Executives

Current Executive:

Thank you to our previous executive members:

(and to all those who are not pictured below!)

Ryan Rimas

President

I am a PhD candidate under the supervision of Dr. Kerri Finlay. My conducted research looks at how climate change impacts greenhouse gas emissions from drying artificial agricultural ponds in southern Saskatchewan. In the right conditions, these productive waterbodies have the potential to help mitigate climate change by capturing and storing carbon. I was born and raised in the Greater Toronto Area developing a strong affinity for the Toronto Raptors, so on my off time I like to coach basketball, and if my knees allow me, play as well. During my hours of procrastination, I enjoy eating and cooking, high tea and playing video games.

Hannah Wilson

Vice President & Coordinator

I am a MSc Candidate studying interspecific interactions between bats under the supervision of Mark Brigham. My research looks at how bats respond to distress calls made by different species and what factors affect that response. So, nothing to do with the picture above. I also love reading, swimming, and watching very niche history docs on YouTube.

Tory Hartley

Danae Suchan

President

I’m a Master’s student supervised by Dr. Cameron with the Institute for Microbial Systems and Society at the University of Regina. My research involves diverse fields of microbiology: zoonotic disease, agricultural plant-microbe interactions, bioremediation, and bacterial community geochemistry. I also enjoy board games, good (lame?) puns, and hiking.

Ryan Rimas

Vice President

I’m a graduate student under the supervision of Dr. Kerri Finlay. My study looks at the potential processes for inundated and dried dugouts as carbon sinks in agricultural landscapes in southern Saskatchewan. I graduated with a double major in Geography and Environmental Studies at York University. Within the same institution I pursued an MSc. in Geography studying carbon fluxes in ponds in Churchill, Manitoba (polar bear capital of the world). Outside of academia, I enjoy watching kdramas, eating, and being in the same room with cats.

Justin Odynski

Treasurer

Alex Cameron

Secretary

Nikki Burnett

Event Coordinator

I’m a masters student supervised by Dr. Yost and Dr. Cameron. My research focuses on changes in the root microbiome of peas and lentils during a root rot infection.

Caroline Ofosu

Event Coordinator

Nicole Katona

Resource Director

I am an undergraduate student currently enrolled in the pre-veterinary program. I am usually the first point of contact for anyone who uses the BUGS lounge. In my free time I typically enjoy every form of gaming from console to PC to board/card games.

Dana Green

Communications/IT Director

I am a PhD Student studying migratory syndromes of North American bats, co-supervised by Dr. Erin Bearwald and Dr. Mark Brigham. I earned my BSc from Missouri State University and my MSc from Northern Arizona University. I have studied bats since 2012 but have also studied salamanders, armadillos, and grasshopper mice. I have a love for researching animal behaviour and conservation, with a focus on communication, sociality, and perception. For fun I love hiking, playing with my dogs, and sitting out in a hammock with a good book.

Jones Kalyniuk

Graduate Student Representative

I am a masters student working in John Stavrinides’ lab on developing a novel disinfectant for application on eggs in the Canadian hatchery industry. My role within BUGS is as the graduate student representative, and you may see me making announcements at the biology department’s weekly seminars.

Aidan Hamilton and Zave Goetz

Undergraduate Representative

Aidan: I’m an undergraduate student in my third year. I work in Dr. Manzon’s fish lab and have interest in many fields of biology. In my free time I play sports and love all kinds of outdoor activities.

Josh Christiansen

Undergraduate Representative

I’m an undergraduate student studying bats in Dr. Brigham’s Bird and Bat Lab. My research has involved the study of anthropogenic noise’s impact on bat activity in Regina, SK as well as the movement ecology and diets of bats in Cypress Hills, SK. I love bats but my passion has always been with the ocean and I hope to pursue a MSc. and PhD. in marine biology. For fun, I love playing ultimate frisbee and hiking and my hobbies include photography, painting, digital art/design, and pyrography.

Ashton Sies

Graduate Representative

I'm an MSc candidate studying bacterial genetics under the supervision of Dr. Andrew Cameron. My research involves the study of bacterial plasmids in coastal marine ecosystems, with a focus on microbes associated with marine animals like shellfish and finfish. I aim to discover what genes are transferred between marine bacteria on plasmids, and if these pose potential threats to animal and human health. Outside of research, I enjoy camping, hiking, and being outdoors.

Mackenzie Moore

Secretary & Treasurer

I am a fourth year undergrad student interested in clinical genetics. I am currently conducting research in a microbiology lab under the supervision of Dr. John Stavrinides assessing novelty of natural antibiotics. I am also conducting research in a neurobiology and immunology lab under the supervision of Dr. Josef Buttigieg examining lesions in the cerebellum of mice induced with multiple sclerosis type symptoms. I will be pursuing a MSc degree in Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto in fall 2022. Beyond biology, I enjoy coaching Special Olympics basketball and softball. My role in BUGS is Secretary and Treasurer.

Dr. Maria Davis

Faculty Representative

Maria's current research interests lie in uncovering how environmental bacterial species mediate stress responses to changing conditions in their local ecosystems. Students interested in a summer research project, independent study (BIOL396) or honours (BIOL498/499) please contact her via email (maria.davis@uregina.ca).

Ashlyn Kirk

President

I am a graduate student currently completing my Master's degree in the lab of Dr. John Stavrinides. I am passionate about clinical microbiology and combatting the antimicrobial resistance crisis. My current research is focused on developing a high-throughput screening technique to uncover novel antibiotic biosynthetic gene clusters in bacteria and exploring the antibiotic-producing capabilities of Pantoea. Aside from biology, I enjoy cooking, going to the gym, and spending time outdoors.

Stephanie Flaman

Vice- President

I am a MSc student under the supervision of Dr. Mark Vanderwel and Dr. Fardausi Akhter (who is from Agriculture Canada). My research involves evaluating how well technologies, such as drone imagery, can estimate shelterbelt biomass. Shelterbelts are planted linear lines of trees on agriculture land with the original purpose of blocking the strong prairie winds from destroying crops and eroding soil. But they also store lots of carbon, which is the focus of my research! In my spare time, I love bird watching, playing my trombone, and running!

Faraz Khan

Social Media/IT Coordinator

I am a MSc. student in Dr. Britt Hall's Prairie Wetland Mercury Lab. My research interests include the role of carbon in surface water systems and biogeochemistry in general. My research focuses on understanding dissolved organic carbon and its relation to mercury methylation in prairie wetlands. I did my undergraduate honours degree here at the University of Regina. My fieldwork involves the outdoors, which I love. In my free time I like to watch/read sci-fi TV and books, discover new music, and go to the gym.

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