WHO
WE ARE
TEAM MEMBERS.
Sarah Laframboise
Sara
El-Sahli
Mercedes Rose
Nathaniel Noblett
President
Sarah is a PhD student in Biochemistry at UOttawa. She is a passionate science communicator and writer, and recently has become more involved with science policy through the Canadian Science Policy Centre where she is the Co-Chair of the Editorial Committee. Sarah is also the current Co-President of her Graduate Student Association and Co-Founder of the non-profit Next Generation Women.
Katherine Shaw
VP Marketing
Sara is a PhD student in Dr. Lisheng Wang’s lab working on targeting an aggressive subtype of breast cancer through small molecule inhibitors. Over the past three years, she has been a part of the BMIGSA where she has served as the President and as VP external. Through OSPN, she hopes to channel her passion for bridging the gap between the scientific community and the public and using scientific evidence to shape policies. Outside the lab, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, yoga and binge listening to podcasts.
Kaela O’Connor
VP Finance
Mercedes is a biochemistry PhD student at uOttawa and Health Canada. Her research is focused on developing laboratory models to explore the relationship between air pollution and brain health in humans. She's excited about getting involved with OSPN, and is interested in learning more about how scientific research influences policy, and how young researchers can get involved in the scientific policy process!
Anh-Thu
Dang
VP Events
Nathaniel is a fourth year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience program at the University of Ottawa. As part of the Colavita lab, he investigates the role of signaling pathways during nerve cord assembly in nematodes. Outside of the lab, Nathaniel is interested in improving equity of science research training and has pursued opportunities with the Genetics Society of America and the University of Ottawa chapter of the University Service of Canada to learn best practices. He is excited to be part of the OSPN as science policy is a key method through which policy makers can improve research and research training.
Thomas
Bailey
VP Events
Katherine is a PhD student in Biology at the University of Ottawa studying the importance of estrogens for behaviour in fish. Katherine joined the OSPN to learn more about the intersections of science and policy making. In currently serving as co-VP Events, she is excited to help promote science policy awareness and engagement amongst students.
VP Communications
Kaela is a MSc student in Cellular & Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa studying the role of autophagy in degenerative diseases. She is passionate about bridging the gap between scientists and the general public. In order to do so she volunteers with a number of science communication organizations which enable her to speak to classrooms about her own work and facilitate activities based on their current curriculum. More recently she has become interested in science policy and is excited to get involved with the Ottawa Science Policy Network to work towards more evidence-based policy decisions.
VP Admin
Hi! I’m a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute studying atherogenomics. I’m very excited to be a part of this new initiative to learn more and advocate for science policy!
VP Technology
Thomas is a PhD student in Physics at uOttawa, researching new ways to measure light. Fairly new to science policy he is keen to learn more as part of OSPN.
Zier Zhou
VP Francophonie
Zier is a MSc student in biochemistry at the uOttawa Heart Institute. Her key interests include health, genetics, and journalism. Zier joined OSPN as VP Francophone with goals to bridge the gaps between science and society, as well as those between English and French. She is also part of the Events Committee for the Canadian Science Policy Centre.