GSA Updates 2025: Introducing our new exec and peer mentorship program

Introducing the 2025 MoGen GSA Executive Team!

The MoGen Graduate Student Association (GSA) held its annual elections in early January 2025, ushering in a new team of dedicated student leaders committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and engaging graduate student community. This year, Co-Presidents Jocelyn Nurtanto and Saya Sedighi will lead the GSA, supported by Presidential Advisor Esra Erkut. They will work alongside an outstanding executive team, including VP Internal Jimmy Nguyen, VP External Sara Fallah, and VP Student Life Alice Feng, who will be instrumental in organizing the retreat, student advocacy, and community-building initiatives.

The executive team also includes Treasurer Ryan Marks and Secretary Callum Stirton, who will oversee financial and administrative matters throughout the year. Event Coordinator Anastasia Fexa will take the lead on planning social and academic events, while First-Year Representatives Margaret Javier and Ellanore Rughani will ensure that new students feel welcomed and supported. Career Resource Coordinator Sumayya Abdul Qadir and International Student Liaison Mahek Khatri will work on professional development initiatives and resources tailored to the diverse student body.

To enhance student engagement and communication, Graphic Designer & Social Media Coordinator Yolanda Liu will manage GSA’s outreach efforts, and Webmaster Agnes Hong will maintain the association’s online presence. Additionally, Sports Representative McKenna Kelly will promote wellness and recreation within the department, while Medical Genomics (MedGen) Representatives Kayla Krolikowski and Michelle Mariaprabhu will represent the interests of students in the MedGen stream. Finally, GSU Representatives Saba Birkadze and Veronika Pavlova will advocate for MoGen graduate students within the broader university governance structure.

With this dynamic team in place, the GSA is excited to continue its mission of improving student life, fostering professional growth, and advocating for the needs of the graduate student community. Congratulations to the newly elected members, we look forward to a fantastic year ahead!

Introducing the MoGen Peer Support Committee!

Graduate school can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. The MoGen Peer Support Committee is a new initiative dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive space for students. Whether you need peer mentorship, one-on-one support, or guidance on academic, mental health, and professional resources, we’re here to help. Our team also organizes workshops, networking events, and wellness initiatives to foster a stronger, more connected community. We’re looking for passionate students to join us! If you’re interested in becoming a peer mentor or joining our executive team, we’d love to hear from you. 

On March 14th, the MoGen GSA and department hosted our annual March Recruitment Day, offering prospective students a full-day experience designed to showcase what makes the MoGen community special. The day began with a warm welcome from McKenna Kelly and Ellonore Rughani. At lunch, GSA Co-Presidents, Saya Sedighi and Jocelyn Nurtanto gave a presentation highlighting student life, research opportunities, and the support systems available within the department. Throughout the day, current GSA volunteers were on hand to answer questions and share their personal experiences. A major highlight of the day was the poster session, featuring more than 30 presenters across diverse research areas. Prospective students had the chance to engage directly with current trainees, ask questions about their work, and get a sense of the collaborative, interdisciplinary nature of MoGen research. To cap off the day, we gathered for dinner at Free Time Café, where students could have more casual conversations with members of the GSA. The evening continued with a relaxed social that gave recruits a chance to build friendships and get a feel for the supportive community they’d be joining. Overall, the day was a huge success, and we’re grateful to everyone who helped make it happen—from volunteers and wayfinders to faculty and student presenters. 

A Message from the Co-Presidents

Dear MoGen Community,

We are honored and excited to serve as your Co-Presidents for the 2025-2026 term. Our vision is to foster a stronger, more connected, and more supportive graduate student community, where students feel empowered in our department. We are committed to advocating for student needs, creating meaningful opportunities, and enhancing the overall graduate experience through both new and ongoing initiatives.

We understand that one of the biggest concerns among graduate students is the time to completion, and we want to assure you that this issue is a top priority for us. We are actively working with faculty, staff, and the department administration to explore ways to streamline program requirements, improve access to research and professional development resources, and provide clearer guidance. Our goal is to identify and implement strategies that will help reduce the time to completion while maintaining the quality of our training and research experiences. We will keep the community informed as we make progress on these discussions and welcome your feedback along the way.

Beyond this, we are also committed to expanding career development initiatives, including hosting industry panels, alumni networking events, and hands-on workshops to help students explore diverse career paths. We will continue to prioritize student well-being, whether through peer mentorship programs, wellness initiatives, or community-building events like the annual MoGen Retreat and Power Hour. Additionally, we are focused on improving departmental communication and transparency, ensuring students are informed about funding opportunities, research resources, and academic policies. We’re excited to bring our community together through social events like trivia nights, seasonal get-togethers, and outdoor activities. We also plan to strengthen support for international students, provide more professional development opportunities, and create spaces for open discussions on student concerns.

We encourage you to get involved, share your ideas, and reach out to us anytime. The GSA exists for you, and we are here to support you in every way we can. Let’s make this year one to remember!

With excitement and gratitude,
Jocelyn Nurtanto & Saya Sedighi
Co-Presidents, MoGen Graduate Student Association