2017-2018 | ualberta

CMEGSA Executive Committee 2017~2018

*The team was elected by CMEGSA members in August 2017.

Ananthan Santhanakrishnan (President)

I am currently pursuing Masters in Chemical engineering with my research focused on the
upgradation of fossil fuels and advanced characterization of the same under the guidance of Dr. Rajender Gupta. Throughout my education, I have not only been exposed to a high quality
education, but also have given platforms to develop and showcase my leadership and
management skills.

Knowledge, experience and exposure are the things I wish to gain with each opportunity being
provided to me. It’s my pleasure to be a part of the CMEGSA team for the academic year
August 2017 to August 2018. I believe, “Alone, we can do little; together we can do so much”.
So, I am looking forward to work together with all the members to strengthen the relationship
between the Department and the graduate students.

We are here to listen your interests and concerns and to make your life at UofA a better one.
Please feel free to contact us at any time. Your suggestions and feedbacks are always welcome.

Sushmitha Thirumalaivasan (VP Academic)

I am a graduate student in Chemical and Materials Engineering department, working on Optimization of Mixed-culture algal Biorefinery under the supervision of Dr.Vinay Prasad. I am an international student from India, and have been in Edmonton since fall 2016. I have a bachelor’s degree in chemical Engineering from Anna University, India, where I served as the Secretary of IIChE ( Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers).

I have a constant motivation for improving my analytical, technical and communicational skills. My current and past volunteering positions exhibit excellent Organisational and managerial skills. Being a part of CMEGSA as the VP Academic I look forward to organize more academic oriented events. I am looking forward to working with other CMEGSA executives as a favourable team member. Any suggestions related to academic oriented activities will be kindly accepted. Feel free to contact me.

Vishal Subramanian (VP Alumni & External Affairs)

I joined the University of Alberta as a Master's student in Fall '16. The deep passion for working on, and developing, a technology to combat climate change motivated me to travel more than 7500 miles away from home to Alberta. I work under the guidance of Dr Arvind Rajendran on the adsorption based CO2 capture. I am currently developing a simplified mathematical model for fast and efficient screening of adsorbents used in the post-combustion capture of CO2.

I did my Bachelors in Technology in Chemical Engineering from NIT Trichy, India. I was responsible for organising events, workshops and guest lectures during my tenure as Technical Head of Chemical Engineering Association (ChEA ’16), NIT Trichy. I am glad to be part of the CMEGSA Executive committee (2017-2018) and greatly looking forward to working as VP Alumni and External Affairs.

Anika Benozir Asha (VP Student Service)

I am a PhD student in Materials Engineering in Dr. Narain’s research group. My research project focuses on dopamine based polymer synthesis and its surface modification. I am from Bangladesh. I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. Then I worked as a research assistant in Bangladesh. At that time in Bangladesh I participated in organizing several seminars and cultural programs. Out of my interest in volunteer activities I was looking forward to joining in CMEGSA since I was enrolled into University of Alberta in September 2016. Finally, I got the opportunity to serve as VP student service and work with new teams. I also enjoy interacting with people and making friends. My hobby is travelling, photography and dancing. If you have any question please feel free to contact with me.

Carol Dwaik (VP Finance)

I began my MSc in Chemical Engineering program in September 2016 with a focus on oil sands extraction under the supervision of Dr. Zhenghe Xu and Dr. Qingxia Liu. My research scope is electrocoalescence and phase separation time by incorporating the use of electric fields, improving overall extraction efficiency and reducing heat and solvent usage. Recently, I have presented my preliminary research in a joint industry project conference in Scotland, and I completed my BSc in Chemistry with a Mathematical Sciences minor from the U of A in June 2016.

I’ve worked on multiple research projects, including controlled multi-drug delivery biopolymer systems using NIPAm microgels and alginate hydrogels, custom optical epoxy development with Stream Technologies, and a crude oil project with Saudi Aramco.

I have a diverse background in volunteer experience, including DiscoverE, Science Mentors, WISEST, and my role as VP Administration in the Chemical Students’ Association. This year, I will be a Teaching Fellow at the Peter Lougheed Leadership College where I will teach interdisciplinary courses. I am excited to be a part of the CMEGSA this year!

Tai Nguyen (VP Events)

I have started my Ph.D. program in the Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering since Fall 2016. Currently, my research focuses on Carbon capture and storage (CCS), capture technique in particular, under the supervision of Prof. Arvind Rajendran.

I earned my master's degree in Sofia, Bulgaria where I had an opportunity to meet international students from all over the world, to enhance my intercultural skills. I was a member of Erasmus Mundus Organization in UCTM, Sofia which connects international students and builds the friendship with them by participating excursions and parties. Moreover, I was happy to join the summer project 2016 for exchanging cultures in Tryavna, Bulgaria with the presence of students from Netherland, Denmark, Northern Ireland, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Serbia, and Yemen where I gained my cultural diversity knowledge. As an international student, I understand difficulties and necessities while being in a new environment. Throughout events from CMEGSA, I would expect to build an active atmosphere and a friendly environment to welcome all CMEGSA students.

I am eager to be the VP Events of CMEGSA family and I would warmly receive any suggestion, any comment at any time. Please feel free to send me an email or just to grab a coffee with me.

Caitlin Guzzo (VP Communications)

I'm currently pursuing my M.Sc. in Materials Engineering, under the supervision of Dr. John Nychka, focusing on the production and functionalisation of bioactive glasses for use as resorbable bone implants. I recently completed my B.Sc. in Nano and Functional Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta, during which I had the opportunity to work as a research student at the National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT), Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Germany and the University of Leeds, UK. These projects focused on biomedical applications of nanotechnology, preparing me for my current role as a master's student.

In recent years, I have held several leadership positions including Chair of the City of Edmonton Youth Council, VP Finance of the Engineering Students' Society, and VP Academic of the Materials Engineering Students' Society. I'm excited to serve as VP Communications for CMEGSA this year - if you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know!