GRADZETTE THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA’S GRADUATE STUDENT MAGAZINE MARCH 2015
2015 UMGSA Election edition: Meet your candidates Pages 4-14
GRADZETTE THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA’S GRADUATE STUDENT MAGAZINE
MARCH 2015
3 - 14 15-16
Gradzette c/o The Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation 105 University Centre University of Manitoba Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2 General inquiries and advertising Phone: (204) 474.6535 Fax: (204) 474.7651 Email: editor@gradzette.com Editor: Marc Lagace Copy Editor: Bryce Hoye Designer: Marc Lagace Contributors: Marc Lagace Cover: Beibei Lu
The Gradzette is the official student magazine of the University of Manitoba’s graduate student community and is published on the first Monday of each month by the Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation.
The Gradzette is a democratic student organization, open to participation from all students. It exists to serve its readers as students and citizens. The magazine’s primary mandate is to report fairly and objec¬tively on issues and events of importance and interest to the graduate students of the University of Manitoba, to provide an open forum for the free expression If you have a passion for writing, jourand exchange of opinions and ideas, and to stimulate nalism, photography, or illustration meaningful debate on issues that affect or would oththe Gradzette is looking for individuerwise be of interest to the student body and/or society als to get involved with the producin general. tion process of the U of M’s graduate student paper. The Gradzette serves as a training ground for students interested in any aspect of journalism. Students and The Gradzette currently offers 10 other interested parties are invited to contribute. Please cents per word for freelance articles, contact the editor listed above for submission guide$7 per photo/graphic used, and $30 lines. for images used on the cover. FreeThe Gradzette reserves the right to edit all submissions lancers will be added to a contact and will not publish any material deemed by its editoripool and emailed with potential aral board to be discriminatory, racist, sexist, homophobic ticle, photo, or graphic assignments or libelous. Opinions expressed in letters and articles are when they become available. solely those of the authors. Interested applicants please send The Gradzette is a member of the Canadian University your resume and at least two (2) rePress, a national student press cooperative with memcent work samples to editor@gradbers from St. John’s to Victoria. zette.com. All contents are ©2014 and may not be reprinted without the express written permission of the Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation.
FREELANCE
GRADZETTE
MARCH 2015
Voting graphic courtesy of the League of Women Voters of California LWVC courtesy of the cretive commons (CC BY 2.0)
Get out the vote!
UMGSA General Election 2015 voting period runs March 16-18 Gradzette Staff
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he campaiging period for the 2015 UMGSA general elections has begun!
This year, 11 candidates are vying for roles in the UMGSA executive board. Seven candiates — Kristjan Mann, David Terrazas Gonzalez, Enoch A-iyeh, Valery Agbor, Beibei Lu, Gagan Sidhu and Richard From — are campaigning as the Graduate Student Action Slate (GSAS). Junhui Gong, Gustavo Mejicanos and Aida Adlimoghaddam are also running together as the Choice Matters (CM) slate. Kathryn Marcynuk is running as an independent senator. There are four candidates running for the three Senator seats on the UMGSA executive council. Campaigning begins March 2 and runs until the voting period — March 1618. Any questions or concerns related to the election process can be sent to Joseph Dipple and Karalyn Dokurno, the Fort Garry Chief Returning Officers, via email at cro@umgsa.org. We’ve asked each candidate four questions about their qualifications and intentions for running for an UMGSA executive position.
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he nominations for the Health Science Graduate Student’s Association (HSGSA) executives are also in. Only one position, vicepresident external, is being contested. HSGSA President Colin Graydon HSGSA Vice-President Academic Chuwunonso Onyilagha HSGSA Vice-President External Marc-Antoine De La Vega Mohammed Fazel Rabbi HSGSA Vice-President St. Boniface Crystal Acosta HSGSA Vice-President Internal Deepak Upreti HSGSA Vice-President Marketing and Events Michelle Perner HSGSA Senator Hadeesha Piyadasa
Editor’s note: updated on March 6, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
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GRADZETTE
MARCH 2015
Junhui Gong
for GSA president (CM)
Why are you interested in the position of GSA president? I am passionate about serving the student community. The president of GSA is an ideal position to lead the executives and to play an important role to serve the graduate students. Secondly, as a president, I can practice my ability to operate an organization and improve my leadership in a group, which is valuable to enhance my competition in my future career. Lastly, I am keen on leading a team to accomplish goals of GSA and make a contribution to their long-term mission. I can utilize my background and knowledge in the management field to help more effectively reflect the GSA’s mission. What is your background in student politics and/or related activities? Prior to developing experience as a business manager, I was an elected vice-president of the Graduate
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Students’ Association of Shanghai University (2002-2003), a large university in China. With our team members, I designed and leaded many graduate events, such as the graduate students’ art festival, the football match for new graduate students and the ballroom dance training class for graduate students, to make our community more cohesive and colorful.
to ensure campus opportunities are as equally distributed as possible for each and every one of you. Why should U of M graduate students vote for you? My academic background and work experience make me the ideal person for this position.
As a MBA student, I could see the problems from a managerial I also have a good reputation among perspective and understand how to graduate students. I have a solid track operate an organization effectively. record and business career and an in- With the knowledge of organization depth understanding of the business behaviour, I can work with VPs world in China. As a sales manager together to build a stronger team. and the head of a sales department in In brand communication, I would Shanghai, I successfully built business cooperate with the VP marketing connections with many leading global member to expand the influence companies, like General Motors of GSA in Winnipeg. With the (U.S.A), Samsung (South Korea) and concepts of finance and accounting Komet (Germany). under my belt, I can monitor the If elected, what do you wish to cash flow of GSA and use the capital accomplish in the next year as GSA effectively. Under the knowledge of operation management, I can manage president? the GSA’s businesses in an objective If I should be the next president, way and maintain a sustainable I would consider refining our development model for the next organizational structure to better GSA. reflect our mission, enhancing the brand influence of the GSA My fellow graduate students: I am the in community and bridging wise choice. I ask you for your vote. strong connections with academic institutions, organizations and companies outside of the U of M. To be your president, I also would work
GRADZETTE
MARCH 2015
Kristjan Mann
for GSA president (GSAS) I have always had a strong interest in politics and completed a minor in political studies during my undergraduate degree. Over the last year I have been working as the UMGSA vice-president academic, where I sat on over a dozen committees and played integral roles in developing relationships with external advocacy organizations like the GU15 and UMSU, and lobbying the government and university Why are you interested in the position administration. In the past I have of GSA president? worked in international relations and I want to use my experience and passion environmental advocacy, serving as to advocate for the graduate student the western representative on Gaea body on the issues that matter to them Environment Protection Body’s board of most — like funding, fee increases, and directors in Kyoto. I have also advocated the quality of their education. In doing for marginalized communities in so I want to both promote and provide Canada, as well as planned and executed a better student experience for every community development projects. graduate student at the University of If elected, what do you wish to Manitoba across all its various campuses accomplish in the next year as GSA and diverse student populations. I also president? want to continue the work I started I intend to improve lobbying of the this year against increasing costs, cuts provincial government; both in terms to services, and campus corporatization. of increased funding for graduate While my team and I were able to lobby students and the university, as well as the provincial government to block the in demanding accountability from increase in continuing fees this year, the the university administration in its larger battle against the proposed budget budgeting. I intend to work closely cuts for next year is still underway and I with the VPI to develop initiatives to want to make sure next year’s UMGSA increase UMGSA revenues and allow us executive is prepared to confront the to fund more graduate students through issues head on. bursaries and awards, as well to improve What is your background in student UMGSA facilities and increase UMGSA politics and/or related activities? services available to graduate students.
Also, as the current chair of the GU15 subcommittee I want to expand on the role of the UMGSA within the GU15, an organization which presents the most graduate-student-focused opportunity to unite tens of thousands of graduate students across Canada on issues like academic freedom, campus corporatization, and budget cuts. Why should U of M graduate students vote for you? Over the past year I have had the opportunity to work closely with every member of the executive team, and have developed the broad knowledge of the varied positions within the UMGSA needed to effectively manage the executive committee as president. Last year the University blindsided a new executive by proposing the continuing fee increase during the transition period. I want to make sure that this year’s executive is prepared and has the leadership, the drive, and the institutional knowledge of the UMGSA needed to properly advocate against the proposed budget cuts. I would be proud to serve the graduate student body as their president and pledge to expand UMGSA services and awards, and place an increased emphasis on graduate student needs in every UMGSA endeavour. Take Action! Vote Graduate Student Action!
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GRADZETTE
MARCH 2015
Aida Adlimoghaddam
for GSA vice-president academic (CM)
the faculty of graduate studies. What is your background in student politics and/or related activities?
Why are you interested in the position of vice-president academic (VPA)? With over seven years of graduate school experience after attending several teaching and research institutions around the world, I understand and could potentially address the major issues that impact both the personal and academic lives of the graduate student body. One of my greatest attributes comes from the fact that I am an international student. The University of Manitoba has a large community of international graduate students and I can relate. I can assist and represent them while they attend the University of Manitoba. On top of my scholarly achievements, my leadership experiences will serve the VPA position and student body as I liaise with graduate students and
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I have been volunteering with numerous organizations around the world and I am currently serving as the public relations officer for the University of Manitoba’s Iranian Student Association. I was a volunteer for the fall 2014 orientation and a “campus buddy” for new students for several years at the U of M. My involvement with numerous student groups has provided me with the opportunity to learn how to deal with student-related matters. If elected, what do you wish to accomplish in the next year as VPA? If I am elected as a VPA, I will make sure graduate student’s issues are presented and discussed within the GSA council. In addition, I will use my voice as a VPA to support all graduate students and strive to create academic workshops/ instructional practices and events through the GSA, something that would hopefully assist students in obtaining strong academic supports. I would not entirely deviate from
the hard work the prior VPA’s has strived to accomplish. But I would express my own fresh ideas as the VPA to encourage growth of the position and strengthen the GSA as we strive to represent our graduate student body. Why should U of M graduate students vote for you? I have more than seven years of graduate school experience, five of which were completed at the U of M. I am a hard and honest worker who enjoys assisting others to achieve their goals. I will represent the graduate student body while promoting equity to all members and their opinions. Voting for me is voting for graduate students who wish to succeed in their endeavors.
GRADZETTE
MARCH 2015
David Terrazaz Gonzalez
for GSA vice-president academic (GSAS) involved in different organizations from the time I began pursuing my B.Eng. degree in Mexico until now, as I am aim to get my PhD. My involvement spans from purely student organizations to organizations supporting the betterment of society outside campus. I am an approachable individual that has always conducted my activities in a platform consisting of high moral values, making no distinctions on social, economic, Why are you interested in the position cultural, or religious backgrounds. I of vice-president academic? summarize the attitude that I have had Mainly, to put my passion for public in all the political activities I have been service in to action and to focus it on involved with in these words: “I support the academic interests of the student others by serving them.” body. The graduate community If elected, what do you wish to includes students from very diverse accomplish in the next year as vicesocial, economic, cultural, and religious president academic? backgrounds that have very diverse I want to enhance the graduate students’ academic needs. Among these needs experience when interacting with the are the impacts of budget cuts to university. I seek to do this by genuinely research and the expense increases in representing the graduate students’ student recruitment that at some degree individual and collective academic threaten the education quality offered interests. I will advocate for graduate to current and upcoming students. I students’ need regarding the university seek to construct and strengthen bridges resources and offices allocated for between the U of M and GSA to make the graduate student body. I intend effective decisions for the benefit of to actively participate in facilitating graduate students. I seek to support academic events and workshops that are students with their concerns in their relevant to graduate students, attending academic journey. and representing student interests at both What is your background in student internal UMGSA and external university politics and/or related activities? committees. And, working toward a Every social interaction that we as better and more inclusive campus for U humans have involves politics. I have been of M graduate students. It would be my
privilege to speak out for the graduate students by truly representing them openly and impartially. Why should U of M graduate students vote for you? I am a graduate student that has acquired experience with different circumstances, systems, and procedures, which take place at the U of M. Voters can be confident in choosing me as their VPA because I am approachable, passionate, truly sympathetic, and capable of taking action to represent graduate students’ academic interests. I have assisted graduate students while they have been facing strong challenges while pursuing their academic programs, even though I have not formally sat in a position on a governing body on campus. I have done so because I am a person that enjoys seeing my peers succeed and doing their very best. These actions exemplify my attitude for enhancing the graduate student experience at the University of Manitoba. I belong to the Graduate Student Action slate, which is a strong interdisciplinary group of innovative and experienced candidates that speak out for graduate students. As your vice-president academic, I will vigorously represent your academic interests in every action I take. Take Action! Vote Graduate Student Action!
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GRADZETTE
MARCH 2015
Enoch A-iyeh
for GSA vice-president external (GSAS) What is your background in student is one more contributing intellectual. I politics and/or related activities? will work for this cause. Also, knowing I have years of dedication and that our external relations are crucial to involvements in student leadership and our welfare, I would seek to improve on participation ranging from working with, them.
and helping, fellow students through ICS and my department, to standing up and speaking for fellow students who had concerns regarding new candidacy rules and conduct in my department. I have worked and collaborated with Why are you interested in the position fellow students in academic settings of GSA vice-president external? with the aim of contributing to an It is in the interests of graduate enhanced student experience. I actively students to liaise, lobby and work with participated in several rallies, including organisations, associations, provincial the recent Stop the Cuts rally. I have also and federal bodies on key issues partnered with UMSU previously to concerning them. This, for me, is an raise funds for a worthy cause. opportunity to actively participate If elected, what do you wish to and facilitate that. Through innovative accomplish in the next year as GSA action, we can marshal a powerful vice-president external? force to influence decisions, and tackle and solve challenges; including but not It’s clear that the cuts being instituted by limited to burdensome budget cuts and the university are a burden to grads, so I inadequate research funding. Through would actively work with all forces (GU external associations, involvements 15, CUPE, UMSU, UMFA, etc.) with and relations, my actions would seek an aim to stopping the budget cuts. Also, joint and mutually beneficial actions it’s important that we have a majority of and decisions. I want to facilitate our grads getting involved in the GSA since common struggle for an enhanced the numbers indicate otherwise right student experience conducive to now. It would therefore be important research and discovery. The UMGSA to bring grads to the GSA and the GSA executive is duty bound to represent to grads. The grads we are currently not the broad interests of our members in reaching have too much talent to ignore several affairs, and I want to ensure that and I want to help change that. Every grad that comes to be involved in GSA it is done.
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Why should U of M graduate students vote for you? A vote for me and my slate would be one more voice advocating prosperity and not austerity. Your vote would mean working for grads to represent their interests for an enhanced student experience. Your vote would mean improved external relations and attendant benefits. It would also mean an opportunity to work to increase our active participation base, working to reach more and more of our human capital and attendant resources. Last but not least, your vote would mean the choice of student activism for grad concerns. Take Action! Vote Graduate Student Action!
GRADZETTE
MARCH 2015
Valery Agbor
for GSA vice-president internal (GSAS)
Why are you interested in the position of GSA vice-president internal? Working for the UMGSA appeals to me strongly and I believe my experience in fulfilling the roles and responsibilities of the VPI have better equipped me to serve the graduate student body. During this past year I have participated in and initiated various tasks with a single objective of making sure the interests of graduates students and the UMGSA comes first in decision making. I have also ensured that our work was done in line with the bylaws of the association, while constantly working on areas of conflict within our policy manuals for better day-to-day operations of the association. Being involved in the day to day operations of the UMGSA as the VPI has been very gratifying, because I get to work with my colleagues and work on my interpersonal and intercultural communication skills. I also met many of the graduate students: an experience that has really broadened
my understanding of the university and donations that enhance the overall system and overall function of university graduate experience. For example, I intend to introduce electronic services. application options for conference What is your background in student grants, departmental grants, and special politics and/or related activities? projects. I also intend to secure funding I have been participating in student for activities that promote and enhance politics since I enrolled in the University the graduate student experience on of Buea in 2000, and was elected campus through recreational games and president of the University of Buea’s funding for child-care centers serving Microbiology Student Association graduate students. (BUMSA) from 2002 to 2003. More It is my objective to ensure that recently I was the CRO for the U of UMGSA’s financial books are balanced M Biosystem Engineering Graduate and investments secure, and that the Student Association (BEGSA) during association is guided with laws and the 2010-2011 elections and ran in the policies that reflect UMGSA interests 2010 UMGSA elections. I was captain now and into the future. of the “Engineering Squad” that won the 2011-2012 and 2013-2014 GSA Why should U of M graduate students recreational summer championship. vote for you? And I am currently the vice-president A vote for me and our slate is a vote for internal of the UMGSA. Overall, I am action executed with experience acquired an active follower of UMGSA matters, in serving the UMGSA over the past participating in many events that the year. It is a vote for fresh ideas from new association has organised over the past slate candidates, and a vote for diversity, six years. creativity, and a strong determination. We intend to hit the ground running in the operation and organisation of the affairs of the UMGSA, as we actively represent and advocate for graduate I aspire to meet the needs of the students student interest across our campuses. with more funding for graduate student-centred research symposiums, I truly appreciate every vote for projects, and seminars. I also intend to Graduate Student Action for UMGSA. streamline GSA financial processes to Thank you, and please, take action! Vote give graduate students better access to Graduate Student Action! financial resources like funding, grants, If elected, what do you wish to accomplish in the next year as vicepresident internal?
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GRADZETTE
MARCH 2015
Beibei Lu
for GSA vice-president marketing & events (GSAS) relationships and create opportunities for graduate students to get connected and get involved. I would love to further apply my knowledge and experiences to improve the UMGSA for graduate students. What is your background in student politics and/or related activities?
Why are you interested in the position of UMGSA VPME? The position of VPME presents both a challenge and an opportunity for me to apply my experience in marketing and event planning, which are my passions. Based on my experience developed from working with UMGSA, I believe that my background and involvement on and off campus would benefit the graduate students group through my service as VPME. First of all, I believe that marketing plays an increasingly important role for organizations in today’s society. A successful marketing strategy would benefit the organization as well as the group it serves for. As an advocate for graduate students and their concerns, I believe a stronger marketing would be meaningful both for a better connection to, and communication with, the student body and society.
I have been actively involved and contributing to the UMGSA as a member since I came to Canada. When I started my master’s studies at the U of M, I became involved as my department’s representative in 20112012, and participated in the internal development and review committee. I have also volunteered to help with multiple UMGSA events and activities since 2011. Since then, I have been actively involved at different levels of the UMGSA as well as other on campus and off campus organizations (e.g. Student Life, ICS, the Manitoban, the Gradzette, ELC, etc.), which provide a solid foundation of connections and networks for my work as UMGSA VPME. Last year working as VPME with the UMGSA, through organizing social events and helping with UMGSA branding, I learned to better understand advocating for student concerns through effective marketing strategies with the UMGSA executive team.
UMGSA VPME? With your support, I will expand on branding and marketing the UMGSA through effective on campus collaborations and an increase in the visual identity of the UMGSA. This will give the organization representing graduate students a stronger voice. I will also continue hosting creative social events where graduate students can get connected, exchange ideas and relax from their busy research life. Why should U of M graduate students vote for you? A vote for me and for my slate is a support for effective graduate student action. And my previous experience as VP Marketing and Events will help me better adapt to the work of creating better marketing plans and organizing UMGSA events. Over the last year I have made great efforts to enhance UMGSA marketing through visual identity plans, projects and great social events. I also made great connections through committee meetings and on campus media. Moreover, I enjoy being part of an energetic UMGSA executive team, and I hope to continue working with a great team and to work together toward an effective organization.
We will take effective actions to better represent graduate students at the On top of this, to plan and organize If elected, what do you wish to University of Manitoba. Take Action! UMGSA events provides an accomplish in the next year as Vote Graduate Student Action! opportunity for me to help facilitate
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GRADZETTE
MARCH 2015
Gustavo Mejicanos for GSA senator (CM) senator and as the GSA executive team in the year 2013. I was the only voting student at the University of Manitoba Senate Executive Committee. In addition to that, I was involved in different activities initiated by the GSA executive team. Since 2014, I have served as the elected councillor to represent the department of Animal Science on the GSA council. Currently I am a Why are you interested in the member of different GSA committees position of senator? and U of M senate committees, such I am interested in the position of as the GSA Investments Committee, senator because I want to represent and Senate Committee on Awards, and serve the interest of graduate students the Experiential Education Steering at different university committees, and Committee. of course in the university senate. As part of my community involvement As a senator, I will be participating in in Manitoba, outside of academia I different senate committees, the senate participated with the Migrant Workers caucus, and also will be part of the Solidarity Network. The network Graduate Students Association (GSA) had several achievements, including Executive Committee. GSA roles securing health coverage for seasonal and responsibilities are specifically farm workers. crucial the following year, given the My involvement with social activities constraints faced by the university, like those mentioned started years such as budget cuts. ago in Guatemala, where I mostly I also want to bring and share my helped professional associations. For experience and perspective of team example, I was the president of the work, helping the other members College of Agricultural Engineers’ to succeed in their respective works, south-Occidente chapter. I was also a assisting them when needed. member of the first academic senate at What is your background in student the University of Istmo. politics and/or related activities? If elected, what do you wish to I was elected and served as a GSA accomplish in the next year as
senator? I will continue representing the interest of the graduate students in different committees, and also within the Executive Committee of the GSA. I will help my teammates to succeed in the tasks that they have. As before, I will bring fresh ideas to the team in line with the priorities set in the strategic plan of the U of M to prioritize the interests of the graduate students. Moreover, I wish to work toward truly recognizing the achievements of indigenous peoples, as we are living on their traditional land. Why should U of M graduate students vote for you? In the last three years, I have been working in different committees representing the interest of graduate students. I have the experience of being a senator for one year. As my portfolio in that year and my continuous support for the GSA shows, I am committed to helping and supporting the needs of the grad students. I wish to work tirelessly as a member of the 2015-16 Executive Committee to have a stronger representation at the university level, and achieve higher standards for all the grad students at the U of M.
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GRADZETTE
MARCH 2015
Gagan Sidhu
for GSA senator (GSAS)
Why are you interested in the position of senator? I have always enjoyed being actively involved in student groups and student-led initiatives, and for this reason I am interested in being an executive member of the GSA. More specifically, I am running for the position of senator due to the flexibility that I see as being inherent to this position. In my official capacity as senator I would be able to represent graduate students during senate committee meetings but I would also have the time and resources to actively participate in other issues that the GSA is working on both externally and internally. Overall, I believe that I will be able to best address the issues affecting graduate students as senator.
Throughout my undergraduate years I volunteered with various student groups, and acted as a liaison between student groups and the charities they were involved with. Additionally, over the past eight years, I have been actively involved in event planning and fundraising for various charities and organizations, including the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. These experiences have allowed me to develop a skill set that I believe would serve me well on the GSA executive. If elected, what do you wish to accomplish in the next year as GSA senator? My primary goal is to provide graduate students with the facts and information that are most relevant to their education by serving as a liaison between the graduate student community, the senate, and the UMGSA. I would also like to implement new ways to bring all graduate students together to create a stronger and more cohesive graduate community that is engaged in addressing student issues and supportive of its members.
Why should U of M graduate What is your background in students vote for you? student politics and/or related As a graduate student, I activities?
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understand the various challenges and situations graduates face day to day in juggling their research and courses with the personal and social aspects of life. I will make it a priority to streamline the amount of information they receive as graduate students so that they are aware of everything that is immediately relevant to them and thus have one less thing to worry about. I am a sociable and approachable individual and I will go the extra mile for any student requiring guidance or someone to talk to about graduate student life. Due to my extensive work experience in retail, I am also sensitive to the personal and cultural needs of individuals and will consider the various facets of the graduate student community when contributing to decision-making processes in the GSA. Take Action! Vote Graduate Student Action!
GRADZETTE
MARCH 2015
Kathryn Marcynuk
for GSA senator (Independent) • Four years on the engineering undergraduate student council executive, including membership in seven committees • Four years as a faculty of engineering student representative on a total of nine committees, including: Why are you interested in the position of senator?
• Computer engineering curriculum committee
• Academic rules and As a current PhD student with regulations committee two previous degrees from the University of Manitoba, this • Engineering committee on institution has truly become my common core courses home away from home. I would love to have the opportunity to • Two years on senate give back to the community here! • One year on the senate Having held the position of executive committee senator before, I know what it entails and I am familiar with • Three years on senate how the senate works. I would subcommittees be honoured to be entrusted with representing graduate students’ • Academic commissioner and chair of the education interests on senate. committee of the national What is your background in engineering student council student politics and/or related • Chair of both IEEE activities? Winnipeg Graduates Of the I have been actively involved Last Decade (GOLD) & at the university since my IEEE Women in Engineering undergraduate degree. My Winnipeg experience includes:
If elected, what do you wish to accomplish in the next year as senator? As a GSA senator my main goal would be to make sure the graduate student voice is heard – and taken into account – in senate decisions. This includes listening to you, graduate students, so if you’re looking to get involved in the senate discussions I would love to hear your suggestions. Why should U of M graduate students vote for you? I have experience, passion, and a wealth of knowledge about the university to bring to the senator position. Plus, my office is a 15-second walk from the senate chambers, so I’ll never be late for a meeting!
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GRADZETTE
MARCH 2015
Richard From
for GSA senator (GSAS)
Why are you interested in the position of GSA senator? The role of senate at the University of Manitoba is exceedingly important, as both major and minor decisions that impact everyone must pass through this process. I am passionate about representing graduate student interests by participating in this process, and reporting any important issues back to students at large. Also, with the trend of universities functioning more as corporations rather than public institutions, I am interested in being part of a shift back toward well-funded, affordable, and accessible education for all
became involved in representing students in faculty meetings. I was introduced to the GSA at the U of S by attending several annual general meetings. Last year I was a senator with the UMGSA and learned a lot about advocating for student interests. During that time, I developed a passion for understanding how the university functions and making sure that every student is well-informed. If elected, what do you wish to accomplish in the next year as GSA senator?
I would like to increase awareness of the services that the UMGSA and the university offers to graduate students. Additionally, I would like to bring more focus to the different ways we can reduce our impact on the environment around campus. Another issue I would like to explore, which currently doesn’t have much publicity, is electromagnetic pollution. This type of pollution, along with others, can be harmful to the human body without us even seeing it. Finally, I What is your background in want to advocate for increased student politics and/or related transparency in the university’s activities? annual budget and a prioritization While I was at the University of of student interests during Saskatchewan completing my collective decision-making. M.Sc. in geological sciences I
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Why should U of M graduate students vote for you? My previous experience as a senator is very valuable in terms of the learning curve required for this position. Over the last year I have seen issues and trends come up throughout senate and committee meetings. I have had a lot of interaction with graduate students understanding their needs and issues and I feel as though I’m in a good place to genuinely represent them. Moreover, I had a great experience being part of an effective UMGSA last year and am looking forward to continuing to grow as a UMGSA executive team member, graduate student, and human being. Take Action! Vote Graduate Student Action!
GRADZETTE
MARCH 2015
From L to R: Graduate Studies Dean Jay Doering, Diego Rodriguez, Rebecca Dielschneider, U of M president David Barnard
Thesis in Three Minutes or less Three Minute Thesis final features facinating U of M grad student research Marc Lagace The third annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition concluded Feb. 25 with health-related research running away with the top prizes.
their ability to engage with and communicate the scope and technical aspects of the research to the audience.
The big winner of the night was Rebecca (DeLong) Dielschneider, talking her way to first place and the people’s choice award for her thesis “Lysosomes as Targets in Leukemia.” Diego Rodriguez won second place for his presentation on “Using Radio Waves for Breast Cancer Detection.”
“It’s an event that captures not only the academic community but the broader Winnipeg community,” said Jay Doering, dean of the faculty of graduate studies. “it’s an opportunity for people to come out and be exposed to the leading edge research that’s being undertaken at the University of Manitoba.”
It would be tough to calculate the total number of research hours that went into the 3MT finalist’s 12 presentations. But in a total presentation time of less than 35 minutes, a packed audience at the Robert B. Schultz Theatre absorbed information on a wide array of research being conducted by U of M graduate students.
Among the other intriguing thesis topics presented at the finals were research into ways to repurpose industrial waste to create bio diesel, new methods for using MRIs to detect multiple sclerosis earlier and a look at potential medical breakthroughs found in local fungi, bacteria and slow-growing lichen.
Each 3MT challenger was faced with the task of condensing years of research and experiences into a concise three-minute presentation, with just one PowerPoint slide for visual aid. A panel of three non-expert judges critiqued the presentations on
Each of the 12 competitors had to first make it out of the heat stages that featured a total of 29 hopefuls. For coming in first place, Dielschneider won $5,000, and an additional $1,000 for being selected as people’s choice. Rodriguez was awarded
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$2,000 for coming in second place.
night for the past two months,” said Deilschneider.
Deilschneider has been in the immunology PhD program for two years since transitioning from the master’s program. She says cramming all that research and information from her
Deilschneider explained that by focusing on leukemia, she allowed herself to stay current in two of her broad academic interests — immunology and cancer biology — while working on research that could have a dramatic impact on many lives.
“This is by far the hardest thing I’ve done in grad school,” said Deilschneider.
“Science is just a great way to change people’s “The hardest thing to prepare for, and really the lives from behind the scenes, to really not really be at the forefront, but really drive progress, drive hardest thing to write and to do.” innovation, drive change. So that’s what I strive to She prepared by watching videos from previous do,” said Deilschneider. competitions and reaching out to past finalists, and asked them how they wrote their script and The University of Queensland in Australia was the practised. She said the hardest part was finding the first to develop the Three Minute Thesis, holding right vocabulary that would be easily understood their first competition in 2008 with 160 students by the judges and audience. Then, it simply came competing. It quickly grew in popularity around the down to buckling down and preparing for the big Oceania region and then went global in 2011, with regional events held for the first time in Canada, the night. United States, United Kingdom and Hong Kong. “My husband probably listened to me practice every
The Finalists Steven Harms – Civil Engineering (Masters) “Temporary Flood Protection: Developing New Ways to Protect our Communities”
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Teresa Looy – Natural Resources Institute (Master’s) “The Tomatoes Taste Better: Adult Learning Outcomes through Participation in Community Gardening”
Scott Kehler – Applied Health Sciences (Doctoral) “Is Exercise Healthy for Older Adults before Surgery? The Exercise PREHAB Study”
Aibek Samakov – Natural Resources Institute (Master’s) “Sacred Sites: Conservation of Nature through Mechanisms Rooted in Culture”
Diego Rodriguez – Physics and Astronomy (Master’s) “Using Radio Waves for Breast Cancer Detection
Robert Bertrand – Chemistry (Doctoral) “Exploring the Treasure Trove of Lichen Natural Molecules”
Robin Visser – Department of General Surgery (Master’s) “miRacles for Babies with Abnormal Lungs”
Rebecca (Delong) Deilschneider – Immunology (Doctoral) “Lysosomes as Targets in Leukemia”
Gail Ferguson – Natural Resources Institute (Master’s) “Who’s Backyard is it Anyway? Aboriginal, Government and Mining Industry Relationships”
Gelareh Manghebati – Arthur V. Mauro Centre for Peace and Justice (Master’s) “The Role of Financial and Social Inequality in Terrorism Activities in Iranian Balochistan”
Vanessa Palmer – Biomedical Engineering (Master’s) “Improving the Outcome of MS using MR”
Garret Munch – Biosystems Engineering (Master’s) “Putting Waste to Work: Producing Biodiesel Using Yeast and Industrial Wastes”