Current committee

Meet the 2023 MRSS committee!

Nandini Karthikeyan

Chair

Nandini's role in MRSS
Nandini is responsible for overseeing MRSS’s operations and leading the committee to ensure that we are meeting our foundation aims.

Andrew Duan

BMedSc(Hons) Representative

What is your favourite research quote?
"It is often said that - in clinical practice, you can save the life in front of you, but through research, you can save millions of lives. I think this quote speaks to why many of us are interested in pursuing a future career in medical research alongside our clinical work."

Andrew's role in MRSS
Andrew and Branavan are responsible for representing and advocating for BMedSc(Hons) students by attending MUMUS academic meetings, communicating course information, and coordinating academic events for their fellow BMedSc(Hons) students.

Branavan Thevashangar

BMedSc(Hons) Representative

Branavan Thevashangar

BMedSc(Hons) Representative

Why did you join MRSS and why are you interested in research?
"I joined MRSS in order to work and collaborate with a wonderful team, with each member doing their all to advocate and strengthen the research experience here at Monash University. Particularly in Monash’s BMedSc(Hons) Program, I would love to communicate and facilitate opportunities for our cohort to thrive within this year which can be crucial in our development as clinician-researchers and getting involved in MRSS gives me that exact opportunity. Research forms the bedrock of clinical practice and our understanding of medicine and to be involved in helping the new generation of these researchers is an absolute privilege!"

What is your favourite self-care activity?
"Getting out of my element and going an exploring new things such as events happening all around Melbourne is my favourite thing to do for self care!"

Branavan's role in MRSS
Andrew and Branavan are responsible for representing and advocating for BMedSc(Hons) students by attending MUMUS academic meetings, communicating course information, and coordinating academic events for their fellow BMedSc(Hons) students.

Britney Pham

Treasurer

Britney Pham

Treasurer

Why are you interested in research and why did you join MRSS?
"Whilst rewarding, Medicine is known to be a long and arduous course, and research is an element that I believe cultivates continual motivation during the education journey. Joining MRSS has fuelled my personal interests by providing opportunities to work with different students and connect with real-world professionals."

Britney's role in MRSS
Britney is responsible for the financial supervision of MRSS by planning budgets for events and liaising with our sponsorship team.

Alexa Yao

Education Officer (Promotions)

Alexa Yao

Education Officer (Promotions)

Why did you join MRSS and why are you interested in research?
"I’ve always been interested in the role of research in making long-term positive impacts on the lives of others. I’m excited to continue exploring the many avenues for research as a medical student, and to share them through the MRSS website and social media pages!"

What do you like to do in your free time?
"Trying to bake (mostly unsuccessfully) and drinking tea, especially out of novelty mugs—the uglier the better!"

Alexa's role in MRSS
Alexa and Ali are responsible for maintaining MRSS' social media presence, designing and disseminating promotional materials, and updating the new MRSS website.

Alisina Khani

Education Officer (Promotions)

Alisina Khani

Education Officer (Promotions)

Why are you interested in research?
"I'm very passionate about research and believe that every practicing doctor with a patient population has the ability to discover important new knowledge, without needing advanced laboratory equipment. So, I’m very excited to promote these opportunities to you all!"

What's a fun fact about yourself?
"I share the same birthday as Scott Morrison!"

Ali's role in MRSS
Alexa and Ali are responsible for maintaining MRSS' social media presence, designing and disseminating promotional materials, and updating the new MRSS website.

Sayumi Premaratne

Education Officer (Projects)

Sayumi Premaratne

Education Officer (Projects)

Why are you interested in research?
"I love getting involved in research because it's a great way to be creative, grow your knowledge in whatever you're interested and make a massive impact in areas and issues that you care about."

What is your favourite self-care activity?
"My favourite thing to do is watch The Office and play with my cats while I snack on some sushi."

Sayumi's role in MRSS
Sayumi, Isaac, and Arsheeya are responsible for organising academic events that seek to engage medical students in research!

Isaac Lee

Education Officer (Projects)

Isaac Lee

Education Officer (Projects)

What do you like to do in your free time?
"In my free time, I try to keep a habit of running every alternate day. When I am bored, I also like to play my favourite songs on the piano. Also, I am a fan of the mobile game Marvel Snap because of its short and fast-paced games."

Isaac's role in MRSS
Sayumi, Isaac, and Arsheeya are responsible for organising academic events that seek to engage medical students in research!

Arsheeya Rattan

Education Officer (Projects)

Arsheeya Rattan

Education Officer (Projects)

What is a fun fact about yourself?
"I can speak four languages!"

Arsheeya's role in MRSS
Sayumi, Isaac, and Arsheeya are responsible for organising academic events that seek to engage medical students in research!

Chen Wang

Journal Club Officer

Chen Wang

Journal Club Officer

Why are you interested in research?
"I am very curious and am eager to understand how and why things work and how they can be improved, especially in the field of medicine."

What is a fun fact about yourself?
"I can flip the tip of my right ear inwards."

Chen's role in MRSS
Chen and Jibran are responsible for organising monthly journal club sessions run via Zoom.

Gabrielle Lee

Pre-clinical Representative

Gabrielle Lee

Pre-clinical Representative

Why did you join MRSS?
"I joined MRSS to gain more exposure to research and help bring more research opportunities to pre-clinical students."

What's a fun fact about yourself?
"I'm a huge fan of the outdoors and I love adventure!"

Gabrielle's role in MRSS
Research isn’t only for clinical students! Gabrielle and Sze Sze are responsible for helping their preclinical peers get a head start on their research aspirations and spread awareness of the research scholarships and opportunities available.

Jibran Haddad

Journal Club Officer

Jibran Haddad

Journal Club Officer

Why are you interested in research?
"I'm interested in medical research because it has the ability to vastly improve the delivery of patient care."

What do you like to do in your free time?
"I enjoy drinking Lebanese coffee and swimming at the beach all year round!"

Jibran's role in MRSS
Chen and Jibran are responsible for organising monthly journal club sessions run via Zoom.

Sze Sze Lee

Pre-clinical Representative

Sze Sze Lee

Pre-clinical Representative

What's a fun fact about yourself?
"I have zero spice tolerance."

Sze Sze's role in MRSS
Research isn’t only for clinical students! Gabrielle and Sze Sze are responsible for helping their preclinical peers get a head start on their research aspirations and spread awareness of the research scholarships and opportunities available.

Kai Tham

Sponsorship Officer

Kai Tham

Sponsorship Officer

What's your favourite research tip?
"One tip for life and research is to put yourself out there! Don't be afraid of rejection."

What's a fun fact about yourself?
"One fun fact about me is that when I was four, my brother tried to put me in a washing machine. In hindsight, it made me stronger."

Kai's role in MRSS
Kai is responsible for establishing partnerships with external sponsors to support MRSS' activities and events.

Irvin Soh

International Representative

Irvin Soh

International Representative

Why are you interested in research?
"I am interested in research as I think it is really important to push the boundaries of modern medicine."

What do you like to do in your free time?
"I spend most of my free time in climbing gyms, falling."

Irvin's role in MRSS
Irvin is responsible for representing and advocating for international students who are interested in research.