Intersectional Sexualized Violence Advisory Group

Graduate Student Resource Working Group

Graduate Student Resource Development Team

Supported by the BCcampus project management team and Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills staff.

Graduate Student Scenario Authors

Catherina Blair is a master’s student in the Social Justice Education Department at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, located on the traditional unceded territories known as Tkaronto. In June 2022, she graduated with a bachelor of arts (honours) in sociology with a minor in gender and women’s studies and a certificate of bilingualism in French and English from York University. Catherina has worked within the sexual and gender-based violence sector in higher education for over half a decade and hopes to continue her work throughout her graduate studies.

Helen Roitberg is a master of public health student at the University of British Columbia. She is privileged to live, work, and study on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Helen received a bachelor’s degree in political science (honours) from the University of Alberta, which is located on Treaty 6 territory, the ancestral lands of many diverse Indigenous peoples, including the Métis, Cree, Nakota Sioux, Blackfoot, Ojibway, and Inuit. Helen was inspired to pursue a career in public health after working with women experiencing intimate partner violence, homelessness, and substance use at the emergency women’s shelter in her rural Alberta community.

Robline Davey is a Métis woman with French, English, and Belgian descent who lives and works in Kamloops on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Secwépemc Nation. She is a PhD candidate at Simon Fraser University with research interests in equity in higher education with a focus on educational technology and learning design.

Ladan Yeganeh Rad is a master’s student in chemistry at Simon Fraser University, working as a research assistant on paper-based biosensors. Ladan firmly believes that a friendly and supportive research environment, devoid of boundary violations and harassment, plays a crucial role in enhancing productivity. This belief led Ladan to join the BCcampus project, where they are enthusiastic about being a small contributor to this important initiative.

Lareeb Umer is a PhD student in chemistry at Simon Fraser University. After completing her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Calgary, she decided to pursue her graduate studies elsewhere in pursuit of new adventures and warm weather. Balancing academic commitments and personal interests, Lareeb enjoys part-time fencing and DIY-ing, with a particular interest in restoring antique and vintage goods. Through her pursuits, Lareeb aspires to foster the exchange of knowledge and create dynamic learning experiences, all while welcoming diverse viewpoints.

Harshini Nadig Seetharam is a trailblazing biomedical researcher and passionate educator. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University. She earned her bachelor of science and master of science degrees with high honours from Bangalore University. As a research assistant at SFU, Harshini investigates cardiac arrhythmias in zebrafish hearts using a novel ion channel activator compound. She’s a certified psychological counsellor and a dedicated mother of a four-year-old daughter.

Jess Hercus is a master of science student in biology at Simon Fraser University and lives and works on the unceded ancestral territories of the səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) nations. Their research focuses on placental biology, specifically on the role played by fetal sex in placental responses to adversity. Their goal is to use their voice in ways that elevate underrepresented communities and groups, and to continue to do research that contributes to chronically under-studied scientific fields such as pregnancy.

Hamza Hanif is pursuing his PhD at Simon Fraser University. A staunch advocate for gender equality, he has led multiple initiatives, inspiring underrepresented groups to venture into the field of science. Hamza’s ambition is to emerge as a leader in science and to campaign for educational policy reforms that will democratize access to quality education.

Kavisha Thathsarani Rathnayake is a second-year international graduate student studying in the department of Chemistry at Simon Fraser University. She is originally from Sri Lanka, a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean. She came to Canada in 2021 with her husband, who is also a graduate student at the same university. She is passionate about mentoring and teaching to support people in succeeding in their academic pathways. In Sri Lanka, she has worked as a teacher and has volunteered in community activities held at children’s homes in the field of STEM. Kavisha’s goals include figuring out interesting methods to be practised in chemistry education for children.