Meet the BME Graduate Mentorship Program 2026-2027 Team
The Biomedical Engineering Graduate Mentorship Program (BME GMP) is a student-led initiative that connects graduate students with peer mentors to support their academic and professional development. Through mentorship pairings and community events, the program helps students build connections, share experiences, and navigate graduate school within the BME community. Returning for another year, the program will be led by a team of graduate student volunteers who are committed to fostering a supportive and engaging environment for mentors and mentees alike. Meet the 2026-27 BME GMP executive team below.
September 21, 2026
Sajida Chowdhury
What is your name and title in BME GMP?
Hi! I’m Sajida, a 3rd year PhD student and I am Co-President of the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Mentorship Program.
What inspired you to take on this role? What are you hoping to accomplish this year?
I’ve always seen mentorship as a core element of building a strong community. It gives people a chance to share what they’ve learned, support each other, and make connections along the way. In my first year of grad school, I had a wonderful mentor who became not only someone I could turn to for advice, but also a friend and an important part of my BME community. Last year, as Mentorship Co-Chair, I got to see firsthand how these connections can extend beyond just a mentor and mentee. As Co-President this year, I’d like to build on that momentum, expand the program, and make peer mentorship a bigger part of the BME graduate experience.
Share something interesting about yourself.
I’m a beach girl! I love going to the water and singing as I hear the waves hit the shore.
Savina Cammalleri
What is your name and title in BME GMP?
Heyy, I am Savina, a 4 year PhD candidate in the Wheeler lab and Co-President of BME GMP.
What inspired you to take on this role? What are you hoping to accomplish this year?
I took on the role of Co-President of the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Mentorship Program because this community has meant so much to me over the three years I've spent organizing it. Grad school can be an incredibly isolating experience, and being vulnerable enough to admit you're struggling or ask for help doesn't come easily to most of us. But I've seen firsthand how powerful it is when students find the courage to make that connection anyway, and how much a genuine mentor relationship can change their experience for the better. As co-president, I want to keep building spaces where people feel safe reaching out, and help grow a program that made such a difference in my own time here into something even more meaningful for the students who come after us.
Share something interesting about yourself.
I love to bake, especially bread. My favorite is probably making focaccia!! If you want bread recipes hit me up!
Ferdinand Avikpe
What is your name and title in BME GMP?
I’m Reke, a 4th year PhD student and returning Treasurer of the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Mentorship Program.
What inspired you to take on this role? What are you hoping to accomplish this year?
I have been part of BME GMP since its very beginning as one of the founding executives, so it has been really rewarding to see how much the program has grown over the past few years. I initially got involved because I wanted to help create a stronger sense of community among graduate students and make it easier for students to connect with and learn from one another. Returning as Treasurer this year, I’m excited to continue supporting the program as it grows and to help make sure we have the resources to bring our ideas to life and create meaningful experiences for BME students.
Share something interesting about yourself.
I’m a huge foodie! I love trying new foods and discovering new restaurants, and I’m almost always down to try something at least once.
Maya Zandstra
What is your name and title in BME GMP?
Hi! I’m Maya, a second year MASc student and I am director of events and communications of the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Mentorship Program.
What inspired you to take on this role? What are you hoping to accomplish this year?
Last year I was a mentee in this program and the experience genuinely shaped my first year of graduate school. I would now love to help create that same experience for incoming students. Navigating the transition into grad school can be a challenging adjustment and having someone in your corner makes a real difference. This year I hope to help foster a community of mentorship within BME that will allow us to support each other in achieving our goals, creating a space for open conversation and true mentorship. I am excited to bring the community together through some fun events along the way!
Share something interesting about yourself.
I have a golden retriever named Ellie who is the love of my life. Some of my favorite activities include walking her, giving her treats, and taking her to the beach/on hikes when I can.
Zoe Paraskevopoulos
What is your name and title in BME GMP?
I’m Zoe, a 2nd year PhD student and I am the Mentorship Co-Chair of the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Mentorship Program.
What inspired you to take on this role? What are you hoping to accomplish this year?
In my first year of graduate school, I was a mentee in the program, and it was an amazing experience. My lab is very work-from-home oriented, so getting advice on committee meetings, awards, and other graduate student responsibilities could be difficult and intimidating. I relied on my mentor a lot to help guide me through these experiences when I was at a loss and unsure of what to do. I’d love the opportunity to help new students join the program and connect with the great mentors in the BME community as well. This year, I hope to support the program as it expands and ensure that everyone who participates has access to the same supportive mentorship that I was fortunate to receive.
Share something interesting about yourself.
I love skiing in the winter and have taught it for over 5 years. Ironically, I absolutely hate the cold though.
Kate MacQuarrie
What is your name and title in BME GMP?
Hi! I’m Kate, a 5th-year PhD candidate, and a Mentorship Co-Chair of the BME Graduate Mentorship Program for 2026-27.
What inspired you to take on this role? What are you hoping to accomplish this year?
I benefited greatly from mentorship on my path to graduate school, so throughout my PhD, I have mentored in various contexts, including working as a teaching assistant, supervising undergraduate students in the lab, judging student competitions, and volunteering with high school students. Last year, I was also part of the BME GMP as a mentor to two first-year graduate students, and I found that experience really fun and rewarding. This year, I wanted to expand my involvement by supervising both mentors and mentees at a higher level and by working with the GMP executive team!
Share something interesting about yourself.
I am a huge movie/book nerd! I love everything from horror movies to rom-coms; the weirder the better. I also love memoirs, non-fiction, and literary fiction, and I’m always looking for new recs:)
Paige McFarlane
What is your name and title in BME GMP?
Hello! I am Paige, a 2nd-year PhD student and Director of Operations for BME GMP 2026-2027.
What inspired you to take on this role? What are you hoping to accomplish this year?
Mentorship has been something I pursued from undergrad through working as an engSuccess mentor to being a Blueprint mentor in the summers. I also had an amazing mentor who truly helped guide me in my first year through BME GMP. Having been on both sides of mentor and mentee I know how important mentorship programs are, so I took on this role to help extend the experience and be a part of a team that thrives on sharing the joys and benefits of mentorship. I hope to accomplish a smooth running of BME GMP events and organization of the BME GMP team.
Share something interesting about yourself.
I love to eat and I love scrapbooking so I have scrapbooking spreads dedicated to food.
Valerie Kwong
What is your name and title in BME GMP?
Hi! I’m Valerie, a 3rd year PhD student and the Director of Program Engagement for the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Mentorship Program.
What inspired you to take on this role? What are you hoping to accomplish this year?
I’ve been a mentor with BME GMP for the past two years, and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know students and supporting them. Through those experiences, I’ve seen how valuable it can be to have someone to reach out to for advice, questions, or even just a friendly conversation. As Director of Program Engagement, I’m hoping to keep mentors and mentees connected throughout the year, create more opportunities for everyone to interact, and help build a welcoming and supportive BME community.
Share something interesting about yourself.
I’m a huge sushi lover, and I could probably eat sushi every day without getting tired of it. I’m always excited to try new restaurants!
