Our Team

Board of Directors

RUDRANSH KUMAR Chair of the BoardRudransh is currently an Engineering Physics student at UBC! In addition to Youreka, he works in an engineering research lab where he is currently developing an automated, high throughput system for organoid microinj… — **RUDRANSH KUMAR**
*Director*
Rudransh is currently an Engineering Physics student at UBC! In addition to Youreka, he works in an engineering research lab where he is currently developing an automated, high throughput system for organoid microinjection. He also co-founded a startup that is creating a novel stormwater decontamination and monitoring technology for municipalities! By coupling innovation and social enterprise, he believes we can solve problems that matter to people.

MEHUL GUPTA CoMehul is a Doctor of Medicine (MD) student at the University of Calgary. Outside of Youreka, he has research interests in medical genetics, bioinformatics, as well as the interface between public policy and medical practice. He is also a passionate advocate for mental health, working to create resources aimed at supporting those in need. — **MEHUL GUPTA**
*Director/Co-founder*
Mehul is a Doctor of Medicine (MD) student at the University of Calgary. Outside of Youreka, he has research interests in medical genetics, bioinformatics, as well as the interface between public policy and medical practice. He is also a passionate advocate for mental health, working to create resources aimed at supporting those in need.

SUNAND KANNAPPAN Co-FounderSunand is a graduate from the University of Calgary and incoming Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company with a major in biomedical sciences and a minor in management and society. Apart from Youreka, he is involved in oncology research, biomedical informatics and healthcare operations. He is also involved in impact investing and consulting for impact-driven non-profit organizations in Canada. — **SUNAND KANNAPPAN**
*Director/Co-founder*
Sunand is a graduate from the University of Calgary and a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company with a major in biomedical sciences and a minor in management and society. Apart from Youreka, he is involved in oncology research, biomedical informatics and healthcare operations. He is also involved in impact investing and consulting for impact-driven non-profit organizations in Canada.

Andrew is a student from the Ivey School of Business at Western University and an incoming Investment Banking Analyst at Moelis & Company in New York. He previously studied biological sciences at the University of Alberta where he also conducted cell biology and bioinformatics research. He is passionate about leadership, business, and science, and the power all three can hold in solving global problems.

Members and Consultants

Dr. Douglas Clark, MA, PhD
Dr. Aru Narendran, MD, PhD
Dr. Ian Winchester, BPh, BSc, PhD

National Executive

**JENNA HOLLOWAY**
*President*
Jenna is a student at the University of Calgary pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering. She has a special interest in research involving pluripotent stem cell expansion for regenerative medicine. She is most passionate about making science and learning accessible, and giving back to her community. Outside of academics and Youreka, she enjoys reading, being active, and knitting.

**REESE LADAK**
*Senior Vice President of National Development*
Reese is currently pursuing his PhD at McGill University in cancer research, with a particular focus on using the virus responsible for COVID-19 to improve virus-based cancer treatments. Beyond being an avid researcher, Reese is also a Kids Help Phone Crisis Responder and has recently developed a taste for scenic and landscape photography (go follow him on Instagram at reeses_master.pieces)!

**MATHILDE LOTZ**
*Senior Vice President of Regional Operations*
Mathilde is a former Anatomy and Cell biology student at McGill University. She is now working as Operation Manager in a Femtech start up. Mathilde can’t go a week without sports. From artistic swimming to cross-country skiing, she is always eager to involve others into exciting adventures. Youreka is one of her favorite adventures, and she is delighted to share her passion for science across Canada.

National Operations Team

**TOM DING**
*Co-Vice President of Programs*
Tom is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on using computer vision to automate the profiling of mature, stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes for regenerative medicine. He hopes to make scientific research as accessible as possible to everyone in his community and beyond. In his spare time, he enjoys performing the violin and playing competitive tennis.

**OMAYMA AL JABIRY**
Co-*Vice President of Experience*
Omayma has been with Youreka for five years now! She enjoys working with the team and loves giving high school students a research opportunity. She is a Master of Translational Health Sciences student at the University of Windsor with an Honours Bachelor of Biological Sciences and is a silver-lead medallion recipient. Her research focuses on COVID-19's impacts on newborn milestones and development. She is also working on a research project in regard to medical student readiness for Objective Structured Clinical Examinations. Youreka has provided her with many opportunities and opened up many doors. She can't wait to see what this year holds in store, and she wishes the entire team the best of luck!

**ALEXANDER HE** *Co-Vice President of Programs*
Alex is currently working as a Research Assistant at the Hanrahan Lab, in McGill University. His current works focuses on studying the role of the key Cystic Fibrosis gene CFTR in the context of Ferroptosis, and following exposure to smoke. His background is primarily in biomedicine, specifically cytology & immunology. As hobbies, Alex enjoys drawing, biking, playing badminton and spending time with his friends.

**BIN GE YANG**
Co-*Vice President of Experience*
Bin Ge is currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Alberta. He is deeply passionate about exploring innovative strategies that intertwine various physical activities to enhance health and well-being. Moreover, he finds profound fulfillment in advocating for youth research mentoring programs such as WISEST, HYRS, and YOUREKA. These programs empower young minds to build a resilient, knowledgeable community ready to tackle tomorrow's health challenges.

**SONA REGONDA**
*Vice President of Marketing*
Sona is an honours biological sciences student at the University of Windsor. She works in a biochemistry lab and conducts glioblastoma research. She is passionate about developing services that help high school and university students gain access to resources, knowledge, and skills to further their professional growth and interest in science. In her spare time, she enjoys creating digital art.

**SAI PANIDARAPU** *Vice President of Strategy and Finance*
Sai is a master of biomedical technology student at the University of Calgary, and an Honours pharmacology graduate from the University of Alberta. Aside from Youreka, Sai is passionate about cardiovascular science research, as well as glioblastomas! In his spare time, he likes teaching students about lung health with Alberta Lung, and playing volleyball!

Analysts & Consultants

Programs: Mariam Ali, Yu Han Mao, Jackson Chen
Marketing: Linda Nguyen, Sahil Regonda, Adam Gaisinsky
Strategy: David Li, Stefan Iordache, Ruby Huang
Events: Emily Downey, Chelsea Wong, Maria Baboi, Laith Al Masri, Farah Ali

Regional Branches

university-of-calgary-taylor-institute-for-teaching-and-learning-4-1050x750.jpg — Youreka Calgary

UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
**Regional President:** Keerthana Chockalingam
**SVP External Operations:** Khushi Vora
**SVP Internal Operations:** Stephanie Huynh
**VP Finance:** Omar Saleh
**VP Outreach:** Ayman Mohammed **Co-VP Academics:** Shahoon Khan and Molly McVean
**VP Marketing:** Cassie Wood **Advisor:** Camelia Ursu

Youreka Edmonton

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
**Regional President:** Manav Batta
**Senior VP:** Shivgeet Sandhu
**VP Events:** Bin Ge Yang
**VP Finance:** Stefan Iordache **VP Outreach:** Pratham Patel **Co-VP Academics:** Akshit Ayri and Matthew Fermin

Youreka Kingston

QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY
**Regional President:** Phoebe Ji **Co-SVP Academics:** Taylor Zhang, Amin Hasheminia **JVP** **Academics:** Zach Bordan
**Co-VP Marketing:** Nethmi Illamperuma and Janika Lin **Co-VP Operations:** Alyssa Qian and Connie Xie
**VP Finance:** Armita Zandi **First-Year Interns:** Orlin Chowdhury, Hari Pillai, Ravetta Ravichandran

Youreka Montreal

MCGILL UNIVERSITY
**Regional President:** Julie Lê André **VP Internal Operations**: Renad Albitar **Co-VP Marketing:** Daniel Pedram Rownaghi and Trista Mallais **Co-VP Academics:** Paige Kravitz and Aditya Sharma **VP Coding:** Colin Song

Youreka Vancouver

UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
**Regional President:** Yasmeen Jalil
**VP Finance:** Ethaniel Chou **VP Academics:** Sruthi Magesh
**VP Internal Operations:** Amber Lu
**VP External Operations:** Jessie Luo
**VP Events:** Madelaine Jorgensen **Co-VP Marketing:** Alexandra Mykitiuk and Jesse Luyan

Youreka Windsor

UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR
**Regional President:** Joshua Mathews
**Co-VP Academics:** Aaryan Patel and Alexander Masanovich
**VP Internal Operations:** Sona Regonda
**VP External Operations:** Adam Gaisinsky
**Co-VP Marketing:** Linda Nguyen
**VP Events:** Deya’a Almasri
**VP Finance:** Laith Almasri

Youreka Toronto

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
**Regional President:** Karyna Lim **VP Internal Operations:** Archchana Arulananthan **VP External Operations:** Gregory Gismondi **VP Events:** Hera Jamil **VP Finance:** Merve Zeybekoglu **Co-VP Marketing:** Aaryan Rizwan and Irene Xu **Co-VP Academic:** Medha Barath and Lynn Chahrour