2024-2025 TEAM

Co-President

NADIA SOPHIA KHAN

Nadia is a 4th year neuroscience specialist. Fun fact: she used to be a YouTuber as a teenager and has great iMovie skills!

Co-President

BUSTER MILNE

Hi, I'm Buster, and I’m one of the co-presidents for NAUS this year! Like my fellow execs, I’m super passionate about all things brain-related, but what really blows my mind is the intricate puzzle of consciousness. I’m currently working in the Hutchison lab, focusing on posterior hypothalamus DBS as a targeted therapy for epilepsy patients. In the future, I plan to pursue medicine, hoping to bring both clinical and holistic perspectives to my practice. When I’m not deep in neuroscience, you’ll probably find me cycling around the city, shooting hoops, running through trails, or having a bonfire in my backyard. Feel free to reach out anytime—whether it’s about school, research, music, nature, or movies. I'm excited to help grow our neuroscience community and help lead NAUS this year!

Vice President of Finance

RITISHA MUKHERJEE

Ritisha is a 3rd year neuroscience and pharmacology major, with a minor in chemistry. Fun fact: she has never tried poutine!

Vice President of Academics

AIMIE ZHENG

Aimie is a 4th year neuroscience and environment and health major, with a minor in biology. Fun fact: she has visited over 50 cafes in Toronto!

Vice President of Academics

HEZEKIAH AU

Hezekiah is an undergraduate student in his fourth year, studying neuroscience, immunology, and physiology. His research focuses on the use of psychedelics for mood disorders, whilst examining the potential of incretin therapies on a wide range of neurological conditions. Currently, Hezekiah is investigating the role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on neurodegenerative conditions, aiming to provide a rationale for treatment repurposing for these incretin therapies. He will soon begin his Master’s at the Institute of Medical Sciences at the University of Toronto, where he aims to further his career in research. In his spare time, he enjoys cafe hopping and playing football (soccer), and is very happy to converse about either topic! When I’m not deep in neuroscience, you’ll probably find me cycling around the city, shooting hoops, running through trails, or having a bonfire in my backyard. Feel free to reach out anytime—whether it’s about school, research, music, nature, or movies. I'm excited to help grow our neuroscience community and help lead NAUS this year!

Vice President of Socials

WILLIAM CRAN

Hey, I’m Will and I am a VP social for NAUS this year. As you would imagine, I quite like the brain and all things related, specifically I am interested in neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD. I am currently working in the Faiz lab working on regenerative therapies for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). specifically looking at direct lineage reprogramming therapy, which aims to convert reactive astrocytes into oligodendrocytes to regenerate myelination in the brain, basically reversing the disease progression. Very cool stuff imo! In my free time I'm an avid gym goer and sailor and always trying to find something new to do. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions relating to anything, I'm always happy to respond!

Vice President of Socials

FATEEN KABIR

Yo it’s ya boi Fateen! I’m one of the VP Socials for NAUS this year. I’m in the Neuroscience Specialist program with double Minors in Physiology and Psychology. I love learning everything about the brain 🧠 My research experience includes behavioural, cellular, and molecular neuroscience labs. In the van der Kooy lab, I study the differential gene expression of neural and retinal stem cells. In the Kim lab, I study the effects of Parkinson’s Disease on olfactory memory using optogenetics. Outside of school, I’m a niche internet content creator on Instagram @fateensan :3

Vice President of Communications

ERIKA TEETER

Erika is a 4th year neuroscience specialist, with a psychology minor. Fun fact: she loves to read and recently discovered that one of her favorite romance authors (Ali Hazelwood) has her PhD in neuroscience!

Vice President of Communications

LILI CASTIBLANCO

Hi everyone! My name is Lili and I’m one of the VP Comms for NAUS this year. I find the brain super interesting and I hope to do research in the neurobiology of stress and different mental disorders. I am also interested in the prevention and treatment of traumatic brain injuries and stroke. I love to draw and paint, especially all sorts of animals. Some of my other hobbies include music (singing and instruments), running, and volleyball! I also love to watch movies and musicals with my friends and family. Please feel free to connect and reach out to me about anything you’d like!

Graduating Year Representative

SUNGBEEN LEE

Hello everyone! I am Sungbeen, one of the 4th year co-reps of NAUS. I am currently studying a double major in neuroscience and physiology. Most things about the brain pique my interest, and I’m hoping to use my neuroscience background to further my education in biotechnology. I have previously conducted summer research at the Kwan Lab at the Chinese University of Hong Kong looking at the genetic control of Purkinje cell development in the mouse cerebellum. When I am not in lectures, I am probably cafe-hopping around Toronto to find the best pistachio croissants and iced lattes! (p.s Christina and I log our cafe trips @cnspresso :3)

Feel free to reach out and connect! I would love to (coffee) chat about anything!

Graduating Year Representative

CHRISTINA TAO

Hi! I’m Christina, and I’m one of the Fourth Year Representatives for NAUS this year. I’m in my final year studying Neuroscience and Pharmacology, with a minor in Psychology. Outside of class, I’ve volunteered with the Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation (BCDF), researching the potential of kappa opioid receptor antagonists for depression treatment. I also lead several campus clubs and organizations focused on mentorship, leadership, and service. When I’m not on campus, you’ll probably find me playing badminton, learning new choreographies, or cafe hopping (i.e., gathering content for my cafe account with Sungbeen: @cnspresso). Feel free to reach out—whether it’s about courses, student life, NAUS, or just to chat!

3rd Year Representative 

MIA KAMIKUBO

Mia is a 3rd year neuroscience and cell and molecular biology major, with a minor in immunology. Fun fact: she is TERRIFIED of pigeons!

3rd Year Representative

CRYSTAL LUC

Hi everyone! I’m Crystal, ½  of the 3rd year reps of NAUS.  I’m double majoring in neuroscience and immunology, and minoring in physiology. I have interests in various different life science fields, but I always circle back to neuroscience. Outside of academics, I enjoy running and trying new food spots in the city! Always happy to chat if you’ve got any questions, let’s connect!

2nd Year Representative

AKARI TOMITA

Hi everyone! I’m Akari (they/them) and I’m one of the 2nd Year Reps. I’m currently doing a double major in Neuroscience and Medical Anthropology. I’m interested in the intersections between these fields, especially in terms of research and real-life applications in the medical field. This summer I’ll be working at the Predictive Care Lab, which will let me explore this further! In my free time, I like to dance and play the clarinet. Feel free to reach out, I’d love to connect and chat!

2nd Year Representative

ELWIN FU

Elwin is a 2nd year neuroscience specialist. Fun fact: he really enjoys music and collects CDs!

Secretary

JACOB DE JESUS

Jacob is a 3rd year psychology specialist, with a major in neuroscience. Fun fact: he thinks MRIs are therapeutic!

Graphic Designer

AMY ABID

Amy is a 4th year neuroscience and psychology major. Fun fact: she loves to travel and has been to 15+ countries so far!

Graphic Designer

HAMNA AKHTER

Hi everyone, I’m Hamna and I’m one of the Graphic Designers this year! I’m super fascinated by the brain and hope to continue learning about neuroscience for years to come. I also hope to delve into research very soon! For me the ideal way to spend my free time is to wind down by going on nature walks (when it's not freezing cold!), reading novels, watching my comfort shows, and spending time with my family and friends :) I love plants, matcha, and practically anything else that is green!