IMSSA Core Executive Elections Candidate Platforms 2025-2026 -

Presidential Candidates

Evelyn Ajayi and Jasmine Amini

Nafia Mirza and Karen 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

TBD

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

Hello IMS Students,

We are excited to be running as your next IMSSA Co-Presidents!

As the Director of Health and Wellness and Director of Community and Outreach, we’ve had the privilege of leading several initiatives and managing multiple demanding tasks within our roles. These experiences have equipped us with the skills and insight to effectively lead and advocate for your needs.

Our mission is to enhance your graduate experience and strengthen our community. We’re committed to ensuring you have the support, resources, and opportunities you need during your time at IMS and beyond.

Strategic Plan:

1. Support Your Growth

We will provide robust academic, mental health, and career development resources to help you succeed, whether you aspire to be a clinician scientist, an educator, or a physician.

2. Building Meaningful Connections

We will create more opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and friendship through workshops, networking events, and student-led initiatives.

3. Championing Inclusion & Outreach

We will collaborate with marginalized communities and external organizations to amplify diverse voices and expand your access to building meaningful connections..

With over 500 students in our community, we believe every student deserves an experience that’s empowering, inclusive, and truly prepares them for their future.

If this vision resonates with you, please vote for Jasmine Amini and Evelyn Ajayi as your next IMSSA Co-Presidents on June 19th.

Together, we can elevate your experience and build lasting connections.

Sincerely,

Jasmine Amini and Evelyn Ajayi

“Empowering Your Journey. Uniting Our Community.”

Watch Evelyn and Jasmine’s platform video:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JG_FwhnqDui-dohxPD9m5ZuDvaTfSsDb/view?usp=sharing

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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

Building Community & Connection

– Organize exciting excursions: Niagara Falls, camping, Hart House Farm, skiing trips, and overnight team-building retreats.

– Host a New Grad Welcome before and after orientation: Picnic, Wonderland, roller skating, karaoke, etc

– Launch Humans of IMS, a storytelling Instagram series showcasing the real journeys, challenges, and triumphs of IMS students, staff, and faculty.

Academic & Career Development

– Expand the Peer Review Program with $100 raffle incentives for reviewers and multiple rounds of revisions

– Coordinate mock thesis defenses with IMS faculty and increase visibility of internal U of T awards.

– Host seminars and career symposiums for diverse pathways: academia, medicine, and industry.

– Organize Industry Day with biotech booths to generate funding for IMSSA initiatives.

Student Support & Advocacy

– Increase IMSSA office hours (online or coffee chats) for support with toxic lab environments or supervisor challenges—we’ll liaise with SGS/CGMS on your behalf.

– Allocate more funding for Site Directors, EDI, and subcommittees to empower grassroots student leadership.

Arts, Wellness & Celebration

– Bring back the IMS Art Symposium with the IMS Magazine and support collaborations with P2P, U of T Talks, LMP, GASP, UTGSU.

– Host Friendsgiving, Holiday, and Halloween parties with free drinks (yes—it’s allowed!).

– Offer professional headshot sessions for LinkedIn.

Tech & Transparency

– Continue improving the IMS App with organized FAQ threads (e.g., thesis help, IMSSA events).

– Support and expand the IMS Methodologies Seminar Series.

Let’s build a stronger, more connected IMS, together.

Watch Nafia and Karan’s platform video:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/156x68P2bi426UTNflE4JIjZ8qofgCXVs/view?usp=sharing

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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:

View Evelyn’s platform and strategic strategy

Dear IMS Students,

My name is Evelyn Ajayi, and I am excited to be running for IMSSA Vice President of Operations.

Great leadership thrives with strong support — and that’s exactly what I aim to provide. As Vice President, I will work closely with our President(s), ensuring they have the collaboration and partnership needed to lead effectively. I also see myself as a bridge between the student body and our leadership, committed to hearing your concerns, amplifying your voices, and acting in your best interest.

At the heart of my platform are three key values: Involvement, Support, and Collaboration.

I am committed to:

1. Involvement

I will be present and engaged at meetings, events, and initiatives led by IMSSA. I will actively seek ways to contribute and help lighten the workload across the team.

2. Support

I’ll be a dependable team player — someone who listens, uplifts, and offers guidance when needed. Your feedback matters, and I’ll use it to help strengthen IMS programming.

3. Collaboration

I will foster practical and meaningful collaboration across subcommittees, site directors, and student groups to ensure we work better, together.

If these values resonate with you, I kindly ask for your vote to be your next Vice President of Operations.

Sincerely,

Evelyn Ajayi

Candidate for IMSSA Vice President of Operations

Watch Evelyn’s platform video here;

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ASg6XYitKI_zTTFhjgLaN8cZ87GhdD9T/view?usp=sharing

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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:

View Moemin’s platform and strategic strategy

Hello! My name is Moemin Rezk and I am excited to be running for the position of Vice-President (Operations) within IMSSA. Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to take part in several IMSSA events, both as an organizer and a participant. These experiences have provided me with insight into how a team can create events that are not only enjoyable, but also welcoming and meaningful. I value the clear communication, ambition, and inclusive teamwork that goes into everything done at IMSSA. In every event that I have supported, I have worked hard to be a dependable team member by offering help wherever it was needed, contributing ideas, and making sure that all students feel included. Going forward into this role, I wish to bring these experiences to support the creation and development of future IMSSA events. I am particularly excited about the opportunity to lead the development of the holiday party, as I believe it is not only an opportunity to celebrate our achievements and de-stress, but also one to form lasting connections. As Vice President of Operations, I will be a dependable source of support for all IMS students, and be a bridge that strengthens communication between all divisions of IMSSA. I will continue to lead with compassion, ensuring that all students feel heard and welcome within our initiatives at IMSSA. If you believe in what I stand for, I kindly ask for your support and your vote for me, Moemin Rezk as Vice President of Operations. Thank you for reading! 🙂

Watch Moemins platform video here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x8BOleohEUlsdnalrBM9Vj1iII6oKw7a/view?usp=sharing

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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:

View Tony’s platform and strategic strategy

As the Vice President of Operations, my mission is to bring clarity, creativity, and calmness to everything behind the scenes at IMSSA. Having had the opportunity to be a member of IMSSA and attending regular meetings, I understand the importance of open communication between the executives, directors, and co-presidents. I hope to work closely with the Vice President of External Affairs to make it easier for subcommittees to access support, for execs to plan with confidence, and for students to feel seen, included, and heard.

I will ensure that the operation side of all the major events like the Winter Holiday Party, IMSSA Apparels, and future socials, is streamlined, inclusive, and student-centered. I also hope to introduce more opportunities for students to connect, in collaboration with the social subcommittee, through events like Friendsgiving and an end-of-term party. I’ll lead with a compassionate and approachable style as someone who listen to your voices, support your needs, and make your lives just a little bit easier. Whether it is event-planning or picking up the right IMSSA hoodie, I’ll be there to support you. Let’s build a smoother, more connected, and (fingers-crossed) joyful IMS experience for everyone, with one event at a time!

Watch Tony’s platform video here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hf6BcX0RNag87laVsM23gPMl8UqaLFXY/view?usp=sharing

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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:

View Elsa’s platform and strategic strategy

As a candidate for VP of External Affairs, I am committed to ensuring that IMSSA is an inclusive and accessible space for us as students to get to know each other, network and of course excel academically and professionally during our time here. As such, it would be my pleasure to lead and organize event in the upcoming year as a great opportunity to foster new connections with new and current students and look forward to bringing some great IMS apparel. During my tenure, I also hope to bring in opportunities for senior graduate students to build their professional skills and continue fostering a relationship with the Biomedical Communications Program and other professional programs within IMS at IMSSA.

o Professional Development: building a resource of professional development tools by IMS for IMS students, geared towards senior graduates students, but available to all to succeed after graduating. This would include career seminars, networking with faculty and Alumni, workshop series for building resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and professional headshots.

o Partnerships with IMS Professional Programs: Continuing our relationship with the Biomedical Communications program within IMSSA and continuing to uphold their representation as part of the IMSSA council. This past year was the first year we had a member of the BMC program, a part of IMS, be a liaison between the two and I want to ensure we continue this relationship to foster more initiatives and collaborations with them and other professional programs in the future!

Watch Elsa’s platform video here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15qXP1FRrj0L48Zdi5K8YyvpV3UhkMM9p/view?usp=sharing

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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

As VP External, my goal is to strengthen collaboration, community, and communication across the IMS and beyond. I will ensure clear and open communication between subcommittees and the executive team by implementing a monthly “Exec Digest” to keep everyone updated and connected. I’ll also work on fostering a more inclusive and social environment through reimagined events like Friendsgiving — featuring a Gratitude Wall, locally catered meals, and opportunities to highlight student voices in an informal, welcoming setting. I’m excited to co-lead the IMSSA Apparel initiative, where students can vote on designs and submit science-themed artwork for limited-edition merch. For the end-of-year social, I’ll help organize a summer picnic or outdoor celebration that brings students together in a relaxed, celebratory setting.

I also plan to coordinate interdepartmental collaborations for larger social events, like a Halloween party and a Spring Fling, co-hosted with LMP, GASP, or UTGSU to pool resources and maximize impact. We’ll also be looking into serving alcohol at the Holiday and Halloween parties to make them more festive — yes, it’s possible! Throughout the year, I’ll ensure subcommittee members feel heard by creating an anonymous feedback system and hosting casual socials to build community within and between teams. With a focus on accessibility, inclusion, and fun, I’m committed to making IMSSA events not only successful, but meaningful. As someone who’s been actively involved in IMSSA for the past three years, I’m excited to continue serving and building the community in new, creative ways.

Watch Nafia’s platform video here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wovMKm7QxMHJnunQolnpT8tfSveOg00_/view?usp=sharing

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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:

View Kevin’s platform and strategic strategy

As part of my platform for Internal Communications, I believe my experience on previous committees at UofT equips me with skills needed to foster strong engagement within the IMS community. I am committed to making communication easy, accessible, and engaging across multiple platforms. By staying on top of current social media trends and leveraging visually appealing and interactive content, I will promote events throughout the school year in ways that are engaging for IMS students. Whether it’s through Instagram stories, posts, or timely responses to messages and comments, I will ensure that all events and initiatives are visible, well-publicized, and actively supported. Perhaps we can expand our horizon by starting a TikTok account (or if not permissible, then incorporating trends on TikTok into our instagram reels) or create incentives for committees to create fun and engaging content (like ranking the promotion of events in a yearly recap). I also aim to encourage participation by highlighting opportunities for students to get involved. I will ensure the newsletter is organized, concise, and sent out on a consistent weekly basis. To further increase engagement, I will prioritize regular and thoughtful communication—whether that’s promoting a call for volunteers or recapping an event with photos and quotes from participants. Ultimately, my goal is to create an internal communications platform that is informative, inclusive, and energizing. I am confident that with consistency, creativity, and active responsiveness, we can make our community feel more connected and excited to participate in everything IMS has to offer.

Watch Kevins platform video here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L42-zgG3KcptqKJ5xY8WP5jxv8fCAhgW/view?usp=sharing

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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:

View Ghazal’s platform and strategic strategy

As Director of External Communications, my goal is to enhance connection, visibility, and engagement across the IMS student community. Building on the success of the “IMSSA ASKS U” initiative, I plan to continue that series and make it even more interactive, opening up the floor for student-submitted questions and rotating guest features from current students, alumni, and faculty. In addition, I will launch a new initiative to spotlight IMS students and their research. This will include “Day in the Life” videos, casual research showcases, and features celebrating student accomplishments like recent publications, conference presentations, or awards. These will be shared on IMSSA’s social media and website to not only highlight academic excellence, but also to foster a sense of belonging and motivation among peers.

As someone who has coordinated volunteers, managed logistics, and led high-visibility community events, I understand the importance of timely, clear, and engaging communication. I am comfortable taking photos and creating content, and I’m always eager to bring fresh ideas to life. I want the IMSSA platforms to reflect the diversity, creativity, and hard work of our students, not just in labs, but across their full academic and personal journeys. I’m committed to being dependable, present at events, and responsive to the needs of the student body. I would be thrilled to use my creativity and communication skills to support the IMSSA mission and help our community shine.

Watch Ghazal’s platform video here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Miq7CGZ-8gHfWzoSVzetpc3RKiwCSEgs/view?usp=sharing

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Treasurer Candidate and Platform

TBD

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.