Graduate Students’ Biographical Statements
Creative Arts Area
Arvind Babajee, Canadian Common Law
I am Arvind, a professional with more than 20 years of experience and I am dually qualified professional – Finance and Law. I graduated with a Master degree in Law from King’s College London, UK and I am also a Fellow Chartered Management Accountant, CIMA, UK.
I have worked in various jurisdictions, namely in the UK, Dubai, South Africa, Switzerland and I am used with different types of business structures.
With, my experience, I believe I would be in a great position to serve these committees in adjudicating in fairness, high ethical values as well as considering and respecting the element of diversity.
Moreover, I am fully bilingual in English and French.
Jaime Babb, Science & Technology Studies
I am a PhD candidate in science and technology studies, currently entering my second year in the programme. I have a multidisciplinary academic background that it includes in master’s degrees in both theoretical physics (University of Victoria, 2013) and science fiction (University of Dundee, 2019), and my dissertation research touches upon both. Beyond this, I am also a published author of short fiction. As such, I believe that I would serve well as a representative for either Creative Arts or Natural Sciences and Engineering on the faculty council, with a preference for the former.
Laura Grier, Visual Arts
I am Sahtu Délı̨nę First Nations artist and second year PhD Student in Visual Art here at York University. Throughout my academic career I have been involved in student governance and advocacy and I am driven to maintain Indigenous student representation and wellness. I was a co-founder of the Indigenous Collective at NSCADU and an executive of the Student Union during my BFA. I have volunteered on hiring committees, engaged with Indigenous Adult Learner Policy, and have been the Local and Indigenous Representative in the Canadian Federation of Students. I have an MFA from OCADU and I am passionate about guiding students in studio art. My creative research highlights the power of Indigenous ways of seeing and making and calls for alternative practices to western academic procedures and systems. My interest in being a Creative Arts Representative and Member at Large for the Faculty Council is to be active and engaged in University structures and to learn more so that I can be a better and stronger advocate for BIPOC students. I am interested in policy and I believe my lived experiences and accumulated skills in student governance can help the York community. Mahsi Cho.
Omar Shabbar, Digital Media
Having spent my entire academic career at York, I am very familiar with the AMPD and FGS, how they work, their faculty members, and their procedures. I did my undergrad and masters in Music and I’m now starting my PhD in Digital Media. I am very passionate about student resources, funding, and the overall student experience as I have experienced post-secondary education both as an 18-year-old fresh out of high school and as a mature student, returning to finish a degree. I believe that becoming a member of this committee will allow me not only to become more engaged with fellow students and faculty but this opportunity will allow me to make truly positive changes to student life and the school that I have dedicated nearly two decades to.
Paria Shahverdi-Azarbaijani, Visual Arts
Paria Shahverdi’s artworks are taut with the history of her own experiences as a child, woman, and artist in war-torn Iran, and thick with the magical realism that allows all survivors to make sense of the dark. Shahverdi asks you to lean in, to consider the rhythms present beneath the work- can you see yourself in these people, deconstructed into segments of tone, color, motive, and light? In all aspects of her art- writing, poetry, painting, drawing, collage- Shahverdi seeks to create connections through her experiences, and define the edges of the world she lives in now.
Paria Shahverdi was born in Tehran, the capital city of Iran. She graduated from Fine Art University in Tehran and immigrated to Canada in 2004. Paria’s drawing was selected annually in Toronto for the Annual Drawing exhibition. She started adding materials to her drawings to embody feelings of loss, displacement, and feminine struggles. She created mixed media along with stylized figures. This led to a series of mixed media pieces which she exhibited across Canada. Since 2014, Paria has started completing paintings and mixed media. She had one solo exhibition in 2016, and she was honored to receive the grant from Ontario Art Council in 2017 for a second body of work with the theme of war. The work from these exhibitions received recognition through CBC radio and CBC television interviews. She has exhibited her artworks across Canada and Iran. Paria Shahverdi graduated in 2023 from York University in fine art, and she is a current MFA student at York University.
Health Studies/Sciences Research Area
Nickiesha Blake, Canadian Common Law
I am Nickiesha Blake a current student in LLM in Common Law. I hold a Bachelor degree in Medical Technology and a Master Degree in Microbiology prior to doing my LLB. I’ve over 14 years of laboratory and pharmaceutical experience, and worked as a region manager in a major pharmaceutical company. I’ve extensive knowledge of the Canadian health system. In the future it is my goal to work in the area of Health Law.
Philip James Piluris, Environmental Studies
Dear Voter,
York University has offered me the experience of a lifetime, and I would be honoured to pay some of that goodwill back into our community by serving on a committee.
I have extensive research experience in the sciences and humanities, having published articles on species at risk, conservation efforts, sustainable techniques, and sites of archaeological importance. I have been immersed in the academic world for over a decade and I am familiar with every aspect of its operation.
I also have a history of fair and equitable judgement on previous committees. I have at times sat on advisory boards for grant awards and sustainability initiatives. Keeping a level head under pressures of a committee environment is a critical skill for any member, and I have demonstrated that I remain impartial, yet empathetic, in every scenario.
Furthermore I have spent many years working for a public NGO that has had me do everything from fundraising to public speeches. I am as equally comfortable poring over case files as I am at facing a roaring crowd. I am undaunted by the thought of any difficulties that I may face in the pursuit of providing exemplary service to the community.
Should I be elected to a committee, I vow to uphold the best interests of students, faculty, and our shared academic community. We’re all in this together!
Sincerely,
Philip James Piluris
Abdullah Tauqeer, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
As a researcher focused on improving health outcomes through interdisciplinary approaches, I believe I can make valuable contributions to Faculty Council. My background spans computer science, biomedical engineering, and public health, I was also a MITACS global research intern at YorkU, last year, where the topic of my project was “Early stage Cancer Detection Using Ultrasound Elastography”
Through my graduate work in computational imaging and my internship developing AI tools for emergency triage, I gained experience applying emerging technologies to improve healthcare access and quality. I also authored a pre-publication paper on using deep learning to segment lung tumors from CT scans. These projects strengthened my research skills while revealing the potential of multidisciplinary collaboration to tackle complex health challenges.
If elected to Faculty Council, I will strive to facilitate connections between researchers from different fields. My work has shown me that integrating diverse perspectives can yield creative solutions to pressing issues. I aim to support initiatives that promote interdisciplinary research, funding, and curriculum development. My ultimate goal is to help cultivate an academic environment that encourages innovation at the intersections of disciplines for the benefit of human health.
As a council member, I pledge to actively participate in meetings, contribute to discussions from my unique perspective, and seek opportunities for cross-faculty partnerships. My background in computer science, engineering, and health research has prepared me to navigate the confluence of these domains and identify synergies that can advance our institution’s health-related mission.
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Area
Jaime Babb, Science & Technology Studies
I am a PhD candidate in science and technology studies, currently entering my second year in the programme. I have a multidisciplinary academic background that it includes in master’s degrees in both theoretical physics (University of Victoria, 2013) and science fiction (University of Dundee, 2019), and my dissertation research touches upon both. Beyond this, I am also a published author of short fiction. As such, I believe that I would serve well as a representative for either Creative Arts or Natural Sciences and Engineering on the faculty council, with a preference for the former.
Melik Nasar, Public & International Affairs
I am eager to serve on the faculty council committee to contribute to our academic’s growth and development. Effective governance fosters an inclusive, supportive environment, empowering students to excel academically and personally.
Philip James Piluris, Environmental Studies
Dear Voter,
York University has offered me the experience of a lifetime, and I would be honoured to pay some of that goodwill back into our community by serving on a committee.
I have extensive research experience in the sciences and humanities, having published articles on species at risk, conservation efforts, sustainable techniques, and sites of archaeological importance. I have been immersed in the academic world for over a decade and I am familiar with every aspect of its operation.
I also have a history of fair and equitable judgement on previous committees. I have at times sat on advisory boards for grant awards and sustainability initiatives. Keeping a level head under pressures of a committee environment is a critical skill for any member, and I have demonstrated that I remain impartial, yet empathetic, in every scenario.
Furthermore I have spent many years working for a public NGO that has had me do everything from fundraising to public speeches. I am as equally comfortable poring over case files as I am at facing a roaring crowd. I am undaunted by the thought of any difficulties that I may face in the pursuit of providing exemplary service to the community.
Should I be elected to a committee, I vow to uphold the best interests of students, faculty, and our shared academic community. We’re all in this together!
Sincerely,
Philip James Piluris
Abdullah Tauqeer, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
As a researcher focused on improving health outcomes through interdisciplinary approaches, I believe I can make valuable contributions to Faculty Council. My background spans computer science, biomedical engineering, and public health, I was also a MITACS global research intern at YorkU, last year, where the topic of my project was “Early stage Cancer Detection Using Ultrasound Elastography”
Through my graduate work in computational imaging and my internship developing AI tools for emergency triage, I gained experience applying emerging technologies to improve healthcare access and quality. I also authored a pre-publication paper on using deep learning to segment lung tumors from CT scans. These projects strengthened my research skills while revealing the potential of multidisciplinary collaboration to tackle complex health challenges.
If elected to Faculty Council, I will strive to facilitate connections between researchers from different fields. My work has shown me that integrating diverse perspectives can yield creative solutions to pressing issues. I aim to support initiatives that promote interdisciplinary research, funding, and curriculum development. My ultimate goal is to help cultivate an academic environment that encourages innovation at the intersections of disciplines for the benefit of human health.
As a council member, I pledge to actively participate in meetings, contribute to discussions from my unique perspective, and seek opportunities for cross-faculty partnerships. My background in computer science, engineering, and health research has prepared me to navigate the confluence of these domains and identify synergies that can advance our institution’s health-related mission.
Professional Degrees Area
Arvind Babajee, Canadian Common Law
I am Arvind, a professional with more than 20 years of experience and I am dually qualified professional – Finance and Law. I graduated with a Master degree in Law from King’s College London, UK and I am also a Fellow Chartered Management Accountant, CIMA, UK.
I have worked in various jurisdictions, namely in the UK, Dubai, South Africa, Switzerland and I am used with different types of business structures.
With, my experience, I believe I would be in a great position to serve these committees in adjudicating in fairness, high ethical values as well as considering and respecting the element of diversity.
Moreover, I am fully bilingual in English and French.
Dulce Felix, Foundations of Canadian Law Diploma
I like to be involved in initiatives that promote progress, as well as fairness and well-being.
I work with WSIB, and aside from my regular job therein, I’m the Vice-chair of the Equity Diversity and Inclusion committee, as well as a union steward for my co-workers. Aside from that, I see my professional setting, as well as my academic setting as a quasi family, thus enjoying being engaged at deeper levels.
Mark Kaplan, Securities Law
I am currently a student in the Professional LLM program (Securities Law), graduating in 2024 and hold a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Toronto (1990). As a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Professional Accountant, I am a partner with Ernst & Young’s International Tax Practice (Toronto and New York), working with Canadian domestic and foreign multinational teams in structuring domestic and cross-border corporate M&A transactions.
Recognized as a trusted advisor to my clients’ stakeholders, management teams and boards of directors, I have experience in communicating tax planning and reporting matters and addressing risk management strategies with parties both inside and outside the boardroom.
Lecturing since 1996 for the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada’s In-Depth Tax Program, I have presented to over 5,000 program participants on Canadian tax topics including corporate reorganizations, cross-border investments and financing transactions.
As a member of both the Canadian Tax Foundation and the International Fiscal Association, I have been a presenter and contributor to the Senior Tax Practitioners’ Institute since 2012.
I am a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, currently serving on the Audit Committee of the Corporation of the County of Prince Edward.
I am an organized, dedicated and ambitious professional with excellent attention to detail and a passion for learning and teaching. With a proven record of championing strategic initiatives that drive business successes and cultural change, I believe I would be a strong addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies Council, serving as a Member at Large.
Jon Khan, Law
I’m trained as a lawyer, and I’ve taught at two law schools. I was previously on the U of T’s “Graduate Academic Appeal Committee”. I believe that my training and experience make me suitable for York’s “Appeals & Academic Honesty Committee”.
Jeremy Stephen Ofwono
My name is Jeremy Ofwono and I would like to serve as a Member at Large on the Faculty Council; particularly in the capacity of a Social Sciences/Humanities Research representative. My academic background begins with a Specialised Honours B.A. degree in Global Political Studies from York. I recently graduated with academic honours and I am currently a candidate for a Masters degree in Public and International Affairs.
I am excited about the opportunity to serve as a Member at Large, particularly in the capacity of a Social Sciences/Humanities Research representative. My research background and experience involves working with intergovernmental organisations, such as the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and Public Affairs Africa; these have equipped me with a unique perspective on global challenges and solutions. My personal research interests reside with elements have to do with state security and concerns that directly impact the safety of human life.
As a Member at Large, I will commit to representing the interests of the Social Sciences/Humanities Research community on the Faculty Council. I aim to contribute my unique perspective, research expertise, and passion for global affairs to promote excellence in teaching, research, and innovation within our academic community.
Thank you for considering my candidacy, and I look forward to the possibility of serving the Faculty Council and advancing the goals of our esteemed institution.
Andreas Present
Hello dear fellow students and colleagues. It is such a pleasure to put my nomination forward. I wish to serve you, each and every one of you – to listen, to connect, and to further our common interests. My goal is to enhance your experience here and to ensure you receive the best experience possible. To this extent my motive is to make myself available to you and to help bridge connections whether you are attending remotely or in-person. To be a resource for our cohort, and someone you can turn to during our time here at York.
This role can be time intensive, and I would love to dedicate as much time as is necessary and more, to make sure that we all come out of this experience together, having achieved what we intended and wished for, coming in.
I am a lawyer working out of my own practice in Vaughan, and I currently serve on the Social Committee of the York Regional Lawyers’ Association, among other current volunteer activities in the community. Within the academic setting I served on student councils, ran student clubs and socials, and acted as class president.
Please feel free to get in touch with any questions! You may reach me by phone at 647 513 1234, by email at ap@present.law, and I am glad to set up a virtual or in-person meeting. Alternatively, feel free to join this group on WhatsApp – https://chat.whatsapp.com/Jhc9zncuEmRJxt4G7bFvpG
Social Sciences/Humanities Research Area
Arvind Babajee, Canadian Common Law
I am Arvind, a professional with more than 20 years of experience and I am dually qualified professional – Finance and Law. I graduated with a Master degree in Law from King’s College London, UK and I am also a Fellow Chartered Management Accountant, CIMA, UK.
I have worked in various jurisdictions, namely in the UK, Dubai, South Africa, Switzerland and I am used with different types of business structures.
With, my experience, I believe I would be in a great position to serve these committees in adjudicating in fairness, high ethical values as well as considering and respecting the element of diversity.
Moreover, I am fully bilingual in English and French.
Mads Baker, Social & Political Thought
Prioritizing the humanities from austerity is extremely important to me, and I would like to be able to voice the importance of these programs for both undergraduate and graduate research. I have served on the departmental council at my alma mater and was in contact with the greater Faculty Council as an undergraduate, which would prepare me for this role.
Destiny Hopkins, Communication & Culture
My name is Destiny Hopkins and I’m an incoming Masters student in Communication and Culture. Throughout my years as an undergraduate student, advocacy and administrative involvement became important aspects of my on-campus development and participation. Especially after COVID-19, there’s been a great need for student voices and opinions to be heard alongside faculty members regarding any matter, big or small. For the last year, I was president of the English and Writing Studies departmental committee at Western University, where I represented the undergraduate students within the faculty in two monthly department meetings. There, I heard about all of the issues and good news happening within the department and the impacts from decisions made by the Senate and the Office of the President. I communicated the student perspective to the department members and professors, while also informing my peers on what was going on in our department. I would like to be a representative in the Members at Large, Faculty Council for Social Sciences/Humanities Research as student representation, specifically that which would include my future discipline, is extremely important to me and I would like to take the skills I’ve learned to a new campus. This role would be an excellent opportunity to advocate for my peers, learn more about graduate studies and the Faculty at York, and become a leader in the Social Sciences/Humanities Research discipline.
Mark Kaplan, Securities Law
I am currently a student in the Professional LLM program (Securities Law), graduating in 2024 and hold a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Toronto (1990). As a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Professional Accountant, I am a partner with Ernst & Young’s International Tax Practice (Toronto and New York), working with Canadian domestic and foreign multinational teams in structuring domestic and cross-border corporate M&A transactions.
Recognized as a trusted advisor to my clients’ stakeholders, management teams and boards of directors, I have experience in communicating tax planning and reporting matters and addressing risk management strategies with parties both inside and outside the boardroom.
Lecturing since 1996 for the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada’s In-Depth Tax Program, I have presented to over 5,000 program participants on Canadian tax topics including corporate reorganizations, cross-border investments and financing transactions.
As a member of both the Canadian Tax Foundation and the International Fiscal Association, I have been a presenter and contributor to the Senior Tax Practitioners’ Institute since 2012.
I am a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, currently serving on the Audit Committee of the Corporation of the County of Prince Edward.
I am an organized, dedicated and ambitious professional with excellent attention to detail and a passion for learning and teaching. With a proven record of championing strategic initiatives that drive business successes and cultural change, I believe I would be a strong addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies Council, serving as a Member at Large.
Jon Khan, Law
I’m trained as a lawyer, and I’ve taught at two law schools. I was previously on the U of T’s “Graduate Academic Appeal Committee”. I believe that my training and experience make me suitable for York’s “Appeals & Academic Honesty Committee”.
Reiss Kruger, Sociology
My name is Reiss, and I am a going-into-6th-year PhD student in the sociology department from the NWT who has brought my small-town approachability to my range of experience in organizing and attending conferences (both national and international), publishing, teaching and helping students, and coordinating with colleagues and staff across disciplines. My own epilepsy has provided an understand of some of the difficulties individuals with a range of disabilities have in post-secondary, and widened my awareness in that regard. My work focused on interdisciplinary dialogue between sociology and philosophy – the work of Alasdair MacIntyre in particular – as well as a range of social theory including recognition theory, interactionist theory, and the sociologies of knowledge and normativity. I think social theory (and academia generally) ought to be more engaging and approachable internally and externally – If you’ve ever seen theorist-pumpkins in the sociology department around Hallowe’en, that’s me!
I am looking to bring my range of academic and personal experience from across the country to sit as a Member-at-Large for the Faculty Council in my final year to bring the best of my experience to York back to the Graduate Faculty.
Carlos Eduardo Pérez Márquez, Political Science
Greetings, everyone! I’m Carlos Pérez Márquez! Today, I’m putting myself forward as a candidate for the Representative of Social Sciences/Humanities Research in our university’s Faculty Council.
During my time at El Colegio de México as a Student Council Representative, I had the opportunity to contribute to important initiatives. Collaborating with university authorities, I helped create a protocol against gender violence. Additionally, I actively participated in providing support to our students and community members affected by the 2017 earthquake that struck central Mexico. These experiences have deeply inspired me, showing me the incredible impact that collective efforts can have on the lives of others.
My mission is crystal clear! I’m committed to ensuring that every student’s well-being and academic growth are prioritized in the Council. Your concerns and aspirations matter, and I’ll be there to represent you with enthusiasm and dedication.
I truly believe in the strength of unity and the positive transformations we can achieve together! If elected, I’ll strive to create an inclusive environment that empowers every student to shape their own educational journey.
Let’s build an enriching academic experience where knowledge thrives, creativity flourishes, and the future holds bright opportunities.
Thank you for considering me as your Representative. Together, we can make a real difference and create a memorable journey at our university!
Greetings,
Carlos Perez Marquez
Jeremy Stephen Ofwono, Public & International Affairs
My name is Jeremy Ofwono and I would like to serve as a Member at Large on the Faculty Council; particularly in the capacity of a Social Sciences/Humanities Research representative. My academic background begins with a Specialised Honours B.A. degree in Global Political Studies from York. I recently graduated with academic honours and I am currently a candidate for a Masters degree in Public and International Affairs.
I am excited about the opportunity to serve as a Member at Large, particularly in the capacity of a Social Sciences/Humanities Research representative. My research background and experience involves working with intergovernmental organisations, such as the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and Public Affairs Africa; these have equipped me with a unique perspective on global challenges and solutions. My personal research interests reside with elements have to do with state security and concerns that directly impact the safety of human life.
As a Member at Large, I will commit to representing the interests of the Social Sciences/Humanities Research community on the Faculty Council. I aim to contribute my unique perspective, research expertise, and passion for global affairs to promote excellence in teaching, research, and innovation within our academic community.
Thank you for considering my candidacy, and I look forward to the possibility of serving the Faculty Council and advancing the goals of our esteemed institution.
Philip James Piluris, Environmental Studies
Dear Voter,
York University has offered me the experience of a lifetime, and I would be honoured to pay some of that goodwill back into our community by serving on a committee.
I have extensive research experience in the sciences and humanities, having published articles on species at risk, conservation efforts, sustainable techniques, and sites of archaeological importance. I have been immersed in the academic world for over a decade and I am familiar with every aspect of its operation.
I also have a history of fair and equitable judgement on previous committees. I have at times sat on advisory boards for grant awards and sustainability initiatives. Keeping a level head under pressures of a committee environment is a critical skill for any member, and I have demonstrated that I remain impartial, yet empathetic, in every scenario.
Furthermore I have spent many years working for a public NGO that has had me do everything from fundraising to public speeches. I am as equally comfortable poring over case files as I am at facing a roaring crowd. I am undaunted by the thought of any difficulties that I may face in the pursuit of providing exemplary service to the community.
Should I be elected to a committee, I vow to uphold the best interests of students, faculty, and our shared academic community. We’re all in this together!
Sincerely,
Philip James Piluris
Brian Waters, Geography
My name is Brian Waters. As a Ph.D. candidate in the geography department, I study water security in West Africa. While critical development theory, engineering, economics, and geography are all foundational aspects of my research, it is the opportunities of the university system that have allowed me to pursue my passion. Whether that is finding funding sources and research opportunities, developing relationships with staff to navigate red tape, or establishing partnerships outside of my department, all of the tools for success are available in a university. However, it can be challenging and time-consuming to navigate the committees, programs, initiatives, and requirements so that we can truly embrace the passion that brought us to university for our graduate research.
I am interested in the Member at Large for the Humanities role so that I can support the graduate programs and initiatives that will remove unnecessary obstacles for my peers and provide them with more tools and opportunities to pursue their passions and career interests. By working with the faculty and other graduate programs, I will do my part to improve York University and make it an even more welcoming and exciting place to grow, study, and pursue the research each of us is passionate about.
Thank you for your consideration.