Pharmacy Graduate Association

PHGA logo overlayed on school of pharmacy building

Representing the graduate student body of the School of Pharmacy

The Pharmacy Graduate Association (PhGA) is a non-profit organization led by graduate student volunteers. Founded in Spring 2011, in collaboration with the School of Pharmacy, its primary goal is to represent the graduate students at the School of Pharmacy—a satellite campus—at University of Waterloo meetings, events, and other university-related activities, both on and off-campus.

Pharmacy graduate students are engaged in a wide range of multidisciplinary clinical and basic science research at both the MSc and PhD levels. The PhGA represents all graduate students affiliated with the School of Pharmacy and aims to create memorable and enjoyable experiences for them.

Pharmacy graduate student spaces

Grad lounge

Located in the heart of the student research and office areas, in PHR 4016, the grad lounge was established in 2011 with support from the department, the Graduate Student Association (GSA), and a $4,000 grant from the Graduate Student Endowment Fund (GSEF). This funding helped create a comfortable and inviting space with furnishings from Leon's and IKEA. As a central hub for graduate students, the grad lounge is a well-used and recognized landmark within the School of Pharmacy.

PhGA events & activities

Looking to connect with fellow graduate students while staying productive and having fun? The Pharmacy Graduate Association (PhGA) hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including Focus & Fuel sessions and Trivia Nights. Focus & Fuel offers a relaxed, student-led space to work alongside peers, build connections, and stay motivated, while Trivia Nights provide a fun opportunity to unwind, test your knowledge, and enjoy a great evening with the graduate student community. Pharmacy Research Day is an annual event that showcases the diverse research taking place across the School of Pharmacy. Bringing together faculty, students, and researchers from various disciplines, the event features graduate student oral and poster presentations, opportunities for networking and collaboration, and an engaging keynote speaker.

Constitution

The constitution outlines the general procedures that govern the PhGA, including its responsibilities, goals, and governance structure. It is subject to full or partial review when the presiding council or a majority of students deem it necessary. Newly elected council members are also required to review the constitution shortly after their appointment.

Any questions, comments, or concerns regarding the constitution should be directed to the presiding VP of Student Affairs.

members of the 2026 PhGA executive

PhGA executive council leadership 2026-2027

Position Role Student representative

President

  • acting head and leader
  • represents graduate students at Graduate Students Association, Pharmacy Council, GSRC, and strategic planning
  • ensures representation Pharmacy graduate students within the School, faculty of Science, and at Waterloo
Lexi Bastone
Vice Presidents, Finance
  • assumes financial responsibilities of PhGA, including annual budget
  • involved with event planning and fundraising activities
Emma Bondar
Vice President, Communications 
  • responsible for communications between student body, PhGA execs, and administrative staff
  • involved with social event planning for Pharmacy graduate students
Katherine Chen
Vice President, Operations
  • oversees day-to-day operations
  • helps plan and organize events
Jennifer Park
Vice President, Student Affairs
  • responsible for internal affairs pertaining to the School of Pharmacy graduate student body
  • ensures a pleasant student exepirence at the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy
  • creates opportunities for students to practice and polish their presentation and other career skills
Milena Lima
Vice President, Administrative Relations
  • Represents the PhGA at SGSA meetings
  • Maintains relationships with other science graduate associations to organize collaborative events
Mehraveh Hosseinali

Past PhGA executive council leadership

2025-2026

William Le Boeuf, President

Lexi Bastone, Co-Vice President, Finance

Emma Bondar, Co-Vice President, Finance

Katherine Chen, Vice President, Communications

Jennifer Park, Vice President, Operations

Thaddeus Harrison Gugu, Vice President, Student Affair

2024-2025

Mehraveh Hosseinali, President

Anna Ivanova, Vice President, Finance

William Le Boeuf, Vice President, Communications + Vice President, Student Affairs

Saduni Sumithrarachchige Don, Vice President, Operations + PharmClub Chair

2023-2024

Nicholas Cheng, President

Ali Syed, Vice-President, Operations

Kaidy Orellana, Vice-President, Communications

Jiayang Li, Vice-President, Finance

Kartar Singh, Vice-President, Student Affairs + PharmClub Chair

2022-2023

Sam Hirniak, President

Alistair Kai Chak Chan, Vice-President Student Affairs

Nicole MacNeil, Vice-President Operations and Communications

Emelien Jentz, Treasurer and Vice-President Finance

Rishabh Sharma, PharmClub Chair

2021-2022

Jesse St. Jean, President

Antoine Hakim, Vice-President Student Affairs

Ahsan Ayub, Vice-President Communications and Events

Nehil Ranjitham Gopalakrishnan, Treasurer and Vice-President Finance

Jin Wang, PharmClub Chair

2020-2021

Jesse St. Jean, President

Ahsan Ayub, Vice-President Student Affairs

Jacky Yu, Vice-President Communications and Events

Nehil Ranjitham Gopalakrishnan, Treasurer and Vice-President Finance

Ashley Bancsi, Vice-President Operations

Jin Wang, PharmClub Chair

2019-2020

Cindy Yeung, President

Jesse St. Jean, Vice-President Student Affairs

Derek Chen, Vice-President Communications and Events

Sadaf Faisal, Treasurer and Vice-President Finance

Gurmeet Lall, Vice-President Operations

Amy Pham, PharmClub Chair

2018-2019

Heidi Fernandes, President

Amna El Shatshat, Vice-President Student Affairs

Kristina Ellis, Vice-President Communications and Events

Yannick Traore, Treasurer and Vice-President Finance

Scott Gillis, Vice-President Operations

Alanna McEneny-King, PharmClub Chair

2017-2018

Amy Pham, President

Paul Malik, Vice-President Student Affairs

Alex Durocher, Vice-President Communications and Events

Bogdan Diaconu, Treasurer and Vice-President Finance

Hayden Huh, Vice-President Operations

Alanna McEneny-King, PharmClub Chair

2016-2017

Gokul Raj Pullagura, President

Amirreza Rafiee, Vice-President Student Affairs

Heather Dekker, Vice-President, Communications and Events

Amy Pham, Treasurer and Vice-President Finance

Alex Durocher, Vice-President Operations

Razan Amoud, PharmClub Chair

Alanna McEneny-King, Trivia Master

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