Meet our Executive team

Admin

Facilitate the behind-the-scenes and support the Committee Leaders

Angela Mitchell

President

GRADUATE STUDENT / Microbiology

Angela is a second-year MSc student in Microbiology at the University of Victoria. Her research focuses on understanding how Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum, the bacterium responsible for syphilis, reponds to host cell exposure; with the aim of identifying potential targets for a syphilis vaccine. Passionate about destigmatizing sexually transmitted infections, she is an advocate for improved access to comprehensive sexual health education and services. Beyond her academic and leadership pursuits, Angela enjoys weightlifting, cycling, and experimenting with new recipes. She joined UVic Women in Science to foster a supportive community where women in STEM can expand their personal and professional networks.

Rebekah Shin

Vice President

UNDERGRADUATE / Microbiology

Rebekah is a fifth-year Microbiology student at the University of Victoria, with a strong passion for pursuing a career in dentistry. Her academic journey has been shaped by diverse research experiences, including working on the generation of parthenogenetic porcine embryos at the Cellular Reprogramming Lab at Vietnam National University, and assisting in a study on the effects of prenatal THC exposure on the hippocampus at the Christie Lab at UVic. Rebekah currently works as a lab assistant in the BCMB undergraduate lab at UVic, where she contributes to the learning environment while furthering her own academic growth. Outside of her studies, she enjoys capturing moments through photography, collecting CDs, and discovering new films and music. Rebekah joined UVic Women in Science (WIS) in 2023 to help elevate the voices of BIPOC women and other underrepresented groups in STEM, and contribute to creating a more diverse, supportive, and empowering community.

Human Resources

Maintain the WIS culture among the group and encourage an inclusive and healthy environment

Joanna Robinson-Leith

Director of Human Resources

UNDERGRADUATE / Physics and Astronomy

Joanna is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Physics and Astronomy. Outside of her studies, she enjoys cooking and baking, thrifting with her friends, going on long hikes with her dog, and hosting the occasional backyard barbecue. Joanna joined the WIS executive team over the summer of 2024, inspired to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for current and future STEM students. She’s committed to making STEM spaces more welcoming, and empowering others to pursue their passions in their academic and professional journeys. 

Finance

Facilitate the behind-the-scenes and support the Committee Leaders

Madison Shiyuk

Director of Finance

GRADUATE / Microbiology

Madison Shiyuk completed her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology at the University of Victoria. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree at the University of Victoria, and her research aims to investigate relationships between methionine cycle metabolism and immune response to ovarian cancer. Madison is inspired by Dr. Karlina Tongotea, an MD and powerlifting world record-holder who integrates her passion for strength training into her medical practice. Away from her research, Madison enjoys powerlifting and playing guitar, and these passions provide a refreshing challenge outside of academics.

Yiming Zhao

Committee Members

Communications

Manages all marketing and communication-related endeavors, and curates the interviews.

Sylvie Anderson

Director of Communications

UNDERGRADUATE / Biology and Neuroscience

Sylvie is a first-year science student at UVic, planning to major in Biology and Neuroscience with a minor in Environmental Studies. She’s especially passionate about developmental neuroscience and exploring how early life experiences shape neural pathways in children. She’s also deeply interested in environmental science, particularly finding solutions to ocean acidification and protecting coral reefs, and she is very passionate about protecting the oceans. She joined UVic Women in Science to connect with a supportive community of women in STEM and help promote equity in science spaces. Alongside her scientific interests, Sylvie is also passionate about women’s health and safety, especially in the context of domestic and sexual violence. In her free time, she loves running, hiking, pilates, and being creative- especially fashion, photography, and design! She hopes to pursue a career in medicine and is excited to keep learning and growing along the way!

Committee Members

Rebekah Shin (Photographer)

Annika deGreef (Social Media)

Peer Mentorship Program

Manages the Peer Mentorship Program.

Seerat Virk

Director of the Peer Mentorship Program



Committee Members

Jessica Kraft

Ali Chong

Events

Manages all events.

Position Vacant

Director of Events

Committee Members

Mackensy Cumin

Karen Vasquez

Natalie Branton

Symposium

Fernanda Ezquerra Silva

Symposium Director

UNDERGRADUATE / Biology

Fernanda is pursuing her undergraduate degree in Biology at the University of Victoria, driven by a deep passion for life sciences and the natural world. Inspired by the remarkable engineer and astronaut Jenni Sidey-Gibbons, Fernanda is dedicated to expanding her knowledge of biology and the interconnectedness of life. Outside the classroom, Fernanda embraces a spirit of curiosity and creativity. She likes to volunteer with her local hospital and with nature organizations, contributing to environmental conservation and finds joy in hobbies like painting, cross-stitching, and reading. As a participant in the Introba x WEST (Women in Engineering and Computer Science) project, she collaborated with a team of women students to construct a small-scale model house, an experience that ignited her interest in interdisciplinary innovation. Fernanda also expresses her creativity through visual art, publishing her work with This Side of West and exhibiting it at UVic. She wishes to inspire the next generation of scientists and encourage them to embrace curiosity, and creativity, and to follow their dreams to the stars and beyond.

Committee Members

Anna Dema

Sarah Trilesky

Our Founders

The founders took the pioneering step of initiating the Women in Science program. Their vision and dedication led to the inception of the Women in Science program, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable STEM community.

  • Co-Founder

    PhD Biochemistry and Microbiology

  • Co-Founder

    BSc Chemistry

WIS ALUMNI

We would like to gratefully acknowledge the contributions made by past members of the WIS Executive Committee and our team of Committee Members. UVic WIS would not be the organization it is today without their support and engagement.

  • Hannah Charnock

    Co-Founder

  • Karen Lithgow

    Co-Founder

  • Nova Hanson

    Director of Grants & Funding

  • Rhea Ashmead

    Director of Communications

  • Sree Gayathri Talluri

    Interview Coordinator

  • Teesha Luehr

    Events Committee Member

  • Lauren McMillan

    Communications Committee Member

  • Seanna Zintel

    Communications Committee

  • Emma Murowinski

    Events Committee Member

  • Emily Fulton

    Events Committee Member

  • Gill Dornan

    Events Committee Member

  • Sean Sawer

    Treasurer & Events Volunteer

  • Ellen Habke

    Events Committee Member

  • Ariana Sholinder

    Communications Committee Member

  • Meagan Beatty

    Events Committee Member

  • Callie Greene

    Communications Committee Member

  • Natasha Milosevich

    Events Committee Member

  • Gina Cousineau

    Events Committee Member

  • Lisa McQuarrie

    Events Committee Member

  • Ashwini Selvakumar

    Events Committee Member

  • Tillie Stainsby

    Events Committee Member

  • Camille Zimmer

    Events Committee Member

  • Becca Candlish

    Peer Mentorship Program Director

  • Liz Rohlicek

    Peer Mentorship Program Coordinator

  • Jessica Dhami

    Events Committee Member

  • Mia Kennedy

    Peer Mentorship Program Committee Member

  • Stan Liang

    Peer Mentorship Program Committee Member

  • Claire Stevens

    Director of Communications

  • Chloe Christensen

    President

  • Tasha Jarisz

    Communications Support

  • Ethan Schovanek

    Peer Mentorship Program Committee Member

  • Taylor Snowden-Richardson

    Peer Mentorship Program Director

  • Sarah Lane

    Director of Grants & Funding

  • Erin Grafe

    President

  • Hannah Dobbs

    Co-Director of Events

  • Sierra Mann

    Co-Director of Events

  • Bridget Ryan

    Communications Committee Member

  • Angela Jennings

    Communications Committee Member

  • Kascia Lovett

    Communications Committee Member

  • Hayley Parkin

    Communications Committee Member

  • Chanel Ghesquiere

    Peer Mentorship Program Committee Member

  • Chloe Blankers

    Peer Mentorship Program Committee Member

  • Claire Hodson

    Peer Mentorship Program Committee Member

  • Saja Al-Musawi

    Peer Mentorship Program Committee Member

  • Isabella Kroker-Kimber

    Peer Mentorship Program Committee Member

  • Jenna Fleetwood

    Peer Mentorship Program Committee Member

  • Robyn Swartman

    Peer Mentorship Program Committee Member

  • Tara Mathur

    Peer Mentorship Program Coordinator

  • Hannah Reid

    Events Committee Member

  • Natalie Berry

    Events Committee Member

  • Olivia Melville

    Events Committee Member

  • Sarah Toews

    Events Committee Member

  • Maria Hangad

    Director of Events

  • Gretchen Lewandowski

    Social Media Coordinator

  • Bethany Robson

    Director of Finance

  • Victoria Greene

    Vice President

  • Syd Waddington

    President

  • Grace Ridd

    Interview Coordinator

  • Anna Dansereau

    Interview Coordinator

  • Claire Troost

    Director of Communications

  • Ava McConechy

    Events Committee Member

  • Nilo Shakerian

    Events Committee Member

  • Isabella Kidder

    Peer Mentorship Program Committee Member

  • Francis Rus

    Peer Mentorship Program Committee Member

  • Mckinley Kemp

    Peer Mentorship Program Committee Member

  • Madeleine Brown

    Peer Mentorship Program Committee Member

  • Hiroko Mahoney

    Co-Director of Finance

  • Faith Dublonko

    Co-Director of Finance

  • Sharana Saini

    President

  • Dominique Maucieri

    Graphic Designer and Webmaster

  • Aislinn Dressler

    Peer Mentorship Program Committee Member

  • Natasha Norton

    Peer Mentorship Program Committee Member