The Executive Committee is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the UMGSA. All of the Executive Members are elected during the UMGSA general elections held each March. If you would like to suggest ideas, raise your concerns, or meet with any of our Executives for any reason, call us at 204-474-9181 or e-mail us to make an appointment.
The Executive is led by the President & Senator, who serves as the top executive of the UMGSA. This role oversees the overall strategic direction, high-level management, and accountability of the association, and supervises all staff and executive members either directly or indirectly.
The Vice-President, Academic Affairs & Senator (VPAA) focuses on internal academic advocacy at the University of Manitoba. The role involves shaping academic policy, supporting student funding initiatives, coordinating academic programming, and managing aspects of operations and events.
The Vice-President, Equity & Inclusion (VPEI) leads UMGSA’s equity-driven work, promoting anti-oppression, anti-racism, and inclusion. They help transform the association’s culture and advocacy to support marginalized and equity-deserving communities.
The Vice-President, Events & Clubs (VPEC) is responsible for organizing and leading UMGSA-hosted events and engagement activities. With support from staff, they oversee planning, budgeting, and resource allocation for events that enhance graduate student life.
The Vice-President, External Affairs & Senator (VPEA) manages advocacy and policy efforts directed at external stakeholders such as government bodies and partner organizations. Their role includes lobbying, representing student interests externally, and contributing to events and operations management.
The Vice-President, Health Sciences (VPHS) represents graduate students based at the Bannatyne and St. Boniface campuses, ensuring clear communication and strong collaboration with Fort Garry campus and UMGSA executives.
The Vice-President, Postdoctoral Affairs (VPPA) acts as the liaison between postdoctoral fellows and the broader graduate student community. They represent the interests of postdocs through coordination with the University of Manitoba Postdoctoral Fellows Association and collaboration within UMGSA.
Timilehin Oluwajuyitan, UMGSA President & Senator
Timilehin Oluwajuyitan – UMGSA President & Senator: pres@umgps.org (He/Him)
Office Hours: Tuesdays – 2pm-4pm – please book appointment ahead of time.
Hello Bison!
My name is Timilehin Oluwajuyitan (Timi). I am a PhD candidate in the Food and Human Nutritional Sciences Department. My PhD work focuses on extracting and purifying proteins and peptides, which may serve as health-promoting nutritional tools to remedy diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, kidney failure, and dementia (Alzheimer’s).
I have gained broad experience in student leadership and volunteering roles. This includes two term UMGSA vice president service and support (2024/2025 and 2023/2024); University of Manitoba Graduate Student Award Assessment Committee (2022/ 2023); Graduate Student Representative of Food Science and Technology Department, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Nigeria (2017 – 2022); Secretary student social and welfare committee, FUTA Student Union (2012 – 2015), during my first- and second-degree program from home country (Nigeria). This and many more have made me interact with students on different platforms, seeing the daily challenges.
It is collaboratively that we can instigate transformation and enhance the academic experience for all graduate students at the university. It is this aspiration to which I am resolutely dedicated to pursuing the roles of President and Senator. Nevertheless, the University comprises a heterogeneous network of students from many ethnicities and cultures, making inclusivity important. Should I be elected president and senator, I guarantee establishing a conducive environment that facilitates our daily academic endeavours. As a team player, good listener, and communicator, I will ensure adequate service to all graduate students.
Vice-President Academic & Senator
Lamia Mahzabin – Vice-President, Academic Affairs & Senator: vpa@umgps.org (She/her)
Office Hours: Thursday – 11am-1pm – please book appointment ahead of time.
Hello fellow graduate students!
I am Lamia Mahzabin, your newly elected Vice-President Academic and Senator for the year 2025-2026. I am pursuing my Masters in Natural Resources Management at the Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba. I have done my Bachelors in Environmental Science from North South University, Bangladesh.
As the VPA, my role is to further programs and initiatives that enhance the academic life of graduate students. I am committed to advocate for fellow graduates in their academic journey. In my tenure, I plan to organize pertinent workshops and seminars in collaboration with student communities to elevate your student experience at the campus. I am passionate about addressing key issues faced by the students, especially access to funding opportunities and affordable living.
Please reach out to me with any questions, concerns or ideas that you may have to help our student community. I look forward to serving you through UMGSA!
Vice-President, External Affairs & Senator
Armin Aghajani – Vice-President, External Affairs & Senator: vpe@umgps.org (He/him)
Office Hours: Mondays – 2:30pm- 4:30pm – please book appointment ahead of time.
Hello fellow graduate students,
My name is Armin, and I am honored to serve as your Vice President External for the UMGSA. As a Ph.D. candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a former Senator and Vice President, I’ve consistently worked to ensure graduate student voices are heard and respected.
Last year, I led a successful referendum to include legal care coverage in our student insurance plan—an important step toward stronger support for graduate students. I remain committed to advocating for your interests by building relationships with external stakeholders that benefit our community.
In this role, I will continue fostering connections with university leadership, government officials, and partner organizations to advance issues that matter most to you.
I am here to listen, represent, and act—ensuring our collective concerns translate into meaningful outcomes.
Let’s work together to make this year impactful for all graduate students.
Vice-President, Equity & Inclusion
Peggy Wu – Vice-President, Equity & Inclusion: vpei@umgps.org (She/her)
Office Hours: Thursday – 2pm – 4pm – please book appointment ahead of time.
Hello, fellow graduate students!
My name is Peggy Wu, and I’m truly honored to serve as your Vice-President Equity & Inclusion for 2025–2026. I am currently pursuing my Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management and Logistics at the I.H. Asper School of Business.
As an international student myself, I deeply understand how important it is to feel seen, heard, and supported. I believe that equity, diversity, and inclusion are the heart of a vibrant, welcoming community. Drawing from my experience in coordination, teamwork, and student advocacy, I am passionate about creating a space where every voice matters and every student feels they truly belong.
In my role as VPEI, I am committed to listening with patience, empathy, and an open heart. I hope to be not only your advocate but also your friend—someone you can confide in, share your journey with, and grow alongside. Together with you, I will work to promote inclusive dialogue, foster meaningful connections, and help build a campus environment where we all thrive.
Please feel free to reach out anytime, whether you have ideas, concerns, or simply want someone to listen. I am always here for you, and I look forward to walking this journey together as we continue to support, uplift, and inspire one another.
Associate Vice President Indigenous (reports to the VP Equity & Inclusion)
Taylor Galvin Ozaawi Mashkode-Bizhiki (Brown Buffalo) – Associate Vice President Indigenous: avpi@umgps.org
Taylor Galvin Ozaawi Mashkode-Bizhiki (Brown Buffalo) is a proud Anishinaabe woman from Brokenhead Ojibway Nation and a member of the Sturgeon Clan. She is a graduate student at the University of Manitoba, where her Master’s thesis explores Lake Sturgeon conservation
through Indigenous science, oral storytelling, and community-based knowledge. She is also one of the lead plaintiffs and knowledge keepers in the Lake Winnipeg personhood case, advancing Indigenous water governance on the legal stage.
Taylor serves as the Brokenhead Wetland Ecological Reserve Chair and is the community coordinator for an Indigenous-led environmental monitoring project in Tataskweyak Cree Nation. She is a lifelong student of many Elders and Knowledge Keepers across Manitoba.
She walks in both worlds, using Western and Indigenous sciences to guide her work in land guardianship, ceremony, and environmental protection. Taylor’s advocacy centers Indigenous youth, especially young women, whom she mentors through teachings on plants, medicines, and ceremony. She brings them into spaces of leadership to see themselves reflected in this work. Taylor has shared Indigenous knowledge internationally—from the Netherlands to Belize to the United Nations in New York City—and attributes every opportunity to the strength of her people, the power of ceremony, and the resilience of community teachings.
Vice-President, Events & Clubs
Diwan Oulai – Vice-President Events & Clubs: vpec@umgps.org (He/him)
Office Hours: Wednesday – 12pm – 2pm – please book appointment ahead of time.
Hello Bisons!
My name is Diwan Oulai. I am a master’s student in the Peace and Conflict Studies Program and I am excited to be serving as your Vice President Events and Clubs. Throughout my academic journey and various experiences, I have developed a strong passion for social cohesion and community engagement and gained a deep understanding of the importance of creating inclusive and supportive environments that foster student well-being and success.
With a strong background in leadership and volunteering, I have had the opportunity to organize, facilitate, and coordinate numerous events and activities that promote student engagement and community building. My experiences include serving as VP External for the African Graduate Students Association, Interim Executive Member for the Peace and Conflict Studies Students Association, International Student Officer for Lancaster Ghana Student Council, Volunteer and Active Listening Counsellor for AFS Global Choice Canada, and Young Adults Coordinator at the Grace Communion Winnipeg, among others. These roles have not only honed my skills in event planning and management but also given me valuable insight into the needs and concerns of students.
As your Vice President of Events and Clubs, my vision is to create a dynamic, supportive, and student-focused community that thrives on engagement, participation, wellness, and empowerment. Do not hesitate to reach out to me, I am here for you. Together, we can make have an amazing journey.
Vice President, Health Sciences
Ashraf Kadar Shahib – Vice President Health Sciences: vphs@umgps.org (He/him)
Office Hours: Friday – 3:30pm-5:30pm – 114 Brodie Centre – please book appointment ahead of time.
Hello everyone!
I’m Ashraf Kadar Shahib, and I’m honored to serve as the President of the Health Sciences Graduate Students’ Association (HSGSA) for the 2025–2026 term, and simultaneously as the Vice-President Health Sciences at the UMGSA. I am currently pursuing my PhD in the Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics at the University of Manitoba’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. My passion lies in creating a supportive, inclusive, and vibrant community for all graduate students within the University of Manitoba.
Before being elected as the President, I served as the Vice-President Marketing and Events for HSGSA, where I had the opportunity to organize major social and cultural events. These events brought together students from diverse backgrounds and helped foster a strong sense of community among us. In addition, I have held leadership roles where I developed valuable skills in event management, strategic planning, and student engagement.
As President, my focus is on enhancing student engagement through diverse events and initiatives, improving communication between the student council and the broader student body, expanding professional development opportunities including workshops and networking events, advocating for mental health and wellness resources, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration across departments. I am committed to leading with integrity, empathy, and a passion for excellence.
I look forward to working closely with the HSGSA and UMGSA executive team and council to build a stronger, more connected graduate student community. I encourage all students to share their ideas, voice their concerns, and get involved so that together we can make this year memorable and impactful for everyone.
Vice President, Postdoctoral Affairs
Nazanin Vafaei – Vice President, Postdoctoral Affairs: vppa@umgps.org (She/her)
Office Hours: Thursdays and Fridays from 12:00–1:00 PM – please book appointment ahead of time.
Hello Postdocs and Research Associates!
My name is Nazanin Vafaei, and I am honoured to serve as the President of the Postdoctoral and Research Associates Organization (PDRAO) at the University of Manitoba. I hold a Ph.D. in Food and Human Nutritional Sciences from the University of Manitoba, where my research focused on sustainable extraction and functionalization of fats and proteins. I also hold advanced expertise in supercritical CO₂ extraction, enzymatic biocatalysis, and lipid structuring technologies.
Currently, I am a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Richardson Centre for Food Technology and Research, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on innovations in sustainable processing of canola oil and protein ingredients. As President of the PDRAO, my vision is to foster a strong, inclusive, and supportive postdoctoral community. I am passionate about advocating for equitable opportunities, mental health support, and professional development for all postdocs and research associates. My leadership is rooted in collaboration, transparency, and the belief that every voice matters.
Outside of research, I am actively involved in grant writing, science communication, and career development initiatives. I look forward to connecting with many of you, listening to your ideas, and working together to elevate the postdoctoral experience at the University of Manitoba.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out—whether with suggestions, questions, or simply to say hello!