The CLAMPS team
You can contact us any time at clampslmp@gmail.com, or contact one of the team below.
The CLAMPS representatives are elected every year by the student body.
Stay up to date with all CLAMPS events and activities in the CLAMPS group on Temerty Medicine Connect! (UTORID needed to log in)
Co-President
Rupal Hatkar
Field of study: Cancer genomics
Responsibility on council: I oversee and help organize academic and non-academic events held by CLAMPS to enhance LMP students' experience during graduate school. I perform required administrative tasks to keep CLAMPS in good standing under ULife, conduct surveys among LMP students to make their voices heard, and make efforts to implement necessary changes with the help of the LMP department.
About me: I am passionate to learn new skills (academic and non-academic) and grow as a person by learning from mistakes. My non-academic hobbies include playing badminton, piano, and guitar as well as swimming.
Co-President
Matsya Thulasiram
matsya.thulasiram@mail.utoronto.ca
Field of study: Hearing Regeneration
Responsibility on council: I am one of the liaisons between the student body, CLAMPS, and the departmental/faculty administration, and co-leader of the CLAMPS council.
About me: I'm in my 4th year PhD studying hearing regeneration, and here is my compilation of "about me" facts: I'm a dancer, I play the French horn, my favourite food is all food and my life goal is to travel every chance I get!
Vice-President Communications
Stefanie-Grace Sbergio
stefanie.sbergio@mail.utoronto.ca
Field of study: Cancer
Responsibility on council: I manage the emails, and social media accounts for CLAMPS to maintain and encourage student engagement.
About me: I am a third year PhD student in LMP studying a pediatric brain tumour at SickKids. I completed my BMSc at the University of Western Ontario in the department of Medical Sciences. I enjoy reading, running, and baking in my spare time.
Vice-President Social
Alexandra Moffat
alexandra.moffat@mail.utoronto.ca
Field of study: Neuroscience
Responsibility on council: I organize and host social events for the LMP department such as a movember fundraiser, Christmas/New Years party, and wine and cheese night!
About me: I am a MSc student studying neurodevelopment in the Schuurmans Lab at Sunnybrook Research Institute. I completed my undergrad in Neuroscience, Physiology, and Psychology at U of T. I look forward to meeting and hosting fun socials for you all!
Vice-President Academic
Atefeh Mohammadi
atefeh.mohammadi@mail.utoronto.ca
Field of study: Lung Biology
Responsibility on council: As VP Academics, we are responsible for all academic programming as well as the annual LMP Research Conference and Product Show. If you have any ideas for academic seminars or workshops you would like to attend, please reach out to us!
About me: I am a second-year MSc student studying lung disease in premature babies. When not at the lab, I enjoy staying active by horse riding, practicing karate and venturing the city in search of ice cream.
Vice-President External
Bana Samman
Field of study: Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Responsibility on council: My responsibilities are to coordinate and organise outreach/volunteering events and opportunities for graduate students in LMP. These initiatives include: mentorship opportunities through High School Outreach sessions, REACH (our annual symposium for high school students), the Women in STEM talk series, our Grad-Undergrad Networking Series, and fundraisers like our annual FacMed Cookbook!
About me: I'm a second-year master's student. I love my project so far - I'm investigating the role of mutations to the LRRK2 gene in the development of intestinal inflammation and, specifically, Crohn's disease. I love spending time with my family and friends, and I love exploring different food, ice cream, and coffee spots throughout the city!
Head Location Director
Seojin Lee
Field of study: Neurodegenerative Diseases
Responsibility on council: Managing a team of location directors to organize various location-specific social events throughout the academic year, and to facilitate communication between LMP students and CLAMPs.
About me: I am a fourth-year PhD student at Dr. Kovacs' Lab located in Tanz CRND, studying the role of iron in neurodegenerative disease pathways. I've been actively involved with CLAMPs as a junior Rec and Wellness representative and location director for Krembil/TWH. As the Head Location Director for the year of 2022-2023, I'm looking forward to bringing new and exciting location events which will tighten smaller LMP communities scattered in different locations!
Treasurer
Negar Khosraviani
negar.khosraviani@mail.utoronto.ca
Field of study: Vascular Biology
Responsibility on council: I manage the financial affairs of CLAMPS and prepare budgets for events.
About me: Outside the lab, I enjoy reading, doing yoga, playing basketball, and hanging with friends.
Vice-President Recreation and Wellness
Wenda Zhao
Field of study: Neuroscience
Responsibility on council: I organize events related to recreation and sports, as well as events that can facilitate our physical and mental well-being.
About me: I am doing my 4th year of PhD in Dr. Schmitt-Ulms' lab with a research focus on prion diseases. I am excited to serve as your Rec and Wellness VP this year and I wish to organize events for the LMP students that will be fun and also beneficial to our physical and mental health! In free time, I like to stay active by playing tennis and biking around the city. I also play the guitar and try to create music once in a while. I believe that a good work-life balance is important for us grad students so don't hesitate to contact me if there is any event ideas that you have for us!
Vice-President Academics
Mathepan Mahendralingam
m.mahendralingam@mail.utoronto.ca
Field of study: Cardio-oncology
Responsibility on council: My role is to help organize the best academic programming for LMP graduate students. This includes organizing peer mentorship programs, committee meeting and transfer exam info sessions, the LMP Research Conference, the Product Show, and the CLAMPS-led seminars for LMP1001.
About me: I'm a MD/PhD student studying pediatric cancer genomics. Outside of the lab, I'm out looking for the best donuts, reading books, or watching some anime. If you see me, don't be afraid to say hi !!