Our Mission
We provide University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine graduate students with mental health and wellness support and resources via educational seminars and peer mentorship. There are three pillars to our mission:
1. Peer Mentorship: GPSN aims to provide graduate students (mentees) with mental wellness-oriented, on-demand peer mentorship to help mentees navigate their wellness concerns and relevant mental health resources available at the University of Toronto. GPSN recruits and trains a directory of volunteer graduate students equipped to provide safe, reliable and non-judgemental support. Mentors are matched with mentees on the basis of mentor areas of expertise/training and mentee requests submitted through a secure intake website. It should be noted that peer mentors are not counsellors or health care providers, but are a source of emotional support for mentees and a bridge to gaining professional and academic support when needed.
2. Graduate Student Life Seminar Series: GPSN aims to provide graduate students with perspectives and tools to overcome tentative challenges through a formal seminar series. The series comprises of monthly seminars in which the foci will alternate between (i) graduate life and (ii) physical exercise.
3. Research and Advocacy: GPSN collaborates with University of Toronto Faculty, academic programs and non-academic groups to survey the mental health and wellness needs of graduate students and advocate for any associated changes at the administrative level. GPSN will also disseminate mental health and wellness resources widely to Faculty of Medicine graduate students un-contingent on student participation in the GPSN Peer Mentorship or Seminar Series programming.
Our Team
Our leadership team features Master’s and PhD students from across 7 Temerty Faculty of Medicine departments. We also could not do our work without our 21 volunteer peer-mentors and departmental liaisons. For those interested in joining us, please see the link below and keep an eye out for our annual fall elections.
Program Co-Coordinator
Department
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, MD/PhD Program
Research Topic
Drug delivery to brain tumours
Bio
I am an MD/PhD candidate, originally from the East Coast, in the final year of my PhD program in the Zheng lab. When I’m not in the lab or studying, I enjoy dancing, choreographing and exploring the city with friends.
Maneesha Rajora
Program Co-Coordinator
Siu Ling Tai
Graduate Life Seminar Co-Lead
Department
Immunology
Research Topic
Crohn's disease
Bio
Ling Ling is a first year PhD student in the Immunology department, studying autoantibodies in Crohn's disease. When not running around the lab, you can find her biking, looking up recipes (but rarely making them), or binging TV shows.
Siu Ling Tai
Program Co-Coordinator
Elana Sefton
Treasurer
Elana Sefton
Treasurer
Krista Antonio
Mentorship Co-Lead
Department
LMP
Bio
Hi! I’m a first year MSc student in LMP. My research involves exploring gene editing technologies that target mutations responsible for diseases, specifically in cystic fibrosis. I have been mentoring students for four years now, and I have always found it to be a very fulfilling and rewarding role. Outside of the lab, I love to take film photography, play ultimate frisbee and try new coffee shops.
Krista Antonio
Mentorship Co-Lead
Anglin Dent
Mentorship Co-Lead
Department
Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology
Research Topic
Examining the use of AI tools for the analysis of heterogeneous Glioblastoma brain tumors
Bio
Hi! I'm a second year master's student in the Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology department. Outside of the lab, I am passionate about mental health advocacy and support on campus, and am so excited to be actively involved in the promotion of these services through the GPSN! I am a firm believer in achieving a work-life balance and practicing self-care, so when I need time to de-stress I enjoy baking, listening to podcasts, exercising, and seeing friends.
Anglin Dent
Mentorship Co-Lead
Areeba Imran
Research and Advocacy Lead
Areeba Imran
Research and Advocacy Lead
Joycelyn Ba
Fitness Co-Lead
Department
Physiology
Research Topic
Anesthetics on cognition
Bio
A first-year PhD student in the Orser Lab studying the effects of surgery and anesthetics on brain function. Outside of the lab you can find her playing volleyball, coaching skating, or trying new recipes.
Joycelyn Ba
Fitness Co-Lead
Camilla Giovino
Fitness Co-Lead
Department
Medical Biophysics
Research Topic
Cancer biology, Li-Fraumeni Syndrome
Bio
I am a fifth year MD/PhD student (fourth year PhD) in the Department of Medical Biophysics. I am co-supervised by Drs. David Malkin and Ran Kafri and am studying tumour immune surveillance in a cancer predisposition syndrome called Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. I am excited to be joining GPSN for my second year as Fitness Co-lead. Outside of the lab, my interests include running, fitness, music, thrifting, and baking.
Camilla Giovino
Fitness Co-Lead
Melissa Korman
Graduate Life Seminars Co-Lead
Department
Institute of Medical Sciences
Research Topic
Healthcare worker mental health
Bio
Melissa is a second year PhD student with the Institute of Medical Sciences, studying the experience of supporting healthcare worker mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. She acted as a peer supporter and wellness program manager for a hospital group during the pandemic, and is excited to bring her experience to the GPSN! In her free time (or when procrastinating from work), Melissa enjoys baking and spending quality time with her dog.
Melissa Korman
Graduate Life Seminars Co-Lead
Tina Weng
Graduate Life Seminars Co-Lead
Department
Medical Biophysics
Research Topic
Application of peptide mimetics in nanomedicine delivery to brain tumor
Bio
I am a second-year PhD student in Zheng Lab investigating the use of peptide mimetics in nanomedicine. Besides working in lab, I enjoy cooking, organizing dinner party, and vintage shopping (window shopping, of course).
Tina Weng
Graduate Life Seminars Co-Lead
Yasmin Alhamdah
Social Media Manager
Department
Institute of Medical Science
Research Topic
Perioperative Medicine and Cognitive Screening
Bio
I am a second year Master’s Candidate at UHN and Mount Sinai Hospital. My research focuses on perioperative medicine in the elderly population. When I’m not doing research work, I enjoy reading, food and spending time with friends and family! I am super grateful to be a part of this team for this year!
Yasmin Alhamdah
Social Media Manager
Rohma Ramay
Ethics Officer
Rohma Ramay
Ethics Officer
Our Affiliations
Our Funding
Get in Touch!
Contact us at gpsn.utoronto@gmail.com or through social media:
Join our Team!
We are looking for creative and dedicated candidates to join our team for the following positions:
- Ambassadors to support our Research & Advocacy efforts, and our Mentorship Program
- Treasurer
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Apply here!