GradzetteTHE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA’S GRADUATE STUDENT MAGAZINEMARCH 2013

GradzetteTHE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA’S GRADUATE STUDENT MAGAZINE

Gradzettec/o The Manitoban NewspaperPublications Corporation105 University CentreUniversity of ManitobaWinnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2

General inquiries and advertisingPhone: (204) 474.6535Fax: (204) 474.7651Email: publisher@gradzette.comEditor: Sheldon BirnieCopy Editor: Ryan HarbyDesigner: Leif LarsenContributors: Jason Syvixay Marc Legace, Chinenye Alonzie, Jennifer Wasko, Beibei Lu, David Krause, Bryce HoyeCover: Kara Passey

The Gradzette is the official student magazine of the University of Manitoba’s graduate student community and is published on the first Monday of each month byThe Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation.

The Gradzette is a democratic student organization, open to participation from all students. It exists to serve its readers as students and citizens.

The magazine’s primary mandate is to report fairly and objectively on issues and events of importance and interest to the graduate students of the University of Manitoba, to provide an open forum for the free expression and exchange of opinions and ideas and to stimulate meaningful debate on issues that affect or would otherwise be of interest to the student body and/or society in general.

The Gradzette serves as a training ground for students interested in any aspect of journalism. Students and other interested parties are invited to contribute. Please contact the Editor for submission guidelines.

The Gradzette reserves the right to edit all submissions and will not publish any material deemed by its editorial board to be discriminatory, racist, sexist, homophobic or libelous. Opinions expressed in letters and articles are solely those of the authors.

The Gradzette is a member of the Canadian University Press, a national student press cooperative with members from St. John’s to Victoria.

All contents are ©2013 and may not be reprinted without the express written permission of the Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation.

Yearly subscriptions to the Gradzette are available, please contact publisher@gradzette.com for more information.

he University of Manitoba graduate students met at the senate chambers Jan. 20, 2013 for their annual general meeting, about 48 graduate students and non academic staff were in attendance. The

meeting started with a welcome speech by GSA president Rotimi Ojo. " Past minutes and agenda were approved by the house and the meeting went into full swing when the house received the annual report from the executive committee. Vice president internal Chadwick Cowie presented a

repor t on the budget . " “How is our graduate student association fee utilized?” one graduate

s tudent a sked . " “GSA fee is one of the sources of income used in the day-to-day running of the GSA,” Oji responded. “The financial report presented by Cowie shows

the ca sh f low and expenses . ” " In the budget report, Cowie explained that four $1,000, one $19,000, and thirteen $5,000 bursaries (a total of $88,000) were dispersed to graduate students, which presented a slight increase from the past year’s total of

$ 7 6 , 0 0 0 ." The house was in favour of the appointment of BDO Canada LLP as its auditor for the year 2012/2013. The roles of an auditor include evaluating several

a spect s o f the bus iness , ongo ing pro ject s and e ven employees . " A motion to create another portfolio to handle issues outside the job description of the existing executives was moved, supported by vice president

hea l th sc iences Caro l yn Weis s ." “I had to spend an extra year completing my degree due to heavy responsibilities,” Weiss explained. The house deliberated and the motion was

c a r r i e d ." The new portfolio, vice president (marketing and events), was created

Annual GSA AGM well attended

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Budget passed, new executive created, reimbursement for travel discussedBy Chinenye Alonzie

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Photo by Chinenye Alonzie

and its job description will be drafted and included in the election policy

m a n u a l . " The motion to provide a clear guideline on how executives should be re imbursed wa s cons idered , suppor ted by Cowie . "“Execut ives should be re imbursed for of f ic ia l t ra ve l and parking ,

according to university standard (43 cents per km),” Cowie explained." It was further established that executive members who are travelling between UMGSA and HSGSA, or vice versa, as well as between GSA offices to external meetings and back may claim reimbursement for travel and parking

cos t . Other than that , cos t w i l l not be re imbursed ." “How do we validate the claims of the executives?” asked one grad

s tudent . “How can we te l l they a re say ing the t r uth?”" “Working as an executive with the GSA,” replied Carolyn Weiss, “goes

w i th t r us t so there i s noth ing we can do about i t . ”

" Vice president external Tonia Bates also commented on the motion. " “We need two separate lists that explains parking cost and mileage cost,”

she sug ges ted ." GSA senator Moreno Sem suppor ted the sug gest ion , add ing “ re imbursement shou ld be l imi ted to the cos t o f a bus pa s s . ” " This was not fully welcomed by the house and the motion was adjoined and referred to the Internal Development and Review Committee (IDRC). The IDRC is a committee responsible for evaluating the performance of the executive council members and also for reviewing decisions relating to the

e x e c u t i v e s ." Ojo emphasized that the UMGSA is not a member of CFS until confirmed or denied. Research and deliberation will be maintained until a

dec i s ion i s reached . " He went further to explain that there is no such thing as the UPASS in 2013-2014. Graduate students are in discussion with the transit. No organization has negotiated or concluded about the UPASS. Negotiation will be initiated and

information wil l be required f rom students in the form of a sur vey. " The “We want GSA clubs” issue was raised. The house saw the need to facilitate the recognition of GSA clubs as UMSU does not recognize clubs with less than 60 per cent of graduate students. After deliberation the house carried the motion and developments were adjoined to the next AGM.

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‘How do we validate the claims of the executives?’ asked one grad student. ‘How

can we tell they are saying the truth?’

hantel Gushue is a University of Manitoba M.Sc. candidate studying Prion disease through the department of medical microbiology and

in fect ious d i sea ses . " Prion diseases, other wise known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, consist of a variety of neurological disorders in humans and animals, like Mad Cow Disease. The misfolding of certain cellular proteins—prions—effectively disables the central nervous system’s (CNS) inflammatory

re sponse sy s tem. " “[Prion diseases] are invariably fatal neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by the conversion of a normal protein found in the brain into an

infectious isoform,” stated Gushue in an interview with the Gradzette. " The “infectious isoforms” or misfolded CNS proteins trigger gliosis—the proliferation of supportive glial cells—inevitably leads to progressive neuronal

l o s s ." “Gliosis is the activation of the brain’s imunnofactor cells, known as microg l i a l ce l l s . ”" Typically, the activation of these cells results in an inflammatory response, remarked Gushue, explaining that the microglial cell-induced inflammatory response is one of the proposed mechanisms involved in Prion

d i sea se that she focused on for her ma ster ’s re search . " “Gushue graduated in the spring of 2008 with a four-year Bachelor of

Sc ience f rom the Univer s i ty o f Winnipeg (U of W ) . " During those formative undergrad years, Gushue gained experience as a

laboratory demonstrator for introductory level biology courses at the U of W, and spent a summer working as a research assistant for the U of M’s

depar tment o f an ima l sc ience – sw ine nutr i t ion . " “I spent half of my time in the barn with pigs and piglets and the other ha l f in the l ab . ” " Although it wasn’t exactly medical microbiology, Gushue appreciated the opportunity and learned some valuable lessons that later helped her with her

m a s t e r ’ s . " “It made me realize that research always takes longer than you originally anticipate. I believe that in our day and age, especially in the science world, it is

very important to gain as much experience in as many [fields] as possible.” " In the fall of 2009, she enrolled in her current master’s program under

the super v i s ion o f Dr. S tephan ie A . Booth ." Already well into the writing phase of her master’s, Gushue spent much of her time over the past few years conducting research in the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) located in the Canadian Science Centre for

Human and Anima l Hea l th . " Situated at 1015 Arlington Street, just blocks away from the Health Sciences Centre and the U of M’s Bannatyne Campus, the NML is considered Canada’s preeminent infectious disease research facility and is recognized the world over for its high containment level laboratories and state-of-the-art e q u i p m e n t . " Gushue’s research specifically focuses on “a microRNA that’s been

RESEARCHER PROFILE

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Shantel GushueBy Bryce Hoye

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shown to be [over-expressed] during Prion disease, and investigating its role within the innate immune response that is elicited during this disease process.” " That particular microRNA [miRNA] is known as miR-146a. According to Gushue, the increase in miR-146a in the brains of Prion infected subjects suggested to the research community that it played a role in the progression of the d i sea se . " Gushue was named first author of a 2012 paper published in the peer-reviewed academic journal, PLOS ONE, entitled “MicroRNA 146a (miR-146a) Is Over-Expressed during Prion Disease and Modulates the Innate Immune

Response and the Microg l i a l Act iva t ion Sta te . ”" “Interestingly, our lab had found a specific miRNA to be upregulated or

increa sed in the bra ins o f in fected mice . ” " Gushue developed her own in vitro model to test and mimic Prion disease

in an a t tempt to f i gure out potent ia l t a rget s o f miR- 146a ." “Because miRNAs target messenger RNAs and effect their degradation or translational repression, which results in less protein being produced,” Gushue described, it was her job within the context of Prion disease “to look at what miR-146a [ . . . ] is potentially targeting that may play a role in disease

o u t c o m e . ”" Using a proteomic approach, Gushue set up a variety of experimental

conditions – including one such condition where miR-146a was over-expressed. " According to Gushue, the prediction was that “upon over-expression of miR-146a, potential targets would be exposed, indicated by a reduction in that

par t i cu la r prote in when compared a ga ins t contro l s . ” " The group of potential targets generated from the proteomic data was then compared against both existing genomic data within the lab and

“bioinformatically predicted targets” that are readily accessible on the Internet. " “Essentially you’d extract the proteins and then label each different

experimental condition with a different tandem mass tag,” said Gushue. " Once labeled, researchers like Gushue mix all of the conditions together, and the “mass spectrometry machine [is] able to look at differentially expressed proteins and compare [ . . . ] each experimental condition. So, you can see the

changes in cer ta in prote ins f rom whiche ver condi t ion . ”" The thought was that maybe taking a closer look at miRNA-146a would “expose another molecule that could potentially be therapeutic with regards to

Pr ion d i sea se . ”" Gushue ended up finding “one true target known as nitric oxide synthase (iNOS),” explaining that iNOS is responsible for the production of nitric oxide ( N O ) . " Gushue went on to say that NO has a known antiviral function and is often “produced during an anti-inflammatory response and results in the killing o f neurons . ” " Thus, as a result of iNOS activity, which is triggered during the prion-induced inflammatory response and shown to be harmful to neurons, miR-146a appears to be targeting, dampening and attempting to compensate for the

re su l t ing det r imenta l e f fect s ." “Right now, the hypothesis is that miR-146a is working to dampen the

innate immune response , ” conf i rmed Gushue . " That is to say that miR-146a is “trying to restore homeostasis within the brain by bringing down the inflammatory response, which is harmful and

det r imenta l to neurons . ”" In identifying the targets of miR-146a, Gushue hopes to gain a better understanding of the disease process in general and potentially identify proteins

or pathways that may ha ve therapeut ic va lue ." Gushue is slated to finish her program in the spring.

5Gradzette

he candidates for this year’s University of Manitoba Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) general election are officially off to the

races in the lead-up to the voting period f rom Mar. 11 – 13 ." While 2012 saw a voter turnout of 9.9 per cent, Kendra Magnus-Johnston, chief returning officer, is banking on improved campus promotions and media support to increase voter turnout and to raise awareness about the

ne wl y added on l ine po l l ing sy s tem." “We’re [also] encouraging candidates to run more elaborate and thorough promotion campaigns,” says Magnus-Johnston. “We’re [also] reaching out to GSA committee members to encourage participation in elections-related

e v e n t s . ” " Voters will note a visible absence of returning executive officers this year. This lack of sustained interest and contested positions is troublesome, said

M a g n u s - J o h n s t o n ." “If we had enough students running for positions to be contested, students would have incentive to promote themselves as candidates, and individual voters would cast their votes with the knowledge that their ballot cou ld make or break someone 's campa ign . ” " She added, “[There’s] nothing like a little friendly competition to liven

up an e lect ion ! ” " Voters will cast their vote for GSA President, Vice President Internal, Vice President External, Vice President Academic, Senators, President (HSGSA), Vice President Internal (HSGSA), Vice President External (HSGSA),

Vice President Academics (HSGSA), and Vice President St. Boniface (HSGSA). " “Students should vote because I’m sick and tired of them not voting,” Magnus-Johnston asserted. “If you're a graduate student, that means that you're engaged, curious, competent, and above-all smart. Why you wouldn’t embrace your right to participate in the electoral process that permits the individuals who in f luence such a s i gn i f i cant par t o f your l i f e ? ” " Having a say in issues like graduate student health coverage, a proposed U-PASS, and funding for professional development is reason alone to vote, says

M a g n u s - J o h n s t o n ." From Mar. 11 – 13, students will be emailed directly with login and

password information to their University of Manitoba student account. " “I’ve got great news: because it’s online, you don't even have to leave the

comfort of your personal computer [to vote],” added Magnus-Johnston. " Potential voters will have an opportunity to learn more about each candidate’s platforms at an All Candidates Forum on Mar. 6, and online at www.umgsa.ca.

Interviews with each candidate fo!ow

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By Jason Syvixay

Gradzette

GSA executive election to take place CRO confident that online polling system will increase voter turnout

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2013 GSA election candidates. From left to right: Farhoud Delijani, Gustavo Mejicanos, Monika Wetzel, Emeka Okeke, Crystal Cook, Madhi Rahiman

Photo by Beibei Lu

onika Wetzel is currently undertaking her M.Sc. in the program of developmental health, in the department of family social sciences. She holds several areas of interest in this field. However,

Wetzel is very passionate about research related to neurological conditions, aging, and health, using a mixed-methods approach.

Gradzette: Why do you want to be elected GSA president?

Monika Wetzel: I must be honest, being part of student activities and groups has become quite addicting for me! I am running for this position because I have fallen in love with the teamwork, playing a role in student advocacy, relationship-building, politics, networking, learning, and increased awareness that is associated with so many of these student bodies at the University of Manitoba. I am here because I want to be here, and I want to do the job well by continuing the hard work that last year’s council started.

G: What is your background in student politics or related activity?

MW: Much of my experience has been gained by sitting on committees within my department, such as the Family Social Sciences Graduate Student Committee, Curriculum Committee, Endowment Fund Advisory Committee, Department Council, Graduation Committee, and the Human Ecology Student Organization as senator, as well

as committees throughout the University of Manitoba, including the GSA Council as the representative of the department of family social sciences, GSA Awards Committee, the Senate Committee on Policies and Procedures, and Senate Student Caucus.

G: Why should grad students vote for you?

MW: When I dedicate myself to anything, I do it to the best of my abilities. I am also honest, responsible, and a great listener (and “chatterbox!”). Student affairs are also a passion of mine, so I hope to make myself accessible to graduate students and to use these skills to maintain an open line of communication, in order to make this an exciting and enjoyable year for all students.

G : Where do you see the GSA headed under your leadership should you be elected?

MW: As I mentioned earlier, in this new term I hope to carry-on the positive changes that the current council has accomplished over the past year, such as continued graduate student funding (i.e., conference grants). In addition, as this year’s council has done, I plan on ensuring that students’ voices are well represented at all levels of decision-making. Let’s work together by increasing the information flow between graduate students and GSA to ensure you are given the best student experience possible!

Monika Wetzel

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GSA Presidential Candidate

By Jennifer Wasko

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Photo by Beibei Lu

adhi Rahiman has a master #om the University of Isfahan, as we! as a ba c h e l o r s d e g r e e f r o m I AU i n Applied Linguistics. Rahiman is

currently enro!ed as a master’s student in linguistics at the University of Manitoba, completing a thesis on second language learning.

G ra d z e t t e : Why are you r unning for v ice president academic? What do you hope to accomplish during your term?

Madhi Rahiman: I would love to serve as VPA to advocate for students whenever and wherever I can. I hope to promote workshops to help the academic endeavors of graduate students, to shed light on and utilize possibilities in the business of academic studies.

G: What is your background/interest in student politics?

MR: Volunteering and working with youth has become a part of my identity, a part of my day-to-day life in the past 12 years. I was previously a student group foundation council member, and was also member of the author council of a student magazine named Mirror. I’ve also been involved in two students groups at U of M.

Outside the academic setting, I’ve also done some work with various NGOs over the years. I would love to share some of my experience with fellow graduate students.

G : Where do you see the GSA headed in 2013 /2014 , and how do you see yourse l f contributing towards that goal?

MR: I wish for a better year for the grad students at the U of M and GSA. Along with the rest of GSA members, I hope to play a role in achievement of better academic goals and fulfillment of higher standards in our university.

Madhi Rahiman

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GSA VP Academic Candidate

By Sheldon Birnie

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Photo by Beibei Lu

arhoud Delijani received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in Iran. In 2001, he and his wife moved to Toronto, where they lived for five years before

deciding to go back to school.

“U of M had programs for both of us, so we moved to Winnipeg,” he explains.

Delijani got his master ’s in civil engineering working on the effects of fabric formwork on concrete quality. Currently, Delijani is completing his Ph.D. in biosystems engineering, with research focused on “Long term durability of Structural Insulated Panels.”

Gradzette : Why are you running for vice president internal? What do you hope to accomplish during your term?

Farhoud Delijani: I served as VPI of the GSA in 2010 -2011 . I am t r u l y proud o f our accomplishment in that term. There are several reasons for my decision to run again. I believe GSA has a lot of potential to directly help grad student’s body at the U of M. Issues such as better health care will be one of my focuses. My other goal will be finding secure

profitable ways to invest GSA’s funds in and use the interest to improve grad students’ life.

G : What is your background/interest in student politics?

FD: I was actively involved in student politics back in Iran and as I mentioned before, serving as VPI for a year taught me a lot.

G: Where do you see the GSA headed in 2013/2014, and how do you see yourself contributing towards that goal?

Farhoud Delijani: I wil l be dynamical ly involved with committees and subcommittees and t r y to encoura ge g rad s tudent to participate in decision making processes. We need to work together and take advantage of the huge potential that our student union GSA has. I have a feeling that the importance and the role that GSA can play in our lives has been underestimated or not fully promoted. We need everyone to come forward with new ideas and suggestions. We should understand that this union belongs to all of us and can do a lot for each of us.

Farhoud Delijani

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GSA VP Internal Candidate

By Sheldon Birnie

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Photo by Beibei Lu

rystal Cook is a graduate of the faculty o f n u r s i n g w h o r e c e i v e d h e r undergraduate degree in 2008 #om t h e Un i v e r s i t y o f Ma n i t o ba.

Origina!y #om Norway House, MB, Crystal is currently in her second year in the Clinical Nurse Specialist Stream, specializing in hemodialysis and working with Indigenous communities.

Gradzette : Why are you running for this position? What do you hope to accomplish during your term?

Crystal Cook: I am endeavoring to provide my expertise as a long-time student and user of univers ity ser vices f rom the unique perspective of an indigenous person, woman, and mother. I hope that we can all work together in council to advance the education and procurement of graduate students. I wish to accomplish the goals set out by the council that ensures our student body is at the forefront of research and contributing to the advancement of society as a whole.

G : What is your background/interest in student politics?

CC: My main interest in student politics is mostly in trying to ensure that the student body remains accountable to the students as well as being a fair representative for the campus population.

G: Where do you see the GSA headed in 2013/2014, and how do you see yourself contributing towards that goal?

CC: There are many changes coming in the future wi th the reorgan izat ion o f departments, such as the proposed clustering of faculties and the continuing autonomy of the council. I see the GSA headed toward greater recognition as a political body and voice for graduate students and I wish to contribute towards this goal by ensuring the integrity and responsibility of the council remains of uppermost concern. I want the students to have faith in our council and be proud of it as well.

Crystal Cook

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GSA VP External Candidate

By Sheldon Birnie

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Photo by Beibei Lu

meke Okeke is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in medical immunology at the University of Manitoba. Before moving to Winnipeg in 2010, he completed a Masters degree in Chemistry at the University of Guelph.

Gradzette: Why are you interested in running for a senate position?

Emeke Okeke: I am passionate about student representation in administration circles and have great concern for the

welfare of graduate students.G: What is your background in student politics?

EO: In my undergraduate days, I was the president and the departmental voice for students through the organization

called student practical and creative chemical society.G: Why should grad students vote for you?

EO: Grad students should vote for me because I have the necessary leadership qualities to effectively represent them in administration circles and to seek for their welfare while doing so.

G: If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (dead or alive), who would it be and why?

EO: If I could sit down to dinner with anyone (dead or alive) it would be Nelson Mandela.

alistus Ekenna is currently pursuing a master’s in social work at the U of M. He received a diploma in mass communications #om Benue State University in Nigeria. EGradzette: Why are you interested in

running for a senate position?

Calistus Ekenna: I would like to be able to advocate and represent the graduate students; to be able to advocate for things that are of interest to graduate students.

Gradzette: What is your background in student politics?

CE: While here at the University of Manitoba, since I’ve joined the graduates faculty in 2011, I’ve been the council member representing the social work graduate students for the Graduate Student’s Association council.

G: Why should grad students vote for you?

CE: I’d be very consistent with the advocacy and representing the interests of graduate students, and I’m a very passionate about making sure graduate students are well-represented.

G: If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (dead or alive), who would it be and why?

CE: My wife. She understands me very well, she’s my best friend and she’s the closest person to me. I believe that she knows me, she knows what I stand for, and she’s somebody that I could ask to go to something on my behalf. I see her as my better half.

ustavo Mejicanos is a graduate student at the University of Manitoba studying for his masters degree in the department of animal science. Mejicanos earned his B.Sc. in Guatemala and a diploma in

agriculture at the University of Manitoba.

Gradzette: Why are you interested in running for a senate position?

Gustavo Mejicanos: I believe as a senator I can participate in activities and I can give support to other members of the team. I am a team player and I will be involved not just in my duties, but supporting other members of the team.

G: What is your background in student politics?

GM: Mostly professional associations. I was president of the Agricultural Engineers in Guatemala in the area where I was working. We had several chapters and I was president of one of them.

G: Why should grad students vote for you?

GM: Experience. I am also a team player so they can expect me to work for everybody not just for my own activities but supporting everything.

G: If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (dead or alive), who would it be and why?

GM: I would probably discuss politics with Bill Clinton.

Emeke Okeke, Calistus Ekenna & Gustavo Mejicanos

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GSA Senator Candidates

By Marc Lagace

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elissa Rabb is a Ph.D. student with the department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. She received her B.Sc. (Honours) in microbiology and immunology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS. During that time she

volunteered as the VP of the DalDance Society and had great times with the Dal Outdoors club. Rabb is currently the President of the Med Micro Student Council and has enjoyed organizing social and educational events for their students. She plans to help the HSGSA council to break barriers and get more students involved.

Gradzette: Why do you want to be elected HSGSA president?

Melissa Rabb: The previous HSGSA councils have done a really great job at maintaining the momentum of the HSGSA and it is my goal to keep that energy going and continue to work towards a more integrated HSGSA. The diverse areas of research studied by our graduate s tudents at the Univers i ty of Manitoba provide opportunities for collaboration, education, and friendship. We hope to be able to break some of the invisible departmental barriers and foster greater communication within the graduate student community.

G: What is your background in student politics or related activity?

MR: In my second year of undergrad, I was VP of the DalDance society, where I organized dance classes, was a liaison between teachers and the council, and helped to organize the year-end show. This past year I was the president of the Medical Microbiology Student Council. We organized social and bowling events, along with

a scholarship-writing workshop. As part of this council I also sit in at Med Micro departmental meetings as the student representative. I was also part of the 2012 Prairie Infectious Immunology Network committee. I organized transportation of graduate students to and from this conference.

G: Why should grad students vote for you?

MR: Although my experience with the HSGSA council is limited, my experience on other student councils is not. As VP of DalDance, I learned strong leadership and organizational skills. As president of the Med Micro student council, I was able to put my event planning to the test and experience the administrative side of running a department. I can’t wait to start organizing more interdepartmental events, such as a lecture series that rotates among departments and workshops led by students.

G: Where do you see the HSGSA headed under your leadership should you be elected?

MR: Should I be elected, the focus of our HSGSA council will be better interdepartmental graduate student relations. Environmental sustainability is an important topic that I would like to discuss more with the university and graduate students. I hope we can come up with some solutions to make our carbon footprint a little smaller. Lastly, I’d like to get more graduate students interested in the HSGSA and the decisions we will be making because these decisions can influence their graduate school experience.

Melissa Rabb

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HS GSA Presidential Candidate

By Jennifer Wasko

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Photo provided by candidate

mrit Boese’s academic background is diverse. She completed her undergraduate B.Sc. Honours in the zoology department at the University of Manitoba and a

chemical and biosciences technology diploma at Red River Co!ege. A(er working as a lab technician at the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health for three years, Boese decided to pursue a Master’s in the medical microbiology and infectious diseases department, where she transitioned to a Ph.D. Gradzette: Why are you running for Health Sciences vice president academic?

Amrit Boese: I am running for this position because I want to gain direct experience with the academic s ide o f s tudent l i f e a t the Bannatyne campus. I want to represent students in a way that maximizes their abilities to obtain academic training and opportunities. Many students are unaware of the resources out there and I want to help them access those resources.

Gradzette: What is your background in student politics, or related activities?

AB: I have served on the PrioNet Networks of Excellence Students and Young Professionals Council as both Vice-Chair (2011-2012) and Education and Training Committee (2010-2011).

Through these opportunities I sat on various committees, through which we were able to put on two national career workshops, one in Ottawa and one in Edmonton for the members. On top o f that , I re v ie wed t ra ve l g rant applications and it was extremely helpful for my own pursuits to see what it is like on the other side of the application. I hope to bring these insights to the graduate student body at the University of Manitoba.

G: Where do you see the HGSA headed in 2013-2014 under your leadership?

AB: I believe the HSGSA will benefit from my wide range of experience as well as my exposure to various different departments. I have contacts on the Fort Garry Campus, the Bannatyne campus, Saint Boniface campus and the National Microbiology Laboratory where I conduct my research. Being in a molecular biology laboratory that works not only on prions in the complex organ that is the brain, but also the emerging microRNA field has given me the ability to network in various fields. I enjoy what I do and I hope that I can help others enjoy their graduate studies as wel l whi le obtaining their fu l l potential.

Amrit Boese

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HS GSA VP Academic Candidate

By David Krause

Gradzette

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Photo provided by candidate

a m i l l a Ko s c i u c z y k c o m p l e t e d h e r undergraduate B.Sc. in the microbiology d e p a r t m e n t c o -o p p r o g ra m a t t h e University of Manitoba. Immediately a(er

graduation, she continued with a master’s in medical microbiology and infectious diseases. Outside the academic realm, Kosciuczyk enjoys dancing with the Sokol Polish Dance Folk Ensemble. Kosciuczyk commits many hours towards the function and sustainability of the organization, mainly through fundraising events. 

Gradzette : Why are you running for Health Sciences vice president external?

Kamil la Kosciuczyk: I am running for this position because I want to gain more leadership experience. Most of my previous work has been done on a smaller scale so I would love to have this opportunity to represent a larger population. With regards to the specific position, I think it is ver y important for students to realize that although we come from various departments, we have very similar goals.  One of the benefits of being on a multi-departmental campus is having the opportunity to interact and learn from one another. I would like to help students optimize their graduate exper ience by promoting a collaborative environment.   

G: What is your background in student politics, or related activities?

KK: I’m a new face when it comes to student politics. However, I have a lot of skills I feel would greatly benefit HSGSA. My five year ongoing membership to the Sokol Polish Dance Folk Ensemble demonstrates my commitment and ability to balance my professional and personal endeavors. I love working on a team and am continuously exposed to new environments and new people. I have experience in coaching, coordinating social events, and I hope to fully exploit these skil ls through my role in the HSGSA. 

G : Where do you see the HGSA headed in 2013-2014 under your leadership?

Kamilla Kosciuczyk: The on-going theme for the past few years has been to promote departmental interactions and my goal is to continue these efforts; breaking barriers, bridging borders. I strongly support and fully encourage collaborative environments. In addition to knowledge, I believe networking is an important aspect to a successful career and now is the time to take advantage of this opportunity when we have many diverse, brilliant, young minds around every corner!   

Kamilla Kosciuczyk

15

HS GSA VP External Candidate

By David Krause

Gradzette

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Photo by Beibei Lu

essica Forbes completed her B.Sc. in microbiology at the Univers i ty o f Manitoba. Short ly therea(er she started her M.Sc. in medical microbiology and infectious diseases. Forbes recently transitioned to the Ph.D. program.

Forbes’ research project entails an investigation into the role played by the gut microbiota in several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Forbes’ extracurricular interests include playing soccer and running.

Gradzette : Why are you running for Health Sciences vice president internal?

Jessica Forbes: I’m a really focused person and completing my Ph.D. in a timely manner has always been, so to speak, number one. However, I decided to run for this position to essentially get involved in student leadership. I spend most of my time at the National Microbiology Laboratory as well as the Bannatyne campus. The Bannatyne campus has a much different vibe than that seen at the main campus, as such, graduate student needs and services should be first and foremost improved and, secondly, tailored to our students.

G: What is your background in student politics, or related activities?

JF: I have next to no background in student politics. I see this as an opportunity to grow as a student leader.

G : Where do you see the HGSA headed in 2013-2014 under your leadership?

JF: I ’m a ver y passionate and determined individual. I thoroughly enjoy the graduate school experience and, even more so, take pride in my research. I hope to excel as VP Internal by applying my passion and determination to continue to make the Bannatyne campus an ideal student community as previous executives have strived to create.

 

Jessica Forbes

16

HS GSA VP Internal Candidate

By David Krause

Gradzette

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lison Müler received her undergraduate degree in general biology at the University of Victoria and moved to Winnipeg to pursue an M.Sc. in cardiovascular physiology within the physiology department at the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (ICS). Mü!er completed her M.Sc in October, 2012 and is now investigating the role of

microRNA in mesenchymal stem ce! differentiation for her Ph.D. within ICS.

Gradzette: Why are you running for the vice president St. Boniface position?  

Alison Müler: I am running for this position because I am familiar with the position. This is the third year I’m running and I enjoy doing it immensely.

Gradzette: What is your background in student politics, or related activity?

AM: I am recognized on the St. Boniface campus as the one who knows what’s going on so students who have been around longer can point newer students to me and I can help them out. This level of familiarity makes my job enjoyable and I want to maintain it as well as being more involved with the Bannatyne campus. Making meaningful connections with people is a crucial aspect in whatever road I decide to take in my future and this position gives me exposure to all the people involved in various aspects of maintaining a university.

G: Where do you see the HGSA headed in 2013-2014 under your leadership?

AM: As I am the only candidate from the previous executive running again, I believe that I will be a guide in the first few months to help maintain the level of involvement with all various aspects of the executive responsibilities that was established by the previous exec and continue on and improve upon the ideas from last year. I see the HSGSA continuing to break barriers between the different departments and faculties on the Bannatyne campus and will continue to encourage St Boniface students to get involved.

ndrew Stalker started his master’s degree in medical microbiology and infectious disease in September, 2012.   Prior to this he worked at the Bannatyne campus as a lab technician and a co-op student over the past three years. Stalker graduated #om the University of Manitoba with a B.Sc. Honours in genetics with a minor in chemistry. Stalker also

started playing hockey and curling through HSGSA and departmental organized activities. 

Gradzette: Why are you running for the position of vice president, marketing and events?

Andrew Stalker: I am running for the position of VP Marketing and Events because I have thoroughly enjoyed getting involved in HSGSA and departmentally run events both as a grad student and during my time as a co-op student. I strongly believe that by increasing the communication both socially and professionally between departments that students will gain a richer, broader education and have access to a more diverse network of contacts.

G: What is your background in student politics, or related activities?

AS: The position of VP Marketing and Events is a new position this year. Although my experience with student politics is limited, I believe I am well suited to this position because of my work helping to run a summer musical theater program for children and young adults over the past five years.  

G: Where do you see the HGSA headed in 2013-2014 under your leadership?

AS: I hope that through my work with the HSGSA we will see more and more students attending events from the many different health science graduate departments as well as students in med school. I hope through my contacts and relationships with professors and students we will be able to generate more interest in the wide variety of events the HSGSA puts on. As a slate, we believe that breaking barriers between the departments will not only make everyone’s graduate studies experience more enjoyable but also more valuable.

Allison Müler Andrew Stalker

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GSA VP St. Boniface GSA VP Marketing & Events

By David Krause

Gradzette

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