Alex Roberts, Chair
Alex (she/her) is a third-year PhD Candidate in the MacCallum Group, studying the structural interface of calcium channels and deubiquitinase involved in chronic pain. She was first introduced to the field of Biophysical Chemistry during her honours thesis through the MacCallum Group for her BHSc in Biomedical Sciences from the same institution. Since relocating to Calgary from Vancouver Island to pursue post-secondary education, Alex has seen equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) issues in science firsthand. This journey has fueled her passion for fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment and advocating for EDIA within the scientific community. In her free time, Alex enjoys running, hiking, DJing, and swimming.
Frances Pescante, Vice-Chair
Frances (she/her) is a second year PhD student under the supervision of Dr. George Shimizu. Her research focuses on developing new proton-conducting materials for improving fuel cell efficiency. During her undergraduate studies at the UCalgary, she was a mentor for the Science Mentorship Program and an Experiential Learning Science Ambassador where she contributed to improving accessibility to research opportunities for students. As Vice-Chair, she is excited to support CIDE's initiatives in advancing EDIA within the scientific community. In her free time, Frances enjoys travelling, hiking, running, and eating!
Macaella Roy, Financial Officer
Macaella (she/her) is a second-year PhD student with Dr. Roland Roesler. Her current research aims at developing cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene ligands for the stabilization of reactive transition metal and main group complexes. During her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Calgary, she participated in undergraduate research and student mentoring with the Science Mentoring Program. Going forward in her graduate degree, she hopes to continue supporting the student body by promoting EDI initiatives and helping to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere in science. Macaella’s interests outside of research include camping, reading, basket weaving, and boardgames.
Chelsea Ladouceur, Media Relations & Communications Officer
Chelsea is a .....
Yousif Rawof, Outreach Officer
Yousif Rawof (he/him) is an MSc student in Chemistry at the University of Calgary whose work explores nanotechnology and photochemistry. As Outreach Officer for CIDE, he is passionate about fostering inclusivity and community by collaborating with with campus organizations, graduate student groups, and initiatives that support diversity, equity, and engagement; outside the lab, he enjoys cooking, exploring local cafés and bakeries, and bouldering.
John Vincent Malvar, Academic Undergraduate Liason
John (he/him) is a third-year PhD candidate in the Heyne group, with a research focused on accessing forbidden transitions in organic chromophores using plasmonic nanoparticles. He completed his BSc in the University of Calgary with a major in Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology and a minor in Nanoscience. Through the Nanoscience program, he was able to do undergraduate research and subsequently developed a passion in Chemistry. Upon seeing the impact of undergraduate research, he is excited to be working as the undergraduate liaison officer and hopes to help establish more opportunities for undergraduate students to get involved with research. When he is not in lab, he enjoys hiking, boxing, and dancing.
Emily Atallah, Administrative Officer
Emily (she/her) completed her B.Sc. in Chemistry at the University of Calgary and is currently a third year Ph.D. candidate under the supervision of Dr. Roland Roesler. Her research is focused on the development of cryptands for application in selective ion trapping. Having lived outside of Canada for much of her life, Emily is excited to work with individuals from various backgrounds to continue to raise awareness for EDI in the academic world. In her free time, she enjoys climbing, working out, drawing, and playing piano in a band.
Alex Roberts, Chair
Alex (she/her) is a third-year PhD Candidate in the MacCallum Group, studying the structural interface of calcium channels and deubiquitinase involved in chronic pain. She was first introduced to the field of Biophysical Chemistry during her honours thesis through the MacCallum Group for her BHSc in Biomedical Sciences from the same institution. Since relocating to Calgary from Vancouver Island to pursue post-secondary education, Alex has seen equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) issues in science firsthand. This journey has fueled her passion for fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment and advocating for EDIA within the scientific community. In her free time, Alex enjoys running, hiking, DJing, and swimming.
Frances Pescante, Vice-Chair
Frances (she/her) is a second year PhD student under the supervision of Dr. George Shimizu. Her research focuses on developing new proton-conducting materials for improving fuel cell efficiency. During her undergraduate studies at the UCalgary, she was a mentor for the Science Mentorship Program and an Experiential Learning Science Ambassador where she contributed to improving accessibility to research opportunities for students. As Vice-Chair, she is excited to support CIDE's initiatives in advancing EDIA within the scientific community. In her free time, Frances enjoys travelling, hiking, running, and eating!
Macaella Roy, Financial Officer
Macaella (she/her) is a second-year PhD student with Dr. Roland Roesler. Her current research aims at developing cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene ligands for the stabilization of reactive transition metal and main group complexes. During her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Calgary, she participated in undergraduate research and student mentoring with the Science Mentoring Program. Going forward in her graduate degree, she hopes to continue supporting the student body by promoting EDI initiatives and helping to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere in science. Macaella’s interests outside of research include camping, reading, basket weaving, and boardgames.
Chelsea Ladouceur, Media Relations & Communications Officer
Chelsea (she/her) is a second-year PhD candidate in the Shi group, studying the formation of medium-entropy-alloy nanoparticles for use as electrocatalysts in the hydrogen evolution reaction. Chelsea is passionate about increasing accessibility in STEM, participating in outreach initiatives that spark curiosity and excitement about science in young students. As previous Social Media and Marketing Administrator for the Chemistry Graduate Student's Association, Chelsea is excited to continue in promoting accessibility in STEM and increasing representation through CIDE. When she's not in the lab, you can find Chelsea hiking a mountain, running, or skiing!
Jessica Whitehouse, Media Relations & Communications Officer
Jessica (sher/her) is a first-year MSc student in the Kimura-Hara group at the University of Calgary. Her current research investigates the formation and degradation of disinfectant byproducts when interacting with nanobubbles. As the former Vice-President of the Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) in her hometown, she is excited to step into the role of media relations and communications officer to continue her work in promoting inclusive and diverse spaces and activities with scientists in mind. Outside of school, she enjoys skiing, hiking, and reading novels.
Yousif Rawof, Outreach Officer
Yousif Rawof (he/him) is an MSc student in Chemistry at the University of Calgary whose work explores nanotechnology and photochemistry. As Outreach Officer for CIDE, he is passionate about fostering inclusivity and community by collaborating with with campus organizations, graduate student groups, and initiatives that support diversity, equity, and engagement; outside the lab, he enjoys cooking, exploring local cafés and bakeries, and bouldering.
John Vincent Malvar, Academic Undergraduate Liason
John (he/him) is a third-year PhD candidate in the Heyne group, with a research focused on accessing forbidden transitions in organic chromophores using plasmonic nanoparticles. He completed his BSc in the University of Calgary with a major in Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology and a minor in Nanoscience. Through the Nanoscience program, he was able to do undergraduate research and subsequently developed a passion in Chemistry. Upon seeing the impact of undergraduate research, he is excited to be working as the undergraduate liaison officer and hopes to help establish more opportunities for undergraduate students to get involved with research. When he is not in lab, he enjoys hiking, boxing, and dancing.
Akash Shil, Member at Large
Akash (he/him) is a first-year Master’s thesis student in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Calgary under the supervision of Dr. Viki Kumar Prasad. Originally from India, he completed his B.Sc. in Chemistry from The ICFAI University, Tripura, followed by his M.Sc. in Chemistry from IIT Tirupati. His research focuses on developing data-driven computational approaches for modeling and predicting warhead reactivity in the design of targeted covalent inhibitors. As a Member at Large with UCalgary CIDE, Akash looks forward to supporting student engagement and contributing to a collaborative and inclusive environment within the scientific community. Outside of research, he enjoys working out at the gym, street photography, and exploring the mountains through travel and hiking. He is always eager to learn new things and continue growing both personally and professionally.
Our Founder, Milanpreet Kaur
Milanpreet Kaur is a Ph.D. candidate in the Van Humbeck Group at the University of Calgary. Originally from India, where she did her B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Chemistry at the University of Delhi. Her research interest is focused on designing a new catalytic system for site-selective C-H functionalization in azaheterocycles. She laid the foundation of CIDE in 2020 and has served as the President for three years. Now, she is acting as the advisory board member to provide guidance to the executive board. In her free time, she enjoys photography, blogging and exploring different places and cultures. Her life goal is to stay purpose driven and to leave a positive impact wherever she goes.
