Master's students

Email: aisha.ali@uwaterloo.ca

Aisha Ali is a MA student in Rhetoric and Communication Design. She graduated from a BSc in Honours Biology at the University of Waterloo before going to Queens for a BEd. She currently works as a teacher in the WRDSB. Aisha's interests lie primarily at the intersection of pedagogy and social justice, particularly the political education of equity-deserving groups within public school systems. She enjoys hiking, working out and baking.

Email: sbalili@uwaterloo.ca 
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sidney-luzi-4a9348433

Sidney Luzi Balili completed their Honours BA at the University of Toronto, with a specialist in English Literature. They are currently an MA student in English Language and Literature (Major Research Paper stream) at the University of Waterloo.

Sidney has received SSHRC’s Canada Graduate Research Scholarship (2026). Her current research is on the representation of animals in contemporary novels of the Greater Toronto Area. Her areas of focus include urban and suburban literature, animal studies, decolonization, and eco-criticism.

She is also passionate about protecting and improving access to public education, participating in local activism, and media literacy. On their days off, Sidney likes to write poetry, watch bad movies, and die spectacularly in Skyrim.

Email: mohammadnbaseer@gmail.com
LinkedIn
Instagram

Mohammad Baseer is an MA Co-Op student in the Rhetoric and communication of Design program. He completed his BA in English-Editing, Writing, and Media as well as a Communication minor at Florida State University in 2023.  Mohammad’s academic interests include rhetorical theory and pedagogy, diversity and equity in composition, as well as in understanding design as a contact zone for intersectional identities.

In his free time Mohammad enjoys baking, cooking, reading, music, and theater.

Email: blkcheah@uwaterloo.ca

Briana Cheah is an MA student in the Critical Media Studies program. She graduated in 2026 from the University of Waterloo with an Honours BA in English - Rhetoric, Media and Professional Communications. Her academic interests centre around the question of "How do online communities both reflect and shape the wider world we live in?" with a specific focus on fandom and social media platforms as spaces that both reflect and refract our greater world. She is also interested in exploring the tension between empathy-based community practices within these fandoms and the increasing normalization of divisive rhetoric within online communication.

When she isn't talking about fandom academically, she is either watching Youtube, playing TTRPGs or attempting to play video games.

Email: dczarnota@uwaterloo.ca

Diana Czarnota is an MA student in the Experimental Digital Media program. She completed her BA in Honours English-Literature and Rhetoric with a minor in Psychology in 2025 at the University of Waterloo. Diana’s academic interest in digital media began in 2020 when she spent her first term in a fully online environment. Since then, shifts in the technological landscape have fueled her interest in AI and the ways modern technology may impact both teaching, and creative fields moving forward.

Outside of academic work, Diana enjoys spending time with her cat, and playing solo journaling TTRPGs.

Email: k3dickso@uwaterloo.ca

Kc Dickson is an MA student in Critical Media Studies at the University of Waterloo. She holds a BA in Legal Studies and Sociology (2025) with a Minor in English Language and Literature and a Diploma in Black Studies. Her academic background is complemented by co-op experience in roles ranging from research analyst to student coordinator.

Her research interests focus on the intersections of race, law, rhetoric, and digital media, particularly how historical theories and literature inform evolving digital discourse.

Outside of her studies, Kc contributes to the development of the Black Studies program at Waterloo and pursues interests in painting, writing, cooking, and music.

Email: vephgrav@uwaterloo.ca

Veronica Ephgrave is an MA student in the English Literature program. She graduated in 2021
from University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Education. Her academic interests are currently
leaning in the direction of visual rhetoric in children’s literature, primarily in wordless narratives.
Aside from her passion for literacy and engaging students with text, she also is interested in
diving into speculative fiction themes, as well as the intersection of religion and secularism in
literature.

When Veronica has some time to herself she is most likely making a collage/ other mixed media
piece. As a woman of many passions, she also enjoys reading, writing, and having [secret]
karaoke sessions with her guitar, amidst the sparing presence of her cat Ripley.

Email: n2field@uwaterloo.ca

Nyah Field is an MA student in the Literary Studies program. She graduated in 2026 from the University of Waterloo with a BA in English Literature and Rhetoric with a minor in Psychology. Nyah's academic interests include examining the intersections between horror literature and feminist theory, as well as Shakespeare's tragedies.  

In her free time, Nyah can be found reading, going to cafes with her friends, and playing video games.

Email: sfolkerts@uwaterloo.ca

Stephen Folkerts is an MA student in Rhetoric and Communication Design. He graduated from Binghamton University in 2023 with a BA in English, Creative Writing. He has experience in college admissions counseling and public media and relations at his alma mater. His academic interests revolve around the intersection of disability, emerging technologies, and the nature of belief (religious and otherwise) in a socially networked society. 

When he's not brooding about one of those topics, Stephen practices art through poetry, songwriting, and film. He enjoys drumming (jazz in particular), parroting YouTube video essayists, and losing at tennis.

Email: catherine.freeman@uwaterloo.ca

Catherine Freeman is an MA student in the English Literature program. They graduated in 2018 from Wilfrid Laurier with an Honours BA double-major in English and Medieval Studies. Their academic interests include fantasy literature as a representation of the modern social imagination, medieval poetry of the fantastic, and the works and adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, among others. 

When not reading, Cat enjoys swing dancing with her husband, playing with her two kittens, and playing a variety of TTRPGs.

Email: sheidebrecht@uwaterloo.ca

Sophia Heidebrecht is an MA student in the Critical Media Studies program. She graduated in 2023 from Carleton College (Northfield, MN) with a BA in English and a minor in Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Her academic interests include the popular print and balladry of the early modern period and their intersections with both literary and material history. More broadly, she's interested in works that expand our idea of what qualifies as "literary" -- or even as "text" -- and how the forms (whether digital or physical) through which we present a text impact the way it is received and interpreted.

When she isn't reading, Sophia enjoys playing piano, running, and hanging out with her cat, Sharpie.

Email:hdvisasebrito@uwaterloo.ca

Hasna Isase Brito is an MA co-op student in the Experimental Digital Media program. She completed her Honours BA in English Literature, with a minor in philosophy and criminology at Wilfrid Laurier University. Hasna’s academic interests include medieval literature, the socio-political analysis of German folktales, and the application of labelling theory. In her free time, she enjoys watching Spanish novellas, woodworking and writing slam poetry.

Email: a2kaiser@uwaterloo.ca
Instagram: @andiekaiser.

Andie Kaiser is an MA student in English Literature (thesis stream). She graduated in 2025 from the University of Waterloo with an Hon. BA in English Literature, with Creative Writing and Intensive English specializations. Her academic interests include adaptation studies, 20th-century female writers/poets, and the history of lesbian literature. She is currently working on a thesis about the representation of female loneliness across the works of Sofia Coppola. 

In addition to her studies, Andie works as a Research Assistant for Feminist Think Tank, co-led by Drs. Brianna Wiens and Shana MacDonald. She also spends lots of time writing about film as a freelance journalist and critic, having recently covered the Fantasia International Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival as an official member of the press.

Email: j2lappin@uwaterloo.ca

Website: https://readymag.website/u2193688769/jessicalappin/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jessicalappin/

Jessica Lappin (she/her) is a SSHRC-funded MA student in Rhetoric and Communication Design, with a BA in Professional Writing from York University. Her interests sit at the intersections of technology design, visual culture, digital and cross-cultural rhetorics, and Canadian publishing. Professionally she has experience in municipal government DEI and in editorial and cover design for books and magazines. She is also a multidisciplinary creative whose practice spans graphic design, experimental media and zine-making, and illustration.

Email: rlaslavi@uwaterloo.ca

Rivanna Laslavic is an MA in the Rhetoric and Communication Design program. She graduated in 2026 from University of Waterloo with BA in Literature and Rhetorical studies, a minor in Legal Studies and a Diploma in Health and Humanities. Her academic interests include poetry, Shakespeare studies as well as representations of the supernatural in early modern literature and print media. 

When Rivanna isn’t practicing monologues or reading poetry, she enjoys crocheting, sewing, and creating themed murder mystery parties. 

Email: k4lemieu@uwaterloo.ca

Kendra Lemieux is an MA student in the Literary Studies coursework program. She graduated from Laurentian University in 2026 with a BA in English and a minor in History. Her academic interests include dystopic fiction and post-colonial Canadian Literature with a particular focus in French settler and Indigenous relations.

Outside of her studies, Kendra can usually be found enjoying the great outdoors, baking, and spending time with her friends and family.

Email: r3macisaac@uwaterloo.ca

Robert MacIsaac (he/him) is an MA student in Rhetoric and Communication Design. He graduated in 2025 from York University with a BA in English & Professional Writing. In addition to this, he has experience with the process of book publication. Robert's academic interests include queer rhetorics and digital rhetorics. He is specifically interested in the ways that the internet has archived queer culture for future generations, and how this archival work has influenced the landscape of queer culture.

In Robert's free time, he enjoys baking, reading, and playing video games.

Email: famaiocco@uwaterloo.ca

Francesca Maiocco is an MA student in the Literary Studies program. She holds an Honours BA in English Literature from the University of Waterloo. Francesca began her career working in the engineering field, but rediscovered her love of reading and writing through a literature course at St. Jerome's University. Her academic interests range from Medieval literature to Contemporary American poetry, and she is especially fascinated by works that bridge the gap between those two times and places.

In her spare time, Francesca enjoys watching Jane Austen adaptations, reading anything written by L.M. Montgomery, and enjoying live theatre performances.

Email: k2mcelroy@uwaterloo.ca

Katie McElroy is an MA student in the Rhetoric and Communication Design program. She completed her BA in English - Rhetoric, Media, and Professional Communication at the University of Waterloo. Katie’s academic interests include women writers, critical discourse analysis, and popular culture.  

Email: nmiles@uwaterloo.ca

Noah Miles is a MA student in the Literary Studies program. They graduated from Nipissing University in 2025 with an Honours BA in English Studies and minors in Fine Arts and Computer Science. Their scholarly interests include Fantasy, Science Fiction, the Gothic, children's literature, and storytelling in digital media. They particularly enjoy studying the ways that popular and escapist media function as reflections of the personal and cultural contexts in which they were created.

When not focused on academics, Noah enjoys painting, cooking, roller skating, urbanism, and listening to alternative music.

Email: t2naik@uwaterloo.ca

Tanishi Naik is an MA student in Critical Media Studies (formerly known as Experimental Digital Media.) She graduated in 2025 from the University of Waterloo with a BA in English - Rhetoric, Media, and Professional Communication, a minor in Legal Studies, and specializations across Intensive English, Communication Design, Technical Writing, and Digital Media Studies. Some of her career experiences include content writing for a Y Combinator-backed start-up, marketing for a software consulting firm, and working as an ISTAS21 conference assistant. In her free time, Tanishi likes to play with hanafuda cards, try new types of coffee, and find quiet nooks ideal for enjoying good books.

Email: iokio@uwaterloo.ca

Profile forthcoming.

Email: vyshnavi.rajeevan@uwaterloo.ca

Vyshnavi Rajeevan is a MA student in Literary Studies. She graduated in 2025 from the University of Waterloo with a BA in English (Creative & Professional Writing) with a Technical Writing Specialization. She has experience working in marketing positions across a variety of different industries including transit tech, education tech, gaming and space. 

Email: z2randhawa@uwaterloo.ca

Zoya Randhawa is an MA student in Rhetoric and Communication Design. She graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2025 with a BA in English Rhetoric, Media, and Professional Communication and a Cognitive Science Minor. Zoya's academic interests include feminist rhetoric, digital culture, and embodied rhetoric. Her other interests include rhetorical figures. 

In her free time, Zoya can be found frequenting a cafe, playing video games, or spending time with her dogs.

Email: srecnik@uwaterloo.ca

Susie Recnik is an MA student in the Literary Studies program. She graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Hon. BA in English Literature. Prior to her undergraduate studies, she had studied Theatre Performance at George Brown College. Her academic interests include rhetorical and literary theory, Austen, and Canadian and Irish literatures. When she isn’t reading, Susie enjoys running and cooking.

Email: t23richardson@uwaterloo.ca

Tony Richardson is an MA student in the English Literature program. He completed his BA in English Literature at the University of Waterloo. Tony's academic interests include religion and literature, Shakespeare, and the concept of plays as a literary work.

Email: bashaw@uwaterloo.ca

Email: sastachura@uwaterloo.ca

Stefania Stachura is an MA student in Rhetoric and Communication Design. She graduated in 2021 from the University of Waterloo with a BA in Communication Studies and Arts and Business and a Theatre and Performance Minor. She currently works as the Undergraduate Operations Manager in the Arts Undergraduate Office on campus. Stef's interests lie in media studies, performance studies, and communication practices and rhetorical strategies in professional settings.

Email: jvanderv@uwaterloo.ca

Jesse Vanderveeken is an MA student in the Rhetoric and Communication Design program. He graduated in 2026 from Western University (London, ON) with a BA double major in English and Linguistics. His academic interests include the cognitive roots of persuasion and literary creativity, encompassed by the fields of cognitive rhetoric and cognitive poetics/stylistics. More generally, he is interested in any-and-all topics that allow for fruitful collaboration between the humanities and the cognitive sciences.

Outside of academics, Jesse plays and composes on the guitar and the piano, while also spending time with his dog, Buck.

Email: obwightm@uwaterloo.ca

Olivia Wightman is an MA student in the Rhetoric and Communication Design program. She graduated in 2026 from the University of Waterloo with a BA in Creative and Professional Writing and a minor in History. Her academic interests include analyzing current media, discourse, news, and trends through the lens of rhetoric to discover perpetuated binaries, stereotypes, and norms. Broadly, she’s interested in understanding rhetoric as a tool of reinforcement in current media trends and discourse and how this impacts society. 

Outside of her studies, Olivia enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with friends and family. 

Email: h5wright@uwaterloo.ca

Hannah Wright is an MA student in the Literature Studies program. She graduated from Carleton University in Ottawa with a BA in Psychology in 2025. Her academic interests include the vast genre of queer horror, haunted houses in literature, and women's writing. 

In her spare time, she writes and occasionally publishes fiction, reads primarily strange and haunting literature, and dotes on her cat.