{"id":2960,"date":"2022-07-13T22:31:34","date_gmt":"2022-07-13T22:31:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grad.biology.ualberta.ca\/bgsa\/?page_id=2960"},"modified":"2026-02-24T21:10:05","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T21:10:05","slug":"bgsa-executives-2022-2023","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/grad.biology.ualberta.ca\/bgsa\/about-us\/bgsa-executives-2022-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"2025\/2026 TEAM"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Co-Presidents<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Julia Briand<\/h3>

Hey biograds! I\u2019m co-president of the BGSA along with Mil\u00e8ne – we\u2019re so excited to help represent and support you and the community this year through fun events and engaging opportunities. I\u2019m a Ph.D. Candidate in the Change (Green) Lab and my research centers on understanding the drivers of restoration outcomes across scales and ecosystems, with a strong focus on coral restoration. I love everything water (SCUBA diving, sailing, surfing etc.) and outside of the lab you\u2019ll find me exploring new places!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Mil\u00e8ne Wiebe<\/h3>

I\u2019m one of the co-presidents for the BGSA with Julia, where we work with all of the wonderful executives to represent graduate students within the Department of Biological Sciences and create a space for community. I\u2019m a Ph.D. Candidate in my fourth year of grad studies, with a focus on invasion ecology, specifically looking at impact and management. I love all things outdoors, but I especially love spending time on or near the water!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Co-Treasurers<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Adrienne Poulin<\/h3>

Hello! My name is Adrienne and I am so fortunate to serve as a co-treasurer for the BGSA this year where I handle budgets and aid in event planning. I am currently a first year master\u2019s student in the Blewett lab, primarily focusing on the interaction of climate change and anthropogenic copper toxicity on Arctic-adapted organisms. Outside of research, I enjoy devoting my time to playing soccer, knitting, sewing, hiking, and watching films.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Sydney Davidson-Yee<\/h3>

Hello! I serve as one of your 2025\/2026 Co-Treasurers, where I am responsible for managing our budget so that the Biology Graduate Student Association has the capacity to host events and support initiatives that strengthen our graduate student community. I am currently in my first year of my MSc in the Blewett lab where my work focuses on nickel toxicity and its impact on the physiology of Arctic species. In my spare time I enjoy crocheting, baking and all things related to music. I am excited to help put BGSA resources towards engaging opportunities for all!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Vice President of External Affairs<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Katrine Guse<\/h3>

Hello! My name is Katrine, and I serve as the Vice President of External Affairs for the Biology Graduate Student Association. In this role, I lead outreach for the biology graduate student community by managing the BGSA\u2019s website, social media, and monthly updates. I also work closely with the VP Internal and VP Events to highlight upcoming opportunities. I am currently pursuing my MSc in Dr. Erin Bayne\u2019s lab, where my work compares human- and automated-acoustic surveys to understand and reduce errors in bird monitoring. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing basketball, hiking, and skiing.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Vice President of Internal Affairs<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Kiara Kattler<\/h3>

Hello! I serve as the Vice President of Internal Affairs for the Biology Graduate Student Association, where I work to strengthen communication, collaboration, and community within our graduate student body and on the committee. I am also pursuing my MSc in Dr. Stephanie Green\u2019s lab, focusing on conservation and invasive marine ecology. I value the chance to bring my love for ecology and my commitment to student advocacy together through the BGSA, helping to create a supportive and connected environment for all biology graduate students.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Vice President of Events<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Christina Bowhay<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Meeting Secretary<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Heather Anderson<\/h3>
I\u2019m a 2nd-year PhD student and currently the BGSA secretary. My research focuses on grassland ecology, specifically looking at how cattle grazing impacts community dynamics and interactions of plants and grasshoppers. In my free time, I\u2019m an avid crafter and love painting and sewing. Hope to see you around!<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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GSA Councillors for the BGSA<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Fleur Issac<\/h3>

My research focuses on the physiological and ecotoxicological effects of exposure to these fuels on Arctic-relevant species, integrating field-based studies conducted in Arctic and coastal marine environments, to advance understanding of fuel toxicity and support the development of improved spill response and management strategies in northern ecosystems.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Luke Nelson<\/h3>

Hello! My name is Luke, and I am a third year master\u2019s student with a specialization in evolution and systematics. My thesis research is focused on the taxonomy of sabre-toothed fish fossils from the Late Cretaceous of North America. In my free time, I do as many outdoor activities as possible: fishing, hiking, biking, and birdwatching.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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RE Peter Primary Organizer<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Simonne Tremblay<\/span><\/h3>

Hello! I am Simonne Tremblay, a second year Master’s student and the primary organizer of BGSA\u2019s 2026 RE Peter Biology Conference. I look forward to hosting an exciting conference that allows students to present their research in a welcoming environment and build community with their peers. As a member of the Derocher Lab, my research focuses on changes to female Western Hudson Bay polar bear movement patterns in response to climate change. In my free time, I love to hike, practice yoga, bake, and read!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Science Graduate Students' Association Council Representative<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Renald \u201cRJ\u201d Legaspi<\/h3>

I study how non-coding RNAs and MHC shape antiviral immune responses in ducks against bird flu, and melanomacrophage centers in teleost fish as a primitive site of antibody affinity maturation. Outside the lab, you\u2019ll usually find me playing badminton, biking, taking photos, or doing karaoke (Filipino-style, ofc).<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Co-Presidents Julia Briand Hey biograds! I\u2019m co-president of the BGSA along with Mil\u00e8ne – we\u2019re so excited to help represent and support you and the community this year through fun events and engaging opportunities. I\u2019m a Ph.D. Candidate in the Change (Green) Lab and my research centers on understanding the drivers of restoration outcomes across scales and ecosystems, with a strong focus on coral restoration. I love everything water (SCUBA diving, sailing, surfing etc.) and outside of the lab you\u2019ll find me exploring new places! Mil\u00e8ne Wiebe I\u2019m one of the co-presidents for the BGSA with Julia, where we work with all of the wonderful executives to represent graduate students within the Department of Biological Sciences and create a space for community. I\u2019m a Ph.D. Candidate in my fourth year of grad studies, with a focus on invasion ecology, specifically looking at impact and management. I love all things outdoors, but I especially love spending time on or near the water! Co-Treasurers Adrienne Poulin Hello! My name is Adrienne and I am so fortunate to serve as a co-treasurer for the BGSA this year where I handle budgets and aid in event planning. I am currently a first year master\u2019s student in the Blewett lab, primarily focusing on the interaction of climate change and anthropogenic copper toxicity on Arctic-adapted organisms. Outside of research, I enjoy devoting my time to playing soccer, knitting, sewing, hiking, and watching films.\u00a0 Sydney Davidson-Yee Hello! I serve as one of your 2025\/2026 Co-Treasurers, where I am responsible for managing our budget so that the Biology Graduate Student Association has the capacity to host events and support initiatives that strengthen our graduate student community. I am currently in my first year of my MSc in the Blewett lab where my work focuses on nickel toxicity and its impact on the physiology of Arctic species. In my spare time I enjoy crocheting, baking and all things related to music. I am excited to help put BGSA resources towards engaging opportunities for all!\u00a0 Vice President of External Affairs Katrine Guse Hello! My name is Katrine, and I serve as the Vice President of External Affairs for the Biology Graduate Student Association. In this role, I lead outreach for the biology graduate student community by managing the BGSA\u2019s website, social media, and monthly updates. I also work closely with the VP Internal and VP Events to highlight upcoming opportunities. I am currently pursuing my MSc in Dr. Erin Bayne\u2019s lab, where my work compares human- and automated-acoustic surveys to understand and reduce errors in bird monitoring. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing basketball, hiking, and skiing. Vice President of Internal Affairs Kiara Kattler Hello! I serve as the Vice President of Internal Affairs for the Biology Graduate Student Association, where I work to strengthen communication, collaboration, and community within our graduate student body and on the committee. I am also pursuing my MSc in Dr. Stephanie Green\u2019s lab, focusing on conservation and invasive marine ecology. I value the chance to bring my love for ecology and my commitment to student advocacy together through the BGSA, helping to create a supportive and connected environment for all biology graduate students. Vice President of Events Christina Bowhay Meeting Secretary Heather Anderson I\u2019m a 2nd-year PhD student and currently the BGSA secretary. My research focuses on grassland ecology, specifically looking at how cattle grazing impacts community dynamics and interactions of plants and grasshoppers. In my free time, I\u2019m an avid crafter and love painting and sewing. Hope to see you around! GSA Councillors for the BGSA Fleur Issac My research focuses on the physiological and ecotoxicological effects of exposure to these fuels on Arctic-relevant species, integrating field-based studies conducted in Arctic and coastal marine environments, to advance understanding of fuel toxicity and support the development of improved spill response and management strategies in northern ecosystems. Luke Nelson Hello! My name is Luke, and I am a third year master\u2019s student with a specialization in evolution and systematics. My thesis research is focused on the taxonomy of sabre-toothed fish fossils from the Late Cretaceous of North America. In my free time, I do as many outdoor activities as possible: fishing, hiking, biking, and birdwatching. RE Peter Primary Organizer Simonne Tremblay Hello! I am Simonne Tremblay, a second year Master’s student and the primary organizer of BGSA\u2019s 2026 RE Peter Biology Conference. I look forward to hosting an exciting conference that allows students to present their research in a welcoming environment and build community with their peers. As a member of the Derocher Lab, my research focuses on changes to female Western Hudson Bay polar bear movement patterns in response to climate change. In my free time, I love to hike, practice yoga, bake, and read! Science Graduate Students’ Association Council Representative Renald \u201cRJ\u201d Legaspi I study how non-coding RNAs and MHC shape antiviral immune responses in ducks against bird flu, and melanomacrophage centers in teleost fish as a primitive site of antibody affinity maturation. Outside the lab, you\u2019ll usually find me playing badminton, biking, taking photos, or doing karaoke (Filipino-style, ofc).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":78,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2960","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grad.biology.ualberta.ca\/bgsa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2960","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grad.biology.ualberta.ca\/bgsa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grad.biology.ualberta.ca\/bgsa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grad.biology.ualberta.ca\/bgsa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grad.biology.ualberta.ca\/bgsa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2960"}],"version-history":[{"count":40,"href":"https:\/\/grad.biology.ualberta.ca\/bgsa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2960\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3148,"href":"https:\/\/grad.biology.ualberta.ca\/bgsa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2960\/revisions\/3148"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grad.biology.ualberta.ca\/bgsa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/78"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grad.biology.ualberta.ca\/bgsa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2960"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}