Tiara Mulder is a PhD candidate in the Department of Biology at Dalhousie University. Her research focuses on muscle repair after exercise-induced damage, using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. Beyond her lab work, Tiara is actively involved in science communication and outreach with organizations such as the Black Canadian Scientist Network, Imhotep Legacy Academy, and the Dalhousie Science Scholars and Leaders Program. Passionate about advancing EDIA (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) in science and healthcare, Tiara is committed to creating more inclusive research environments and promoting diverse perspectives in scientific discourse and communication. Outside of academics and her volunteer work Tiara enjoys watching anime and playing video games.

Create-A-Thon & Show & Tell Director

Anittha Mappanasingam (she/her)

Internal Director (Admin)
Amanda Ball (she/her)

Amanda has a background in biology and environmental conservation and is now an MSc. student in Integrative Biology at the University of Guelph studying mental health among university students. In her spare time, she enjoys teaching and learning from her Girl Guides about the world around them. Amanda is passionate about making science accessible for all, including those with disabilities and those who are typically under-represented in science. She hopes to pursue a career in higher education, supporting faculty in their teaching practises.

Anittha is a PhD student in the Aging Swallow Research Lab at McMaster University. Her research focuses on co-designing resources for caregivers of people living with dementia as they navigate mealtime-related challenges. Through this work, she hopes to build caregiver confidence by enhancing knowledge and offering clear guidance as they navigate an overburdened healthcare system. Anittha completed both her Masters in Rehabilitation Science and Bachelor’s of Science degree at McMaster. Majority of Anittha’s work and extracurriculars are focused on the older adult population. She is also passionate about sharing her knowledge and research with others and finding ways to ensure education and research is accessible to individuals who are under-represented in STEM fields and lack access to educational resources. In her spare time, Anittha enjoys reading, journaling, watching movies, and photography.

Faith is a goal driven researcher and computer scientist passionate about leveraging technology to address real-world challenges. Currently pursuing an MSc in Applied Computer Science & Society at the University of Winnipeg, her work focuses on applying machine learning and deep learning to solve problems in precision agriculture and sustainable development. Beyond technical work, Faith is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in STEM. As the coordinator of the Black Scientists Network at the University of Winnipeg, Faith strives to empower underrepresented communities by fostering collaboration and creating opportunities for growth in the STEM space. Faith is always eager to collaborate on projects that push boundaries and create meaningful change. Whether in the realm of AI, data science, or community development, Faith is motivated to make a lasting impact through her work.

Bio coming soon :)

Sarah da Silva (she/her)

Sarah has a background in Life Sciences and is currently a MSc candidate in Medical Sciences at McMaster University. Her current research focuses on understanding the health and wellbeing of children with cystic fibrosis as they start new treatments. She is passionate about sharing her science with children, their families, and beyond. She is involved in other science communication endeavours such as mentoring high school and undergraduate students and sharing science with the larger community at Soapbox Science Hamilton. Sarah also enjoys getting active and trying new recipes!

Joud Jelassi (she/her)

Joud Jelassi is a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering in the Biomedical Microbiome Research Lab at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. Joud studies airborne microplastics, focusing on their sources, distribution, seasonal behavior, and implications for environmental and human health across local, regional, and global scales. Her science communication journey has grown alongside her research, driven by a desire to translate scientific knowledge on microplastics through public-facing videos and animations. Alongside her academic work, Joud is deeply involved in graduate student leadership and community building, having served in multiple executive roles within graduate student societies and interdisciplinary training programs. She currently serves as one of the Directors of the newly established Graduate Student Association at UBC Okanagan. Outside of research and advocacy, Joud enjoys experimenting with different art forms, climbing, and building community through organizing events.

Rees Hughes (he/him)

Rees Hughes is a physical chemistry PhD student at the University of Toronto, completing a Joint PhD with the University of Melbourne, where he studies the photophysics of quantum dots. Outside of research, Rees is deeply involved in science education and outreach, contributing to both university-led initiatives and non-profit organizations. He is particularly motivated by the impact of informal science learning and its power to make complex ideas accessible through verbal, visual, and hands-on approaches. In his free time, Rees enjoys gaming, bouldering, and doing bad performances during karaoke.