Elections

Interested in an Executive or Councillor position?

Executive and Councillors Election opens every March, concurrently with the Students’ Union Council and General Faculties Council elections. Executive and Councillors By-Election opens every October.

Process: Interested members should follow instructions in this application package

Deadlines: Application packages can be submitted electronically to elections@isss.ca by Tuesday, March 12th at 5:00pm

Elections: The official 2024 Election dates are Wednesday, March 20th and Thursday, March 21st, 2024

Application Package

Meet the 2024 Election candidates

Pedro Ribeiro Lopes Pinto de Almedia

Hi fellow science students, my name is Pedro, I am a fourth year student in Immunology and Infection. I am hoping to have the chance to represent you next year as the President of ISSS, and continue some of the work I have done in the UASU. For the past few months, I have been advocating to the University through the role of Vice-President (Academic) of the University of Alberta Students' Union for improvements to the student experience, from issues with the Code of Student Behaviour, to syllabus access and even access to buildings after hours.

I am hoping to bring my experience into the role of ISSS President, to make some meaningful change in the science student experience, both in relation to student life and academics, by advocating to our Faculty Council on things such as lecture recordings and class flexibility, and by improving ISSS' engagement with students!

If this resonates with you, please vote Pedro for President on March 20th and 21st

Christene Saji

Hey! My name is Christene Saji and I’m running to be re-elected as VP Academic. I have been working alongside students and faculty in this past year to establish an invigorating and inclusive university environment. As VP Academic this year I have successfully organized the Instructor Appreciation Night that encouraged students, professors, teaching assistants and lab coordinators to celebrate excellency within the faculty, and provided students with a platform to voice their appreciation and positive feedback. Mentor Student Groups this year have allowed for a supportive learning environment that has reached over 500 student registrations, as elected VP Academics I will continue to work to promote a culture of collaboration and shared knowledge through MSGs. Professional development opportunities are a key component of my campaign. This year we held a Biological Sciences winter conference that provided students with an opportunity to explore diverse career paths within the field of Biological Sciences and a chance to network with leading professionals. I will continue to advocate and support the pursuits of professional development with research days, workshops, and conferences on topics such as AI and financial literacy. In conclusion, re-electing me as your Vice President Academic means choosing a leader who is dedicated to accessibility, quality of education, mental health support, collaboration, and transparency. I hope to have the honour to be a representative to all science students and work with you all to continue the journey of shaping an academic experience we can all be proud of!

Sarjana Alam

My name is Sarjana, and I am excited to be running for VPAF on the ISSS 2024/25 Executive committee. These past two years, I have been privileged to undertake various roles within the ISSS – including Councillor, Director of Outreach/External Relations, MSG Mentor, and more. With these experiences, I have built a comprehensive understanding of the ISSS’ internal and external operations.

As VPAF, I would strive to reinforce the integrity of the ISSS as an inclusive group and beneficial resource for science students. My platform centers around the following three points:

Greater internal membership – Increased recruitment efforts will facilitate greater student body participation in ISSS.
Streamlined transitions – I will organize thorough onboarding processes, ensuring that transition periods do not hinder efficient operation.
Improved ISSS office – Updating our office procedures’ resources will ensure that directors are equipped to assist visitors; office hours will be more stringently maintained.

I am enthusiastic to maximize the operational potential of the ISSS, and hope that you will consider voting for me in the upcoming election!

Manan Upadhyaya

Hey friends! My name is Manan, and I'm aspiring to be your VP Community! My aim is to help US - the amazing student community - thrive and grow!

Currently, I am a VP in the Cybersecurity, Hacking, and Digital Security club (CHADS), and have been involved in events under NSA, PMSA, BCSA, and CSA. I have made friends in all programs, from math to compsci to pharmacology! Additionally, in the Mini Study Groups (MSG) program under ISSS, and with my help sessions in several courses, I helped hundreds of students!

I am so involved with the science community already, but I'm hungry for more! Becoming VP will let me leverage my skills for something bigger - to help the whole body of science students!

Any ideas, you can hit me up on Discord (my username is h0tp)! With your support, we can elevate the student experience even further in the Faculty of Science!

Parinika Pal

Hey! Still no clue what the ISSS does? If so, I’m Parinika, a second-year Pharmacology student determined to redefine your perception of ISSS by becoming your next VPC. Having served as your councilor this year, I’ve noticed a lack of community cohesion within our Faculty. I'm now
stepping up to build a stronger, more inclusive community that puts YOU first.

My platform centers around:

Engagement and networking opportunities: Increased collaborative gatherings between science departments and networking events for YOUR post-grad endeavors.
Mental health initiatives: A strong science community stems from one that is supported. I will collaborate with the Faculty and COSSA groups to organize support systems that are easily accessible to YOU.
Accountability and transparency: Implement a system where students can anonymously report concerns related to ISSS operations, ensuring openness regarding the use of YOUR money.

Life as a STEM student is hard, but you shouldn't have to face these challenges alone. As your VPC, I will dedicate myself to pushing proposals that foster community engagement and empower science students like you and I.

Shweta Mulpuri

Hello, my name is Shweta Mulpuri and I am running for the VP of Community position on the ISSS executive team for the upcoming 2024-2025 year. I am a third year science student and have been a part of ISSS for 3 years now holding various positions including Director of Science Week, Director of Events, 2nd and 3rd year Councillor. Through my experience and time spent with the club, I have gained a great understanding of the importance of giving back to the science students as well as effective communication with various groups that are a part of the faculty of science making sure their voices are heard. As VP of community, my ultimate goal would be to be a point of communication between ISSS and various student led-groups as well as foster connections with other organizations. I will carry out my duties of overseeing tabling for clubs, COSSA grants, newsletters and much more all while maintaining community engagement and public relations. I’m excited to represent science student through ISSS and create an inclusive environment.

Dawood Ahmed

Hi, I’m Dawood, and I’m running to be re-elected as VP Programming. I am committed to working diligently to ameliorate what it means for you to be a science student at the UofA! As VP Programming this term, I successfully organized massive events including the Fall Carnival and the many Science Week events. I plan on continuing to create opportunities for community engagement and offering awesome rewards through unique events. I also took the initiative to launch a public discord for all faculty of science members, providing a centralized hub for discovering upcoming events and engaging with various services offered by ISSS. Looking ahead, I aim to leverage this platform to host engaging virtual events and facilitate direct conversation with students to ensure we best meet their needs. My focus as VP Programming will be on implementing your suggestions, addressing concerns, and making meaningful changes that will enhance your student experience. Vote for me, and let's work together to create a vibrant and fulfilling environment for science students at UofA!

Shreya Mulpuri

My name is Shreya Mulpuri and I am running for the Vice President Services position. My prior experience in ISSS as a director of mentorship, director of science week, second and third year councillor has provided me with a wealth of experience and knowledge on upholding the responsibilities of this council which represents the science faculty. If elected, I will remain as a reliable point of communication and guidance for the directors under my directorship and science students. I will follow through with my responsibilities of managing non-academic services including lockers, used book sale, website design, handbooks and student mentorships to welcome first-year students. Additionally, I will ensure these services are greatly advertised through our social media and website platforms to inform and update current and incoming students. I believe my experiences as a director and councillor for the past three years provided me with an understanding of the support ISSS can provide for students we represent. I look forward to contributing to an inclusive community within ISSS, the science faculty and our university campus.

Karina Banerji

Hello! My name is Karina Banerji (she/her/elle), and I am excited to be running for Third Year Councillor on the ISSS council. Through roles like Co-Director of Handbooks and as the Undergraduate Students Representative on the Department of Biological Sciences Chair Selection Committee, I've worked closely with students and volunteers, gaining insight into their concerns.

My focus as Third Year Councillor is to improve the experience of science students at the University of Alberta, with three main areas:

Accessibility: I'll advocate for better resource allocation to ease the financial strain caused by rising tuition costs. This includes promoting affordable options like second-hand lab materials.
Inclusivity: Getting diverse perspectives on issues students face is crucial to best represent science students. This would be accomplished by transparency and direct communication with students.
Outreach: Many science students are unaware of the great involvement opportunities and student resources ISSS offers. Increased social events would help raise awareness and help facilitate networking among students.

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Amy Wang

As a dedicated and ambitious soon-to-be second-year student at the University of Alberta, I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for the position of Second Year Councillor within the ISSS. Currently pursuing a double major in Biology and Computer Science, I demonstrate my commitment by serving as a teaching assistant for Computer Science, where I refined my leadership and communication skills. If granted the honour of being elected, I am poised to employ my academic experiences to fortify the bond between second-year students and the ISSS. My focus lies in fostering community engagement, supported by a demonstrated history of providing educational support. In this role, I aspire to advocate for the distinctive needs of my fellow second-year students, ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed. I am confident that my dedication and experience make me the ideal candidate to represent and serve our second-year community effectively. Together, let's elevate the quality of second-year students' academic journey at the University of Alberta.

Joy Cao

My interest was sparked in the ISSS’s councilor role when I saw the opportunity to utilize my skills of leadership, team-work, and creativity. Volunteering as Secretary for Interact, a student-led organization involving 200+ members, I discovered my passion for improving the community around me. This included forming initiatives for international organizations, partnering with local stores, and helping prospective students. I understand the challenges of creating a cohesive group with many different students and disciplines.

As a 2nd year councilor, I will work towards creating an inclusive and diverse community for all science students by:

Enriching students access to resources/services for academic and professional success
Advocating for students concerns, issues, and pursuits
Utilizing my skills of collaboration and creativity to form events and opportunities for community development

As a counselor, you will find me eager in my pursuit of creating a welcoming and vibrant community. I am honored for your consideration of me in this role, and I believe my previous experiences and friendly personality will assist me in empowering our community.

Savanna Tippe

My name is Savanna Tippe and I am a current first year student in Honors Pharmacology. In the coming year, I hope to represent my class as a second year councilor and contribute to the science community through the ISSS!

Many science students choose a degree because of their passion for learning and desire to make an impact on the world. To help students reach their goals and aid their professional development, I will be focused on providing information sessions about grad school and potential careers with impactful guest speakers. Furthermore, science students often desire to contribute to society. If I am elected, I hope to organize more volunteer opportunities, which will allow students to engage with their peers and other members of society, in turn strengthening their sense of community through the relationships they form. Finally, I am planning to organize science merchandise sales including clothes, notebooks and other fun items to support science initiatives. I am excited to implement my ideas and represent my class as a second year councilor!

ELECTORAL RECORDS AND RESULTS

2024 Election Results

President: Pedro Almedia with 270 first place votes

VPAF: Sarjana Alam with 265 first place votes

VPA: Christene Saji with 251 first place votes

VPC: Parinika Pal with 169 first place votes (in the third round)

VPS: Shreya Mulpuri with 259 first place votes

VPP: Dawood Ahmed with 264 first place votes

2nd Year Councillors: Amy Wang and Joy Cao

3rd Year Councillor: Karina Banerji with 89 first place votes