2012-2013 Team
The Neuroscience Association for Undergraduate Students (NAUS) represents neuroscience students at the University of Toronto.
Stay tuned for the various social and academic events that we organize throughout the year!
Alina Guna
Co-President
Hello young neuroscientists!
I have been involved in NAUS for most of my undergraduate career and am delighted to be one of your presidents this year. NAUS is committed to creating a supportive environment for students while helping foster a love for neuroscience that extends beyond the classroom. We have a lot of events this year and we really want you to get involved! My co-president and I are adamant about making sure students get the support they need, so if you have any suggestion for what NAUS can do, please hunt me down and let me know!
As a person, I’m kind of all over the place. With the exception of NAUS, I only have one other long term commitment at U of T: research. I am head over heels, weak at the knees over research and I’m only truly happy when I have a massive spreadsheet open in front of me. Otherwise, I love just about everything and anything (in an almost gluttonous way). Over the years, I’ve gotten quite good at leaving the country without anyone noticing. So if you see me with a passport in hand, I’m probably about to make my getaway!
Benjamin Ong
VP Communications
Greetings everyone! My name is Ben and I have the privilege of being one of NAUS’ VP communications this year. Josephine and I have been tasked with keeping the website up to date, and bringing you all of the latest announcements via email and social networking.
I was a serious band geek in high school, and continue to play guitar and bass in my spare time. When I’m not stuck on the TTC, or in class, I can often be found studying in Gerstein. If you see me around, please don’t hesitate to come over and say hello! I’m so excited to be back on campus and seeing all the familiar faces. Be sure to come out to all the awesome events we have lined up- I’d love to meet you in person!
Roland Xu
VP Social
Hello everyone, my name is Roland Xu and I am honored to represent our neuroscience community as your VP Social. One cool fact about me is that I can name all the original 152 Pokemon; impressive? I know. Anyhow, this is my first year on NAUS and I am super excited for all the brain related initiatives we have planned for you this year, especially CULSC. My goal this year is to reach out to as many students as I can. I am extremely friendly and extremely loud. If any of you guys want to chat about neuroscience, lifescience or even life in general, simply holler at me. I am an avid basketball player/basketball fanatic/I make it rain. I also enjoy playing violin in a strings quartet, mostly baroque stuff (Corelli makes women in the 17th century lose their minds). Overall, I am super excited to begin my journey with NAUS and I hope I meet many of you along the way. 2013-2014 will be one helluva year. I wish everyone the best of luck to everyone in their various endeavours. Sugar Daddy out!
Audrey Zhang
VP Finance
Hey everyone, I’m Audrey, your VP Finance for the 2013-14 year. I am currently in my third year, doing a neuroscience and biochemistry double major. NAUS has an amazing line up of events for the year, what with the formal and CULSC and loads other things, I know you guys have been waiting all year, so come out – it’ll be fab!
A bit about me – I love blogging, photography, the TV show Friends (the oldies are the best) and food/cooking (yes I love being in the kitchen) and exploring and scoping out new places in the city. If you are looking for someone to go with you to try that new ethnic food place somewhere downtown, I’d be the one! I’m usually at Gerstein or Robarts trying to study but if you see me on campus don’t be afraid to say hello! Like everyone else on NAUS I love meeting new people as well. Anyway, hope you guys come out – take a break from all the studying and meet some genuinely amazing people.
David Long
Graduating Year Rep
I’m David, your 4th year rep with NAUS. I like to read, cook, learn Japanese and walk around. Neuroscience is an interesting field to me because it is the objective study of that organ which makes subjectivity, the brain–and because it has the potential to make huge changes to the way we live our lives in coming years. I’m looking forward to working with NAUS this year because it gives me an opportunity to contribute to the community of neuroscience students at U of T both socially and academically. I’m excited to help organize and participate in all of the events that NAUS will soon be offering!
Hamza Arshad
3nd Year Rep
Hey guys, I’m a third year lifesci student, majoring in neuroscience and biochemistry. I have a deep-rooted passion for all things neuroscience. I enjoy high adrenaline, corticosteroid-pumping sports, including skiing, basketball, cliff diving and falling off high structures. Like a lot of the students attending U of T, I’m a commuter student and an avid biker. This is my first year at NAUS and I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you. As your third year rep, I encourage you to approach me with any questions you may have. If you guys ever see me around campus, feel free to say hi. I look forward to an eventful year ahead of us, this coming fall.
Victor Lee
2nd Year Rep
Hey everybody!
I knew I wanted to study the brain since I was very young and have been looking forward to being in the neuroscience program since I was in high school! My persistent interest in neuroscience comes from very personal experiences that I have had in the past involving both me and the people around me. These experiences are what drives me to pursue a life-long career in working with, helping, and guiding children with developmental disabilities.
Being so excited about to be in neuroscience, I started to come to NAUS events since my first few weeks in university! I’m ecstatic to finally get to be on the NAUS executive team this year and will work very hard to bring the best events to the neuroscience community while being on the social committee.
I’m a very approachable person and I really enjoy socializing and meeting new people. I’m really happy about all the friends that I’ve made since I’ve come to university and still would like to meet more. If you ever see me around campus, don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to me. I promise I won’t bite!
Shakira Brathwaite
Co-President
Hi everyone! My name is Shakira and I am honoured to be one of your Co-Presidents for 2013-2014. We are thrilled to offer a variety of events this year, including Academic Seminars, an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Seminar, our annual Undergraduate Research Conference, CULSC, our first ever Careers Seminar and a variety of other academic and social activities. We will also be improving and expanding on our current mentorship programs, so get ready for the ultimate synaptic experience! Our primary aim is to ensure that we give you the best undergraduate experience that we can offer – so you can bet your bottom dollar that this year will be memorable.
As much as I love NAUS, I do have some outside interests including dance (I’ve been involved with the U of T Dance Club since 1st year), TV (2 Broke Girls, Modern Family and reruns of Scrubs, That 70’s Show, 3rd Rock from the Sun and Less than Perfect), music (I love me some Sara Bareilles, Maroon 5, Adele, Coeur de Pirate, Marcus Miller and Norah Jones to name a few), coffee (Tim Hortons is NOT coffee), and anything that has to do with cupcakes or the colour purple (or both). Like the rest of the NAUS executive, I love learning new things and interacting with new people – so come out to our events and make your ideas known!
Josephine Chan
VP Communications
Hey everyone! I just finished my second year and am working on my double major in Neuroscience and Cognitive Sciences with a minor in Cinema Studies.
Besides the obvious neuroscience interest, I spend my time playing ultimate frisbee, volunteering at random film festivals, watching Doctor Who/Mad Men/Game of Thrones, busking on the streets of Toronto, taking advantage of the student breakfast discount at Future’s, starting but not finishing novels, and drinking… coffee.
This is my first year on NAUS and I am super stoked for this coming year and for the chance to meet those of you in the neuroscience program! I am always up for a chat so feel free.
Filip Miscevic
VP Social
Hi! My name is Filip Miscevic and I am one of your co-vice-presidents for social affairs on the NAUS 2013-14 executive committee.
Having served as 2nd year rep, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know the lovely people on NAUS and its awesome initiatives, so I’m super excited for all that’s to come! This year, as your co-social VP, I really want to bring you fun social events but also draw attention to other aspects of student life where social connectivity and support can help, such as in learning to manage yourself and your academic and professional lives. We’ll be building on our current repertoire of events and adding a whole bunch more, but that’s all I’m allowed to say for now.
I’m entering my 3rd year of study this September, pursuing a neuroscience specialist and cognitive science major. These areas of study really appeal to me because they help us understand and therefore control certain aspects of the mind and human nature. They’re also amazing examples of how it is possible to scientifically study phenomena that we may otherwise colloquially think of as subjective. These fields have tremendous social impact, not only in treating afflictions of the mind, but, as I see it, as a cognitive toolkit for the betterment of society. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.
When I’m not thinking about neuroscience, I enjoy teaching piano and tinkering with computers. You may also find me bustin’ my buns in zumba class or finding my root in a mindfulness meditation class. Fun fact, I also speak three languages: English, Serbian, and my mother tongue: puns.
So in this coming year, let me homeostatically regulate your social affairs — I’ll be your hypo-pal-amus.
Stephanie Luu
Secretary
Hi everyone, I am a fourth-year student specializing in behaviour and majoring in neuroscience. Despite my subject posts, I remain interested in learning all topics of health sciences. When I’m not at Gerstein cramming away, you can find me probably eating a subway sandwich, swimming at the athletic centre, or sleeping… somewhere. In my spare time I like to swim, dance, and sing (most of the time out-of-key). Sometimes I’ll catch up on my favourite TV shows which include Modern Family, Suits, Cougar Town, Criminal Minds, CSI, The Mentalist… I apologize, there actually may not be an end to this list.
I look forward to working with my peers and fellow neuroscientists, organizing events, and joining in on the neuroswag and whatever that entails. As your NAUS secretary, feel free to approach me with questions and concerns as I will be happy to help you out in any way I can. See you all around on campus =)
Peter Mai
3rd Year Rep
Greetings Chosen Neuroscientists…you have all been selected based on your skill, endurance and individuality…and we here at NAUS…are here to help you succeed in every mission! My name is Peter and I am honoured to be one of your 3rd year reps.
I’m a super sci-fi kind of person and I live by the statement of “Mind Over Matter”. The Matrix and Inception are my two personal favorite films of all time…imagine…a world where our mind is the greatest computer…wait…we are in that world!
As a 3rd year rep, I look forward to presenting you…the Chosen Neuroscientists, with fun events throughout the year! Our mission is to work with you and show you the great opportunities associated with Neuroscience and the fun aspect too!
I’m usually around the campus at Gerstein and Robarts, studying, listening to music or chilling with friends. If you guys ever want to chat about anything neuroscience related or even about university in general, feel free to email me at minh.mai@mail.utoronto.ca. Your mission should you accept it…is to work hard and have a great university experience with NAUS!
Jaclin Simonetta
2nd Year Rep
Hey everyone!
I am so excited to be a part of NAUS and for all the neuroscience events we have planned for this year!
I am a second year student majoring in neuroscience and molecular genetics and microbiology.
This will be my second year on the Victoria College Scarlet Dragon Boat team, and in my spare time, I love to bake and making frequent visits to Kensington market. You can often find me in Hart House, whether it be studying in the Map room, in the gym or going to the 5-Buck lunches!
I love meeting new friendly faces, so if you see me around campus come say hello!
Sandy Wang
2nd Year Rep
Hey everyone!
I am so excited to be a part of NAUS this year and be involved in some great events!
I am a second year life sciences student doing a double major in Neuroscience and Psychology. Studying the brain has always interested me and I’m so stoked to be studying Neuroscience this year! If you are around campus, you can often find me studying in the stacks at Robarts or around Med Sci and Gerstein.
In my free time, I love listening to and playing all kinds of different music, I especially love jamming to Indie music in the mornings. I am also a huge fan of Game of Thrones and anything YouTube.
I love meeting and talking to new people, so if you see me around, please give me shout!