2025/2026 Election Nominees
Irene Nguyen
Nominated Role: Member-at-large
Year: 1
Group: Algar
Hi, my name is Irene and I'm a first year grad student in the Algar's group. I was part of the undergraduate chemistry student society at the UofS and really enjoyed my time there. I am excited to meet new people and have fun!
Kritika Sharma
Nominated Role: International & EDI Representative
Year: 3
Group: Mehrkhodhavandi
Hi everyone, my name is Kritika. I’ve been part of this department for the past three years, and during this time I’ve really valued the diverse and supportive community we have here. I would love the opportunity to serve as your International Representative with CGSS, where I can help support students, advocate for their needs, and get more involved in building a stronger community for all of us.
Reanne Robles
She/her
Nominated Role: First Year Representative
Year: 1
Group: Hariri
Hi! I am Reanne, a first year M.Sc. student in the Hariri Lab. As the former president of the Undergraduate Chemistry Society (UCS) at UBC, I have experience in leading a team of 30+ individuals to host social, academic, and outreach events for undergraduate students. As the previous liaison between the UCS and UBC’s Chemistry Department, Science Undergraduate Society (SUS), & Alma Mater Society (AMS), I am well-equipped in interpersonal communications and managing projects. If I were offered the role of CGSS’ First Year Representative, I would be more than happy to continue serving the student body by organizing fun and stress-relieving events to build stronger connections within our cohort. This may include managing an email subscription list and/or a group chat for first year graduate students to start. Thank you for your time and consideration!
Seja Elgadi
She/her
Nominated Role: Union Representative
Year: 5+
Group: Hudson
I'm also broadly regarded as a cool person. I've never made beer, but I am quite good at sock war. I've been union rep for 2 years and and am also decently good at that. Therefore, you should vote for me. Four more years! Four more years!
Jae Bjornerud-Brown
She/her
Nominated Role: Member-at-Large
Year: 1
Group: Mehrkhodavandi
Hi! As an undergraduate student, I was the president of our course union and of a non-profit club called Best Buddies, where I loved hosting events and creating a welcoming environment that brought people together. I'm eager to bring that same energy to CGSS as a member-at-large!
Vanessa King
She/her
Nominated Role: President
Year: 5+
Group: Burke
Hi! I'm running for president this year! If you've been in the department for a while, you might recognize me from serving drinks and heckling at Stressbusters. I was a member-at-large for a couple years, and then this past year I was the treasurer. Since I've been around for so long, I hope I can do a good job of running the ship!
Kai Kirsch
He/him
Nominated Role: First Year Representative
Year: 1
Group: Rojas
My name is Kai and I am hoping to serve as the first year rep for CGSS. I have leadership and event organizing experience from my undergraduate studies where I served as a chair for the student chapter of the American Chemical Society as well as a captain for the school's ultimate frisbee team. I would love to become an active part of the chemistry community here at UBC and make sure that all of us first years have a smooth (and fun) transition into the department.
Oscar Manuel Fernandez Lama
Any/all
Nominated Role: Union Representative
Year: 2
Group: Schindler
I'm Oscar, a 2nd year Ph. D. stundent in the Schindler group and a steward of CUPE 2278 in the department. I believe in equitable pay and workplace protections for all student workers, and I am commited to uphold them in the department. I was part of the collective contract committee, compiling our memebers requests and worries to synthesise a barganin platform that benefits all our members. As part of CGSS I'll continue this work and I will have the oportunity of establishing a more direct communication with our departments lembers and student body.
Renee Rosu
She/her
Nominated Role: Social Coordinator
Year: 3
Group: Wolf
Hi everyone! I was a member-at-large on the CGSS council last year and I would like to be more involved this time around by applying to the SoCo position. I'm excited to see (and hopefully help run) all the events :)
Will Ho
He/him/his
Nominated Role: Social Coordinator
Year: 2
Group: Hallas, Burke
Hi y'all, I'm running as a returning Social Coordinator. I had a lot of fun as SoCo last year organizing and participating in the various events in the chemistry department and I'd love to re-run to help out again!
Evan
Nominated Role: Social Coordinator
Year: 2
Group: Bertram
Hi , I'm Evan I am broadly regarded as a cool person who makes good beer and is less good at sock war than angela. Therefore you should vote for me.
Khoushboo Ramiah
She/her
Nominated Role: Social Coordinator
Year: 2
Group: Wolf
Hi! I was a member of the previous council and greatly enjoyed being part of CGSS. As first-year rep, I organised events for last year's new students, and this year, I want to help run events such as Stressbusters, for the entire department. I'll do my best to host engaging and fun parties!
William Bae
He/him
Nominated Role: Member-at-large
Year: 1
Group: NBD
Hello! I want to join CGSS because I want to become more involved with the community by helping around and making new friends!
Gurcharan Uppal
She/her
Nominated Role: Sports Representative
Year: 2
Group: Bertram
I want to promote keeping active in our department. I enjoy trying lots of different sports and learning new skills. I think it will be fun to plan try-it-out days where we can try a sport in a fun relaxed atmosphere. I also enjoy participating in different intramurals and I'm looking forward to promoting CGSS sponsored teams in future leagues 👀🏅
Veronica Vologodskaya
She/her
Nominated Role: Member-at-large
Year: 1
Group: Bertram
Hi, my name is Veronica, and I am applying for the Member-at-Large position for the CGSS. I don't have much experience being involved in any academic councils during my undergraduate studies, so I am excited to apply for a position where I can assist in the CGSS without being in a critical leadership role. I have previous experience being a Co-Captain for a paddling team for 80+ athletes this past year, and I learned that being involved in a community that shares similar values to me gives me fulfillment. I understand the responsibility of higher executives in terms of setting deadlines and delegating tasks, so I think I would do a good job in being a member-at-large with that understanding in mind.
Emilie Payment
She/her
Nominated Role: Vice President
Year: 2
Group: NBD
I used to be Member-at-large, and participated in many events and committees, leading me to want to be more involved in CGSS with more responsibility. I'm really motivated to improve communication within the department, and keep up our charitable work raising money for charities. Vote for me and I'll do my best to support the graduate student body and CGSS to the best of my abilities!
Janice Zeng
She/her
Nominated Role: Graduate Student Society Representative
Year: 3
Group: Bertram
I was the secretary for 2 years and want to do something else now. Vote for me and I promise I'll be jaNICE.
Hikaru Noguchi
She/her
Nominated Role: Social Media Manager
Year: 4
Group: Wolf
Last year I served as the international student rep and loved being part of CGSS. As a social media manager, I’ll work to keep students connected with the council by sharing news, events, and opportunities in a clear and engaging way. I'd appreciate your vote!
Astoria Tai
Nominated Role: Secretary
Year: 3
Group: Perrin
Hi it's me again. I was social coordinator for the past two years and hosted a lot of fun events like the Stressbusters and had a lot of fun! This year I am running for secretary and I am hoping to keep the CGSS more organized :)
Sydney Hood
She/her
Nominated Role: Wellness Representative
Year: 3
Group: Perrin
I was wellness rep last year and enjoyed hosting events like tie-dyeing and jewellery making, so I'm hoping to do some more next year!
Rodella (Khadiza Karim) Chowdhury
She/her/hers
Nominated Role: Wellness Representative
Year: 1
Group: Reid
My name is Rodella, and I’m a first-year graduate student in Prof. Reid’s lab. First, I’d like to join the CGSS as I think it’s a fantastic way to give back to chemistry community as well as to connect to the larger department. I’m running for Wellness Representative because I believe a supportive, healthy environment is essential for all of us to thrive - personally and academically. I completed my undergraduate degree here at UBC Chemistry and served two years as Vice President of the Undergraduate Chemistry Society, which gave me a strong understanding of how our department operates and the resources in and around UBC. Beyond UBC, I served as the Junior Scientist Representative as well as the co-VP on the DE&I council for 3 years and co-founded/lead the women’s resource group at my previous workplace. Through these roles, I gained hands-on experience in organizational leadership, event management, handling sensitive and confidential concerns, and turning community feedback into meaningful change. I’m passionate about creating an environment where everyone feels supported and I would be honored to take on this responsibility for the CGSS.
As Wellness Representative, I envision a balanced program of low-key de-stress socials, movement and mindfulness sessions, open town halls with anonymous Q&A, and evidence-based educational workshops so there’s something that supports every member of our community and be heard - as well as using the feedback towards advocating for systematic changes.
Zoë Golay
She/her
Nominated Role: Treasurer
Year: 2
Group: Bertram
Hi! I was webmaster/social media manager last year, and I wanted to take on some more responsibility. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who loves organizing more than me. Vote for me so I can keep the CGSS’s beautiful budget spreadsheets organized and up to date!
Lucas Andrew
He/him
Nominated Role: Advisor (only for exiting president)
Year: 5
Group: MacLachlan
Hello I will be advisor!