Meet our Executive Team!
President
Teresa Nguyen-Pham
Hello my name is Teresa and I’m currently in my first year of pharmacy at the University of Alberta. After my experience in the iGEM (international genetic engineering machines) competition, I was inspired to promote synthetic engineering and related interdisciplinary fields to fellow students and the community. Outside of studying, catching up on my classes, and attending zoom calls, you can find me eating sushi and doodling away on procreate.
VP Finance
Bryan Holl
My name is Bryan Holl and I am the VP of Finance. I am in my third year of Neuroscience and am looking to start graduate studies soon! My main job is managing the budget of the club and researching sponsorships and grants so that events have enough money to run smoothly. Interests include reading and music.
VP Events General
Tommy Tu
My name is Tommy Tu and I have finished my Pharmacology degree in the Faculty of Science at the University of Alberta. I have a passion for synthetic biology as I have been doing research for most of my undergraduate degree. I hope to inspire the next generation of scientists and curious minds to be excited about synthetic biology and what it is capable of. Before COVID, you could find me on campus, but now I'm probably in a Zoom meeting.
VP Events Synthetic Biology Solutions Challenge
Ayushi Omkar
My name is Ayushi Omkar and I am currently a 2nd year student at the University of Alberta. I'm pursuing a degree in biological sciences and psychology, and teach Hindi to kids in my spare time. A few of my hobbies include playing the guitar, dance, swimming, and soccer.
VP Communications External
Jing Huang
My name is Jing Huang, and I'm in my second year of the PharmD. I'm originally born in China but I've grown up in Edmonton for the majority of my life. In my spare time, I like to bake and eat food. I've combined these interests in my food blog. I also like to travel but I haven't been doing much of that lately. I'm also part of another student group on campus called TeamUP Science where I help organize an interdisciplinary science competition for high school students. Before COVID, you could find me running around ECHA/Katz like a chicken with her head cut off but now you can find me at home in my sweatpants.
VP Communications Internal
Angelica Tam
Hello my name is Angelica Tam and I am in my second year of my Biosci major. After joining Synthusiasts as a director last year, it inspired me to learn more about synthetic biology. This year, I decided to venture deeper into the world of synthetic biology by stepping up my game in this club as well as joining the executive team of the Canadian Biomaterials Society—Alberta Student Chapter. Before COVID, you could find me in res under a blanket with a book, trying to survive an Albertan winter. Now you can still find me under a blanket with a book trying to survive an Albertan winter, but at home.
Meet our Directors!
Director of Events
Ethan Agena
Hello my name is Ethan and I’m currently in my final year of chemical engineering at the University of Alberta. I was fortunate to compete in the iGEM Competition for four years. Doing so has taught me a lot about how synthetic biology has great potential in addressing some of our world’s impending issues as well as the societal impacts it can have. This has driven me to explore bioengineering so that I can contribute to the technology’s sustainable development! In my spare time nowadays, I work on my engineering capstone project!
Director of Events
Abhisha Patel
Hi, my name is Abhisha and I am a 3rd year Neuroscience Honors student. Additionally, I am working on pretty different roles: I am working as a licensed financial advisor with the World Financial Group of Canada, and I volunteer as a Reviewer for the Spectrum undergraduate research journal at UofAlberta. I am also doing research in the department of medicine at UofA and decided to join Synthusiasts to learn more about Synthetic Biology and help fellow students!
Director of Events
Jacqueline Yang
My name is Jacqueline Yang, I'm a third year student in Immunology but I'm transferring to Ecology next year. I discovered synthetic biology through my Micrb 315 class (Applied Microbiology) and decided to get involved with the Synthusiasts to learn more. My hobbies include dancing, cooking and learning easy piano pieces.