HSGSA 2026-2027 Executive Nominations
See below for a list of executive profiles. The candidates names are listed below in alphabetical order by first name and are sorted by the position they have applied for. The election takes place solely online and you will receive a link in your University of Manitoba email account that will connect you to your ballot.
President
Ashraf Kadar Shahib (Biochemistry & Medical Genetics, Ph.D.)
Vice-President Finance & Administration
Deanne Nixie Miao (Biochemistry & Medical Genetics, Ph.D.)
Vice-President Academic & External Affairs
Suraj Shaji (Human Anatomy & Cell Science, Ph.D.)
Vice-President Events
Mahin Hasan (Pharmacy, Ph.D.)
Vice-President Marketing & Communications
Roni Armon (Pharmacy, Ph.D.)
Vice-President St. Boniface
Elika Verma (Physiology & Pathophysiology, Ph.D.)
President
Ashraf Kadar Shahib (Biochemistry & Medical Genetics, Ph.D.) (Keystone)
Hi everyone! I’m ASHRAF KADAR SHAHIB, a PhD student in the Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics. It has been the absolute honor to serve as your HSGSA President for the 2025-2026 term. We’ve started something great together, and I wish to continue doing it! I am thrilled to run for President of the HSGSA once again. I’m asking for your vote so we can keep the momentum going and continue delivering the results you deserve.
Last year, I ran on a platform of enhancing engagement and communication. Over the past term, my focus has been on executing that vision, driving necessary structural improvements, and fostering a stronger, more resilient community:
• Advocacy: I have prioritized making our voices heard at the highest levels, maintaining active and direct communications with the UofM President, the Government of Manitoba, and other key stakeholders to fiercely advocate for improved student well-being and campus resources.
• Administration & Future-Proofing: To ensure the long-term success and sustainability of our organization, I spearheaded a comprehensive restructuring of the HSGSA executive framework. We also reframed the HSGSA election structure to guarantee a transparent and fair democratic process. Looking to the future, my team has successfully worked on the establishment of an endowment fund to provide additional graduate student awards, and expanded the Multidisciplinary Health Research Experience (MHRE) program—a sub-organization of HSGSA—by increasing its executive capacity to broaden its impact.
• Community Care: I am incredibly proud that during my term, we successfully launched the first-ever HSGSA Mentorship Program cohort this year, creating a vital, structured network of guidance and peer support for our graduate students.
• Academic Excellence: We took our academic showcases to the next level by successfully developing PCL 2025 into a highly anticipated, day-long event, featuring robust poster and oral presentations to highlight the brilliant research happening across our departments.
• Strategic Collaboration: Recognizing that we are stronger together, my team cultivated active partnerships with multiple key organizations, including UMGPS, YEN, BAM, CPA, FPAC, and the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (RFHS), significantly expanding our community reach and available resources.
My commitment to student life is built on years of active, on-the-ground service. From my previous term as VP Marketing & Events—where we delivered incredibly successful social events like the Winter Gala, Culturo-Fest, and TGIF—to my experience in global academic leadership, I bring a multidisciplinary and deeply empathetic perspective to the presidency.
The vision for the next term is about continuity and growth. If granted a second term, my focus will shift from establishing these vital new systems to perfecting and expanding them. I will work to deepen our external collaborations, improve our advocacy, and ensure our restructured executive team delivers maximum value to every single graduate student for the betterment of their graduate experiences at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. My attention to detail, strong communication skills, and ability to think outside the box have been key to our past successes. I remain dedicated to serving our student body with integrity, passion, and a relentless commitment to excellence.
Lastly, growth requires a solid foundation. I am proud to run with the KEYSTONE slate, a team dedicated to supporting and unifying every graduate student at the University of Manitoba. Together, we’ve made progress—now let’s achieve even greater things. Vote ‘YES’ for KEYSTONE and ASHRAF KADAR SHAHIB for President to keep our community moving forward.
Vice-President Finance & Administration
Deanne Nixie Miao (Biochemistry & Medical Genetics, Ph.D.) (Keystone)
Hello! My name is Deanne Nixie Miao, and I am running for Vice President Finance and Administration of HSGSA as part of Keystone. Having previously served as Vice President Internal of HSGSA – a role that encompassed financial oversight and administrative coordination – I bring extensive hands-on experience managing budgets, reimbursements, and operational processes in support of graduate students.
Beyond that, I am a PhD student in the Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics (BMG) with long-standing involvement in student governance. Through my work with the BMG Graduate Students’ Association (BMG-GSA) and Filipinos Advancing Research in Health Sciences (FLARES), as well as committee service on the 25th BMG Anniversary, Science Rendezvous, Canadian Society of Pharmacology and Therapeutics Awards Committee, and the Co-Mentorship of Patients, Investigators and Learners in Oncology Training (Co-PILOT) Program, I have developed broad experience in student governance and program administration. These roles have given me a practical understanding of how financial and administrative systems impact graduate students and how clear, accessible processes support student- and trainee-focused initiatives.
If elected as Vice President Finance and Administration, I will continue to ensure HSGSA’s financial sustainability through responsible budgeting, oversight, and long-term planning, while strengthening administrative systems that support student initiatives. I will work to improve clarity, efficiency, and accessibility in processes such as reimbursements, funding applications, and event approvals, so students can access support in a timely and transparent way. I will also continue expanding funding opportunities for student-led events and professional development, while maintaining strong financial transparency so students clearly understand how HSGSA resources are allocated and used.
I believe that HSGSA should be a reliable, transparent, and student-centered organization. I am committed to ensuring that its finances and administrative processes meaningfully support graduate students. Thank you very much for your support.
Vice-President Academic & External Affairs
Suraj Shaji (Human Anatomy & Cell Science, Ph.D.) (Keystone)
Hi everyone! I’m Suraj, a third-year PhD student in the Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science at the University of Manitoba, and I’m excited to run for VP – Academic and External Affairs with KEYSTONE in the 2026-2027 HSGSA Council elections!
Over the past three years, I’ve faced many of the challenges graduate students experience – from research deadlines to balancing work and well-being. These experiences have motivated me to help create a more supportive, connected, and future-ready graduate community.
My leadership journey speaks to this commitment. I’ve previously served as a board member of a student club and organized large-scale technical and cultural events, which helped me develop strong teamwork and organizational skills. I’ve also represented students as a departmental council member and actively volunteered with HSGSA since my first year. Now, I’m ready to take on a larger role and make a bigger impact.
As VP – Academic and External Affairs, my goal is to help graduate students succeed both during their degree and as they transition to their careers. I plan to organize workshops on stress management, networking, and career readiness, all aimed at easing our transition from academia to the professional world. By connecting students with academic and industry professionals, we can better prepare for the opportunities that lie ahead.
With KEYSTONE, I’m committed to making our graduate journey empowering, meaningful, and connected. I would be honored to have your support. Vote ‘Yes’ for KEYSTONE, and let’s build a stronger, more supportive graduate community while ensuring a smoother transition into the workforce!
Vice-President Events
Mahin Hasan (Pharmacy, Ph.D.) (Keystone)
Hi, my name is Mahin Hasan, and I am a PhD student in the College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba. I am excited to present myself as a candidate for Vice President Events in the upcoming HSGSA election as part of Keystone, a team of passionate individuals focused on creating a more inclusive graduate student community.
Currently, I serve as the President of the College of Pharmacy Graduate Students Council, where I collaborate with the council members in planning and organizing student events that foster connection, wellbeing, and community engagement. Through this role, I have gained hands-on experience coordinating events, budget planning, managing logistics, and understanding what graduate students truly value beyond their academic responsibilities. I have also contributed as part of the current HSGSA events subcommittee and currently serve as the Secretary of the University of Manitoba Graduate Bioscience Sales Nexus (UMGBSN). These experiences have strengthened my ability to collaborate and represent diverse student voices.
Graduate school can often feel demanding, stressful, and isolating, and my goal as Vice President Events is to create opportunities that bring colour and balance to our academic lives. I aim to organize events that fit students’ schedules, encourage participation across programs, and create spaces where students can relax, connect, and feel supported. Most importantly, I want to listen and understand what students want, what they need, and how HSGSA events can better reflect their experiences.
If elected, I will continue successful HSGSA traditions such as Winter Gala and Culturo-Fest, while also introducing new event ideas shaped directly by student feedback. I believe that the funds we contribute as graduate students should translate into meaningful and enjoyable experiences that strengthen our community and enrich our graduate journey.
I am committed to building inclusive, engaging, and student-centered events that help us connect beyond our labs, departments, and classrooms. I would be honoured to serve and work together to make HSGSA events welcoming and memorable for everyone.
Vote “Yes” for Keystone, a steady support that helps hold HSGSA together and build a stronger graduate student community.
Thank you for your support.
Vice-President Marketing & Communications
Roni Armon (Pharmacy, Ph.D.) (Keystone)
Hello everyone! My name is Roni Armon, and I am running for the position of HSGSA Vice-President Marketing & Communications with Keystone, a team of passionate individuals committed to building a more inclusive graduate students community.
I am a Ph.D. student in the College of Pharmacy, where I study the protective mechanisms of cannabinoid receptor signaling in atrial fibrillation under the supervision of Dr. Hope Anderson. Alongside my academic journey, I am also a paramedic – a role that has shaped my leadership style through clarity, responsibility, and calm decision-making under pressure.
Over the past year, as I served as VP St.B., I have come to appreciate how much strong communication shapes a community. Information is not just about announcements – it is about visibility, transparency, and belonging. As VP Marketing & Communications, I want to ensure that students are not only informed, but truly connected to what HSGSA does and represents.
I believe in transparency. Students deserve to clearly understand our initiatives, decisions, and opportunities. Through consistent communication, thoughtful branding, and stronger outreach, I aim to make HSGSA more accessible and visible – not just an organization behind the scenes, but a recognizable presence within our everyday academic life.
Marketing is more than promotion; it sets the tone. I want our messaging to reflect who we are as a diverse and vibrant graduate community. By highlighting multicultural milestones throughout the year, creating engaging content, and strengthening our identity, we can build a platform that represents every student. I also hope to introduce initiatives that help students connect not only with HSGSA, but with the broader Winnipeg community – because feeling grounded in the city is part of feeling supported in your studies.
With Keystone, we are setting the tone for a more cohesive, visible, and inclusive HSGSA. I am ready to bring organization, creativity, and intention to this role – ensuring that our voice is clear, our message is meaningful, and our community feels informed, represented, and connected.
Vote “Yes” for Keystone, a steady support that helps hold HSGSA together and build a stronger graduate students community.
Vice-President St. Boniface
Elika Verma (Physiology & Pathophysiology, Ph.D.) (Keystone)
Hello,
My name is Elika Verma, and I am a PhD student in the Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology. My research focuses on stem cells and cardiovascular regeneration, investigating how stem-cell–based therapies can promote heart repair and improve outcomes for patients with cardiac disease. I am driven by translational science, research that bridges discovery and real-world impact.
I bring that same translational mindset to student leadership: turning student voices into meaningful action.
As a Student Editor for the ICS Pulse Student Magazine, I have interviewed both industry professionals and academic researchers to provide current students with insight into diverse career paths. I believe informed students are empowered students, and I am committed to creating platforms that help our community make confident, well-supported career decisions.
As a Graduate Student Representative (GSR) for the Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, I have advocated for student concerns while also helping organize events that create opportunities for connection spaces where students can network, collaborate, and build community beyond their own labs. These experiences have strengthened my ability to listen, communicate effectively, and take initiative.
As your Vice President for St. Boniface, I will:
- Advocate clearly and consistently for student priorities
- Strengthen communication and transparency between students and HSGSA
- Expand career development and networking opportunities
- Foster a more connected, collaborative, and inclusive graduate community
Graduate school is demanding, but leadership should make it easier, not harder. We deserve representation that is visible, proactive, and genuinely invested in student success.
My goal is to help build a St. Boniface where every student feels heard, supported, and empowered to thrive academically, professionally, and personally.
Your voice. Your community. Your future. Let’s build it together.
We would be honored to earn your vote as the Keystone Slate works to build, strengthen, and elevate our graduate experience.