Co-chairs
Tara Kuhn
Tara is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences. Her research looks at how lifestyle factors promote health in aging population. Her doctoral thesis will look at promoting sleep in persons living with dementia. When she isn't doing research, Tara is reaching new heights while rock-climbing. Tara is one of the co-chairs for the SoAR planning committee.\
Karen Khalil El Hajj
Karen El Hajj is a PhD student at the School of Public Health Sciences - Aging, Health and Well-Being Program. Karen’s research interests are labour in long-term care, quality of care in long-term care homes, and cost analysis of health policies. Karen’s hobbies include baking and collecting Legos. Karen is a co-chair alongside Tara for the SoAR planning committee.
Event Lead
Hajr Hameed
Hajr is a PhD student in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences. Her research aims to understand the complex relationship between gait and cognition to identify subclinical predictors of neurodegenerative diseases. Outside of research, Hajr enjoys spending time with friends, reading, and taking care of her pet bunny.
Mohammad Shushtari
Mohammad is a PhD candidate in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at UWaterloo working with Dr. Arash Arami in the Neuromechanics and Assistive Robotics Lab. Currently, he is developing exoskeleton controllers that can enhance the locomotion of people with neuromuscular impairments. These controllers can learn each individual's specific walking pattern, predict their desired motion, and assist them, accordingly, depending on their impairment. Mo's approach to this problem incorporates control theory, machine learning, dynamics, and signal processing. Interested in Robotics, Sensor Fusion, and Reinforcement Learning.
Treasurer
Maira Asrar
Maira Asrar, Faculty of Arts, Masters of Economics Student at UW. She is working as a Teaching Assistant for Micro and Macroeconomics courses. Her interests include macroeconomic topics mainly focused on macroeconomic policies. Outside of school, she likes going for walks, cooking, and hanging out with my friends and their cats.
Abstracts and programming
Lauren Mclennan
Lauren McLennan is a University of Waterloo Public Health major with Gerontology and International Development minors. She is continuing her education as a Master of Public Health student at the University of Waterloo. Complimenting her education, Lauren works as a research assistant with the Aging and Innovation Research Program at the University of Waterloo. Outside of her academic and professional life, Lauren enjoys spending time outdoors, including hiking and camping in Nova Scotia's back-country.
Amy Matharu
Amy Matharu is a third year PhD Candidate in the Aging, Health and Well-being program within the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies. She holds a BSc. in Health Studies with a minor in Gerontology and specialization in Health Research from the University of Waterloo and a MSc. in Gerontology from King’s College London in the UK. Her current research interests include feminism, gender, retirement, sport, and aging and her dissertation work explores the retirement experience of competitive bodybuilders.
Social Media and Promotions
Safura Syed
Safura is working towards a PhD in the department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences (Aging, Health and Well-being). She is a Registered Dietitian working in the community. Her doctoral research will look at culturally inclusive menu planning in long term care homes to promote quality meals and food intake in culturally diverse older adults. Safura’s interest in dietetics/nutrition, gerontology and diversity are the focus of her projects and advocacy work. Safura looks forward to being part of the promotions team for the SoAR planning committee.
External communications
Hana Dakkak
Hana is a Ph.D. student in the Aging, Health and Wellbeing stream through the Department of Health. She is a Registered Dietitian working in Long-term Care (LTC) and has experience working as a Food Service Manager in LTC facilities. Hana’s research interest is related to meal accessibility for older adults, specifically examining eating assistance in long term care. In her free time, Hana enjoys cooking and spending time with her family and friends. Hana is part of the external communications team for the SoAR planning committee.
Website manager
Naweed Waghu
Naweed is a first year Masters student in the MENG in chemical Engineering program. Having completed his bachelor's from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, he has come to the university of Waterloo for his master's. He has worked in a variety of fields from AI data transmission to space tech and wastewater treatment design. Also a huge Arsenal fan and devourer of donuts.