Meet the Fall 2025 Executive Team for the University of Waterloo OWWA/WEAO Chapter! The purpose of the Executive Team is to lead and oversee the strategic direction of the Chapter, ensuring effective engagement within the student community. The team is dedicated to fostering a dynamic and inclusive environment that supports professional development, community involvement, and the achievement of chapter goals. While we undergo website maintenance, we will continue to add information about each of these roles below. In the meantime, feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
President
Kalani De Silva
PhD Civil & Environmental Engineering (Water)
- Chief elected officer of the student chapter
- Coordinate, attend and conduct all meetings
- Act as a liaison with the student chapter and the YPC and attend YPC meetings
- Ensure decisions, orders, and resolutions of the executive committee
- Maintains the annual budget
- Ensure student chapter continuation through succession planning
- Assist other officers of the executive committee
Vice President
Kushani Abesekara
MASc Civil & Environmental Engineering (Water)
- Advertise the chapter and respective events
- Familiarize with the duties of the president and other officers
- Collaborate with and support fellow executive committee members in their respective roles
- Carry out any additional tasks as delegated by the chapter president
Secretary
Osla Tandoh
PhD Sustainability Management
- Document meeting minutes of all meetings
- Keep the membership roster up to date
- Maintain chapter files of correspondence and program materials, including the chapter by-laws
- Ensure all materials and promotional items use the correct logo, chapter name, etc.
Events Director (Academic)
Nicole Anasis
PhD Earth Science (Water)
- Plan and coordinate academic and professional development events
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Collaborate with faculty, speakers, and industry partners for event programming
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Oversee event logistics, communication, and follow-up
Events Director (Social)
Soheil Khosravi
PhD Civil Engineering
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Organize social events that strengthen member engagement and help to build community
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Partner with other officers to align social events with academic and outreach goals
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Oversee event logistics, communication, and follow-up
Soheil is a PhD student in Civil Engineering, specializing in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering at the University of Waterloo. His research focuses on the application of artificial intelligence and deep learning techniques in hydrology, particularly for time series forecasting and water resources modelling. Soheil is passionate about developing data-driven approaches to better understand and manage hydrological systems.
Communications Director
Aditya Kasyap Perera
MEng Chemical Engineering
- Maintain communication with membership
- Work with other organizations to publicize chapter events
- Supports the advertisement and logistics of events organized by other officers
Aditya is a passionate chemical engineer specializing in process engineering and sustainable technologies. With previous experience in bio-oil production from algae and wastewater treatment, he aims to contribute to innovative environmental solutions that advance Canada’s clean-energy goals. At Waterloo, Aditya is actively involved in student leadership and professional development initiatives, fostering collaboration between academia and industry in water and wastewater sectors.
Social Media Director
Azi Zebarjadian
PhD Civil Engineering (Water)
- Electronic advertising of events (Instagram/LinkedIn)
- Maintain social media presence and keep profiles up-to-date
- Assist other officers in promoting the organization
Website Coordinator
Michael Chislett
PhD Civil Engineering (Water)
- Maintain chapter website
- Publish events
- Keep web presence up-to-date
Michael conducts research with the River Hydraulics Research Group. Originally from Newfoundland & Labrador and having spent many summers “on the water,” he is passionate about the intersection between fluvial systems and their impacts on (or impacts from) people and society. Michael is excited to undertake a refresh of this website to improve the chapter's online presence.
Treasurer
Karthikeyen Natarajan Pugazhendhi
PhD Chemical Engineering (Nanotechnology)
- Maintains all financial records
- Assist in preparation of the annual budget and monitor chapter expenses
- Update the executive team with relevant financial information
- Assists other officers in organizing and promoting events
Writing Café Coordinator & Host
Omar Chowdhurry
PhD Civil Engineering (Water)
- Organize and host Writing Café sessions for students and community members
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Lead session promotion
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Coordinate schedules and liaise with the UW Writing and Communication Centre