BMEGA Executive Team 2023-2024
Jack Price (He/Him)
President
Jack is a second year PhD student in the Haas Lab. Jack uses novel methods in computational microscopy to uncover the decision making calculations that occur at a single neuron. Outside of work, Jack enjoys going on hikes, skiing and generally anything outside. As president Jack’s goal is to build on the foundation created by the previous years BMEGA execs with an emphasis on building a sense of community for the graduate students in SBME.
Omar Tariq (He/Him)
Treasurer
Omar is a third year PhD student in the de Boer lab at SBME. Omar studies how mutations affect the gene regulatory logic of cells in disease. His focus as treasurer is to financially facilitate the rest of the team in holding community building events for the students at SBME. Outside of the lab you can find Omar kicking a soccer ball around or reading.
Alex Banks (He/Him)
Communications Coordinator
Alexandre is passionate about giving back to the community, the outdoors, and the interplay between human health and technology. He is doing an MASc in UBC’s robotics and control laboratory where he is developing an eye-tracking system for the da Vinci surgical robot. He is from the east coast of Canada and recently completed a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of New Brunswick. He is excited to be the communications coordinator with BMEGA and would love to get your feedback on how to improve engagement in BMEGA. He is always down for a hike or to go for a run in Stanley Park.
Saud Lingawi (He/Him)
SBME Program Liaison
Saud is a PhD Student in Dr. Calvin Kuo’s Human Motion Biomechanics lab. In his role as the SBME program liaison Saud works to maintain a connection between the BMEGA and the SBME. He hopes to represent the needs of graduate students through advocacy and outreach, and build a sense of community amongst our peers.
Yeganeh Dorri Nokoorani (She/Her)
Social Coordinator
Yeganeh is a 3rd year PhD student in Shakiba lab. She holds a BSc from Amirkabir University of Technology and a MSc from Sharif University of Technology, both in Biomechanics. The focus of her project is on human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) expansion and the genetically variant populations that emerge during this process. She hopes she can find a way to make these hPSCs’ products safer. Outside the lab, Yeganeh loves music, cinema, and archery.
Iryna Liubchak (She/Her)
Secretary
Iryna Liubchak is a second year PhD student working in the BioMEMs laboratory on biomaterial treatments for spinal cord injury repair. She has background in Medical Sciences and a Master of Engineering Science degree from Western University where she worked on biomaterials for cartilage repair. As a BMEGA Secretary, Iryna is going to help with organizing events and fun gatherings for students, and contribute to building a strong BME grad community.
Niloufar Zakariaei
Industry Liaison
Niloufar is a second-year PhD student at SMBE. She serves as the industry liaison at BMEGA and works closely with the social coordinator to organize various events, including career fairs for graduate students at SBME. Niloufar enjoys math, coding, and art, and she incorporates these interests into her daily life. Additionally, she finds joy in engaging in adventurous activities.
Rael Gumbe
Undergraduate Liaison
Asande is a masters student in the Human Motion and Biomechanics laboratory, her work aims to validate an adaptable wearable fall and near-fall monitoring sensor in real world environments with the aim of reducing work place injuries. As the current undergraduate liason she hopes to develop and maintain communication between BMEUSA, BMEGA and other biomedical engineering enterprises in Vancouver.
Enzo Giacopino
Member at Large
Enzo is a PhD student in the Shakiba lab and is working on transcriptomic biaisis of human pluripotent stem cells during differenciation in blood vessel organoids. He is passionate about the climate crisis and the effect/role of science on it, and willing to rise awerness on the subject as well as discussion and applying solutions. Outside of work, you can find Enzo climbing, reading or playing music.
