Our Exec Team!

Meet James: Our President!

Pronouns: He/Him

My name is James and I’m this years President of IMINSA. I’m in my 5th and final year in the IMIN program and this is my 3rd year on the IMINSA Exec team. When I’m not in class or working with the team I’m usually in Rutherford library studying. I’m an avid rock climber, I’m involved in my local Church, I love hiking and anything to do with the outdoors.

My personal goal this year is to help provide the IMIN community with quality opportunities to meet their peers, help grow friendships within the program, and foster professional development.

I’ve met so many great people over the course of this program, and my hope is that myself and the executive team can serve them well, as well as encourage the many younger IMIN students to become involved in IMINSA.

Meet Reeha: Our Vice President!

Pronouns: She/Her

Hi, I’m Reeha! I’m in my fourth year of the Honours IMIN program and the Vice President of IMINSA. This is my second year with IMINSA, and I originally joined because I wanted to feel more connected to the IMIN community and contribute to creating a space where students can learn from one another and share their experiences. This year, I’m excited to continue building that sense of community and helping make IMINSA events and initiatives something students can genuinely enjoy and benefit from. You might remember me from some of our outreach initiatives, like U School and high school visits, or from taking silly 0.5s at events!

I’ve also spent the past few summers doing full-time research, which has been a really valuable part of my undergraduate experience. Currently, I’m at the Cross Cancer Institute completing my Honours Thesis (MMI 499), where I’m studying extracellular matrix genes in glioblastoma.

Outside of school, I’m a big LEGO fan and have almost every botanical set (although a few are still sitting unopened in boxes). I also love running, spending time outdoors, and finding a good hiking trail whenever I get the chance.

Meet Ved: Our Treasurer!

Pronouns: He/Him

Hello! My name is Ved and I am IMINSA’s Treasurer. I am currently in my third year of the Honours Immunology and Infection program. Last year, I was the VP Fundraising for IMINSA and I primarily chose to become treasurer as I believe that it is more than just budgeting and maintaining finances. It’s about ensuring opportunities and events can be executed among immunology students with sufficient resources in order to further build our community! Being a part of IMINSA since my first year has been an incredibly rewarding experience. IMINSA has connected me with the IMIN community at the U of A, and taught me so much about leadership, teamwork, and overcoming challenges.

Outside of IMINSA and University, I love to read, play all types of sports, go to the gym, and learn about geography!

Meet Carter: Co-VP Mentorship and Volunteering!

Pronouns: He/Him

Hey! My name is Carter Richards, and I am a 5th-year Honors Immunology and Infection student. I’m one half of your Vice President Mentorship and Volunteering duo for this year. This is my second year as VP M&V, where I coordinate volunteers for IMINSA events and sales, and run the Antibuddies Mentorship Program. My goal is to help create a tight-knit, supportive IMIN community where students feel connected. I joined the IMINSA in my first year as a mentee, and it was a fantastic experience. I then became a mentor myself and joined the STI Awareness Committee before finally deciding to run for VP Mentorship and Volunteering to ensure these opportunities are available for everyone. Last year I completed my MMI 499 project in the Elhenawy lab, so feel free to ask me about research! I want to help create a space where everyone feels seen, supported, and involved. Whether it’s through volunteering, mentorship, or just showing up to our events. When I’m not studying, I’m usually listening to music and making overly specific playlists or out playing football with my friends.

Meet Aubrie: Co-VP Mentorship and Volunteering!

Pronouns: She/Her

Hi, I’m Aubrie! I’m in my fourth year of the Specialization in Immunology & Infection program and I am extremely excited to be Co-VP Mentorship and Volunteering this year! I first joined IMINSA as a general volunteer in my second year, then as part of the STI Awareness Committee and now this year as an exec member. I wanted to join the IMINSA team because I hoped to help contribute to building community within our program. My goal this year is to help connect more IMIN students with each other and to get more people involved with volunteering! In my free time I love going to the gym, spending way too much money on concerts or finding fun things to do around the city with my friends 🙂

Meet Michelle: Co-VP Media!

Pronouns: She/Her

Hi, I’m Michelle! I am in my fifth year of the Immunology and Infection Specialization program, and I am very excited to be Co-VP Media this year!

I decided to join IMINSA after having really great experiences as both a general volunteer and a member of the STI Awareness Committee. Through IMINSA, I met a lot of amazing people and got involved in some cool opportunities. As VP Media, my goal is to spread the word about everything IMINSA has to offer and keep building a fun, welcoming community where students can discover those same opportunities, connect, and want to get involved!

When I am not in class or studying, you can usually find me working at a local consignment boutique, listening to music, volunteering in the emergency department, watching reality TV, or hanging out with my friends!

Meet Jessica: Co-VP Media!

Pronouns: She/Her

Hi, I’m Jessica and I am so stoked to be this year’s Co-VP Media! I am currently in my 5th year of the Immunology and Infection Specialization program.

I joined IMINSA because I wanted to further help out the IMIN student community after being a general volunteer and a member of STI Awareness Committee during my 3rd and 4th year. I am excited to continue the amazing work that has been done on the IMINSA instagram and website and to help with IMINSA’s initiatives 🙂 This summer, I started research under the Kreutzberger Lab, which I am continuing on during the semester through my MMI 499 project.

In my free time I enjoy playing tennis, drawing, skateboarding, and spending time out and about with friends. Feel free to say hi if you see me around!

Meet Naveena: VP Development!

Pronouns: She/Her

Hi!! My name is Naveena and I am a 5th year Honors IMIN student. Last year I joined the executive team as the Secretary. My goal was to connect with more students in the IMIN program and get a sense of how IMINSA operates. Through helping out with events, being a mentor for antibuddies, and co-leading the Flu Shot Awareness Committee, I gained a deep appreciation for the impact this club has on students. I also discovered a passion for providing resources to those who felt lost about the program or research which is why I am elated to be this year’s VP development. During my term I hope to do justice to all of IMINSA’s incredible career development initiatives, and spearhead some of my favourite events I helped out with last year!

When I’m not in class or in the Marchant lab (where I’m currently completing my 499 project), I am likely hanging out with my friends, running around on whyte, or at my bartending job at O’byrnes! If you ever see me wandering around campus, please feel free to come say hi or ask me any questions you may have about IMINSA 🙂

Meet Nour: Secretary!

Pronouns: She/Her

Hi everyone!
I am in my 5th year of the immunology and infection specialization program and this is my 2nd year being on the IMINSA exec team!
I am super passionate about building community and collaboration among imin students and faculty and I hope to be a familiar face anyone can approach with any questions or befriend 🫶🏻
If i am not in class or lab, you can find me volunteering at our fundraisers or having a yap session with my Co lead for our STI awareness committee to make it as much fun as possible for everyone participating….or you’ll find me cafe hopping with friends all over whyte trying to lock in lol

Can’t wait to meet everyone and i hope we all become academic weapons this year!

Meet Lorisa: VP Social Events!

Pronouns: She/Her

Hello, my name is Lorisa and I’m excited to be returning as IMINSA’s VP Social for another year! I’m currently in my fourth(and hopefully final) year of Immunology and Infections with Specialization, and this will be my third year being involved with IMINSA. Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to grow alongside the club and become a part of such an amazing community. I had a lot of fun planning events last year and wanted the opportunity to bring even more of those ideas to life. There were a few events I wasn’t able to see through last year, and I’m excited to revisit those ideas while also introducing some new ones! During my spare time, I enjoy activities like hiking, skiing, and traveling around the world.

Meet Gib: VP Fundraising!

Pronouns: She/Her

Hello!! My name is Gabrielle but I usually go by Gib. I’m in my second year of honours immunology and infection. I joined iminsa to get more involved in the community and challenge myself with new skills I can bring into future projects; both within iminsa and beyond. Outside of iminsa, I love spending time with friends and working on creative projects. Right now that means lots of knitting and crocheting cozy clothes! Most recently I’ve been teaching myself how to sew, so I can eventually make my own garments!

Meet Dr. Robert Patry: MMI Liaison!

Pronouns: He/Him

Hey everyone! My name is Rob, and I am a Lecturer in the MMI department, currently teaching MMI 352, 391 and 445. I was honoured to be asked to join the executive committee as the MMI Liaison in early 2025 and have been happy to continue in the role ever since. It has been a great fit, and I really enjoy getting to interact more closely with the students in our program!

I completed my undergraduate degree here at the U of A in Microbiology (Go Bears/Pandas!), then did my PhD at the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!), where I studied Campylobacter jejuni and its ability to mimic host glycans and contribute to Guillain-Barré Syndrome. I then completed a post-doc at the University of Chicago (I didn’t have time to watch sports there), where I studied how commensal bacteria influence the development of food allergies, before moving back home to pursue my passion for undergraduate education.

My central goal is to foster a positive and supportive environment for students in our program, as I believe that feeling comfortable and supported is an important part of being able to learn and succeed.