Executive Members
Chair
Natasha Szabolcs, Neufeld Lab, B1-166 (nszabolcs@uwaterloo.ca)
I am an M.Sc. student working in Dr. Josh Neufeld's lab. I obtained a B.Sc. in Honours Co-operative Biology at the University of Waterloo. My current research focus is on ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms that contribute to nitrification in freshwater aquaria.
Vice-Chair and Treasurer
Laura Sauder, Neufeld Lab, B1-166 (lsauder@uwaterloo.ca)
"I am a Ph.D. student in Josh Neufeld’s lab. My research focuses
microorganisms responsible for ammonia breakdown in wastewater treatment plants
and other engineered environments.
As vice-chair and treasurer of the BGSA, I have two roles
on the executive council. As vice-chair, my goal is assist the chair with
overseeing BGSA events and operations and to ensure that all BGSA members have the
support they need to do their jobs. As treasurer, I oversee the financial
activity BGSA and establish and monitor the annual budget. My goal is to manage
BGSA funds efficiently so that we are able to provide Biology graduate
students with as many resources and department events as possible."
Secretary
Jessica Mendoza, Servos Lab, B2-226 (jamendoz@uwaterloo.ca)
As secretary I hope to create a transparent form of communication between the students and the council to ensure the needs of the student are met. Any comments or suggestions are more than welcome!"
"I am in my first year of my M.Sc with Dr. Mark Servos studying food web structure in a pulp mill impacted aquatic environment in northern Ontario. I completed my undergraduate degree in Geography and Environmental Management (Earth Systems Science Specialization), with a Biology minor, and a diploma in Ecological Restoration and Rehabilitation.
As secretary I hope to create a transparent form of communication between the students and the council to ensure the needs of the student are met. Any comments or suggestions are more than welcome!"
Academic Coordinator
Marcie Chaudet, Rose Lab, ESC-244 (mchaudet@uwaterloo.ca)
Social Convener
Kate Kennedy, Neufeld Lab, B1-166 (kate.kennedy@uwaterloo.ca)
"I completed my undergrad in 2011 in Biomed with minors in Biology
and Psychology. I am currently in my second year of my Master's under
Dr. Josh Neufeld studying the microbial ecology of the human
gastrointestinal microbiome.
As Social Convener I aim to organize social events
that foster involvement in the department to enhance the biology
community. If you want to be involved in organizing and running these
events please contact me (kate.kennedy@uwaterloo.ca) to join the BGSA Social Committee and if you have an idea for an event please fill out our Event Proposal form."
TA Representative
Maya D'Alessio, Charles Lab, B1-375 (mdelow@gmail.com)
I just started my MSc in the Charles lab this past fall, studying the regulation of certain systems in Sinorhizobium meliloti.
As the new TA representative I hope to advocate for the graduate
students of the department and to help build a strong relationship
between the instructors/faculty and the graduate TAs. It is part of my
position to be available to any graduate student in the department to
help deal with any issues they may have in regards to their teaching
assistantship.
GSA Representative
Will Lotosky, Holyoak Lab, ESC-249 (wlotosky@uwaterloo.ca)
"For my masters project I aim to characterize IgA1 proteases
from the genus Streptococci using
biochemical techniques and X-ray crystallography to determine how these enzymes
recognize and selectively cleave their substrate IgA1.
As GSA rep I sit on the GSA council and represent Biology graduate students, if you have any concerns or issues you would like to have brought to the attention of the graduate student association let me know. I’m also responsible for preparing applications to graduate student endowment fund to help finance events or items we need to buy."
Conference Coordinator
Shari Cater, Servos Lab, B2-226 (scater@uwaterloo.ca)
"My research investigates the legacy of dioxin contamination in sediments
downstream of two non-operational bleached-kraft pulp mill in northern Ontario.
My research will attempt to follow a number of process changes in the bleaching
sequence experienced by the mills. This will be done by measuring spatial and
temporal dioxin contamination of sediment and correlating these changes with
responses seen in fish to evaluate the time frame of recovery of White Sucker
populations in a river and lake environment.
As Conference Coordinator for the BGSA my goals for
the 2013 Biology Graduate Student Conference are to encourage greater faculty participation
to enhance networking opportunities for students and to ensure everyone has a great experience."
First-Year Representative
Evelyin Suman, Duncker Lab, B1-291A (evelyinsuman@gmail.com)
I'm
a first year Masters student in Dr. Bernard Duncker's lab. I completed
my undergraduate degree in Biology at the University of Waterloo in
2012. My research focuses on examining specific cell cycle proteins in
the DNA replication initiation process in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
As the First Year Representative, I am responsible
for organizing welcome week/orientation events for incoming first year
Biology graduate students. In addition, I represent the interests of
first year students at BGSA executive meetings. If you have any
questions, comments, or suggestions for events, please feel free to
contact me via email.
Laura Bell (la2bell@uwaterloo.ca)
Keegan Hicks (keegan.hicks@gmail.com)
Calvin Kellendonk (cjkellen@uwaterloo.ca)
Sarah Ruffell (ruffell.sarah@gmail.com)
Forms for BGSA Use
Biology Clothing Sales Form, to document clothing sales at events
Event Proposal Form, to propose and organize BGSA events
Event Proposal Form, to propose and organize BGSA events
