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 Monday, March 10th at 11:59pm

Elections: The official 2024 ISSS Election voting dates are March 19, 2025 9AM - March 20, 2025 6PM

Application Package

Meet the 2024 Election candidates

Joy Cao

Hello! My name is Joy. I am excited to run for the Third-Year Councillor position.

For the 2024/25 academic year, as a Second-Year Councillor and Director of Outreach, I assisted in organizing events like SAGM, encouraging a safe and open environment for science students to share their feedback. Such experiences allowed me to better understand the challenges students face and have reinforced my goal to meet the needs of students. This year, I hope to continue to build a welcoming environment where students' voices are heard and addressed. Additionally, I would like to promote diverse opportunities like professional workshops and social mixers to support students' development.

As Third-Year Councillor, I will work towards creating an inclusive community for all students by:

Advocating for student’s issues, concerns, and pursuits for positive changes
Expanding access to resources and services for academic and professional success
Utilizing collaboration and creativity to organize events for community development

With your support, we can create a vibrant environment where every science student feels empowered to succeed. Thank you for your consideration!

Danica Wories

Hey everyone!

My name is Danica Wories, and I’m looking to become a Second Year Councillor for ISSS in the

2025-2026 term!

As someone who is majoring in Biological Sciences, I understand the feeling of passion that so

many of my fellow peers share for science, research, and building an involved community on

campus. Through this role, I would strive to integrate this passion into our faculty on behalf of all

second year students.

Opportunities

Increasing access to career-focused opportunities, such as volunteering, networking, and research.
Ensuring students are met with the proper support to ensure their success, and prioritizing easy accessibility.

Advocacy

Making it easier for you, as an individual, to advocate for your academic, career, and personal needs.

Connections

Placing focus on events such as mixers, panel discussions, and other networking opportunities.

To put it simply, I am aiming to uplift second year students next year to the best of my ability.

Thank you for your consideration!

Eshal Adnan

Hi, my name is Eshal Adnan, and I am thrilled to run for the second year councilor position on the ISSS council. I am deeply committed to ensuring your voices are heard, concerns are addressed, and your experience as science students is empowering and fulfilling.

If elected, I will strive to bridge the gap between students and the ISSS by fostering clearer, more accessible communication. I’ll advocate for diverse, inclusive events that reflect the interests of all science students and ensure that every initiative is both student-focused and impactful. I am dedicated to ensuring financial decisions are transparent and student priorities are at the forefront, while also holding the Executive accountable to serve our community effectively.

I recognize the challenges we face as students and am committed to dedicating my time and energy to creating a stronger, more connected science community. I will follow through on responsibilities, and keep you informed every step of the way. Lets elevate student voices and drive meaningful change- together.

Vote Eshal for councilor!

Karina Banerji

Hello! My name is Karina (she/her), and I am a 3rd-year BSc Biology student with a minor in Economics. I’ve been involved with ISSS for years and currently serve as 3rd Year Councillor, Director of Web Design, and Co-Director of Handbooks. Throughout my term, I’ve contributed to various other projects like the Used Book Sale, ISSS Constitution updates, and COSSA grant review committee. As the undergraduate rep for the Biological Sciences Chair Selection Committee, I’ve engaged with students, volunteers, and faculty, gaining insight into student concerns.

As Fourth Year Councillor, I’ll advocate for greater resource accessibility by improving transparency around grants and funding opportunities while ensuring ISSS materials are easier to navigate.

I’ll also push for more inclusive representation within ISSS by working with ISSA, The Landing, and other groups to support equity-focused initiatives.

With ISSS growing significantly, I’ll continue advocating for meaningful student engagement at Science Student Orientation and throughout the year to ensure all students feel supported.

Thank you for your consideration!

Toshan Woo

Yo what’s up gang I'm Toshan. My platform summarized into 4 pillars:

Active Accountability: Ensure execs are fulfilling their constitutional duties and responsibilities, checks and balances etc.

Needs of Science Students: As councillors we are supposed to represent you, but have you ever talked to a councillor in the wild? Nah. I’ll get a form or something on the ISSS website where you can submit issues or ideas you have for me to bring up at exec meetings. That way I'm actually representing science students. Electoral Authoritarianism boooo.

Abundant Events & Services: Organize more fun events and provide additional services to enhance student life. Pretty self explanatory I think. Perchance

Leverage Awareness: Increase visibility so more people know about us and whatnot, social media presence is gonna be peak. Imagine doomscrolling and you learn about ISSS. You cannot escape.

Experience: Exec @ CMHA & PlanUalberta, WOW Team Facilitator, ISSS Director

Also in my profile pic I’m slipping on ice, get it? Don’t hurt me.

“The most surest way to win is not to lose.”

-Sun Tzu, Art of War

Sarjana Alam

My name is Sarjana, and I am excited to be running for Fourth Year Councillor on the ISSS 2025/26 Council. I’m currently in my third year of the BSc [Specialization in Psychology] program, and these past three years, I have been privileged to undertake various roles within the ISSS – including Vice President Administration & Finance, 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 Fourth Year Councillor, I would strive to reinforce the integrity of the ISSS as the official student representation association for the Faculty of Science, and as a vibrant community hub for science students. My platform centers around the following three points:

Encouraging greater engagement from the student body
Advocating for improved internal coordination
Recommending community bonding initiatives I am enthusiastic to maximize the operational potential of the ISSS, and hope that you will consider voting for me in the upcoming election!

Christene Saji & Parinika Pal

Our names are Christene and Parinika, and we’re running to be your next Presidents of ISSS! Christene is Specializing in Integrative Physiology, spending the past two years as Vice President Academic, while Parinika is in Honours Pharmacology, currently serving as Vice President Community, after being a councillor last year.

Being science students just like you, we've seen firsthand the immense value of strong student advocacy, accessible opportunities, and a supportive community. With ISSS growing significantly in recent years, we believe adaptable leadership is essential to ensure student voices remain at the forefront. Running as co-presidents allows us to consistently and effectively address your needs while supporting ISSS's ongoing expansion. If elected, we hope to enhance professional development opportunities, introduce a faculty-specific career fair, and strengthen communication between ISSS, COSSA, the Faculty, and the Students’ Union. We’re also committed to strategic planning and sustainable growth, preparing for the renewal of FAMF, and ensuring ISSS can continue offering meaningful scholarships, events, and support. We’re excited about ISSS’ potential, and creating oppourtunities for science students!!

Nabeeha Irfan

Hi everyone! I’m Nabeeha, and I’m excited to run as your next VPA!

As a Professional Development Director for ISSS, I’ve worked closely with the current VPA to

host study workshops and coordinate a professional development conference featuring key

figures like our Dean and a city councillor. As VPA, I will continue advocating for professional

development through career forums, financial literacy workshops, and expanding access to

research and employment opportunities.

1. Expanded Research and Professional Development Opportunities

Host effective research-based workshops with published researchers and grant recipients to guide students through research opportunities.
Partner with campus resources like the Career Centre to promote programs like SIP and connect students to employment.

2. Strengthening Academic and Peer Support Networks

Highlight underrepresented programs like computer science, physics and math in conferences/workshops
Work on keeping accountability of Mini Study Groups through consistent check-ins.

3. Enhancing Student Engagement

Introduce feedback forms: Gather student feedback through monthly forms to shape events.
Introduce well-being workshops with the VPS during midterms and high-stress periods.

Susan Huseynova

Hi! My name is Susan, I’m studying Honors Immunology and Infection and I’m a candidate for next year’s Vice President Academic of ISSS!

With experience as both Co-Director of Science Governance and the Elections Representative for ISSS, as well as my involvement in this year's Student Union elections, I have demonstrated my commitment to bettering the University of Alberta for students. If elected, I aim to dedicate my year to enhancing academic opportunities for Faculty of Science students.

My key priorities for my term as VPA would be to:

Begin developing SciNotebank — a platform for undergraduates to learn from upperclassmen, submit notes, and access past papers.
Frequently meet with student groups and clubs to address academic concerns, and work to create effective bridges between them, the Faculty and the Students’ Union.
Increase student engagement for conferences, workshops, study groups and professional development events.
Expand Research Night, introducing undergraduates to new opportunities and fostering an environment for networking.

I’m eager for the opportunity to support and represent my science peers!

Ayesha Khan

Hi, everyone! I’m Ayesha Khan, a second-year Psychology major, and I’m running for Vice President of Administration and Finance. I believe that a well-organized and financially transparent ISSS is key to better supporting science students, and I’m excited to bring my skills to this role.

Working with numbers has always come naturally to me, whether it's budgets for bubble tea or my siblings' math homework, so you can trust that I’ll keep accurate records. If elected, I will focus on making sure ISSS funds are being used effectively and ensuring students know where their fees are going. I will also ensure that ISSS funding processes are easy to navigate, so students and clubs can access the resources they need with ease. Maintaining clear budgets and supporting efficient operations will be my priority to help ISSS serve students effectively.

I look forward to contributing to ISSS in a meaningful way, and I’d love your support!

Jack Bates

Hi everyone,

My name is Jack Bates, running for the position of VP Community of ISSS because I know our faculty of science should be a place where students support each other’s achievements and growth, no matter the context. I will do this through collaborating with students to market existing initiatives for connection more effectively and by starting new ones—like study rooms around exam time featuring themes such as “group pomodoro” and “night owl studying.”

Beyond academics, I will set out to make it easier for clubs to connect with volunteers by building a user-friendly system where students can select roles based on the skills they want to develop—whether that’s event planning, public speaking, social media, or something else entirely.

More details on my platform are available on instagram: @JackBates.For.ISSS.VPC

Together, we can create an environment where we’re proud to see our peers thrive, proving that science is about collaboration, not just competition. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Manan Upadhyaya

I’m Manan, and I’m running to be your next VP Community of ISSS!

Our student groups reach thousands of students and create incredible opportunities for students. By strengthening these groups, we strengthen our entire community!

As President of CHADS (Cybersecurity Club), I’ve led our team to grow CHADS to 1,000+ members, secured more funding, expanded our social media presence, and built faculty & university-level collaborations. I want to bring this experience to ISSS and help ALL science student groups thrive!

- Resource Sharing – Providing shared access to tools like Canva Pro, Photoshop, etc., to save costs.

- Website Hosting – Enabling groups to host their websites under the isss.ca domain (if possible).

- Workshops & Training – Organizing sessions for student execs on outreach, sponsorships, and leadership.

If you believe in empowering student groups and growing our science community together, vote Manan for VP Community on March 19 & 20!

Harika Singh

Hey there, my name is Harika Singh and I’m overjoyed to be running for Vice President Programming for the next academic year! As co- director of events this year I’ve helped organise a bunch of our events, like Science Week and trivia night to name a few, and aspire to up the game even more if given the opportunity. Additionally, better communication about our prizes and takeaways is a part of my promise. Some of my main goals with this position would be to:

Cultivate opportunities that foster holistic growth across our diverse range of programs
Organise larger, more dynamic events according to YOUR leisurely and professional interests
Establish more avenues for community engagement and networking within the faculty

Also having served as first-year councillor this term, I believe advocacy plays an essential part in enhancing student experience thus, incorporating your concerns and wishes in my plans would be my foremost priority. Together, we can make the next academic year an ecstatic one to remember! I would be honoured to have your support- vote Harika Singh for VP Programming!

Heer Perchani

Hello! I am Heer Kumari Perchani, a second year Computing Science major and Statistics minor at the University of Alberta. As an international student in Canada for the past two years, I understand the challenges, needs, and concerns of international students. If elected, I want to be a voice for them and work toward creating a more supportive and inclusive environment.

Currently, I serve as the Director of Marketing & Design at ISSS, where I have gained valuable experience in student engagement and advocacy. I also have a strong background in leadership and event planning from my high school, which I hope to apply by organizing events for science students that foster connections and provide valuable resources. As an International Student Councillor, I aim to represent international science students, advocate for their rights, and promote initiatives that enhance their overall experience at UofA.

Maryam Tariq

Hi everyone! My name is Maryam Tariq and I’m a first-year student in Physiology. As your current First-Year Councillor and Director of Professional Development, I have worked to support science students by organizing professional development conferences, hosting study nights, tabling for ISSS, so that more people are aware of what we do, advocating for Women in STEM Day, and organizing wellness bags! Through these experiences, I’ve noticed the need to improve how our current services run and expand the range of services we provide, accommodating all students.

My platform works towards:

- Advocating for a prayer space in CCIS/Chem/BioSci: I brought this up this past year, it hasn’t been implemented yet, but I look forward to continuing advocating for this if elected

- Launch an ISSS newsletter, so that all updates, events, and opportunities are sent straight to your inbox!

- Launch a professional clothing program, to ensure all students have access to professional attire

- Improve the mentorship program by adding check-ins so that we can ensure that mentees are getting the help that they need

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

2024 By-Election Results

First-year councillor: Harika Singh with 51 first place votes

First-year councillor: Maryam Tariq with 41 first place votes

Third-year councillor: Art Matthews with 26 first place votes

Fourth-year councillor: Shweta Mulpuri with 39 first place votes