2026/2027 Election Nominees
Davis Kurdyla
Nominated Role: Union Representative
Year: 4
Group: Nichols Group
Hi everyone, I'm a 4th year student who wants to get more involved in the most formidable student government organization this side of the Rocky mountains. Balancing our jobs as TAs and grad students is hard, and I want to help ensure that our perspective is represented within CUPE 2278 and the chemistry department, and that people know their rights and protections. UBC works because we do!
Cole Balintfy
Nominated Role: First Year Representative
Year: 1
Group: Stephenson Group
Hi, my name is Cole, and I am a first year student in the Stephenson group. I am from Michigan in the United States, and I am excited to live in Vancouver! I am running for first year representative because I believe that having strong interpersonal connections within your cohort is vital to a smooth transition to graduate school’s demanding expectations. I have previous experience serving on the executive board of the U-M student chapter of the American Chemical Society, bringing large groups of students with varying interests together. As secretary, I designed fun events like tie-dyeing tote bags, trivia, and chemistry-themed mocktail hours. I am interested in continuing to make engaging events for students at UBC to foster an inclusive environment for first year students to ease the stressors of classes, research, and settling into a new location. I look forward to getting to know you all throughout the year!
Irene Nguyen
Nominated Role: Member-at-Large
Year: 2
Group: Algar Group
Hi, I’m Irene and I was one of the member-at-large last year! I had lots of fun helping with events and getting to know other people in the department! So, I’m excited to help out again this year!!
Astoria Tai
Nominated Role: Vice President - Internal
Year: 4
Group: Perrin Group
Hi all it's me again!! I have been involved in CGSS for the past three years as social coordinator and recently the secretary. This year after the VP role split I want to run for the Internal position and serve as a voice of all the grad students.
Hussain Al Hashmi
Nominated Role: Wellness Representative
Year: 1
Group: Schafer Group
Hi! I'm Hussain a 1st year grad student in the Schafer lab. I think the CGSS would be a great opportunity to meet and build relationships (both professional and social) with other students in the department!
Vera Parco
Nominated Role: International Student & EDI Representative
Year: 1
Group: Schindler Group
Hi! I am Vera Parco, a first year graduate student from the Philippines! I want to join the CGSS because, as a former UBC undergrad, I've always loved attending the CGSS and CDI events like the stressbusters, skits, international potluck, pancake breakfast, etc. I think that being part of this club would greatly enrich the social aspect of my PhD and I would just love the opportunity to be part of building communities! As a hopeful international student and EDI representative, I am excited to plan international student-focused events and help make graduate school feel more diverse and inclusive through coordinating with CDI.
Reanne Robles
Nominated Role: Secretary
Year: 2
Group: Hariri Group
Hi all, I’m Reanne, a second year from the Hariri Lab and previous CGSS first year representative! This year, I’m hoping to continue supporting the CGSS in a new role - as secretary. My contributions in the last year involved planning and managing first year events along with volunteering at several CGSS festivities. I sent out emails with polls/updates and organized group chats for first year students. Additionally, I am familiar with the role’s expectations having been the secretary of the department’s Undergraduate Chemistry Society (UCS) during my undergrad. With that in mind, I wish to use my organization skills to share detailed meeting minutes and to coordinate council meetings + our beloved coffee times! Thanks for reading! :)
Veronica Vologodskaya
Nominated Role: Secretary
Year: 2
Group: Bertram Group
As a previous member-at-large, I have been involved in the CGSS by helping out with stressbusters, holiday skits, CCIE, pancake breakfast, table tennis tournament, sports day, and getting our new grad lounge microwave. As secretary, I am committed to organizing coffee times and to getting faster at typing (for meeting minutes, of course). So far, I can type faster than Gurcharan, but I have yet to beat Zoë.
Sydney Hood
Nominated Role: Wellness Representative
Year: 4
Group: Perrin Group
I want to be wellness rep again
Lauren P. Dagenais
Nominated Role: First Year Representative
Year: 1
Group: MacLachlan Group
Hi everyone — I’m Lauren, and I’m thrilled to be part of this year’s incoming cohort! I grew up in Vancouver and did my undergrad in Toronto, so starting at UBC has been a very exciting homecoming for me. If elected as First Year Representative, my main goal would be to help build a welcoming, connected community where we can support each other both socially and academically. I know many of us are navigating a lot of change (new programs, new expectations, and maybe even a new city/country) so I’d love to help people find their footing in Vancouver and in the department. I’ve held several executive roles before, so I feel well equipped to bring us first years together. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you and hopefully helping make our first year a great one :)
Jae Bjornerud-Brown
Nominated Role: Social Coordinator
Year: 2
Group: Mehrkhodavandi Group
Hi everyone! I am Jae, a PhD student in the Mehr lab. I served as a CGSS Member-at-Large last year and I really enjoyed helping with events such as stressbusters, holiday skits, and the pancake breakfast. Before coming to UBC, I gained event-planning experience through Best Buddies and my undergradaute course union. I'm interested in becoming a Social Coordinator because I genuinely enjoy bringing people together, organizing fun and inclusive events, and helping build a stronger sense of community within the department. I'd love the opportunity to take on a bigger role in planning CGSS events this year, and I'd appreciate your vote :)
Martin Johansen
Nominated Role: Member-at-Large
Year: 2
Group: Hudson Group
Hello I am Martin, a 2nd year student working on materials chemistry in the Hudson lab. I think the social aspect of grad school is one of the most important parts of succeeding and I'd love to help out
Gurcharan Uppal
Nominated Role: President
Year: 3
Group: Bertram Group
Hey y'all! Last year I was sports rep and had lots of fun reviving the ping pong tournament and running Sports Day :)
This year I want to utilize my expertise in diplomatic talking to negotiate for grad students as president of CGSS. I will lead the CGSS to another year of victory. As they say "An individual can win a game but only a team can win a championship"
Hikaru Noguchi
Nominated Role: Graduate Student Society Representative
Year: 5+
Group: Wolf Group
I’ve really enjoyed being part of the CGSS for the past two years, and I’d love to stay involved and give back to the department in my final year. As a GSS Rep, I hope to be a helpful voice for our community!
Thomas Kalab
Nominated Role: Sports Representative
Year: 3
Group: Hudson Group
Beerettes to the national championship.
William Bae
Nominated Role: Member-at-Large
Year: 2
Group: Borduas-Dedekind Group
Hello! I was a member-at-large last year. I would love to keep supporting CGSS events through volunteering, and make friends along the way!
Cassidy Recker
Nominated Role: Member-at-Large
Year: 1
Group: Reid Group
Hi! My name is Cassidy Recker and I am a first year in the Reid group. Outside of school, I love to hike, ski, and play ultimate frisbee.
Keonna Anukpe
Nominated Role: First Year Representative
Year: 1
Group: Borduas-Dedekind Group
Hi hi! I am Keonna, but you can call me Keke (also like the Drake song). I am indeed a first-year grad student, and I hear that makes me extremely qualified for First Year Representative. I want to bring the first-years together for some fun events and activities that will distract us from the fact that we are in grad school. I am also committed to creating the best first-year skit ever! And that shouldn't be too hard considering we haven't seen any other skits yet, so by default, ours will be the best!
Sierra Wright
Nominated Role: First Year Representative
Year: 1
Group: Reid Group
Hi, my name is Sierra! I recently moved to Vancouver after completing my undergrad the University of Victoria. Outside of research I like to stay active, explore the city, and meet new people. I’m interested in joining the CGSS as a first year representative to become more involved in the department while helping make sure first year students feel well represented and part of the chemistry community.
Evan Chartrand
Nominated Role: Social Coordinator
Year: 3
Group: Bertram Group
Last year the people spoke and what they said is that they specifically don't want me to be SoCo. Yet rather than gracefully fading into obscurity I'm running again. Why? because much like frosted flakes can be part of a balanced breakfast in that it's fine if you eat a bunch of other actually healthy stuff, I think I could be part of a good team of SoCos. As SoCo, I promise to get a professor dunk tank for charity added to the barbeque, build a skytrain to UBC from Nanaimo and build one affordable house.
Janice Zeng
Nominated Role: Social Media Manager
Year: 4
Group: Bertram Group
Hi I'm Janice, just like in Drake's song! I have been on CGSS for three years and I promise that I'm JaNICE! Vote for me pls
Zoë Golay
Nominated Role: Treasurer
Year: 3
Group: Bertram Group
Hi chemists! I’m Zoë, and I’m your incumbent treasurer. I’m hoping to hold the position for another year! Those of you who know me know that I *love* an organized spreadsheet - nothing makes me happier than having my ducks in a row (and preferably, colour-coded). I kept us on budget last year, and I hope to do the same again this year! If you choose me as your treasurer this year, I promise to keep processing your refunds speedily, and making sure the CGSS can run our events smoothly and cost-effectively.
Vanessa King
Nominated Role: Advisor
Year: 5+
Group: Burke Group
Hi everyone, I will be the CGSS Advisor to the President for 2026/2027.
It has been an honour to be your president this past year. Thank you everyone for letting me boss you around and for reading my emails. :)
Oscar Lama
Nominated Role: Vice President - Internal
Year: 3
Group: Schindler Group
Hello! I'm Oscar. I am running for the Vice-President Internal position. I want to represent the student body in the department and help everyone to have a better and smoother interaction with faculty and administration. I am currently part of the CGSS as a union rep and the CUPE 2278 steward for chemistry. I believe I have the gall and strength to stand for our interests and negotiate with the department for better outcomes for everyone.
Rodella Chowdhury
Nominated Role: Vice President - External
Year: 2
Group: Reid Group
Hey there!
Over the last year, you might have seen me lugging around pizza boxes for StressBusters or received 20 different emails from me about our holiday skits or career events. To bring you a little more behind the scenes, I’ve also been leading the effort on CGSS’s constitution and programming reform, with the goal of making our events, activities, and council structure more reflective of the needs of the student body. I think this alignment is important because CGSS activities should evolve to reflect the interests, priorities, and needs of the evolving student body rather than simply centering tradition or prior assumptions. Even as a first-year general member, I've launched the programming survey, expanded council role definitions (including the creation of two different VP roles), and worked on grad forum follow-ups. So, for this year, it feels like a natural transition to focus on the externalization of that and put that information into action through working as your VP External where I can build on the work I’ve already been doing and take a more focused approach to strengthening the alignment between CGSS, the department, and the student body. I believe this role requires active engagement and listening to the student body, navigating complex situations with nuance and understanding, and consistent follow-through to get meaningful and long-term results. As before, my platform is focused on supporting the student body and their success by cultivating a community that feels connected, inclusive, and responsive to student needs. For next year, I'd particularly like to focus on delivering more diverse CGSS event selection, an annual events calendar, and more casual opportunities for students to connect with each other, as well as better structural supports for students in terms of expectations and requirements for the program via representation in departmental meetings. Additionally, as the top request in the programming survey, lookout for more community sports involvement. Of course, if there's a pressing concern outside of these, you're always welcome to bring it to me to see what the council can do to help. If you think I’m the right person for the role, I’d really appreciate your vote - and your help encouraging your lab mates and friends to vote for me too.