President - Anantpreet Kaur Sood (She/Her)

PhD, Year 2, Lady Davis Institute, Dr. Volker Blank Lab

Research Focus: My current research focuses on the role of the NFE2L3 transcription factor in colorectal cancer and its regulation of inflammation and gut microbiota dynamics. The aim of my project is to validate the transcriptional regulation and function of NFE2L3 in inflammation-associated colorectal cancer. 

Role: It is an honour to serve as President of the Experimental Medicine Graduate Student Society (EMGSS) for the 2025–2026 academic year. I’m excited about the opportunity to lead a committed and collaborative council that supports the academic, professional, and social well-being of our community. Having previously served as the VP Academic, I’ve gained valuable experience advocating for student needs, organizing events, and fostering connections across departments. As President, I will prioritize clear communication, inclusive programming, and accessible resources to ensure all students feel supported and engaged throughout their graduate journey as well as organize engaging social and wellness events to foster a sense of belonging. I am passionate about building a stronger, more connected student community and would be grateful for the chance to represent and advocate for the Experimental Medicine Graduate community. Together with a dynamic council, I aim to build a more connected, inclusive, and resilient EMGSS.

Co-VP Academic - Yasmin Jolasun (She/Her)

PhD Year 3, RI-MUHC Glen Site, Dr. Jun Ding Lab

Research Focus: My research focuses on developing deep learning AI tools to analyze biomedical and multimodal transcriptomic data in order to gain a deeper understanding of the pathology underlying cancers and respiratory diseases. My key interests revolve around integrating multimodal data with clinical context to identify novel biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets.

Role: As Co-VP Academic for 2025–2026, I am dedicated to fostering academic growth and collaboration within our graduate student community. A major focus of my role will be co-organizing AMBGC 2026, which provides a platform for students and researchers to showcase their work, exchange ideas, and build networks. In addition, I aim to support a variety of academic initiatives that enhance skills, mentorship opportunities, and career development, ensuring that EMGSS remains a strong resource for student advocacy and scientific advancement.

Co-VP Academic - Siqi Liu

Dr. Kostas Pantopoulos lab, Lady Davis Institute

Research Focus: My current research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of hepatocellular iron uptake and the regulation of the iron hormone hepcidin. Additionally, I am exploring the roles of heme oxygenase 1 in iron-recycling macrophages.

Role: As VP Academic for 2025–2026, I will work hard to provide EXMD students with a variety of academic and social activities. The highlight of my role will be organizing AMBGC 2026, where trainees can showcase their research and build connections with fellow students. Our goal is to create a uniquely rich environment for academic success by fostering scientific networks, enhancing educational opportunities, and supporting professional development.

VP Internal - Ruomeng Fang (She/Her)

PhD year 3, RI-MUHC/Goodman Cancer Institute, Dr. George Zogopoulos Lab

Research Focus: My research focuses on classical and basal-like molecular subtypes of pancreatic cancer, with an emphasis on the coexistence of these two subtypes.

Role: In my role as VP internal for 2025-2026 academic year, I will support student life by helping organize intramural sports and coordinating EMGSS clothing orders. I am also dedicated to serving as a bridge between students and the broader community to foster connection, collaboration, and engagement.

Co-VP Communications - Harneer Sidhu (She/Her)

M.Sc. Year 1, Dr Shaifali Sandal's Lab, RI-MUHC. 

Research Focus: My current research focuses on the vulnerability assessement of kidney care facilities to add to policymakers context for preparedness considereng the surge of disasters. 

Role: As Co-VP Communications for 2025–2026, I am dedicated to keeping EXMD students informed, connected, and engaged by delivering clear, timely, and relevant communications throughout the academic year. Together, we manage the department’s MailChimp listserv, where we share important updates such as New Student Orientation information, introductions to new council members, and announcements for upcoming events.

We also ensure that all shared links remain active and accessible by manually updating them when necessary. Our goal is to strengthen the sense of community within EXMD by enhancing the flow of information and creating a reliable, consistent communication platform for all students.

Co-VP Communications - George Perlman (He/Him)

PhD Year 2, RI-MUHC, Dr. Abhinav Sharma's lab

Research Focus: My research is aimed at evaluating how smartwatches and voice recordings may be used for screening and monitoring of heart failure. My lab hopes to uncover aspects of the disease's pathophysiology and use this information to create new public health tools.

Role: As the VP Communications, my role is to manage the EMGSS website and listserv to ensure the graduate student body and administration are kept up to date on all important information.

Co-VP Marketing - Yiming Cao (She/Her)

MSc Year 1, RI-MUHC Glen Site, Dr. Stella Daskalopoulou's Lab

Research focus: My research focuses on delineating the different roles circulating monocytes and their derived macrophages play in carotid atherosclerosis between males and females using single-cell RNA sequencing technology. Particularly, I'm interested in characterizing the different transcriptional and biological pathways these immune cells play.

Role: As VP Marketing, I coordinate the flow of information by promoting departmental events and opportunities to the EXMD community, oversee EMGSS's sponsorship portfolio, and organize the Spotlight Series to showcase and celebrate EXMD trainees' outstanding works and achievements.

Co-VP Marketing - Dhruv Vinay (He/Him)

MSc Year 1, RI-MUHC CORE, Dr. Bryan Ross’s Lab

Research Focus: My research is centred on investigating exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) within the CAN-EXACT cohort at the Montreal Chest Institute. I am particularly interested in investigating the role of biologic therapies in the management of COPD and their impact on patient outcomes in real-world settings.

Role: As VP Marketing, I am responsible for promoting EMGSS initiatives through creative communication, event advertising, and content design. I also work on expanding the society’s reach by developing engaging campaigns, fostering community connections, and highlighting the achievements of students and faculty within our department. In addition, I bring experience in photography, videography, and graphic design, which I use to create engaging visuals and elevate the society’s promotional material for social media.

Co-VP Social - Eileen Oh

MSc Year 1, RI-MUHC, Dr. Louise Pilote's Lab

Research Focus: For the past decade, hospitalization and mortality rates have remained the same despite improvements to guideline-directed medical therapy, with medication adherence being low among women with heart failure. This is likely due to social determinants playing a critical role. My research aims to test whether social prescribing, a relatively new non-medical intervention that directly addresses social needs by connecting patients to community resources, improves medication adherence and quality of life in women with heart failure.

Role: As Co-VP Social, I’m responsible for planning fun activities where students from different institutions at McGill can network and get to know each other. I hope to engage students in a variety of events as a way to foster a sense of community in EXMD and unwind! If you have any suggestions or want specific events, always feel free to reach out (:

Co-VP Social - Meghan Vrkoc (She/Her)

MSc Year 1, Lady Davis Institute, Dr. April Rose Lab

Research Focus: Our lab's main focus is advancing therapeutic options for MAPK-driven cancers. My project in particular involves characterizing the relationship between treatment-resistant NRAS mutant melanoma and the immune microenvironment.

Role: I am very excited to be the co-VP of socials this year! I will provide opportunities for the student community to get to know each other outside of the lab in different settings around the city. I hope to foster an environment where fellow exmd students feel connected to each other while doing some fun activities :)

PGSS Councillor I - Rhea Dumitrescu

M.Sc. Year 2, Lady Davis Institute, Dr. Michael Witcher’s lab

Research Focus: My research aims to identify novel drivers of breast cancer progression from a benign tumor to a metastatic lesion and changes to the proteome that drive this. Additionally, I’m exploring how epigenetic changes, precisely the role of chromatin state, control breast cancer progression. By identifying these drivers, I hope to uncover potential therapeutic targets to improve patient outcomes.

Role: As one of the PGSS Councilors, I serve as a liaison between EMGSS and PGSS. My responsibilities involve attending monthly PGSS meetings, where I represent both EMGSS and the students of Experimental Medicine.

Health, Wellness, Equity and Diversity Representative - Taniya Rajeshkumar Thakkar

MSc Year 2, Lady Davis Institute, Dr. Kostas Pantopoulos's lab

Research focus: My research focuses on investigating the molecular mechanisms through which iron overload contributes to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Also, I am working on herpes simplex virus and see how it affects cancer and immune cells.

Role: As the Health, Wellness, Equity, and Diversity Representative at EMGSS, I organize peer support and wellness events. I help students connect to the many available resources on campus such as McGill Health Clinic, Peer Support Group, McGill Mental Health Clinic and more. My mission is to work hard to advocate for health, equity, and accessibility for all students by collaborating with various stakeholders and I am genuinely excited to connect and support everyone in our community :) 

Postdoctoral Representative - Huong Nguyen

Postdoc Year 2, RI-MUHC

My name is Huong Nguyen, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, working in cancer research and precision oncology. I am deeply committed to building an inclusive and supportive research community where postdocs feel valued and connected.

As Brené Brown said, “In order for connection to happen, we need ourselves to be seen.” As postdoc representative, I will ensure that the voices and contributions of postdoctoral fellows are visible and heard within EMGSS. My priorities will be to advocate for recognition of postdocs, improve access to professional development opportunities, and strengthen connections between graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

With my experience in research, mentorship, and community leadership, I am ready to represent and support my peers. I would be honored to serve as your postdoc representative and to work together in fostering meaningful connections across our community.

IRCM Site Co-Representative - Tamanna Chahal

M.Sc. Year 1, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Dr. Rabasa-Lhoret’s Lab

Research Focus: My research focuses on technological advancements in the treatment of type 1 diabetes, particularly automated insulin delivery (AID) systems, also known as artificial pancreas. I’m exploring the association between AID systems and physical activity, aiming to evaluate their safety and effectiveness. My research seeks to enhance diabetes management strategies by providing insights into the impact of AID systems on glucose regulation during physical activity.

Role: As the IRCM Site Representative, I am committed to keeping ExMed students at the IRCM well-informed about department activities and events organized by the EMGSS committee. My role involves actively listening to student feedback and fostering an environment where their ideas and concerns are valued. I’m eager to build a sense of community and support among ExMed IRCM students, so if you have questions, suggestions, or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out by email or stop me if you see me around!

RI-MUHC Representative - Naiya Patel (She/Her)

M.Sc, Year 1 in Dr. Daniel Dufort’s Lab

Research Focus: My research explores how placental extracellular vesicles can potentially serve as biomarkers for pregnancy complications

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. I’m looking forward to meeting more students in the program as I am a strong believer in community. If you ever see me around the RI / Glen site - stop me and introduce yourself!