Meet the graduate student mentors taking part in the Together@Dal: Grad Edition orientation program for incoming grad students
Patricia Porto de Barros Ayaz (she/her)
Program: Political Science
Expected graduation year:Ìý2025
Hometown: Rio de Janeriro
Hello, new and returning Dalhousians! I'm a PhD student in the Political Science department. I love spending time with my family and friends, as well as hiking, traveling, and learning new languages. I am really happy to be part of the team that is going to welcome and support graduate students for one more year, and I look forward to seeing you all at Together@Dal panels, workshops, and other events, such as our famous Karaoke and Games Night! Wishing everyone a fantastic year ahead!
Kenee Patel (He/Him)
Program:Â Master of Applied Computer Science
Expected graduation year:Ìý2025Â
Hometown:Â Surat, India
Hi there, I'm Kenee Patel, a Computer Science student trying to juggle studies and work, and to find some balance in life. My typing is so fast that my computer thinks I'm trying to hack into the Matrix , but my brain just can't keep up! Currently enjoying Halifax and all its locality
Hetvi Joshi (She/Her)
Program:Â Master of Planning
Expected graduation year:Ìý2025
Home country:Ìý±õ²Ô»å¾±²¹
Hello, I am Hetvi. I am a curious passionate soul with an eager to learn and explore. Being a book lover can find me in a library either with a book or with a dilemma to choose a book.
Ovaiz Ali (He/Him)
Program:Â Master of Applied Computer Science (MACS)
Expected graduation year: 2025
Hometown:Â Karachi, Pakistan
Ovaiz Ali is a data enthusiast currently pursuing a Master’s in Applied Computer Science at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. He specializes in data analytics, helping organizations make data-driven decisions, and is proficient in building and deploying end-to-end data pipelines. Ovaiz actively participates in Kaggle competitions and hackathons to stay updated with the latest trends and is currently learning Generative AI to solve real-world problems. He shares his knowledge through his Medium blog and loves to play cricket.
Pedro Sartori Locatelli (He/Him)
Program:Â PhD in Electrical Engineering
Expected graduation year: 2027
Hometown:Â Belo Horizonte, Brazil
With a passion for fostering a welcoming and inclusive community, I find joy in supporting new graduate students from around the world as they embark on their journey in graduate studies. Having completed a master's degree in Brazil and now a 2nd Year PhD student in the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, I bring my own experiences to help navigate this challenging yet exhilarating journey. Outside of academia, I am deeply engaged in outdoor activities and traveling, exploring different places and immersing myself in diverse cultures. I am thrilled to contribute to the vibrant and diverse ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøcommunity!.
Elham Najafi (She/her)
Program: Chemical Engineering
Expected graduation year:Ìý2027
Hometown: Isfahan, Iran
I started my PhD in chemical engineering at Dal in January 2023. My research focuses on bioremediation technologies for waste valorization and bioenergy production. In the fall of 2023, I joined Study for Success (SFS) as a study skills coach. I have been delighted to share my experiences in both academic and student life with many students, and to hear from them, helping each other grow and strive for a balanced life here at Dal, achieving both professional success and life joy at the same time.
Dr. S M Kawser Zafor Prince, MBBS, CCD, MPH (he/him)
Program:Â Masters in Epidemiology and Applied Health Research
Expected graduation year: 2025
Hometown:Â Dhaka, Bangladesh
I am a dynamic public health professional and dedicated medical doctor with expertise in healthcare, academia, and IT. My academic journey includes an MPH and ongoing Masters in Epidemiology and Applied Health Research at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. With a blend of teaching, Research, clinical, and IT skills, I am committed to enhancing healthcare systems. I actively engage in extracurriculars and research projects to make a meaningful difference in healthcare and society. My master's thesis is on mental health, and I am a recipient of the 2023/24 Master's Scotia Scholars Award from Research Nova Scotia, Canada.
Yuyan Bao (He/Him)
Program:Â Master of Science in Audiology
Expected graduation year: 2025
Home Country:Â TangShan, China
Hi, this is Yuyan, I came to Halifax in 2017 and got my BSc in Kinesiology at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøin 2021, after that I decided to start a new journey in the field of Audiology and I love it! A fun fact about me is I was a tennis coach, and my favourite restaurant in Halifax is Song's Korean Restaurant at Quinpool.
Sareh Rahmati (She/Her)
Program:Â Master of Art in EconomicsÂ
Expected graduation year: 2024Ìý
Home Country: Iran
My name is Sareh Rahmati. I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Economics at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, I hold a bachelor's degree in financial management , and a master's degree in MBA from Iran. As a grad mentor at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, I am excited to contribute to our vibrant academic community and support incoming graduate students in achieving their goals, and also, I am passionate about fostering academic growth and providing guidance to my peers.
Tiara Mulder (She/her)
Program:Â MSc transferring to PhD in Biology
Expected graduation year: 2027
Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Hello everyone! My name is Tiara and I was born and raised in Lake Loon / Cherry Brook, one of the 52 historic Black communities in Nova Scotia. I completed my undergraduate studies at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, where I double majored in Biology and Mathematics with a minor in the History of Science and Technology. Currently, I am an MSc student about to transition to a PhD program, studying muscle damage and repair mechanisms using Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) as a model organism. In my free time, I enjoy going to Dalplex and watching anime.
