Who We Are
Fiona Anne Wallace
President
DNS Degree: BSc Nutritional Science, 9T3
Fiona’s Story: I have been involved in various capacities with the DNSAA for ten years and helped to get the mentorship program initially started with the Office of Advancement. I have served as president (2012-2015) past president and member at large. I have returned to the role of president in 2022.
Favourite UofT Memory: My favorite UofT memory is participating in the Hart House Finnish Exchange in 1993, where a team of 8 students went on a work exchange for the Summer. It was a lot of fun with midnight sun!
Mavra Ahmed
Vice President
DNS Degrees: Hons. BSc 2010, MSc 2012, PhD 2017
Mavra’s Story: Mavra joined the DNSAA Executive Team in 2021 as Vice President and had also contributed as a mentor in the DNSAA Mentorship Program. Mavra completed her PhD in the Department of Nutritional Sciences under the supervision of Dr. Mary L’Abbé. She now holds a dual leadership role with Dr. L'Abbé and Dr. Sellen, leading various projects, in the Department at the University of Toronto and is also a course director (Public Health Nutrition and Food Policy) at the York University. Although not much free time, Mavra relaxes by working out, swimming, adventuring and trying new foods.
Favourite UofT Memory: Contemplating life lessons in University College's Quad, but in reality, celebrating milestones and achievements with DNS friends.
Chelsea Murray
Secretary
DNS Degree: MSc 2014
Chelseas's Story: Chelsea has been part of the DNSAA Mentorship Program since 2015, where she has been both a mentee and a mentor. She joined the DNSAA in 2017. She currently works as a Senior Policy and Program Advisor in the Ministry of Health. Outside of work, Chelsea enjoys taking dance class, swimming, and travelling.
UofT Memory: Living in the Graduate House residence with students from all over the world
Eric Poon
Mentorship Coordinator
DNS Degree: HBSc 2012
Eric’s Story: I'm passionate about healthcare and education. Let's build together.
Favourite UofT Memory: Robarts Library, Gerstein Library, Athletic Centre
Rodney Au-Yeung
Communications Liaison
DNS Degree: MSc 2016
Rodney's Story: Rodney's role will be assisting in advertising different activities and events held throughout the year. In addition to his role on the DNSAA team, Rodney is currently pursuing a PhD with Dr. John Sievenpiper and is one of the Co-President of the DNS graduate students association, the NSGSA. Some noteworthy points of Rodney: he loves playing volleyball, has a huge collection of board games, and has 4 years of experience in dramatic arts and improv.
UofT Memory: First year physics, because adversity leads to greatness! (or so I'm told...)
Katherine Pullella
Communications Liaison, Graduate Student Representative, Pillar Sponsorship Lead
DNS degree: PhD (in progress)
Katie's story: Katie joined the DNSAA Executive team in 2020 as a Communications Liaison. In this role, Katie updates the DNSAA website, oversees the Pillar Sponsorship funds and assists with a variety of alumni association activities. In addition to volunteering with the DNSAA, Katie is a Ph.D. student in the lab of Dr. Joanne Kotsopoulos, serves as the Vice-President of the Nutritional Sciences Graduate Student Association (NSGSA) and is one of the editors of Nutrizine- the DNS graduate student-led magazine.
UofT Memory: Pre-seminar coffee chats with DNS friends!
Ashleigh Wiggins
Communications Liaison
DNS degree: MSc 2013
Ashleigh's story: Ashleigh has served on the DNSAA board since 2014, holding positions of President, Communications Liaison, and Member-at-Large. In addition to volunteering with the DNSAA, Ashleigh loves playing a variety of sports, listening to podcasts and playing her ukulele. Since graduating from UofT, Ashleigh managed the Program in Food Safety, Nutrition and Regulatory Affairs, and currently works in the Bureau of Nutritional Sciences at Health Canada.
UofT Memory: Grabbing post-seminar drinks every Thursday with the amazing UofT Nutrition folks.
Alyssa Paoletti
Member at Large
DNS Degree: MSc 2019, PhD candidate
Alyssa’s Story: I joined the DNSAA Team this year. I have also been a mentee in the Hart House Mentorship Program since 2019. I am completing my PhD in the Department of Nutritional Sciences under the supervision of Dr. Glenda Courtney-Martin.
Favourite UofT Memory: Attending conferences and having fun doing diet preparation in our lab's tiny metabolic kitchen.
Cathy Chu
Member at Large
DNS Degree: HBSc 2019
Cathy's Story: I joined the DNSAA Executive Team in 2021 as a member at large. As an aspiring Registered Dietitian, I will be pursuing the Masters of Public Health in Nutrition and Dietetics this fall at UofT.
Favourite UofT Memory: The poutine from the brown food truck in front of Sidney Smith Hall
Kathy Tran
Undergraduate Representative
DNS Degree: BSc (in progress)
Kathy’s Story: I have been a part of the Undergraduate Nutritional Sciences Student Association since 2021 and am looking forward to continuing this year as Co-President! It has been a great honour so far being part of an amazing group and supporting in strengthening the nutrition community through planning monthly events and sharing informative nutrition posts.
Favourite Memory: Spending quality time with friends while exploring campus and the city together.
Elmirah Ahmad
Undergraduate Representative
DNS Degree: BSc (in progress)
Elmirah's Story: I was elected as Co-President of the Undergraduate Nutrition Sciences Student Association (NSSA) in 2022. So far, it has been an extremely rewarding experience hosting various events like career nights, professor-student luncheons, and de-stresser events. I hope to continue bringing the nutrition community at UofT together.
Favourite Memory: Getting Starbucks after NFS302 lectures with friends.
Laura Pasut
Past President
DNS Degree: BSc 1982; MSc 1984
Laura’s Story: Laura joined the DNS Alumni Association in 2015. In addition to her role on executive, Laura has been a mentor to the University of Toronto undergrad and graduate students since its inception in 2011. Laura also loves to garden, hike, travel and spend time with family. Laura is President of Nutridata Consulting Service, her consulting firm which focuses on project management, regulatory affairs, communications and research working with various stakeholders including, industry, non-government organizations, governments and academia.
U of T Memory: Hanging out with lab friends (the human ones not the rats which were housed in the basement of the Fitzgerald Building) in our small office in the Medical Sciences Building.