About Us

Inspiring Excellence, Fostering Community: Our Students, Our Future!

The Translational and Molecular Medicine Students’ Association (TMMSA) is the elected governing body for undergraduate and accelerated stream TMM students at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine. Our association is committed to addressing the diverse needs of our student body, which encompass social, academic, and research-related events. Through active collaboration with other campus organizations, we aim to enrich the overall student experience and cultivate a vibrant community. We encourage you to explore our student body profiles and reach out to us with any questions or assistance you may need – we're here to help!

Meet the 2023-2024 Council

President and VPs

President

Xeius Tran-Wong

Honours Project: In Dr. Thien-Fah Mah lab, my research focuses on the exploration of transcriptional regulators associated with biofilm antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Favourite Part About TMM: The ability to engage in unique research opportunities and making genuine connections with my peers and professors.

Fun Fact: I'm a ski instructor!

Email: pretmmsa@uottawa.ca

VP Finance

Anna Wang

Honours Project: Impact of Parkin deficiency and overexpression on mitophagy and fate decision in muscle stem cells

Favourite Part About TMM: The research opportunities and research-centric courses!

Fun Fact: I like to longboard!

Email: fintmmsa@uottawa.ca

VP Bilingual

Nour El khatib

Honours Project: My research is focused on mitochondrial population differences in 16p11.2 mice model of autism and Wild type mice, we are also looking to see if any differences arise between male and female.

Favourite Part About TMM: I really like the fact that we are a small group and we all know each other.

Fun Fact: I speak 4 languages!

Email: biltmmsa@uottawa.ca

VP Internal

Hoda Osman

Honours Project: How lipids and lipoproteins contribute to molecular events which lead to metabolic and cardiovascular disease.

Favourite Part About TMM: My favourite part of TMM is being surrounded by like-minded driven individuals who motivate you to work hard and look out for one another!

Fun Fact: A fun fact about me is that I used to play competitive basketball for 7 years!

Email: inttmmsa@uottawa.ca

VP External

Madeeha Shaikh

Honours Project: My research project is in the field of epigenetics, and using Chip-Seq data, my objective is to use bioinformatic tools to determine if metapeak analysis can provide candidate epigenetic landmarks and if the concept of meta peaks are biologically meaningful.

Favourite Part About TMM: The hands on research experience and opportunity to connect with like minded individuals!

Fun Fact: I'm a professional henna artist!

Email: exttmmsa@uottawa.ca

VP Academic

Helly Bharwad

Honours Project: I investigate the effects of the hepatitis delta virus small antigen protein on HIV long terminal repeat transcription

Favourite Part About TMM: Motivated and likeminded individuals like me!

Fun Fact: I have a birthmark in my eye!

Email: acatmmsa@uottawa.ca

Coordinators

Social Media Coordinator

Ayesha Syed

Honours/Masters Project: In Dr. Wiper-Bergeron's lab, I am fervently engaged in analyzing the secretome of seven murine cancer cell lines, exploring their intricate connections with cancer cachexia.

Favourite Part About TMM: I love that we get the opportunity to delve into diverse research fields, allowing us to pursue our passions!

Fun Fact: I love whitewater rafting and figure skating!

Email: soctmmsa@uottawa.ca

WhatsApp Image 2023-11-18 at 15.25_edite

Promotions Coordinator

Jenny Zhang

Honours/Masters Project: In Dr. Maxime Rousseaux's lab, I am passionately working towards uncovering the intricate molecular pathways involved with ALS.

Favourite Part About TMM: My favourite part about TMM is getting to meet people who share similar interests and passions as me. As well as the hands-on lab experience!

Fun Fact: I have been playing piano since I was 3!

Email: protmmsa@uottawa.ca

Outreach Coordinator

Siyona Kassel

Honours Project: Establishing the link between the novel histone H3 reader TONSL, and the epigenetic mark H3K4 mono- methylation on HR-mediated DNA Repair.

Favourite Part About TMM: The unique curriculum encourages you to apply your learning of the biomedical sciences to the world of research. It's also wonderful to be part of a close-knit study body!

Fun Fact: I enjoy playing soccer and have been coaching young kids for years!

Email: outtmmsa@uottawa.ca

Research and Careers Coordinator

Bella

Honours Project: Identifying the roles of HIF proteins in the reprogramming process of pericytes to neurons,for an in vitro rodent stroke model

Favourite Part About TMM: I appreciate the TMM program for various reasons but my favorite part would be the small classroom sizes. This personalized setting enhances my understanding, encourages active participation, and facilitates valuable interactions allowing me to make numerous friends all while trying to navigate proteins or our own metabolism!

Fun Fact: I use to swim Competitively for 4 years

Email: rnctmmsa@uottawa.ca

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Coordinator

Lillian Abebe

Honours Project: My current research project focuses on how mechanisms of mitochondrial quality control are involved in the progression of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Favourite Part About TMM: I love the tight-knit community we have in TMM, where support is always available and everyone is willing to help each other!

Fun Fact: I have been playing the piano for 17 years!

Email: editmmsa@uottawa.ca

Recruitment Coordinator

Amy Stewart

Honours Project: I am researching the role of noradrenaline in motor learning delays that are observed in a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder

Favourite Part About TMM: I love the focus on using current research to deepen our understanding of scientific methods and improve our scientific communication skills.

Fun Fact: I'm the president of the uOttawa Boxing Club!

Email: rectmmsa@uottawa.ca

3rd Year Representatives

English Rep

Omar Moghrabi

Favourite Part About TMM: The tightknit community, the hands-on learning, the interconnectedness of course content.

Fun Fact: I can identify just about any country's flag

French Rep

Lia Morton

Favourite Part About TMM: My favourite part about TMM is the opportunity to learn advanced scientific research techniques so early on in my academic journey through the Fall Term Discovery Lab and the Winter Term Rotations.

Fun Fact:I have a 10 year old cat named Mushi.