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.

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.

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.

Members and Consultants

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

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.

**JENNA HOLLOWAY**
*Member*
Jenna is a student at the University of Calgary pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering. Her research focuses on addressing bottlenecks in human 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 and working on her green-thumb.

National Executives

**REESE LADAK**
*President*
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)!

**SONA REGONDA**
*Senior Vice President of National Operations*
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 and trying new food.

**CAMELIA URSU**
*Senior Vice President of Regional Operations*
Camelia is a second year MD student at the University of Calgary. She graduated in the spring from her BSc in Biochemistry and is the biggest fan of wet lab research, currently studying envirionmental toxicity with her zebrafish. She is also involved in the Animal Kinship Project in the International Indigenous Studies Department, which is her most favourite work at the moment. Camelia enjoys spending time with her little siblings, outdoors, or finding something around the house to fix.

**KARYNA LIM**
*Senior Vice President of Strategy*
Karyna is an undergraduate Computer Science and Statistics student at the University of Toronto. Karyna started her Youreka journey with Youreka Windsor as a student investigator and has continued her support to provide networking connections and professional opportunities to youth ever since. She is currently interested in Software Development projects and the intersection of education with technology. Her free time is spent doing yoga, biking, and sweet treat endeavours around the city.

National Operations Team

**OMAYMA AL JABIRY**
*Vice President of Experience*
Omayma has been with Youreka for over five years now! She enjoys working with the team and loves giving high school students a research opportunity. She carries a BHSc, and MSc and is currently a clinical trials coordinator at the cancer pavilion at Henry Ford Health Systems. Her personal 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!

**YU HAN MAO**
*Vice President of Programs*
Yu Han runs a small consulting business which he co-founded, and builds custom software automations for his client companies. He received his B. Sc. in Biology from McGill University. He enjoys statistics and computer science, but finds the most meaning in serving others and creating long-term impact. For fun, he likes to go out and explore restaurants and cafes.

**LINDA NGUYEN** *Vice President of Marketing*
Linda is an undergraduate student at the University of Windsor, studying biology and biochemistry. She conducts research in a sports concussion lab, exploring the effects of head trauma. Aside from Youreka, Linda enjoys playing pickleball and colouring. She is a bubble tea enthusiast and Candy Crush fanatic. She is excited to continue her 6th year with Youreka.

National Analysts

Experience: Aiden Carr, Arshjot Kaur, Caleb Small, Shawn Coso, Jashmira Bhinder,
Mikhail Popovskiy, Li Ye He
Programs: Alex He, Meelad Elias, Lisa Wang, Liren Abeyratne, Claire McCallum, Mariam Ali
Marketing: Sahil Regonda, Elina Ajamian, Punya Gowri Umesh
Strategy: Diery-Leando Saint-Vil, Mantoj Grewal, Tom Ding, Yasmeen Jalil, David Li, Fahad Amir

Regional Branches

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

UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
**Regional President:** Khushi Vora
**VP External Operations:** Stephanie Huynh
**VP Internal Operations:** Keya Patel
**VP Finance:** Omar Saleh
**Co-VP Outreach:** Hana Saleh and Arya Moh
**Co-VP Academics:** Shahoon Khan and Raffay Ilyas **Advisor:** Keerthana Chockalingam

Youreka Edmonton

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
**Regional President:** Shivgeet Sandhu
**Senior VP:** Stefan Iordache
**VP Events:** Marie Baddongon
**VP Finance:** Cristina Iordache **VP Outreach:** Pratham Patel
**Coordinator of Academics:** Akshit Ayri
**Co-VP Academics:** Ara Naidoo and Mikhail Popovskiy

Youreka Kingston

QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY
**Regional President:** Phoebe Ji
**Senior VP:** Hari Pillai
**Co-SVP Academics:** Zach Bordan, Amin Hasheminia, and Taylor Zhang
**Co-JVP** **Academics:** Aarushi Joon and Cassandra Nono Ganyo
**Co-VP Marketing:** Janika Lin, Malika Peera, Antonia Heroiu, Annie Zhang, and Janhvi Shetty **Co-VP Operations:** Connie Xie, Alyssa Qian, and Orlin Chowdhury
**Co-VP Outreach:** Nnenna Akpulonu, Kiera Hui, and Navid Shabani Barzegar
**Co-VP Finance:** Armita Zandi and Matthew Wong

Youreka Montreal

MCGILL UNIVERSITY
**Regional President:** Julie Lê André **VP Internal Operations**: Renad Albitar **Co-VP Marketing:** Paige Kravitz and Trista Mallais **Co-VP Academics:** Gloria Nam and Aditya Sharma **Co-VP Coding:** Cynthia Wang and Colin Song
**VP External:** Mitra Rejaee
**VP Events:** Sebastiano Iacono

Youreka Vancouver

UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
**Regional President:** Jessie Luo
**VP Finance:** Ethaniel Chou **VP Academics:** Sruthi Magesh
**VP Internal Operations:** Amber Lu
**VP External Operations:** Abaigeal Kelso
**Co-VP Events:** Amber Lu and Jesse Luyan **VP Marketing:** Jesse Luyan

Youreka Windsor

UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR
**Regional President:** Milan Lobana
**Co-VP Academics:** Aiden Carr and Ellowyn Oneschuk
**VP Internal/External Operations:** Meelad Elias
**Co-VP Marketing:** Brinda Joseph and Tricya Alonzo
**VP Events:** John Abey
**VP Finance:** Kiara Roncone

Youreka Toronto

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
**Regional President:** June Vo **VP Internal Operations:** Jaycee Law
**Co-VP External Operations:** Rheanna Zhu and Sharvi Jain
**VP Events:** Anwesha Mukherjee **VP Finance:** Nicole Sy
**VP Academic:** Liren Abeyratne