Rishika Selvakumar is a PhD student at the University of British Columbia whose research focuses on youth mental health access and health system resource allocation in British Columbia. She is passionate about evidence-informed policy, health economics, and the evaluation of early intervention programs. Excited to bridge the gap between youth and research, Rishika is committed to supporting this thriving vision to expand across Canada. In her free time, she can often be found baking or hiking.

Sania Julian is a recent graduate of the BSc in Integrated Sciences program with interests in research and knowledge translation. She is passionate about using evidence to inform meaningful change in youth mental health and wellbeing. In her spare time, Sania enjoys reading and spending time in the outdoors.

I am a fourth-year student at the University of British Columbia, studying International Relations with a minor in Health and Society. I'm interested in learning about how diverse political and social contexts around the world shape infrastructure, governance, and civil society development, particularly relating to healthcare. Having worked and volunteered in public-facing and outreach roles, IYER perfectly combines my interest in community engagement and knowledge mobilization, and I look forward to supporting the organization however I can! In my free time, I'm typically watching TV or a movie, but I hope to pick up some new hobbies over the next year.

Hello! I’m Michael Kamaszewski, a first-year science student at UBC. I’m interested in all things science, but an area I love most is health science. Learning about living systems, how they interact, and the endless complexities of the human body really fascinates me. It is one of many areas of research I’m really excited to share with others through this program! Outside of school, I’m huge into music; I produce music on my own time and am also a piano teacher. Otherwise, you can find me rock climbing or hiking, on a rare Vancouver sunny day!

My name is Phoebe Maierhofer, and I am a second-year Biology undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia, originally from Boulder, Colorado. I am pursuing the pre-medical track and am passionate about bridging the gap between research and youth engagement to create meaningful impact within youth communities. I am excited to contribute to collaborative initiatives within the IYER Canadian Coalition and to work alongside individuals from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, including researchers, graduate students, and fellow youth leaders.

Hello! My name is Fiona Yang, and I’m a second-year Food, Nutrition and Health student at the University of British Columbia. I’m interested in medicine, health communication, youth engagement, and making research more accessible to the communities it impacts. I’m passionate about knowledge translation because I understand how research can often feel difficult to access, especially for youth and people from different educational, cultural, or community backgrounds. I believe research should not only exist in academic spaces, but should also be shared in ways that are clear, engaging, and meaningful to the people it is meant to support. Through research and community involvement, I hope to help bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world understanding by making complex ideas feel more approachable and connected to young people’s lived experiences. Outside of school, I enjoy playing basketball, hiking, camping, trying new food spots, volunteering in my community, and spending time with friends and family.

Brooke Baker is a Master of Global Health student at the University of British Columbia with interests in planetary health, emergency medicine, and health in conflict settings. She is particularly interested in how research and knowledge translation can bridge the gap between evidence and practice, making complex health information more accessible and actionable. Outside of global health, Brooke is happiest outdoors. You can usually find her mountaineering, travelling somewhere new, or hiking with her two huskies, Jasper and Molly.

Hi! My name is China and I'm a 4th year Kinesiology student specializing and Social and Behavioural Sciences at the University of British Columbia. I am pursuing a career in healthcare, where I dream to connect with all populations, especially underrepresented groups, to improve health outcomes through research and preventative healthcare. Youth are the future, and I aspire to do my part in giving them a space to learn about topics pertaining to their health, whether physical or mental, and the interception between the two, to empower them to lead healthy and educated lives. With IYER, I get to achieve this alongside a diverse team of volunteers with the same passion. On my own time, I love listening to music, watching movies, going to the gym, and finding new activities to do. (I'm always looking for something new to try!)

Erin Zhang is an undergraduate student majoring in Microbiology and Immunology at UBC. Passionate about youth mentorship, health, sciences, with a sprinkle of arts and literature, Erin is excited to bring her interdisciplinary curiosity to making research accessible to younger audiences. She attributes her never-ending inquisitiveness to her mentors throughout her adolescence and hopes to bring the same inspiring guidance for others. As a part of the IYER Canadian Coalition, she anticipates collaborating with like-minded peers and bringing their collective visions for research to life.

Harleen Kaur is a fifth-year undergraduate student majoring in psychology at the University of British Columbia. She is interested in studying how unconscious biases can influence everyday interactions and shape how individuals view various groups. Throughout her undergraduate program, she’s explored various topics and is interested in becoming a research and knowledge translation volunteer to help youth access a wide range of topics so they can strengthen their minds, broaden their knowledge and foster their critical thinking skills. Harleen is also an avid reader and enjoys reading books from across cultures and genres. Some of her favourite works include: Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo, Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca and James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room.

Hi! My name is Kimmy Kwok, and I’m a third-year Biochemistry student at the University of British Columbia. I’m passionate about making research and scientific knowledge more accessible and engaging for youths. With experience working in both research and with children, I’m excited to bring these two areas of my life together. IYER provides a meaningful opportunity for me to combine my interests in science, education, and youth engagement while helping make research more approachable for the next generation.

Hello! My name is Fiona Lim and I am a 2nd-year Psychology major at the University of British Columbia with a strong interest in neuropsychology and youth engagement research. I am passionate about understanding how psychological and neural processes shape well-being, learning, and motivation in young people. Through volunteering and community involvement, I strive to make mental health education and research more accessible and empowering for youth. I enjoy collaborating on projects that bridge science and outreach, helping create spaces where young people feel heard and supported. Outside academics, I love reading, mentoring, and exploring creative ways to connect research with real world impact.

Lauryn graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2022. Since her graduation, she has worked within the Social Services sector with diverse youth. She is passionate about creating programs to address trends amongst youth, inclusive of social health and cognitive overload from digital spaces, from a research-based approach. In 2023, she created a social program at Foundry Richmond to nurture social health. Currently, she is designing an educational space to address youth’s concerns about cognitive overload. In the future, she hopes to pursue an avenue that supports education and information development.

Hi! My name is Gia, and I’m a 2025 graduate of the University of British Columbia, where I studied Psychology and Special Education. I’m passionate about youth mental health, particularly how broader systemic and social issues shape young people’s well-being and everyday experiences. During my time at UBC, I served as a Community Outreach Executive with the UBC Mental Health Initiative, where I worked to bridge gaps between diverse communities and foster open, stigma-free conversations about mental health. Through my experiences in community engagement, research, and advocacy, I’ve developed a strong commitment to creating inclusive spaces where young people feel supported, heard, and empowered. Outside of my work and academic interests, I enjoy reading, cooking, and mandala colouring.

Diantha Tan is a second-year Psychology major at the University of British Columbia who cares deeply about youth wellbeing and mental health. She is passionate about community engagement and enjoys working as part of a team to support meaningful, high-impact projects. In her free time, she often reads or writes fiction. She is excited to support IYER's initiative and contribute to its impact.

Hello! I’m Jaya Singh, a third-year undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia pursuing a degree in English Literature and Human Geography to later teach at the high school level. I am passionate about engaging with youth to foster meaningful growth and contribute to inclusive, interactive learning environments through team-based activities. In my free time, I enjoy hiking and binge-watching a good TV show – I’m always open to recommendations! I am very excited to collaborate with the IYER Canadian Coalition to support youth with the tools they need to succeed and leave a lasting impact.