Executive Committee 2026/27

Laura Enekegho
Laura (she/her) is a PhD Candidate in Biochemistry at the University of Alberta, with a focus on engineering probiotic yeast to target and treat pathogenic infections in poultry birds. Laura also obtained her BSc. in Biochemistry, where she was involved with UA-WiSE (University of Alberta’s Women in Science and Engineering). After starting graduate school, Laura joined WiSER, helping put together community-based events and initiatives aimed at networking and building essential skills to succeed in STEM. Outside of WiSER, Laura volunteers with the Red Cross as a patient service personnel, helping to connect Edmontonians with quality healthcare equipment. Outside of the lab, WiSER and volunteering, Laura enjoys weightlifting, reading, and basking in nature. Laura is continually grateful for her opportunity to contribute to WiSER’s mandate to improve retainment of underrepresented groups in STEM.

Trixie Adra
Trixie (she/her) is a science communicator and visual storyteller. She holds an Honours degree in Biochemistry from the University of Alberta and a Biomedical Visualization and Communications certificate from the University of British Columbia. She has a background in research, exploring small molecule drug interactions in cancerous proteins. During her time as a lab assistant, she discovered her passion for science communication. She currently works as a presenter at the science center where she encourages scientific literacy and curiosity through accessible language and hands-on learning. She has been with WiSER for the last three years serving as a mentorship co-lead and co-chair, connecting young and experienced professionals through networking and professional development events. Trixie is dedicated to breaking down barriers in STEM by building community, encouraging diversity, and creating safe spaces for folks to learn. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games, café hopping, and making art.

Chiedza Mtetwa
Chiedza (she/her) is a recent graduate of the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. She first joined the UA-WiSE Mentorship Program as a mentee in her first year and later served as an executive member from her second year through graduation. Through her involvement in planning and delivering the program, she developed a strong understanding of its structure, goals, and impact. Chiedza is a firm believer in the power of mentorship, describing it as a “cheat code” that allows mentees to learn from the experiences and lessons of those who have gone before them. Having benefited from mentorship herself, she is passionate about supporting women in STEM. She understands the challenges of navigating undergraduate studies in STEM and is committed to fostering meaningful connections and valuable learning opportunities for participants. In her free time, she enjoys trying new recipes, going on walks, and exploring local cafés.

Chloe Church
Chloe is an Operations Admin at the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA), coordinating a diverse Member Benefits program for over 30,000 union members across 240+ healthcare disciplines. She brings experience in healthcare administration, labour organizations, and academic research, with a strong focus on collaboration, governance, and member support. Chloe holds a BSc in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from the University of Alberta and has contributed to immunological cancer research, including a 2026 publication in OncoImmunology. She enjoys mentoring students and presenting at global conferences. Previously, she served as Vice Director of Laboratory for the University of Alberta iGEM team, earning a Silver Medal in Paris. Chloe always brings a smile to work. Whether it’s organizing events, lending a hand in community projects, or collaborating on impactful initiatives, she is deeply committed to making a positive difference both professionally, and in her community. In her free time, she enjoys playing guitar, piano, and singing, and is always learning through reading and travelling.

Parvinder Kaur
Parvinder (she/her) holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Delhi, India. Passionate about teaching and mentorship, she brings extensive experience from her roles as an Assistant Professor at the University of Delhi and as a Research and Quality Assurance Associate in Edmonton. She currently teaches in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Concordia University of Edmonton. Outside the classroom, Parvinder enjoys reading, listening to music, and travelling. As she enters her third year as a Mentorship Program Lead, she is excited to continue supporting and empowering underrepresented women in STEM through mentorship, knowledge sharing, and community building.

Jenelle McCuaig
Jenelle (she/her) is a PhD student in Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta, where she also completed her BSc in Biological Sciences with specialization in Integrative Physiology and then her MSc in Biological Sciences. Her current research focuses on the effects of wildfire contaminants on aquatic organisms. She is passionate about scientific communication and education at all levels, facilitating and volunteering for numerous scientific outreach programs for children and youth. Jenelle is a strong advocate for mentorship programs within science especially for women in STEM, and has been a science mentor to undergraduate students since 2020. She participated in the WiSER Mentorship Program for three years and joined the WiSER executive committee as a Mentorship Program Lead last year. She is very excited to be a part of WiSER again for this upcoming year!

Janine Chew
Janine recently graduated from the University of Alberta, where she studied business and political science. She has had the opportunity to work and volunteer with various organizations focused on the public interest. She is interested in supporting the advancement of STEM because of its ability to grow the healthspan and economic “pie” for everyone. In her free time, she loves learning about social and technological innovations of the past, present, and future, reading memoirs, and building community.

Tania Gautam
An environmental scientist and educator with a passion for mentorship, community engagement, and science-informed decision-making, I am committed to supporting the growth and success of students and early-career professionals. My career has spanned research, teaching, and program support roles, including postdoctoral research at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and my current position as chemistry laboratory instructor at MacEwan University, where I enjoy guiding students and fostering inclusive learning environments. Beyond my professional work, I am actively involved in mentorship, outreach, and science advocacy. I have served as a mentor with UNAC, supporting students and emerging professionals in their academic and career journeys. I also contribute to science policy engagement through volunteer involvement with the Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC). Through mentorship and community leadership, I strive to empower others, promote equity and inclusion in STEM, and strengthen connections between science, policy, and society.

Lauren Grubb
Lauren (she/her) is a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Alberta in the Department of Biological Sciences. She holds a PhD from the John Innes Centre in Norwich, UK, associated with the University of East Anglia. Her current research focuses on using quantitative proteomics to investigate plant nutrient signaling responses. This is her second year as a WiSER Mentorship Co-lead, and she is excited to continue this role in promoting mentorship for women and underrepresented groups. She recognizes that she has had several passionate female mentors throughout her academic career and is always looking to pass this forward to others. In her free time, she enjoys horseback riding and being outdoors.

Emilee Storfie
Emilee is a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of AFNS at the University of Alberta, where she studies clubroot disease on canola. In particular, Emilee is studying the molecular interactions between the pathogen and the plant’s defence responses. She started with WiSER in 2021 and is incredibly grateful for the experiences she has gained while being surrounded by supportive and amazing individuals in STEM. She hopes to share her love of science and research with others while continuing to make friends along the way. When not in the lab, Emilee enjoys hanging out with her dog, Zelda.

Rachael Rieberger
Rachael Rieberger (she/her) is an MSc student in Microbiology and Biotechnology at the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on adapting methane-eating bacteria to acidic conditions for bioproduction. Another aspect of her work explores the growth of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, key players in the nitrogen cycle, in biofilms to better understand their physiology under more environmentally relevant conditions. Outside of research, Rachael loves baking, often experiments in the kitchen with the same curiosity she brings to the lab, and enjoys sharing her passion for science through outreach and mentoring.

Crystal Mulik
Crystal (she/her) is an MSc student in Pediatrics at the University of Alberta, building upon her academic foundation of a BSc in Neuroscience and an Honours BSc in Psychology from the University of Lethbridge. This year marks Crystal’s third term with WiSER, where she serves as a Sponsorship Manager. She is eager to continue her work in fostering career development for underrepresented professionals throughout STEM. When she is not in the lab, Crystal finds joy in exploring the outdoors and experimenting with new culinary creations. She is excited to contribute to the growth and success of the WiSER community through strategic partnerships.

Emilee Storfie
Emilee is a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of AFNS at the University of Alberta, where she studies clubroot disease on canola. In particular, Emilee is studying the molecular interactions between the pathogen and the plant’s defence responses. She started with WiSER in 2021 and is incredibly grateful for the experiences she has gained while being surrounded by supportive and amazing individuals in STEM. She hopes to share her love of science and research with others while continuing to make friends along the way. When not in the lab, Emilee enjoys hanging out with her dog, Zelda.

Shikha Bharti
Shikha (she/her) is a first-year PhD student in Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta. She earned her M.S. in Plant Molecular Biology from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and her B.Sc. in Agricultural Sciences from Punjab Agricultural University, India. Her research focuses on improving phosphorus-use efficiency in canola using proteomics and metabolomics approaches. Shikha has extensive experience in mentoring and outreach, having actively supported undergraduate researchers and participated in science outreach initiatives at local schools during her time at UTRGV. Through these experiences, she developed a passion for encouraging young students to explore careers in plant science and research. As a member of the WISER Sponsorship Team for the first time, Shikha is excited to help secure sponsorship opportunities and support initiatives that encourage an inclusive and supportive environment for women in STEM. In her free time, she enjoys reading novels and listening to music.

Annalisa Gyanfosu
Annalisa is an MSc Student in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Alberta, with a focus on hydrogen permeability in salt caverns for energy storage applications. Annalisa is a committed and thoughtful leader whose work centres on creating meaningfully accessible, inclusive, and equitable environments. As a volunteer with the Campus Food Bank, she enriched the experience of autistic volunteers by supporting growth in confidence, engagement, task complexity, and peer interaction. In her research group, she initiated an EDI presentation and facilitated an open discussion about barriers affecting group members. At the U of A, Annalisa launched the Petroleum Engineering Graduate Research Seminar series and served as a panellist and mentor at the WISEST SET Conference. Annalisa is committed to make an impact in the energy industry in Canada through care for people, systems and technology. Outside of school, you will find Annalisa on a tennis court or volunteering at church.

Nina Deschner
Nina is MSc. student studying Microbiology and Biotechnology at the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on climate change microbiology, specifically understanding how microbial biofilm systems could be leveraged to reduce methane emissions from the environment. She is passionate about STEM outreach and innovation and also serves as the lead advisor to the UAlberta iGEM team and is part of the programming team for Nucleate Canada. She is excited to be part of the WiSER executive committee for the second year and is grateful for the opportunity to connect the wider STEM community with WiSER. Outside the lab Nina enjoys spending time with her family and friends and learning about niche history topics!

Jazmin Reyes Martinez
I am a PhD student at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. My research focuses on developing a new treatment for lung cancer.  I have an MSc in Bioscience and I am a Pharmaceutical engineer. I play tennis during the weekend and love reading as well.

Sofia Moreno-Pina
Sofia (she/her) is a PhD Candidate in the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department at the University of Alberta, specializing in drought modelling in forests using remote sensing. With a background in environmental sciences, her primary interests include global warming and water resources management. Sofia holds an MSc in River Environments and their Management from the University of Birmingham, England. Professionally, she has been involved in different environmental projects since her undergraduate studies. Enthusiastic about science communication, Sofia also enjoys photography. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, hiking, gardening, and travelling. Additionally, she is part of the Geolatinas community, which supports women in geosciences. Her goal in WiSER is to make a positive contribution to the vibrant community of women in science.

Amanda Nhi Tran
Amanda (she/her) holds an MSc in Chemical Physics and a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on the implementation of computational modelling and machine learning methods to study conformational preferences and weak interactions in chiral molecules.

Outside of research, Amanda is passionate about science outreach, student advocacy, and increasing access to education for underrepresented youth. She is excited to bring her experience and passion for community leadership to WiSER as an Executive member for a second year, and is grateful for the opportunity to serve as Communications Manager, creating content that helps connect women and gender-diverse folks in STEM and furthers the reach of WiSER’s events in the coming years.

Aderonke Odunayo Adigun
Adigun Aderonke Odunayo is a PhD student in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms, with interests in microbial physiology, metabolism, biofilm formation, and nitrogen cycling. Aderonke holds an MSc in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental System Sciences from Chungbuk National University, South Korea, and a BSc in Microbiology from the University of Abuja, Nigeria.

Aderonke is passionate about science communication and is excited to help amplify the voices of underrepresented individuals in STEM as a Communications Manager with WiSER. She is also an avid reader and enjoys learning languages.

Jahnabi Mondal
Jahnabi (she/her) is a Bachelor of Science graduate in Computing Science with Mathematics Minor from the University of Alberta. She graduated with the university’s first-ever Winter Convocation batch in March 2026. Her academic projects and coursework included building a software application, researching the ethical issues surrounding ad-blockers technology, analyzing hypotheses, and writing reports. She is excited to bring in her technical background, and is enthusiastic about science communication. She enjoys collaborating with diverse teams, organizing activities, and learning new things that foster personal and professional growth. This will be the first year Jahnabi is a member of the WiSER executive team, and she is grateful for the opportunity to serve as a Communications Manager, where she is eager to grow in communications, networking, and contribute meaningfully to support underrepresented groups in STEM. In her free time, she enjoys reading, staying organized, and going for walks in nature.

Noor Assaf
Noor completed her Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Windsor and is currently pursuing an MSc in Physiology at the University of Alberta, where her research focuses on discovering novel pathways involved in pancreatic beta cell function. Passionate about science and student advocacy, she serves as the President of the Physiology Graduate Students’ Association (PGSA) at UAlberta. Now in her second year with Wiser, Noor is excited to continue planning fun and engaging events.

Shakara Eben-Munro
Shakara (she/her) is a PhD student in the Biological Sciences Department at the University of Alberta, where her research looks at polysialated proteins in serum and their potential as biomarkers for different cancers. This is Shakara’s second year on the executive team. She joined WiSER because she’s passionate about creating spaces where women and other underrepresented groups in STEM feel supported, seen, and encouraged to pursue their goals. As one of this year’s Event Leads, she’s excited to help bring people together through events that foster connection, learning, and community. Outside of the lab, Shakara loves reading fantasy novels, watching movies, and spending time with friends.

Lynn Sukkarieh
Lynn (she/her) is an epidemiologist. Lynn utilizes the R programming language to conduct analyses and automate reports in her work, and she enjoys sharing her passion for R with others. She has a B.Sc. Specialization in Psychology at the University of Alberta and a M.Sc. in Public Health from McGill University. During her undergraduate years, Lynn was an active member of UA-WiSE; she joined as a general volunteer, then became the Communication Coordinator, and then took on the role of Co-Chair for 2 years. Lynn is excited to continue her advocacy for underrepresented people in STEM through WiSER as an Event Lead.

Mahrima Majid
I am a research engineer in clean energy technologies, currently working on the development and testing of synthetic fuel processes through pilot plant operations and product analysis. I graduated from the University of Alberta in 2024 with an MSc in Chemical and Materials Engineering. My journey began with catalyst and materials research for energy storage systems and has since grown into a deeper interest in sustainable fuels and the ways scientific ideas can create real world impact. Along the way, I realized that what matters just as much as the work itself is the community that supports it. 

During my graduate studies, I volunteered with Future Energy Systems, contributing to science education and outreach initiatives that made research more accessible and engaging for youth and the broader community. More recently, I completed the Accelerate Her Future mentorship program, which shaped how I think about mentorship, representation, and support within STEM. I am passionate about fostering spaces where people feel encouraged to learn, grow, and pursue opportunities with confidence.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me exploring a new trail, wandering through a new neighbourhood, or planning my next trip. I love travelling, trying new foods and restaurants, and saying yes to new experiences whenever I can. I also enjoy baking, playing board games and video games, and spending time with friends.

Sogand Makhsous
Sogand is a final-year PhD candidate at the University of Alberta studying polysialic acid (polySia), a sugar molecule found on the surface of immune cells. Her research explores how polySia helps regulate the immune system, how it becomes dysregulated in disease, and how these changes contribute to autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma and inflammatory bowel disease. This is Sogand’s first year with WiSER, where she serves as one of the Event Leads. She is excited to help create opportunities for connection, collaboration, and community among people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Outside the lab, Sogand enjoys hiking, watercolor painting, and baking.

Vida Dehghan Niestanak
Vida is a University of Alberta alumna with a background in biomedical engineering. Passionate about bridging science and community, she currently works as a research assistant in the Department of Medicine, contributing to patient-centered research in the Division of Nephrology. Since moving to Edmonton, she has been intentional about building meaningful connections—both professionally and personally. Her involvement with WiSER reflects her commitment to fostering inclusive, supportive spaces where under representative individuals can grow, collaborate, and thrive. As an immigrant woman in STEM, she’s proud to help make space for others like her.

Mohana Talasila
Mohana Talasila (she/her) is a first-year MSc student in Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta in the Uhrig Lab. Her research focuses on understanding how alternative splicing regulates plant stress responses. This is Mohana’s first year as a member of the WiSER executive team. She is excited to help organize and support opportunities that celebrate women and under-represented individuals in science. Outside of research, Mohana enjoys hiking, reading, and baking.

Carolina Rodriguez Baez
Carolina is a recent graduate as a M.Sc. in Chemical and Materials Engineering with a focus on polymer membrane fabrication for Zn-ion batteries from the University of Alberta. Previously she received her Bachelor’s in Nanotechnology Engineering from the Universidad Tecnologica de Ciudad Juarez (Mexico). Carolina has previously collaborated in several community projects in Mexico promoting reading in low income communities and encouraging young girls (12-16 years old) to pursue STEM careers. By joining the WiSER executive team she hopes to keep advocating for women and underrepresented communities in STEM. Carolina enjoys walks, baking, reading and video games.

Ebenezea Gitari
Ebenezea graduated from the University of Alberta last year with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, specializing in Environmental Engineering. During her undergraduate degree, she was deeply involved in research in both wastewater treatment and biomedical engineering. She is currently working on contaminated sites projects as an environmental engineer with the Government of Canada. Ebenezea has been attending WiSER events since high school and was involved with WiSER as a general volunteer throughout her undergraduate degree. This year, she is excited to join the WiSER executive committee as a Volunteer Coordinator and help encourage and support others in STEM, the way it did for her throughout her academic journey.​ When she’s not working or volunteering, Ebenezea enjoys checking out new cafes, thrifting, and reading.

Rim Daher
Rim completed her MSc in Molecular Biology and Genetics at the University of Alberta and currently conducts cancer immunology research at the Cross Cancer Institute, where she studies interactions between glioblastoma stem cells and the immune microenvironment. Throughout her academic journey, she has been passionate about mentorship, science communication, and building supportive communities. As a graduate teaching assistant, she mentored undergraduate students while developing a strong commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments. She has also volunteered with several student organizations, helping organize events and promote student engagement. As one of the Volunteer Coordinators with WiSER, Rim is excited to support and engage volunteers while creating meaningful opportunities for involvement. She is committed to fostering an inclusive, collaborative environment where volunteers feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to contribute to WiSER’s mission of supporting women and underrepresented groups in STEM.

Angelle Britton
Angelle is a PhD Candidate in Microbiology and Biotechnology at the University of Alberta, where her research focuses on bacteriophages targeting the human and agricultural pathogen, Burkholderia gladioli. Her work contributes to the development of phage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics, advancing our understanding of phage biology and ultimately addressing antimicrobial resistance. Angelle was an active member of WiSER’s Executive Committee from 2021 to 2025, serving as Event Lead, Volunteer Coordinator, and Co-Chair. Beyond WiSER, Angelle has contributed to the broader STEM community through her involvement with the Alberta Women’s Science Network (AWSN), and as a judge for the Edmonton Regional and Canada-Wide Science Fairs.

Narmeen Zehra
Narmeen Zehra is an Engineer-in-Training with the Government of Alberta, where she works on transportation infrastructure projects across Central Alberta. She holds a Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering, specializing in Transportation Engineering, from the University of Alberta. Her graduate research explored travel behavior during wildfire evacuations in Western Canada. Passionate about STEM outreach and community engagement, Narmeen volunteers with various organizations including APEGA, WiSER, WiSEST, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and her local food bank. She first joined WiSER as Secretary in 2023, serving three terms before returning this year as a Mentor-in-Residence. When she is not glued to the screen, you’ll likely find her skating, skateboarding, or saying yes to trying something new just for the fun of it.