Ghezelbash (She/Her)

PhD Year 2 at Lady Davis Institute, Dr. Lefrançois Lab

Research Focus: My research project focuses on understanding the genomic landscape and tumour microenvironment of the most common human cancer, Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), in its advanced form.

Role: As VP Administration, my primary responsibilities include coordinating council meetings, transcribing these sessions, and effectively relaying significant EMGSS decisions to the student body

PGSS Councillor I - Anantpreet Kaur Sood

M.Sc. at Lady Davis Institute, Dr. Volker Blank Lab

Research Focus: In our research project, we propose to determine the role of a CNC protein called NFE2L3 in colorectal cancer. We have found that NFE2L3 is present at higher levels in colorectal tumor tissue when compared to normal colon tissue. In addition, we have shown that knockdown of the NFE2L3 transcription factor leads to a significant decrease of human colon cancer cell growth. We determined that NFE2L3 promotes growth of colorectal cancer cells and that its function is related to inflammation and the presence of certain types of immune cells. The aim of my research project is to examine the regulation and function of NFE2L3 in inflammation-associated colorectal cancer.

Role: As the PGSS Councillor, my goal will be to help propagate all necessary information from the Post-Graduate Student Society (PGSS) to the EMGSS. I will be acting as the connection between PGSS and Department of Experiment Medicine to make the voices of EXMD students heard as well as convey the needs and interests of students further above the ladder.

PGSS Councillor II - Masha (Maryia) Samuel (She/Her)

M.Sc. Year 2 at Lady Davis Institute, Dr. Jonathan Afilalo’s Lab

Research Focus: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome characterized by a person’s diminished ability to recover from stressors, especially prevalent in the heart failure population. Testing for frailty includes gait speed, memory, and/or strength assessments that can serve as important predictors of a patient’s long term health outcomes. My project involves the exploration of novel frailty biomarkers and AI: more specifically, I study the usefulness of bedside thigh ultrasound in predicting a patient’s frailty score with the help of neural networks.

Role: As one of the PGSS Councilors, I act as a liaison between EMGSS and PGSS. My role includes attending monthly PGSS meetings where I stand as a representative of EMGSS and the students of Experimental Medicine.

Health, Wellness, Equity and Diversity Representative - Sadaf Solati (She/Her)

M.Sc. Year 2 at Lady Davis Institute, Dr. April Rose Lab

Research Focus: I am currently researching the association between NRAS mutant melanoma and the tumor immune microenvironment in order to investigate the potential factors contributing to the immunosuppressive environment within this type of tumor.

Role: As this year’s Health, Wellness, Equity and Diversity Representative, my mission is to champion the well-being of every student and ensure accessible resources for those navigating physical or mental health difficulties. Additionally, I’m committed to promoting inclusiveness and fairness within EMGSS operations. Together, let’s make it happen!

Lady Davis Institute (LDI) Representative - Chantel Mukonoweshuro (She/Her)

M.Sc. Year 2 at Lady Davis Institute, Dr. April Rose’s Lab

Research Focus: My research project focuses on exploring the mutational landscape of RAS in cancers with non-V600 BRAF co-mutations. Specifically, I am interested in understanding how mutant RAS facilitates resistance to MAPK-targeted therapies.

Role: As the LDI representative, I aim to serve as a bridge between EMGSS and Experimental Medicine students at the LDI. In addition to informing students about important events and opportunities, my role is to voice any of our students' concerns in order to promote academic success and overall well-being. If you have any inquiries, concerns, or feedback, please feel free to contact me.

IRCM Site Co-Representative - Shayesteh Kiani (She/Her)

PhD, Year 2 at IRCM, Dr. Mathieu Ferron’s lab

Research Focus: My research focuses on identifying the role of the Vitamin K epoxide reductase VKORC1L1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Role: As an IRCM representative, I help disseminate information from EMGSS to ExMed students at IRCM to keep graduate students more connected. I also will represent IRCM students' interests and concerns to the EMGSS to improve students' experiences during their graduate studies.

RI-MUHC Representative - Rushud Abdulsalam (She/Her)

M.Sc, Year 1 at the Prehabilitation Clinic in Dr. Amal Bessissow’s Lab

Research Focus: My research explores the effect of a multimodal prehabilitation program on patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery

Role: As the RI-MUHC representative, my goal is to keep students informed about Experimental Medicine Department activities while also keeping an eye out for their concerns and interests to the EMGSS committee.