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Meet the 2024/25 Executive Team
Year 4
Role:
The president runs the show! Elmy ensures smooth operations of the entire UPSA, overseeing all events, fundraising, sales, and seminars and is the liaison between students and the Department.
Favourite Subject
Reproductive physiology.
Past Summer Activities
Elmy worked as a Medical Office Assistant in family medicine clinics in Calgary. Spent time with family, and her dog, and enjoyed the sun before it leaves for 6 months.
Hobbies
She enjoys baking, running, going to the Calgary Stampede.
Elmy Castillo
President
Year 4
Role:
The VP Finance is responsible for maintaining the UPSA's budget and securing grants, which allow us to keep hosting fun events and other opportunities.
Favourite Subject
Cardiovascular physiology.
Past Summer Activities
Nadeen travelled to Italy and Dublin, and spent some time at home in Vancouver with her family. She did research in a cardiovascular diabetes lab, and worked as a medical secretary in St. Albert. Nadeen also spent a weekend at the Calgary Stampede with friends.
Hobbies
She enjoys trying new restaurants, going to the gym, watching movies.
Nadeen Wu
VP Finance
Year 4
Role:
The VP Academics plan and host academic events such as Research Seminars, Lab Tours, and Your Future in PHYSL!
Favourite Subject
Systems Neuroscience
Past Summer Activities
Katelyn worked as an Assistant Coach for BB Hockey Development and volunteered at the Steadward Centre on campus. She also visited relatives in California this past summer!
Hobbies
She enjoys playing/watching hockey, reading, editing creative writing
Katelyn Ngo
Co VP Academic
Year 4
Co VP Academic
Role:
The VP Academics plan and host academic events such as Research Seminars, Lab Tours, and Your Future in PHYSL!
Favourite Subject
Cardiovascular physiology.
Past Summer Activities
Devyn worked as a Research Assistant to help run clinical exercise experiments. She also worked part-time at a bubble tea cafe, and travelled to Hawaii and San Diego. Devyn also spent time with my her puppy!
Hobbies
She enjoys reading, baking, playing guitar.
Devyn Walesiak
Year 3
Role:
The VP Internal is in charge of all things merchandise! She contributes to designs and identifies which items to sell. Sarah connects with merchandise companies to ensure a smooth delivery.
Favourite Subject
Exercise/cardiovascular
physiology.
Past Summer Activities
Sarah spent lots of her time in research and reviewed (over 3000) papers for analysis. She also travelled to France, Greece, Italy, and the Dominican!
Hobbies
Sarah enjoys going for walks, gymnastics, and waking at obscene hours to watch F1.
Sarah Paterson
VP Internal
Year 2
Role:
The VP Communications manages all of the social media accounts, the Discord, and the website. She also creates the monthly newsletters, and designs graphics for the UPSA events.
Favourite Subject
Cardiovascular physiology.
Past Summer Activities
Ivanna worked with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress-Alberta Provincial Council, managing their social media, preparing for major community support events, and provided services to Ukrainians across the province. Besides work, she attended several Ukrainian folk dance festivals across Canada!
Hobbies
Ivanna does Ukrainian folk dance, reads, runs, and is learning to play the bayan (the Ukrainian accordion).
Ivanna Sumka
VP Communications
Year 2
Role:
The VP External handles recruiting. He is in charge of presenting to schools and high school, for outreach. Holden is also responsible for planning and organizing graduation.
Favourite Subject
Exercise physiology.
Past Summer Activities
Holden worked controlling noxious weeds for Strathcona County while coaching a U13 baseball team. Camping, friends, and marshmallows define his summer.
Hobbies
He enjoys playing baseball, lifting, and reading self-help books.
Holden Craig
VP External
Year 3
Role:
The VP Social organizes and hosts social events such as the Meet and Greet BBQ, Holiday Mixer, and Alumni Mixer.
Favourite Subject
Endocrine/reproductive physiology.
Past Summer Activities
Linden completed a summer student research project in the Wine lab focusing on host-microbial interactions in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. She spent a lot of time with my friends and pets and helped out on my family farm!
Hobbies
Linden enjoys reading, baking, watching hockey/football with my family
Linden Stuart
VP Social
Year 3
Role:
The VP Fundraising organizes and hosts a variety of events aimed at generating revenue for our club while fostering a strong sense of community among students and faculty members!
Favourite Subject
Endocrine physiology.
Past Summer Activities
Arshjot spent most of her summer working, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends! She also travelled to Toronto and Vancouver for weddings.
Hobbies
Arshjot enjoys baking, watching movies, going on walks
Arshjot Benipal
VP Fundraising
Year 1
Role:
The 1st year representative connects with first year students and offers support by answering any questions. She works alongside the VP external, by organizing outreach events, as well the VP fundraising by creating event posters.
Favourite Subject
Cardiovascular/endocrine physiology.
Past Summer Activities
Faith worked as an optometric assistant/tech, caring for patients with vision complications. She also volunteered at a seniors' home for veterans assisting in recreational activities. She went camping and spent time with family too!
Hobbies
She enjoys camping, snowboarding, watching the Oilers, and spending time with her dog.
Faith DiNicola
1st Year Rep
Year 2
Role:
The second year representative works to connect second year physiology students with the UPSA executives and answer any miscellaneous questions second years may have. She assists the VP Communications, and the VP social, to execute and advertise UPSA events.
Favourite Subject
Reproductive physiology.
Past Summer Activities
Riekyn worked as an Early Childhood Educator with kids aged 18 months to 3 years. She did some camping in northern Alberta and volunteered as a math tutor for highschool students.
Hobbies
She enjoys baking cheesecake, trying new recipes, and working out.
Riekyn Van Iderstine
2nd Year Rep
Year 3
Role:
The third year representative is a liasion between 3rd year physiology students, the UPSA and the department. She helps our VP Academics in running academic events.
Favourite Subject
Pathophysiology and immune response.
Past Summer Activities
Unjal volunteered as a group activity leader in the mental health and addictions unit at Royal Alexandra Hospital. Unjal completed summer research doing bioinformatics on clathrin protein conservation in a parasite lineage! She also travelled to Cancun, Mexico.
Hobbies
She enjoys nature trails, the gym, rock climbing, and right now, can't stop watching Dexter on Netflix.
Unjal Pradhan
3rd Year Rep
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