Our Board of Director
Afroza Parvin (Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ph.D)
Hello Bison!
I am a third-year PhD student in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. My research focuses on investigating the mechanisms of a rare neurological disorder linked to autism, seizures, and epilepsy. Beyond my research, I am actively involved in student leadership and volunteer activities.
I am currently working as the Councilor for my department, working with department administration and the HSGSA to support student needs and improve graduate student experience. I also assisted in organizing events such as the Brain Bee Competition and the Manitoba Neuroscience Network Conference and participated in mentorship initiatives. These experiences have strengthened my leadership skills and prepared me to serve as an UMGPS Board of Director.
As a graduate student, I understand the challenges students face and I am committed to representing their interests, promoting open communication, student engagement, and working collaboratively with students and board members to create opportunities that enhance graduate student experience.
Angela Okware (Finance, M.Fin)
My name is Angela Okware, and I am currently pursuing a Master of Finance at the Asper School of Business. I am passionate about finance, data analysis, generating meaningful insights, and improving processes to drive better outcomes.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University and an MBA from Edinburgh Business School.
Having lived in Winnipeg for the past year, I have enjoyed becoming part of the University of Manitoba community and am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the graduate student experience.
With extensive international experience in finance, I have managed budget cycles exceeding USD 20 million for multinational organizations, overseeing financial planning, budgeting, performance monitoring, and reporting. I have also led policy localization initiatives, ensuring global financial policies are effectively adapted to local business environments.
I am committed to responsible financial stewardship, transparency, and supporting initiatives that create value for our graduate student community. I look forward to working collaboratively with the UMGPS team and engaging with students to ensure our resources are managed effectively and in ways that best support your academic and professional journey.
Joel Robinson (Environment & Geography, M.Sc)
My name is Joel Robinson, and I am an M.Sc. student in Environment & Geography at the Centre for Earth Observation Science (CEOS), within the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources.
Prior to starting my studies at the University of Manitoba, I spent 9 years at Wilfrid Laurier University helping faculty integrate technology into their teaching and supporting the campus community with the learning management system. Before that, I spent nearly 6 years in software development, implementing solutions at colleges and universities across North America, including the world’s largest career services, co-op, and work-integrated learning programs. As an undergraduate student, I served as Vice President of Public Affairs for the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union, where I led communications and marketing for the organization while managing a substantial budget, several staff, and over 100 volunteers.
I am joining the UMGPS Board of Directors because I am passionate about student issues. I want to help ensure the Society remains responsive to the needs of graduate and postdoctoral students. I care deeply about organizational transparency and believe students are best served when governance decisions are clear, accountable, and open to scrutiny. I hope to contribute to setting a strategic direction that balances immediate student needs with sustainable long-term goals.
Outside of my research, I am passionate about sports, nature, people, travel, and learning. In my limited spare time, I can be found at the gym, playing guitar, going for a hike, or spending time with friends.