About the sephgsa

We are the School of Epidemiology & Public Health Graduate Student Association at the University of Ottawa. We exist to discuss problems common to graduate students at SEPH, plan academic and social events, and advocate on behalf of students on committees at SEPH, the Faculty of Medicine, and the Graduate Student Association of the University of Ottawa (GSAED).

Membership in the sephgsa is comprised of all students enrolled in degree programs in the School of Epidemiology & Public Health. Our association is entirely student run and changes year to year based on the needs and interests of our members. Whether you are a current student at SEPH and want to get involved, or a prospective student interested in studying at SEPH, we would love to hear from you!

Objectives

1

To provide a medium for the exchange of ideas of an academic and social nature between graduate students and the greater University of Ottawa community;

2

To establish a basis for the organization of academic, social, and sporting activities;

3

To discuss problems common to graduate students in the School of Epidemiology & Public Health, and to assist in carrying these problems to the appropriate agency, when necessary, on or off campus;

4

To promote and defend the rights, welfare and interests of members of the association and provide a central body which may represent graduate students within the greater University of Ottawa community; and

5

To act as a representative of the graduate students in the School of Epidemiology & Public Health on the University of Ottawa Graduate Student Association (GSAED).

Executive Council

The sephgsa Executive Council manages the day to day affairs of the association. Members stand for election at our Annual General Meeting held in the Fall term of each year and vacancies are filled by council at our monthly council meetings. Executive Council Meetings are open to all members and we encourage you to attend and voice any concerns you may have!

Read our Meeting Minutes

Read our Constitution

Council Members

President

Ishika Obeegadoo is a first-year MSc student in Epidemiology at SEPH, supervised by Dr. Ian Colman. Her research focus is intersectional psychiatric epidemiology. As President, she aims to advocate for fellow SEPH graduate students and to work towards improving student experience. She hopes to contribute to creating a vibrant community at SEPH and to support fellow students through the challenges of graduate studies. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, hiking and traveling.

Epidemiology Academic

Sara Siddiqi is a PhD student in epidemiology at SEPH, co-supervised by Dr. Jess Fiedorowicz and Dr. Ian Colman. She is interested in investigating the relationship between mental illness and cardiovascular disease. Outside of school, she enjoys baking, hiking, and finding allergen friendly places to eat! As VP Academic Affairs Epidemiology, Sara aims to represent students and advocate for their needs in SEPH and the uOttawa community.

Wellness

Sarah is a second-year MSc student in Epidemiology at uOttawa, working under the guidance of Drs. Manish Sood and Peter Tanuseputro. Her research focus lies in physician health and wellness. As the Vice President of Wellness, Sarah has taken on the mission of fostering a positive and supportive community for the students. She hopes to promote student wellness and enhance the overall SEPH experience. When not immersed in her academic pursuits, Sarah indulges in her artistic side through painting and interior designing. Additionally, she enjoys exploring new cafés in Ottawa, always on the lookout for the next best cup of coffee.

Social

Alexandria Hector is a first-year MPH student in the Public Health Practice stream. She recently graduated with a bachelor of health science and is interested in infectious disease prevention and control. As VP of social affairs, she is committed to enhancing the student experience for her peers at SEPH through organizing exciting and engaging events. Outside of school, she loves reading, playing soccer, and hanging out with her dog.

Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

Shain Raichura is a first-year MSc student supervised by Dr. Peter Tanuseputro and Dr. Colleen Webber. His research interests revolve around end-of-life care decisions and outcomes for patients with Schizophrenia. In his spare time, he enjoys playing the piano, cooking and is an avid hockey fan. As VP of EDI Shain hopes to promote and increase awareness and access to EDI-related resources for students and faculty.

Admin

Saguna Katyal (she/her) is a first year MSc Epidemiology student. Her research interests include mental health and lifestyle patterns in undergraduate students. As VP Admin, she hopes to collaborate with fellow council members and coordinate communication between the faculty, students and SEPHGSA members Outside of school, she likes reading, hiking and exploring new cultures and cuisines.

MSc Representative

Lauren Duan is a first-year MSc Epidemiology student, supervised by Dr. Jean-Philippe Chaput. Her research interests include nutritional and chronic disease epidemiology, with a focus on lifestyle behaviours. As one of the MSc Representatives, she aims to act as a liaison between her fellow classmates and the greater SEPH community. Some of her favourite activities include making playlists, trying new classes, and playing volleyball!

PhD Representative

Brianna Frangione is a Ph.D. student in epidemiology in SEPH, co-supervised by Dr. Paul Villeneuve and Dr. Ian Colman. She is interested in examining the association between occupational exposure to ionizing radiation and the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia. Other than academics, she loves listening to audiobooks, painting with oil pastels, and finding new places to eat! As Ph.D. representative, Brianna hopes to be a spokesperson for her fellow students and advocate for them in SEPH and the uOttawa community.

Vice President

Sumali Mehta (she/her) is a first-year student in Epidemiology at SEPH, co-supervised by Dr. Jodi Edwards and Dr. David Birnie. She is interested in studying the burden of cardiovascular illness in underserved populations. As Vice President, she aims to work with her fellow SEPHGSA members towards creating a more cohesive and supportive environment for SEPH students and work towards greater integration of SEPH within the Faculty of Medicine network at uOttawa. Outside of school, Sumali spends her time reading, dancing and spending time with family and friends.

Public Health Academic

Fahimeh Abdollahi is a first year MPH+ student in the Global Health stream. She is interested in advancing women's health advocacy, education, and promotion for globally underserved communities. As this term's VP Academics for her cohort, Fahimeh aims to address the unique academic needs of the MPH student body enrolled in a course-based non-thesis graduate program. Outside of school, she spends her time cooking, drawing, and visiting local cafes.

Wellness

Daniella Muhanzi is a first-year MPH student in the policy stream. She is interested in health protection, promotion, and policy. As VP Wellness, Daniella looks forward to organizing activities and events that bolster mental, physical, and emotional health, fostering resilience and balance for graduate students. Her favourite extracurricular activities include running, working out, and indulging in the latest reality TV shows.

Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

Asia Akther is a Ph.D. Student in Epidemiology, under the supervision of Dr. Tara Elton-Marshall and Dr. Ian Colman. Her research interests are in equity deserving population health, and risk-taking behaviours. Outside of school, she is a shopaholic :) As VP EDI, Asia aims to work closely with her fellow SEPHGSA members, students, and faculty to enhance awareness and initiate efforts toward integrating EDI into our educational and research community.

Finance

Mahalekshmi C. Kasiviswanathan is a first year MPH student in the policy stream with an undergrad background in Biology and Psychology. She is interested in improving access to healthcare in underserved populations through health advocacy and policy efforts. As the VP of Financial Affairs, she aims to maintain a sustainable budget, identify funding sources, and efficiently allocate club funds for various club events. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, yoga, cooking, reading, and watching TV shows.

MSc Representative

Samuel Tiukuvaara is a first-year MSc student in Epidemiology. He worked briefly as a paramedic in Ontario before completing a bachelor of health science at uOttawa. His interests include improving the delivery of health services in Canada, rock climbing, and billiards. As a MSc representative, Sam is committed to representing the interests of his peers and promoting a positive student experience at SEPH.

MPH Representative

Abhinya Gulasingam (she/her) is a first-year student in the Master of Public Health program’s policy stream. One of her research interests is to study health disparities in Canadian immigrant populations. As the MPH representative, she aims to engage with her peers and provide an effective voice for them within the SEPHGSA. A fun fact: she has a twin sister who also just started her Public Health Master in Waterloo. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, going for walks, and trying out new food recipes.

Our Logo

The sephgsa logo was designed by former council member Sebasitan Srugo and represents the interconnected continuity of the sephgsa. As members of the sephgsa we each provide a unique perspective and contribution during our time in the association and the collaboration of those diverse experiences creates a single continuum which no one individual could support.