Each spring, the Executive members of the HSGSA are decided in the annual General Election. Each graduate student enrolled in Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba gets a vote, and candidates campaign on issues that affect graduate student life. If you have any questions about how the election works, contact the Chief Returning Officer, Jayelle Friesen, at cro@hsgsa.org.
Meet the Candidates
President: Mahder Teffera
Hello, my name is Mahder and I am a Master’s student in the department of Immunology doing research at the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease. I completed my Bsc at the University of Victoria and I have been living in Winnipeg for almost two years. I am currently serving as VP-student outreach in my department’s student council and I am very excited to represent health science research students at the University of Manitoba as an HSGSA executive. I have been involved in community outreach and volunteering since high school, from organizing school events to volunteering at hospitals and I will apply skills I have gained along the way to best serve in my role here. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions! 🙂
Vice-President Academic: Javad Alizadeh
Hi, my name is Javad and I am a PhD student in Human Anatomy and Cell Sciences (HACS) department here at UofM. My research is mainly focused on the role of mitophagy, Bcl2l13 and extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness in regulation of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), and subsequent metastasis, in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC) model. I moved to Winnipeg in 2015 to continue my graduate studies and have been a fellow member of the UofM ever since. As the Department Student Councilor, I have been representing our department in HSGSA during my graduate studies. During this time, I have organized academic workshops, as well as social inter-departmental events and have been an active member in the department meetings on behalf of our students. I’ve been a volunteer in CancerCare Manitoba too where I help in fundraising and other events planned for the better wellness of cancer patients. I also take advantage of other volunteering opportunities in different other social and academic events both in and out of school.
I’ve had my own share of being involved in community outreach since high school and all the way into grad school. I have been very active in the community by taking leadership roles in academic and non-academic groups and organizations. During my M.Sc program back home, I acted as our group (Molecular Biology Research Center) representative to the Dean’s office with the primary role of liaising with faculty, staff and students as a way of enhancing communication and student involvement in decision-making processes. Moreover, before moving to Winnipeg I ran for 2 years as Staff Advocate during my employment at the prestigious Pasteur Institute of Iran.
I’m so excited to be nominated for the HSGSA Vice-President Academic to continue serving my fellow graduate students in this position. I want to make sure students’ voices are heard and they get the most out of their time here at UofM so I try to carry out my duties as best as I can. I am very friendly, approachable and down to earth. Don’t hesitate to email me if you have any questions.
Vice-President Marketing & Events: Sanjana Syeda
Hello, I am Sanjana Syeda and I am running for Vice-President Marketing and Events. I am a second-year Master’s student in the Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology. I have always been actively involved in my community through numerous volunteer and leadership roles in student groups and organizations. I have organized all kinds of events: fundraisers, academic seminars, networking events, trips, and even theatrical shows! If I am elected as Vice-President Marketing and Events, I want to get more students involved in HSGSA by organizing a wide variety of events that interests a diverse student body like ours. I plan on organizing networking events, workshops and job fairs that will equip grad students with skills needed to be successful in their careers. I also plan on organizing a lot of fun events like interdepartmental paintball tournament, ski trips and game nights! I will be grateful for this opportunity to contribute to HSGSA if chosen as Vice-President Marketing and Events through the upcoming elections.
Vice-President External: Jasmine Frost
My name is Jasmine Frost, and I am a PhD. Student in the department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (MMID). I did my BSc. Honours and MSc. in the department of Microbiology at the University of Manitoba, my passion is in studying virology and public health!
Throughout my university experience I have been the assistant coordinator for Let’s Talk Science (2013-2015) where I created new initiatives such as the first high school summer camp for students. I have also had the opportunity to volunteer for many wonderful organizations such as the Biomedical Youth Program and the Microbiology Social Committee! Currently I am the MMID student council president (2018-2019), as well as a coordinator for the Biomedical Youth Program.
Vice-President St. Boniface: Danah Alhattab
I am Danah, a first year PhD student in Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology at St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre (SBRC). Before joining the PhD program, I have worked as a Master’s student in the same lab where I got to know many students and other members of the research center. I completed my undergraduate degree in dentistry from Jordan University of Science and Technology and served there as a general dentist for 4 years; which helped me gain experience in dealing with different people. Being in Winnipeg at University of Manitoba has been a great learning experience for me in the past few years during my stay. Currently, I am serving as a student representative of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at SBRC. I have been nominated to VP-St. Boniface to serve and represent St.Boniface students in the Bannatyne/Fort Garry campuses and to act as connecting link to ensure that all concerns of St.Boniface students are addressed between the two campuses. I am looking forward to work with other HSGSA executives to improve students experience in our campus and to enhance the networking environment by joining graduates in different activities and events for a successful insightful graduate life.
Vice-President Internal: Romaniya Zayats
Hello, my name is Roma and I am a PhD student at the Department of Immunology. I am studying the cellular dynamics of immune cells vs pathogen interactions, which lead to parasite escape and survival within the body. I am using cutting edge Intravital Microscopy approaches which lets me visualize real-time cellular behaviours in live tissues.
Upon graduating U of M with a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, I spent two years working as a high school teacher in Japan, where I developed strong leadership and communication skills. Originally, I moved to Canada from Ukraine. I am also a trained medical first responder with the St. John Ambulance. This year I was awarded with a Silver Medal and a Life-Saving Award by Her Honourable Janice C. Filmon, C.M., O.M., Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, for saving a life of an 8-month-old baby.
I was elected student president for the Department of Immunology in my first year and I was able in implement numerous positive changes on the student experience. I am hoping to use my experiences and knowledge to serve as the HSGSA Vice-President Internal and leave positive changes on the student life in the Health Science Centre.
Important Dates
Nomination Period: Monday February 25th – Friday, March 1st at 4:00pm
Mandatory All Candidates Meeting: Friday, March 1st from 4:00pm to 5:00pm (402 Brodie)
Preparation Period: Monday March 4th – Friday March 8th
Campaigning Period: Monday March 11th – Friday March 22nd
All-Candidates Forum: Time TBA
Online Voting Period: Wednesday, March 20th – Friday March 22nd