President

Laura Coleman – lcc@ualberta.ca

Bonjour, hello my wonderful fellow pharmacists! My name is Laura Coleman and I am your APSA President! I am extremely excited to make this year nothing less than spectacular for you as pharmacy students. A little bit about myself: I was in french immersion K to Grade 12, so if you know French please come talk to me because I am getting rusty! I was a dancer all my life and am a ballerina down to the bone (although I don’t find much time to dance anymore…). I love soccer, snowboarding, running, hiking, kayaking, singing, laughing, and basically anything fun and active! I did 3 years of Biological Sciences before devoting my life to Pharmacy and continue to have all sorts of wildly fun summer jobs ranging from Moose research to grinding up twigs to being a camp counsellor for a bunch of rowdy kids. I have also dedicated many summers to putting on charity performances to raise money for suicide prevention.  Anyways, that’s enough about me! Now I just want to get to know you, so if you see me in the halls at school or around Edmonton don’t be shy to holler out my name and we can have a nice chat.

President-Elect

Brad Snodgrass – wsnodgra@ualberta.ca

My Name is William Bradley Snodgrass, but most people call me Brad… Bro, Bra, B-diddy, B-rad, Snow, Snod, Snoddy, and Slim Snoddy also work! I love all kinds of music, but sometimes I wish we were still living the grunge days of the early 90’s. I have learned to adapt, and I am not too shy about cutting a rug to Calvin Harris from time to time. I am a Saturday Night Live junky! One of my most important goals is to travel to the big apple and see Stefon describe New York’s hottest clubs!

I am approaching the midpoint of my third decade on this planet, and along the way I have acquired many different hats. My newest hat for APSA president is still at the tailor and should be ready for fitting in December. Our student association is filled with many enthusiastic individuals when together exemplify cohesion! I am very excited to get the chance to lead such a brilliant group, as we do our best to enhance your student experience.

Please don’t hesitate to stop me in the halls, call me, email me, text me, or invite me out for festivities. I am here for you, and look forward to working with you all over the next year!

VP CAPSI Senior

Leah Stickel – stickel@ualberta.ca

Hey there fellow students. My name is Leah and I am your 2013-2014 CAPSI Senior Rep. I am entering my third year of pharmacy with the famed class of 2015 and I couldn’t be more excited! I love country music, scuba diving, skydiving, and puppy dogs. On the other hand I despise bugs: bumblebees, mosquitoes, ladybugs, ants, butterflies – doesn’t matter the type.

My main role on APSA is to sit on council and work with Dan, your CAPSI Junior, to ensure that you are all of aware of what CAPSI is and what great things this organization is doing for us as students. I also plan events such as the CAPSI Symposiums, CAPSI Competitions (comps to test your pharmacy skillzz and try to win money for it!!), PAM (Pharmacy Awareness Month), PDW (Professional Development Week), and much more. You’ll probably see me around campus helping out with various events so please go ahead and give me a wave and hello! I’m more than happy to sit down and chat whether you have questions about pharmacy, events, or if you just want to ogle over Tim McGraw together.

VP External

Jon Tong – jktong@ualberta.ca

My name is Jon Tong and I am privileged enough to make it to my third year of Pharmacy. I hail from Calgary, lived in Vancouver and now study in Edmonton; all three cities have a special place in my heart so don’t hate on each other because of hockey, infrastructure or weather. That’s just silly.

I am also honored to serve you as APSA’s VP External. What that means is that I work with council, students, faculty and external partners to connect APSA with the community and beyond. You will see me quite involved with Mr. Pharmacy and Pharmacy Awareness initiatives, among other things and stuffs.

I chose to be involved with APSA simply because I want to be part of creating memories Pharmacy students at the University of Alberta will remember fondly, as they progress in their professional and personal lives. It is my third year as part of APSA council, and being a member of the leadership team year after year has been both humbling and exciting.

I hope the experiences and relationships you create here in this program will leave a profound and positive mark on your attitude towards Pharmacy, health care and what it means to be a student. Feel free to catch me for conversation having and acquaintance making, unless you catch me sleeping in ECHA, my third favorite pass-time.

For the keeners reading this while it is still applicable: I highly encourage you to try for the First-Year Representative position. It changed a lot for me; maybe it can do the same for you.

VP Academic

Humirah Sultani - humirah@ualberta.ca

Salutations, Pharmacy friends! My name is Humirah Sultani and, no, I am not a monoclonal antibody injection (Humira®). Actually, I’m a second year Pharmacy student, and it is my pleasure to be your Vice President Academic for the upcoming year. I look forward to meeting my upperclassmen, working with my second year peers, and welcoming our new first year students! I would like to extend the invitation for everyone to come out to support our Pharmacy Students’ Journal Club, both senior and junior branches for a fun, evidence-based medicine-filled time! Now, back to how I’m not a tumour necrosis factor inhibitor. Free-lance graphic designing is my side hustle, and playing old Playstation video games from the 90’s is my passion. I keep busy by volunteering with both the Canadian Blood Services Youth Committee and the Afghan Students’ Association. Regardless of how busy I keep myself, I’ll make time for you! If you have any concerns about the Pharmacy program or have any improvements that you’d like to see made, engage in some form of communication with me and let’s make things happen!

VP Administration

Timothy Logan – twlogan@ualberta.ca

Hello everybody! My name is Timothy and I am your VP Administration. I am from the now not-so-small town of Chestermere (it was small at one point) and came to Edmonton in 2010. I have had a lot of fun here ever since and hope to have a lot of fun as part of the APSA council. Things that VP Administration does on a regular basis includes taking minutes for the council and executive meetings, handling the mail and emails of APSA, updating the APSA calendar and various other administrative tasks. Another feature of my position includes creating the APSA student directory. As for myself, I enjoy playing soccer (whenever I can find a team), curling, skiing and playing the piano and trumpet. Recently, I have begun refining my skills at cooking. Otherwise, I look forward to getting to know everyone I encounter and hope the year turns out great for all of you.

VP Finance

Victor Guo – vguo@ualberta.ca

Hello all, my name is Victor Guo and I’ll be your VP Finance for this upcoming year. A little about myself is that I’m originally from Calgary, Alberta, and have found it an interesting experiencing adjusting to Edmonton over the past 2 years. I enjoy all sorts of music, computer games, and various k-dramas so feel free to give me a message in the halls or just a friendly hello. As my position is mostly behind the scenes, dealing with the budget, bookkeeping and managing APSA’s transactions I won’t bore you with too much more details, but if you’re interested I’m always open to a chat!

VP Student Services

Madeleine Durrant – mdurrant@ualberta.ca

Hey there! My name is Madeleine Durrant and I have the immense privilege of being your VP Student Services for the 2013-2014 school year. I am in second year (class of 2016 rocks!!) and can’t wait to find you guys a proper student lounge!

My primary language is French, and although I have spent my whole life in Edmonton, I have always managed to live my life almost entirely in French… well except for pharmacy school.  That’s ok though, because I love the faculty; and the pharmily is great!

As well as being in love with and involved in Edmonton’s francophone community, I am also an arts lover.  I have been performing on stage since I was 6 and I haven’t stopped yet! I also love going out and having a good time with friends, as well as meeting new people.

I’m looking forward to helping you with your various needs, hosting wellness events to de-stress before/during/after exams, and maybe even incorporating some bilingualism in there somewhere.

P.S. Welcome to the class of 2017, you guys are gonna love it here!

Fundraising Director

Rafiq Salehmohamed – salehmoh@ualberta.ca

Hello everyone! My name is Rafiq Salehmohamed and I am the current  Fundraising Director for the academic year 2013-2014. My duties largely include contacting existing sponsors and obtaining new ones. I am excited for this opportunity this year because I want to give back to the student body. So, a little about myself… I’m from Vancouver and started attending university here immediately out of high school because I had some morbid idea that I would enjoy weather that was 30 degrees colder than I was used to. I enjoy reading a lot, especially science fiction and fantasy books. I am also a huge Doctor Who fan, so if anyone wants to chat excitedly about it, (or complain about how we have to wait another six months for the next episode) I’m your man. I want to get to know everyone so if you see me, please feel free to talk to me!

Interprofessional Director

June Chen – junechen@ualberta.ca

Hi everyone! I’m June Chen and I’ll be your Interprofessional (IP) Director for the 2013-2014 academic year. As the IP Director, I will find opportunities for you to collaborate and network with other healthcare professional students in various educational, social, and competitive events. As pharmacists, we will indubitably be working with other healthcare professionals, so I encourage you to start building these collaborative relationships and clarifying our roles as pharmacists early on!

I completed two years of undergraduate studies in Biological Sciences at the University of Calgary before entering the U of A’s Pharmacy Program, and I am presently in my third year. I’m a Calgarian, and I love to go to the Rockies to hike during the summer and ski during the winter. I also love to dance, which you can find me doing all year round! I am looking forward to the upcoming year and getting the chance to meet you all!

Community Education Director

Melissa Woo – woo2@ualberta.ca or APSAspeakers@gmail.com

Hello everyone! My name is Melissa Woo and I am your Community Education Director. I chose to be involved with APSA because I am very passionate about raising awareness on educating the community on health-related topics. As future pharmacists, we can have a significant impact on society by getting involved, and  this can positively influence the public’s perception on pharmacy’s expanding scope of practice. I would love to see all of you go above and beyond living the normal student life and make a difference, no matter how small it may be. I know studying (or cramming) may take up most of your time and you may deem yourself having no life, but what better way is there to give back to the community than by getting yourself involved? Besides being part of an enthusiastic APSA team, I love music and playing tennis! I am looking forward to another busy yet exciting year and to get the chance to know you!

Publications Director

Yuchu Yan – yuchu@ualberta.ca

Greetings fellow pharmacy students! My name is Yuchu Yan and I am from the epic class of 2015! As your publications director, I serve to promote the image of APSA and the student body and oversee the yearbook, PQ magazine, website and facebook page. I was born in Chongqing, China but moved to Canada when I was five and a half years old, quite some time ago I know. Yet despite that, I am still very fluent in my native tongue. Going into my 5^th year of university, I look forwards to another round of therapeutics more nitty-gritty and interesting than before; most importantly, another awesome year APSA has to offer. A personal message to the class of 2017: I comfortably encourage you all to run for an APSA position. It will be a great opportunity for you to carry your leadership skills onto a new level. On top of that, I hope you thoroughly enjoy your four years of pharmacy school and the rewarding experiences that the profession has to offer. If you see me, don’t forget to say hi!

Recruitment Director

Irene Giang – igiang@ualberta.ca or apsa.recruit@pharmacy.ualberta.ca

Hi everyone! My name is Irene Giang and I am excited to be the Recruitment Director for 2013-2014. I will be entering my third year of pharmacy, which also marks my third year being away from home in Calgary. You’ll get to know me as the one organizing the pharmacy career events and posting job opportunities on emails and www.myapsa.ca. Feel free to talk to me when you have any questions regarding the pharmacy career and I can try to help or find someone to answer your questions! A bit about myself is that I love to travel and my goal is to travel to every continent within my lifetime. I picked up playing squash with my friends last year and it turned out to be a fun way to exercise and relieve stress. I hope everyone enjoys the upcoming school year!

Social Director

Cassandra Woit – woit@ualberta.ca

Aloha! My name is Cassandra Woit and I am the Social Director for the 2013-2014 term. I am super excited to plan all of your awesomely fun events this year like the Welcome Reception, Monthly TGIF’s and the Blue and Gold Ball.  I also want to hear from you about what YOU want to do this year! While I was growing up in North Western Ontario right at the top of Lake Superior, I discovered my love for swimming, sailing as well as dancing, acting, hiking, traveling, and more relaxing activities like yoga. If there are activities that you are really passionate about and would like to do with APSA let me know and I can try to plan them! My goal this year is to get more inter-year activities so we get to know all our fellow students, because who doesn’t like more friends? I am really looking forward to meeting you all over the year, so if you see me on campus please say hello!

IPSF Representative

Jenny Carbon – carbon@ualberta.ca

CAPSI Junior Representative

Daniel Burton – dburton@ualberta.ca

RxA Representative

Eliezer Chin – eliezer@ualberta.ca

Hey everyone, I’m Eliezer and I am pleased to be your RxA Representative for the upcoming 2013-14 year. The Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA) is tasked with representing the interests of pharmacists ie. advocating for our profession. RxA participates in student pharmacy events, and aims to assist in your development to practicing professionals. I was born and raised in Edmonton (Southside!! to all you Northsiders). When I have a free weekend, I’ll likely be found on a mountain snowboarding. If it is really cold out, I’ll be wrapped up in a snuggie, in a blanket fort playing Starcraft at home.

CSHP Representative

Bryan Velthuizen – bvelthui@ualberta.ca

Fourth Year Class Representative (Fall)

Jessica Pyrch – pyrch@ualberta.ca

Fourth Year Class Representative (Winter)

Peter Yang – ryang3@ualberta.ca

Hello everyone, I will be your Winter Semester Class Rep in the coming year. I plan to stay organize in bringing you the latest updates from APSA and the Faculty. More importantly, I will be working with Jessica, your Fall Rep, to create learning resources and study groups that will help you prepare for your clinical rotations and get ready for the PEBC. So look forward to the new things that we have planned for you, and let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. I know it is our last year together (sad face), so let’s go out with a bang and pass our PEBC with flying colours. We can do it, so let’s make it happen.

Third Year Class Representative

Taryn Zimmer – zimmer@ualberta.ca

Second Year Class Representative

James Frobb – jfrobb@ualberta.ca

“Hey everyone!  I am honoured to represent the Class of 2016 as the 2nd Year Class Rep.  Fall of 2013 will begin my 5th year at the university and my 2nd year of pharmacy.  I was born and raised in Hanna, AB and plan on practicing in rural community pharmacy.  I enjoy singing solo and choral classical music and I currently sing lead in a barbershop quartet.  I own more instruments than I know what to do with, but am best at the piano and guitar. Classic, right?  I have been the Event Chair for the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life on campus since the first event in September 2011.  I look forward to meeting the Class of 2017, so never hesitate to say hello.  My advice to you would be to get involved and get to know your classmates!  Down the road you aren’t going to remember that night you stayed in to study, but the times spent with friends and the fun that ensued.  I wish everyone the best of luck in the 2013-2014 academic year.”

First Year Class Representative

To Be Elected.

Information Technology Officer

Konrad Pietzrak – pietzrak@ualberta.ca

“Hello! My name is Konrad and I am the Information Technology (IT) Officer for the 2013-2014 school year. My role involves maintaining and coordinating the technical aspects of APSA such as the website, mailing lists, and PayPal system. I am currently a second-year pharmacy student in the class of 2016 and before beginning pharmacy school I completed one year of general sciences at the University of Alberta. I was born here in Edmonton and I have lived here for all of my life. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies, working with websites and computers, and of course napping. I hope everyone has an awesome year and I look forward to working with all of you! “

Pharmacy Quarterly Editor

Karen Hagen – kehagen@ualberta.ca

Karen Hagen is a 4th year pharmacy student and one of the PQ editors for the 2013-14 year. Karen has a Master’s of Science degree on the bacterial microflora of the chicken gastrointestinal tract and previously worked as a research scientist for a Canadian probiotic manufacturer. Karen lives with her husband and two children, aged 4 and 6, in the coolest house in Edmonton (true story, ask her for proof). She doesn’t have time for much else outside of school, work and family, however when she does she likes to read, cook and garden.

Pharmacy Quarterly Editor

Allison Mejilla – admejill@ualberta.ca

“Hello my fellow pharmers! My name is Allison Mejilla and I’m one of the PQ editors this year. Just a bit about me: I’m currently in my third year of pharmacy, but I already have a degree in Biological Sciences. So really, this is my seventh year of post-secondary…  However, when I’m not in school, I enjoy watching my beloved Edmonton Oilers (hopefully winning), napping, shopping, and eating. And I guess we can also add PQ editing to that list now. This year, my goal is to have an entertaining and amusing PQ, while still being informative. I also hope to see more student involvement, so if you like to write or have any fun ideas, feel free to give me a shout! I look forward to meeting you all this year!”

Yearbook Editors

Patricia Jee and Vanessa Kwok - yunhee@ualberta.ca and vkwok@ualberta.ca

Hi! My name is Patricia from the class of 2015 and I am one of the yearbook editors for 2013-2014. I hope to make an amazing yearbook with my co-editor, Vanessa, and of course – you guys! Although we will do our best to capture those golden moments, I know there are a lot of closet (or a handful of openly avid) photographers out there who are just itching to share your work with us. So in addition to posting them on Facebook, please share them to us too and we can immortalize them on the yearbook pages! In terms of my hobbies, I like to cook, eat, sleep, play the piano, doodle and take pictures. Anyhow, if you’re interested in getting involved with the yearbook, whether it be taking pictures, designing the pages and/or writing little blurbs, be sure to let me or Vanessa know!

Hi! My name is Vanessa Kwok and I will be working with Patricia as 2013-2014 yearbook editors. We hope to design a creative and beautiful yearbook for you to look back at all the memorable times you had in Pharmacy! Now a few facts about myself – I spent most of my life in Hong Kong before coming to Edmonton, my hobbies include running, badminton, piano and flute. In my spare time I also like to watch Korean TV dramas, so if you have any suggestions for me, let me know and I’ll add it to my watch list!

SHINE Clinic Representative

Insaf Ahmed – insaf@ualberta.ca

Hello friends! My name is Insaf Ahmed and I’m in my 3^rd year of pharmacy. After being involved with APSA for the past year on an international level, I decided to focus in on challenges and opportunities that are right in my own backyard and continue with APSA for a second year in row as the SHINE Pharmacy Representative. I’ve always been active in the community and figured this would be the perfect stepping stone to use my tools as a pharmacy student and give back to Edmonton.

I love trying new things and exploring different cultures, which would explain my constant need to travel. One of my long-term life goals is to travel the world, not as a tourist, but as a health care provider aiding countries in need. I strongly believe that these experiences will help me gain more knowledge in the field of pharmacy and also help grow as an individual and a humanitarian.

SHINE Clinic Representative

Essi Salokangas – essi@ualberta.ca

My name’s Essi and I am one of this year’s SHINE Pharmacy representatives. Thank you for this opportunity to represent you wonderful people in an organization I care deeply about. I look forward to relaying relevant information about SHINE opportunities that will be available to you. My interests include volunteering in the inner city, reading, listening to music, and travelling. If you ever have any questions or want to discuss SHINE, feel free to approach me or contact me at essi@ualberta.ca.

Male Sports Representative

Clinton Liu – cfliu@ualberta.ca

Female Sports Representative

Hannah Schieck – schieck@ualberta.ca

First Year Social Representative

To Be Elected.

Second Year Social Representative

Scott Wakeham – swakeham@ualberta.ca

Third Year Social Representative

Lauren Samycia – samycia@ualberta.ca

Fourth Year Social Representative (Fall)

Melissa Calayo – mcalayo@ualberta.ca

A shout out to the class of 2014! My name is Melissa and I am the fourth year social rep for the fall term. I guess there’s only one thing about your up and coming GPA-dropping coordinator that you should know: I’m a big goofball. You’ll probably find me pulling some unique dance moves during our TGIFs, and I love a good laugh. You might even run into my alter egos if you’re lucky. I’m coming clean with my hipster tendencies and I admit that I like obscure things, but I do hit the mainstream stuff every now and then. There’s nothing wrong with a good movie with a good plot. 9/10 times, I’ll cry in it. No joke. Up! gets me every time. As for social events, feel free to bug me about hosting anything. I’m sure there are a few people that share your hobbies or interests. I’m excited to meet the needs of the party class of Pharmacy, and cheers to the new term!

Fourth Year Social Representative (Winter)

Andrew Noh – mnoh@ualberta.ca