Presidential Candidates
| Evelyn Ajayi and Jasmine Amini | Nafia Mirza and Karan Patel |
Vice President of Operations Candidates
| Evelyn Ajayi | Moemin Rezk | Tony Geng Li |
Vice President of External Affairs Candidates
| Elsa Salvant | Nafia Mirza |
Director of Internal Communications Candidate
| Kevin Ymeri |
Director of External Communications Candidate
| Ghazal Haddadi |
Treasurer Candidate
| Vedansh Kaushik | Yalda Champiri |
Secretary Candidate
| Ghazal Haddadi | Kevin Ymeri | Maria George |
| Talia Fiaani | Vida Maksimoska | Yalda Champiri |
Presidential Candidates and Platforms
| Jasmine Amini | Evelyn Ajayi |
| Hi IMSSA! My name is Jasmine Amini, and I’m incredibly excited to be running alongside Evelyn Ajayi to be your next IMSSA Co-President 2025-2026. I am a first-year master’s student working at SickKids under the supervision of Drs. Daphne Korczak and Samantha Anthony. My research interests center around social media use may impact mental health and family functioning among youth with a self-harm or suicide-related concern. I am a diligent, organized, and engaged student leader as demonstrated through my experience as a student mentor, program assistant at the 519, volunteer crisis responder, IMS magazine executive editor, and Director of Wellness at IMSSA. Through my various experiences, I’ve cultivated strong skills in communication, collaboration, and time management that will enable me to strengthen your student experience as IMSSA co-president. Leading through IMSSA has been an incredibly formative experience for me and I hope to continue contributing to the IMS community and empowering other students to get involved. On June 19th, vote Jasmine Amini and Evelyn Ajayi for IMSSA Co-Presidents— let’s move IMSSA forward, together – “Empowering Your Journey. Uniting Our Community.” | My name is Evelyn Ajayi, and I’m excited to be running with Jasmine Amini to be your 2025/2026 IMSSA Co-President. I am a first-year master’s student based at the SickKids Hospital research site, where I study how built and social environments affect neurodevelopmental disorders under the supervision of Dr. Jennifer Crosbie. Aside from research, I bring leadership experience from roles such as Health and Wellness Coordinator, Medical Assistant/Admin Trainer, President of the Young Women Christian Fellowship, and Director of Community and Outreach (current role). These roles have strengthened my ability to lead teams with empathy, effectively manage projects, and work collaboratively toward a common goal. Finally, I strive to build supportive spaces where everyone can feel seen, heard, and empowered. On June 19th, vote for Jasmine Amini and Evelyn Ajayi — let’s move IMSSA forward, together – “Empowering Your Journey. Uniting Our Community.” |
Platform:
View Evelyn and Jasmine’s platform and strategic strategy
| Nafia Mirza | Karan Patel |
| My name is Nafia Mirza, and I am a first-year PhD student at IMS and completed my MSc at IMS last year. I’ve been actively involved in IMSSA for the past three years. As the 2024–2025 Director of Academics, I launched the Peer Review Program to support students in strengthening their scholarship applications and co-developed a professional development workshop series with the Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program. I organized and hosted major academic events, including the 3-Minute Thesis Competition and Are You Smarter than a Grad Student. Over the past two years, I’ve also served on the IMS Connects planning team, coordinating events such as Working in Academia, Working in Industry, and Biomedical Communications. Beyond academics, I’ve volunteered for IMSSA’s community initiatives including Warm Hands for Cold Streets, the Holiday and Halloween Parties, and the Movember Challenges. I also serve as a Peer-to-Peer Mentor and have been actively fostering collaboration between Pueblo Science and IMSSA to strengthen student engagement in science outreach. Through these roles, I’ve focused on building an inclusive, connected, and well-supported student community — and I hope to expand that impact even further as your next IMSSA Co-President. | Hi, I’m Karan Patel, and I’m excited to be running for IMSSA Co-President for the 2025–2026 term. I’ll be entering my third year this September and have been involved with IMSSA since the start of my graduate journey. In my first year, I served as Site Director for Toronto Western Hospital and was a member of the Academic Affairs Subcommittee, helping plan events like IMS Connects and the 3MT competition. I continued supporting the subcommittee in my second year while also volunteering with Pueblo Science throughout both my first and second years. Over the past year, I’ve been focused on advancing my research, completing my MSc-to-PhD transfer, and preparing for a summer visitorship in Switzerland. Despite these commitments, I’ve stayed engaged with the IMS community and remained a supportive peer. Whether working late in the lab or helping others navigate academic challenges, I bring persistence and passion to everything I do. I’m now excited to channel that same energy into building a more inclusive, supportive, and connected IMS community as your next Co-President. |
Platform:
View Nafia and Karan’s platform and strategic strategy
Vice President of Operations Candidates and Platforms
| Evelyn Ajayi |
| My name is Evelyn Ajayi, and I’m excited to be to be your 2025/2026 IMSSA Vice President of Operations.I am a first-year master’s student based at the SickKids Hospital research site under the supervision of Dr. Jennifer Crosbie, where I study how built and social environments affect neurodevelopmental disorders. Aside from research, I bring leadership experience from roles such as Health and Wellness Coordinator, Medical Assistant/Admin Trainer, President of the Young Women Christian Fellowship, and Director of Community and Outreach (current role). These roles have strengthened my ability to lead teams with empathy, effectively manage projects, and work collaboratively with others toward shared goals. Finally, I am passionate about building supportive spaces where everyone can feel seen, heard, and empowered. On June 19th, vote for Evelyn Ajayi as the next Vice President of Operations. |
Platform:
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| Moemin Razk |
| My name is Moemin Rezk and I am a first-year MSc student at the Institute of Medical Science. I work at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PM), being supervised by Dr. Shabbir Alibhai. Within IMSSA, I am the PM site director and a member of the Wellness & Wellbeing and Community & Outreach subcommittees. Through these roles, I have lead and supported a bubble tea social event, Warm Hands for Cold Streets, the Evergreen Brickworks walk, the food drive, the IMSSA Iftar, and many more. Aside from academia, I enjoy binge-watching tv shows, adventuring the city with my friends, and reading in the parks around Toronto. I am running for the vice-president (operations) role because I care deeply about creating a student experience that is more connected, supportive and inclusive of everyone. Through my experiences both within and outside of IMSSA, I am confident that I have the necessary skills needed to succeed in such a role. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute and grow with this community, and I hope to earn your support! |
Platform:
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| Tony Geng Li |
| Hi, my name is Tony Geng Li, a PhD student at the Institute of Medical Science and currently the Deputy Sporting Director of IMSSA. Over the past year, I have been actively involved in planning student events, managing logistics, and making sure things run as smoothly as possible behind the scenes. From the Holiday Party to sporting subcommittee initiatives and social-wellness events, I’ve learned that the best experiences often come down to thoughtful planning and timely backup plans. I am running for the Vice President of Operations because I believe great operations create space for great community. I will bring a balance of calm, level-headed decision-making and the ability to resolve last minute issues – be it coordinating a tight schedule or finding that missing HDMI cable. I am passionate about supporting my fellow students and helping make events more accessible, efficient, and enjoyable. I would be honoured to serve as your next VPO – with my Excel sheets and Google Docs (and memes) ready to go. |
Platform:
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Vice President of External Affairs Candidates and Platforms
| Elsa Salvant |
| Hi IMS! My name is Elsa Salvant, I will be entering my fourth year as a PhD student at SickKids in Dr. Rae Yeung’s Lab. My research focuses on a post-COVID illness in children known as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). Even though it can be demanding and difficult at times being a graduate student, the people I have met in the IMS community have made my time here amazing. For those who may not know, I had the honor and privilege of being the VP of External Affairs the past year and would love to dedicate myself to that position once again for this upcoming year! Over the past year, I have been a devoted team player at IMSSA, supporting all the amazing initiative and events that IMSSA has done this past year and have helped put together some amazing events including the Winter Party and the Halloween party. I am also lucky enough to be on the organizing committee for U of T Talks, an annual science symposium, and hope to see many of you there on June 13th as well as other initiatives outside of IMS and U of T including the Canadian Black Scientists Network (CBSN)! I believe that from these experiences, as well being involved in many other IMS and U of T initiatives, I would be a dedicated, attentive, and enthusiastic Vice President of External Affairs. As some of you may know, I am an energetic person with a go-getter attitude keen on meeting new people, building community, and helping my grad peers. I am very excited to continue to be a part of IMSSA and achieve greater things alongside the rest of the team! |
Platform:
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| Nafia Mirza |
| I am a first-year PhD student at IMS and completed my MSc at IMS last year. I’ve been actively involved in IMSSA for the past three years. As the 2024–2025 Director of Academics, I launched the Peer Review Program to support students in strengthening their scholarship applications and co-developed a professional development workshop series with the Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program. I organized and hosted major academic events, including the 3-Minute Thesis Competition and Are You Smarter than a Grad Student. Over the past two years, I’ve also served on the IMS Connects planning team, coordinating events such as Working in Academia, Working in Industry, and Biomedical Communications. Beyond academics, I’ve volunteered for IMSSA’s community initiatives including Warm Hands for Cold Streets, the Holiday and Halloween Parties, and the Movember Challenges. I also serve as a Peer-to-Peer Mentor and have been actively fostering collaboration between Pueblo Science and IMSSA to strengthen student engagement in science outreach. Through these roles, I’ve focused on building an inclusive, connected, and well-supported student community — and I hope to expand that impact even further as your next IMSSA VP External. |
Platform:
View Nafia’s platform and strategic strategy
Director of Internal Communications Candidate and Platform
| Kevin Ymeri |
| Hello, my name is Kevin Ymeri and I am a MSc student at SickKids. My research deals with machine learning and identifying biomarkers that play a role in disease activity for patients with childhood arthritis. As part of my thesis work, I have developed strong organizational and collaborative skills, which have also been applied in student life and leadership roles. During my undergraduate studies at UofT, I served on the Executive committee in the Albanian Student Association, which I am still apart of in my graduate journey, where I help coordinate events with other student organizations that help celebrate culture and identity. I have also been active in the IMS community by serving on the party planning committees for Halloween and Holiday events, as well as the IMS Social Affairs subcommittee, where I helped lead initiatives like the IMS Holiday After Party and Leafs Game Night in collaboration with the sports subcommittee. Having successfully hosted and led a variety of social events, I’ve developed strong organizational and collaboration skills that would be essential for the Internal Communications role. I believe that my involvement within the community, my creativity, and social media presence will be beneficial as Internal Communications on the IMS Executive Team. |
Platform:
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Director of External Communications Candidate and Platform
| Ghazal Haddadi |
| Hi, I’m Ghazal Haddadi, a first-year IMS MSc student conducting research at Toronto General Hospital in Anesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences. I’m passionate about building community, sharing stories, and keeping people connected—whether through social media, mentorship, or events. In my current role as IMSSA TGH Site Director, I’ve worked to bring students together through initiatives, outreach, and accessible communication. I also serve as a Fundraiser Lead at the Dr. Borna Meisami Foundation, where I not only coordinate events and lead volunteer teams, but also manage communications like posting event updates and sending out newsletters. These roles have strengthened my communication, creativity, and leadership skills, qualities I’d love to bring to the Director of External Communications role. I enjoy being behind the camera and behind the scenes, helping others feel seen and celebrated. Whether it’s creating graphics, managing updates, or capturing event moments, I’m excited to take on the creative responsibilities of this position. Most of all, I care about showcasing the amazing work being done by IMS students and keeping our community informed and inspired. |
Platform:
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Treasurer Candidate and Platform
| Vedansh Kaushik |
| Hello everyone! My name is Vedansh, and I am going into my second year as a Master’s Student at IMS. Over the past year, I have acted as a Graduate Student Union representative for IMSSA. During my time as a representative, I have ensured funding for IMSSA and I have helped plan a multitude of events. I know just how varied and important IMSSA events are, and I know the work that goes behind each one. Now, I want to further work with the financial side of IMSSA, making sure events run smoothly, people get their reimbursements, and that the finances are in order so that IMSSA can keep improving and helping the IMS community. |
Platform:
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| Yalda Champiri |
| Hi, I’m Yalda Champiri, and as I begin my second year as a Master’s student, I’m excited to run for IMSSA Treasurer for the 2025–2026 term. Over the past year, I served as Site Director for Toronto Western and Baycrest, where I organized events, strengthened community ties, and supported students across two busy sites. Through that experience, I developed a strong appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that helps our programs succeed, particularly in maintaining organization, efficiency, and effective management. I’m reliable, detail-oriented, and committed to transparency. I take pride in staying on top of deadlines, ensuring timely reimbursements, and maintaining clear and accurate records. As Treasurer, I’ll ensure our finances support everything that makes IMSSA thrive—from events to initiatives to student needs. I’d be honoured to continue contributing to this community in a new and meaningful way, as your Treasurer. |
Platform:
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Secretary Candidate and Platform
| Ghazal Haddadi |
| Hi, I’m Ghazal Haddadi, a first-year IMS MSc student conducting research at Toronto General Hospital in Anesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences. I thrive on staying organized, being punctual, and paying attention to the little details—traits I believe make me a great fit for the IMSSA Secretary position. I’ve held several leadership roles, including Site Director with IMSSA and Fundraiser Lead at the Dr. Borna Meisami Foundation, where I coordinate events, track volunteer hours, and lead a team of over 20 high school volunteers. I’ve managed communications between partners, handled logistics, and kept detailed records, which makes me confident in managing CCR credit approvals and meeting documentation. For almost 10 years, I’ve also worked as a swim instructor and currently as a pool supervisor, where I manage instructors and students, oversee report cards, and ensure each session runs safely and smoothly. These roles have taught me how to juggle multiple responsibilities while staying focused and detail-oriented. I love helping teams function efficiently and making sure everyone has the information they need to succeed. I’m excited for the chance to bring these skills and my energy to the IMSSA core executive team! |
| Kevin Ymeri |
| Hello, my name is Kevin Ymeri and I am a MSc student at SickKids. My research deals with machine learning and identifying biomarkers that play a role in disease activity for patients with childhood arthritis. As part of my thesis work, I have developed strong organizational and collaborative skills, which have also been applied in student life and leadership roles. During my undergraduate studies at UofT, I served on the Executive committee in the Albanian Student Association, which I am still apart of in my graduate journey, where I help coordinate events with other student organizations that help celebrate culture and identity. I have also been active in the IMS community by serving on the party planning committees for Halloween and Holiday events, as well as the IMS Social Affairs subcommittee, where I helped lead initiatives like the IMS Holiday After Party and Leafs Game Night in collaboration with the sports subcommittee. Having successfully hosted and led a variety of social events, I’ve developed strong organizational and collaboration skills that would be essential for the Secretary role. I understand the importance of accuracy, transparency, and attention to detail when it comes to taking meeting minutes and overseeing CCR credit logistics. With my experience and dedication to fostering a well-organized and engaged student community, I believe I would be a strong fit for the Secretary position on the IMS Executive Team. |
| Maria George |
| My name is Maria George, and I’m a first-year Master’s student in the Institute of Medical Science. I currently manage operations in my lab as a pseudo lab manager, handling scheduling, inventory, and communication, all of which require strong organization and attention to detail. I’ve also held similar administrative and coordination roles in the past, which have prepared me well for the responsibilities of Secretary. I’m meticulous with documentation and experienced in keeping records accurate and up to date. These skills make me confident in my ability to manage meeting minutes and CCR credit logistics efficiently. I value structure, punctuality, and reliability, and I’m passionate about supporting the IMS community behind the scenes. I would be excited to contribute to IMSSA as your next Secretary. |
| Talia Fiaani |
| I’m currently a first year MSc student in IMS doing my work at the Krembil Brain Institute. In my undergraduate degree I always loved taking part in clubs, orientation, peer mentor programs etc. It taught me classic skills like time management, communication between different groups and departments. More importantly, it was a great way to stay in engaged, meet people in the program and contribute to the student experience overall. While I enjoy event planning and engagement, I also like taking apart of the more behind the scenes administrative and organizational aspects of these associations. Overall, I’m looking forward to being more involved in IMSSA throughout the rest of my experience at UofT. |
| Vida Maksimoska |
| Hi, I’m Vida Maksimoska, a Ph.D. student at the Institute of Medical Science (IMS) at the University of Toronto, where my research focuses on drug discovery and protein function in skin biology, with the goal of improving wound care through new therapeutics. I’m currently the co-director of communications for the St. Michael’s Research Student Association and also serve as vice-president with the Science to Business Network (S2BN), where I help support career development for STEM trainees. I also represented Division 4 on the Board of Directors for the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union in 2023 and 2024. I’m enthusiastic about giving back to the IMS community through the role of Secretary, where I can help ensure clear communication and efficient coordination. I’d be honored to bring my organizational experience and dedication to student advocacy to this role. Thank you for your consideration! |
| Yalda Champiri |
| Hi, I’m Yalda Champiri, and as I enter my second year as a Master’s student, I am thrilled to be running for IMSSA Secretary for the 2025–2026 term. This past year, I have served as Site Director for Toronto Western and Baycrest, where I organized a well-attended hot cocoa social (because nothing brings people together like chocolate) and initiated collaborations with other sites, including Princess Margaret. I’ve loved being involved in the IMS community and am always looking for ways to build stronger connections. My friends like to joke that I’m their unofficial secretary—mostly because I never forget a date, deadline, or meeting (even the ones they didn’t know about). I’m organized, punctual, and actually enjoy writing meeting minutes and keeping things on track. Whether it’s CCR credit logistics or event planning, I bring structure and energy to every project I take on. I’d love the opportunity to continue contributing to IMSSA as your next Secretary. |