Gavin is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the McGill University Genome Centre. His research focuses on investigating the ecological and evolutionary factors driving rare accessory gene variation across microbial strains in nature. This work is done using computational and statistical methods, with a focus on the honeybee gut microbiome. He graduated with a PhD in Microbiology & Immunology from Dalhousie University in 2021 and holds MSc and BSc degrees in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Toronto. He joined SPE in June 2022 where he was first lead volunteer for our public forum on Food Insecurity in Canada before being elected Co-President in November 2022. He is interested in all aspects of science policy but has particular interest in how public policies affect academic publishing norms and incentives. In his free time, Gavin enjoys writing short stories and spending time with his dog, Benny. Personal website: www.gavindouglas.ca

Antoine is a postdoctoral researcher in plant microbiology at Agriculture and AgriFood Canada in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (QC). His work focuses on bacteria beneficial to plants that could become biopesticides and contribute to making agriculture more respectful of health and ecosystems. Antoine is especially interested in advocating for the living world, science and evidence-based decision-making. He has also been communicating science, notably through the 3-Minute Thesis contest, interviews with young researchers, and articles. He is currently involved in Acfas through its Advisory committee on the new generation of scientists and was SPE Treasurer before being elected Co-President. Also, he loves cycling all-year long!

​Thuy is a PhD candidate in the Department of Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on discovering genetic interactions in higher order organisms using the model organism yeast to perform high-throughput mutational crosses. He began volunteering with SPE in the summer of 2022 and will serve as Treasurer for the fiscal year 2023. Thuy is particularly interested in developing policies for a more equitable health care system as well as advocating for evidence-based decision making in government.

Nadine L. Wellington obtained her PhD in Chemistry from McMaster University in 2019, where she applied metabolomics to study biochemical changes in humans related to hazardous environmental exposures. She is passionate about the professional development of science trainees and has advocated for accessible STEM education through youth mentorship and science communication for over 10 years. Nadine promotes the civic engagement of researchers to bolster public trust in science and encourage inclusive, sustainable, science-based policy solutions to challenging societal issues. She joined Science & Policy Exchange as a News Researcher and was elected as Public Forum Coordinator in November 2021.

Kaitlyn is a PhD candidate in the Integrated Program in Neuroscience at McGill University. Her research focuses on applying quantitative MRI techniques to study white matter maturation in neonatal intensive care unit survivors. Kaitlyn began volunteering with SPE in January 2021 and was elected as VP Member Relations in November 2021. Kaitlyn’s specific science policy interests involve public health and health care policy, as well as priorities, policies, and best practices for scientific research in the Canadian research landscape.

Theodora Georgakopoulou is in her last year of undergraduate studies at McGill University, studying Biochemistry. After obtaining her Bachelor’s degree, she aims to pursue a career in public health, where she is interested in exploring epidemiology, global health management, policy making and strategies to promote equity in the quality of healthcare received by different individuals. As this year’s VP Communications at SPE, Theodora hopes to contribute to minimizing the existing gap between scientific findings, new policies and the public.

Mary is a doctoral candidate in the department of Mechanical and Process Engineering at ETH Zurich, where she studies cell-surface interactions and manufacturing process design for a novel, affordable polymeric heart valve. She is especially interested in supporting translational research, technology transfer, and evidence-based decision making. She currently serves as VP Marketing at Science & Policy Exchange, Associate Editor at the Journal of Science Policy & Governance, and Vice-President of Telejob (part of the Association of Scientific Staff at ETH Zurich).

Julia Messina-Pacheco is a PhD candidate in the Department of Pathology at McGill University and in the Cancer Research Program at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC). Her research focuses on the origins of pancreatic cancer and identifying genetic markers for its early diagnosis and targeted preventative treatment. Julia is passionate about tackling misinformation through effective scientific communication, advocating for increased graduate student and postdoctoral funding, and promoting sustainability in biomedical research. She strongly believes that scientific knowledge should be shared beyond academic circles to promote science in evidence-based policymaking. She was elected to SPE as VP editor in December 2022.

Jonathan A. Caballero has a PhD in experimental psychology and is deeply interested in interpersonal communication, social decision-making, and effective ways to translate scientific knowledge into benefits for society. His research has been centered on language, communication, and interpersonal decision-making, and he has taken part in nationwide and international-level projects across the knowledge translation spectrum as well. These activities include science communication, implementation support, program evaluation, and partnership development across areas such as education, public health, and scientific innovation. He joined Science and Policy Exchange as Public Forum Lead and was elected as VP External Relations in 2022.

Pronounced “mee-ann”. My An is a master’s in bioethics student at Université de Montréal. As an aspiring ethicist, she’s interested in moral distress, clinical ethics consulting, health policy, and resource allocation - namely triage & global vaccine equity. By joining SPE, she hopes to promote social science policy, improve working conditions in academia for women & BIPOC, and cultivate ethical sensibilities in science & government institutions.

Cissy Suen is a joint PhD candidate between the Quantum Matter Institute at the University of British Columbia and the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research in Germany. She studies strongly correlated quantum materials using a variety of spectroscopic techniques. She is interested in exploring how we can better communicate quantum advances and technologies to the broader public and bridging the frontiers of quantum research with policy. Cissy is also a member of the Student Advisory Council of the Canadian Association of Physicists.

More details to come