NMIN
PAST NHN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES
2022-2023 NHN Executive Committee Members
Ka-Yee Grace Choi
Chair, President
University of British Columbia
Grace is a postdoctoral fellow supervised by NMIN researcher Dr. Robert Hancock. Her research focuses on the development of alternative/adjunctive treatments to protect against antibiotic resistant organisms.
Career aspiration: to become an expert in the field of immunology and microbiology, who can help advance our knowledge and to inspire next generation scientists.
Statement: NMIN provides a national platform that brings together experts among academic, industry and not-for-profit organizations across the nation, to provide great opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange and professional development. NMIN’s goal to advance research, innovation and provide training aligns with my career goals, which motivated me to serve on the Exec Committee.
Sams Sadat
Vice-President
University of Alberta
Sams is a PhD candidate supervised by NMIN researcher Dr. Afsaneh Lavasanifar. His research interests include pharmaceutics, drug delivery, and vaccine formulation using biomaterial-based nanoparticles.
Career aspiration: to become a pioneer formulation scientist in either research industry or academia.
Statement: NMIN is such a unique platform, consisting of top-notch academic and industry experts on nanomedicine from across Canada, which has motivated me to join the Executive team. It is indeed a great opportunity for capacity-building, networking, knowledge exchange, and professional skill development.
Talita de Francesco Calheiros
Member-at-large
University of Victoria
Talita is a PhD candidate at University of Victoria under the supervision of Dr. Matthew Moffitt. Her research focuses on developing polymeric nanoparticles for the delivery of both anticancer drugs and functionalized gold nanoparticles for combination therapy and theranostics.
Career aspiration: to continue to work in nanomedicines and apply the knowledge I gain as part of an R&D team in industry.
Statement: I am excited to be part of this network. It represents a great opportunity for me to get out of my comfort zone, and to improve my networking and professional skills. As an NHN Executive Committee member I hope to do my part to make this network even better and to increase opportunities for others.
Sarthak Garg
Member-at-large
University of British Columbia
Sarthak is an MSc candidate supervised by Dr. Marcel Bally from UBC. His research focuses on creating high concentration liposomal formulations of otherwise poorly soluble anticancer drugs.
Career aspiration: to utilize my skill set into developing solutions for hard to treat cancers as a leading scientist in the industry.
Statement: NMIN is an excellent networking solution for young researchers in the field. It also provides senior researchers a chance to connect and find solutions beyond their expertise. As an executive, I hope to organize opportunities for members to fully utilize this network.
Waqas Nawaz
Member-at-large
University of Montreal
Waqas is a postdoctoral fellow supervised by NMIN researchers Dr. Isabelle Brunette and Dr. Michel Meunier. His research interest is to developed lipid nanoparticles and Adeno-associated virus-based gene therapy for the treatment of blindness caused by corneal endothelial dystrophies.
Career aspiration: to translate his expertise in the development of gene therapy approaches to the treatment of genetic diseases and cancer.
Statement: NMIN is a wonderful platform that provides networking and information exchange between researchers working on nanomedicines for treating various disorders. It’s a privilege for me to be part of this network. I hope to do my part to make NMIN even better and to increase opportunities for trainees, students and other researchers.
Fariba Saadati
Events Director
University of British Columbia
Fariba is a Research Associate supervised by NMIN researcher Dr. Marco A. Ciufolini. Her research focuses on the development of structurally novel lipids can be used to encapsulate and deliver therapeutic nucleic acids in lipid nanoparticle form. Selective delivery of nucleic acids to target tissues is an important consideration guiding lipid design.
Career aspiration: to enhance my professional skills in order to advance in multidisciplinary initiative and transfer chemistry relations expertise to a position in nanomedicine.
Statement: I am eager to apply my skills to the planning and realization of NMIN’s HQP programs, activities and networking opportunities.
Shahla Shojaei
Regional Director – West-Central
University of Manitoba
Shahla is currently in Dr. Ghavami’s lab at the Rady Faculty of Heath Sciences, University of Manitoba, and her research focuses on the development of nanoparticles for targeted delivery of combination therapy to the chemoresistant glioablastoma.
Career aspiration: to become an academic member with a research focus in a multidisciplinary area of developing microfluidic models to study the biological behavior of nanoparticles.
Statement: NMIN is a great platform that provides networking and information exchange between researchers in the field of nanomedicines. I am eager to actively assist NMIN accomplish its mission.
Liza Silverman
Regional Director – Pacific
University of Victoria
Liza is a PhD candidate supervised by University of Victoria Professor Matt Moffitt. Her research focuses on co-encapsulating SN-38 and curcumin in polymer nanoparticles for cancer treatment.
Career aspiration: to do nanomedicine research and development in industry, hopefully leading to better therapeutics for not only cancer, but infectious and genetic diseases as well.
Statement: Graduate school gives students fantastic “hard skills” but can leave a gap in terms of networking, public speaking, and professional presentations. NMIN is one of the only organizations I’ve seen filling that gap, and I want to be a part of that. Having spent some time in the workforce, I’d like to introduce NMIN to more students, and get them thinking about what comes after graduate school.
Michael Valic
Communications Director
University of Toronto
Mike is a PhD candidate supervised by NMIN research Dr. Gang Zheng. His research focuses on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modelling of theranostic nanomaterials.
Career aspiration: to contribute to the growth and success of Canadian-based nanomedicine innovations and innovators.
Statement: As an NMIN trainee, my work has benefited tremendously from the network’s high-quality programming and resources. It is my desire to continue growing the professional resources available to trainees and promoting research excellence within our network.
Wesley Walker
Regional Director – Ontario
University of Toronto
Wesley is an MSc candidate supervised by NMIN researcher Dr. Gang Zheng. His research is focused on developing nanoemulsion platforms to expand the use-case of otherwise potent photosensitizers which are limited by their poor water solubility.
Career aspiration: to translate his expertise in the development of theragnostic agents towards a position in industrial R&D.
Statement: By serving on the Exec Committee, I hope to aid other trainees in forming a network of scientists dedicated to advancing the field of nanomedicine.
Jennyfer Zapata-Farfan
Regional Director – Quebec-Atlantic
Polytechnique Montréal
Jennyfer is a PhD candidate at Polytechnique Montreal, where she is supervised by NMIN researcher Dr. Michel Meunier, and at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Her research expertise includes electronic instrumentation, biophotonics, optics, and nanoplasmonics applied in ocular gene therapy.
Career aspiration: to contribute to the development of non-invasive instruments for ocular nanosurgery to treat age-degenerative diseases.
Statement: I strongly believe that NMIN is the best platform for researchers involved in nanomedicine to share needs, interests, knowledge, and experiences. I am convinced that being part of the NHN is an unparalleled opportunity for networking in academia and industry, as well as for personal development: having the chance to work with experts in different areas that contribute importantly to the scientific and healthcare sectors in Canada.
2021-2022 NHN Executive Committee Members
Ka-Yee Grace Choi
Chair, President
University of British Columbia
Grace is a postdoctoral fellow supervised by NMIN researcher Dr. Robert Hancock. Her research focuses on the development of alternative/adjunctive treatments to protect against antibiotic resistant organisms.
Career aspiration: to become an expert in the field of immunology and microbiology, who can help advance our knowledge and to inspire next generation scientists.
Statement: NMIN provides a national platform that brings together experts among academic, industry and not-for-profit organizations across the nation, to provide great opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange and professional development. NMIN’s goal to advance research, innovation and provide training aligns with my career goals, which motivated me to serve on the Exec Committee.
Sams Sadat
Vice-President
University of Alberta
Sams is a PhD candidate supervised by NMIN researcher Dr. Afsaneh Lavasanifar. His research interests include pharmaceutics, drug delivery, and vaccine formulation using biomaterial-based nanoparticles.
Career aspiration: to become a pioneer formulation scientist in either research industry or academia.
Statement: NMIN is such a unique platform, consisting of top-notch academic and industry experts on nanomedicine from across Canada, which has motivated me to join the Executive team. It is indeed a great opportunity for capacity-building, networking, knowledge exchange, and professional skill development.
Talita de Francesco Calheiros
Member-at-large
University of Victoria
Talita is a PhD candidate at University of Victoria under the supervision of Dr. Matthew Moffitt. Her research focuses on developing polymeric nanoparticles for the delivery of both anticancer drugs and functionalized gold nanoparticles for combination therapy and theranostics.
Career aspiration: to continue to work in nanomedicines and apply the knowledge I gain as part of an R&D team in industry.
Statement: I am excited to be part of this network. It represents a great opportunity for me to get out of my comfort zone, and to improve my networking and professional skills. As an NHN Executive Committee member I hope to do my part to make this network even better and to increase opportunities for others.
Quinn Matthews
Events Director
University of Toronto
Quinn is an MSc candidate supervised by NMIN researcher Dr. Keith Pardee. His current research focuses on using lipid nanoparticles to improve CAR T cell therapy, a recently adopted and extremely effective cancer therapy.
Career aspiration: to remain engaged in work that looks for new and creative applications of nanomedicine.
Statement: I joined the NHN executive committee because I truly believe that everyone—from the most esteemed researcher to the greenest trainee—can benefit from being a part of a passionate, professional, and supportive scientific network.
Fariba Saadati
Events Director
University of British Columbia
Fariba is a Research Associate supervised by NMIN researcher Dr. Marco A. Ciufolini. Her research focuses on the development of structurally novel lipids can be used to encapsulate and deliver therapeutic nucleic acids in lipid nanoparticle form. Selective delivery of nucleic acids to target tissues is an important consideration guiding lipid design.
Career aspiration: to enhance my professional skills in order to advance in multidisciplinary initiative and transfer chemistry relations expertise to a position in nanomedicine.
Statement: I am eager to apply my skills to the planning and realization of NMIN’s HQP programs, activities and networking opportunities.
Shahla Shojaei
Regional Director – West-Central
University of Manitoba
Shahla is currently in Dr. Ghavami’s lab at the Rady Faculty of Heath Sciences, University of Manitoba, and her research focuses on the development of nanoparticles for targeted delivery of combination therapy to the chemoresistant glioablastoma.
Career aspiration: to become an academic member with a research focus in a multidisciplinary area of developing microfluidic models to study the biological behavior of nanoparticles.
Statement: NMIN is a great platform that provides networking and information exchange between researchers in the field of nanomedicines. I am eager to actively assist NMIN accomplish its mission.
Liza Silverman
Regional Director – Pacific
University of Victoria
Liza is a PhD candidate supervised by University of Victoria Professor Matt Moffitt. Her research focuses on co-encapsulating SN-38 and curcumin in polymer nanoparticles for cancer treatment.
Career aspiration: to do nanomedicine research and development in industry, hopefully leading to better therapeutics for not only cancer, but infectious and genetic diseases as well.
Statement: Graduate school gives students fantastic “hard skills” but can leave a gap in terms of networking, public speaking, and professional presentations. NMIN is one of the only organizations I’ve seen filling that gap, and I want to be a part of that. Having spent some time in the workforce, I’d like to introduce NMIN to more students, and get them thinking about what comes after graduate school.
Michael Valic
Member-at-large
University of Toronto
Mike is a PhD candidate supervised by NMIN research Dr. Gang Zheng. His research focuses on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modelling of theranostic nanomaterials.
Career aspiration: to contribute to the growth and success of Canadian-based nanomedicine innovations and innovators.
Statement: As an NMIN trainee, my work has benefited tremendously from the network’s high-quality programming and resources. It is my desire to continue growing the professional resources available to trainees and promoting research excellence within our network.
Wesley Walker
Regional Director – Ontario
University of Toronto
Wesley is an MSc candidate supervised by NMIN researcher Dr. Gang Zheng. His research is focused on developing nanoemulsion platforms to expand the use-case of otherwise potent photosensitizers which are limited by their poor water solubility.
Career aspiration: to translate his expertise in the development of theragnostic agents towards a position in industrial R&D.
Statement: By serving on the Exec Committee, I hope to aid other trainees in forming a network of scientists dedicated to advancing the field of nanomedicine.
Jennyfer Zapata-Farfan
Regional Director – Quebec-Atlantic
Polytechnique Montréal
Jennyfer is a PhD candidate at Polytechnique Montreal, where she is supervised by NMIN researcher Dr. Michel Meunier, and at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Her research expertise includes electronic instrumentation, biophotonics, optics, and nanoplasmonics applied in ocular gene therapy.
Career aspiration: to contribute to the development of non-invasive instruments for ocular nanosurgery to treat age-degenerative diseases.
Statement: I strongly believe that NMIN is the best platform for researchers involved in nanomedicine to share needs, interests, knowledge, and experiences. I am convinced that being part of the NHN is an unparalleled opportunity for networking in academia and industry, as well as for personal development: having the chance to work with experts in different areas that contribute importantly to the scientific and healthcare sectors in Canada.
2020-2021 NHN Executive Committee Members
Ka-Yee Grace Choi
Chair, President
University of British Columbia
Grace is a postdoctoral fellow supervised by NMIN researcher Dr. Robert Hancock. Her research focuses on the development of alternative/adjunctive treatments to protect against antibiotic resistant organisms.
Career aspiration: to become an expert in the field of immunology and microbiology, who can help advance our knowledge and to inspire next generation scientists.
Statement: NMIN provides a national platform that brings together experts among academic, industry and not-for-profit organizations across the nation, to provide great opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange and professional development. NMIN’s goal to advance research, innovation and provide training aligns with my career goals, which motivated me to serve on the Exec Committee.
Sams Sadat
Vice-President
University of Alberta
Sams is a PhD candidate supervised by NMIN researcher Dr. Afsaneh Lavasanifar. His research interests include pharmaceutics, drug delivery, and vaccine formulation using biomaterial-based nanoparticles.
Career aspiration: to become a pioneer formulation scientist in either research industry or academia.
Statement: NMIN is such a unique platform, consisting of top-notch academic and industry experts on nanomedicine from across Canada, which has motivated me to join the Executive team. It is indeed a great opportunity for capacity-building, networking, knowledge exchange, and professional skill development.
Morgan Alford
Communications Director
University of British Columbia
Morgan is a PhD candidate supervised by NMIN researcher Dr. Robert Hancock. Her research is focused on understanding bacterial pathogenesis and developing novel therapies for treatment of infections in the context of respiratory diseases.
Career aspiration: to pursue an academic career involving hands-on research and science communication.
Statement: I am very excited to develop my skills in communications, as well as internal and external relations, through participation on the NHN Executive Committee.
Quinn Matthews
Events Director
University of Toronto
Quinn is an MSc candidate supervised by NMIN researcher Dr. Keith Pardee. His current research focuses on using lipid nanoparticles to improve CAR T cell therapy, a recently adopted and extremely effective cancer therapy.
Career aspiration: to remain engaged in work that looks for new and creative applications of nanomedicine.
Statement: I joined the NHN executive committee because I truly believe that everyone—from the most esteemed researcher to the greenest trainee—can benefit from being a part of a passionate, professional, and supportive scientific network.
Wesley Walker
Regional Director – Ontario
University of Toronto
Wesley is an MSc candidate supervised by NMIN researcher Dr. Gang Zheng. He is primarily interested in the development of novel photosensitizer formulations for use in photodynamic therapy, with a secondary focus on developing medical imaging contrast agents. He believes that the intersection of these fields—theragnostic agents—may lead to personalized treatment regimes in the form of patient-specific dosimetry and treatment planning.
Career aspiration: to translate his expertise in the development of theragnostic agents towards a position in industrial R&D.
Statement: By serving on the Exec Committee, I hope to aid other trainees in forming a network of scientists dedicated to advancing the field of nanomedicine.
Jennyfer Zapata-Farfan
Regional Director – Quebec-Atlantic
Polytechnique Montréal
Jennyfer is a PhD candidate at Polytechnique Montreal, where she is supervised by NMIN researcher Dr. Michel Meunier, and at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Her research expertise includes electronic instrumentation, biophotonics, optics, and nanoplasmonics applied in ocular gene therapy.
Career aspiration: to contribute to the development of non-invasive instruments for ocular nanosurgery to treat age-degenerative diseases.
Statement: I strongly believe that NMIN is the best platform for researchers involved in nanomedicine to share needs, interests, knowledge, and experiences. I am convinced that being part of the NHN is an unparalleled opportunity for networking in academia and industry, as well as for personal development: having the chance to work with experts in different areas that contribute importantly to the scientific and healthcare sectors in Canada.
For more information, contact Leah Graystone, HQP and Events Coordinator, at