Postdoctoral Visitors
Joseph Baafi
I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at York University, where I conduct interdisciplinary research in mathematical biology, computational modelling, and data analytics. My current work focuses on developing data-driven models to understand how climate and seasonal factors influence mosquito population dynamics and public health risks in Canada. I hold a PhD in Mathematical Biology from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Throughout my academic career, I have been committed to service, collaboration, and supporting other researchers. I previously served in a leadership role within a trainee committee of the One Health Modelling Network for Emerging Infections, where I helped coordinate activities and promote engagement among graduate students and early-career researchers. This experience strengthened my interest in contributing to academic communities and ensuring that researchers at different career stages have opportunities to participate and be heard.
I am interested in serving on the Faculty of Graduate Studies Council because postdoctoral researchers occupy a unique position within the university, contributing to research, mentorship, teaching, and knowledge mobilization while navigating important career transitions. If considered, I would work to ensure that the perspectives and concerns of York’s diverse postdoctoral community are meaningfully represented in Council discussions. I am particularly interested in professional development, mentorship, career support, inclusion, effective communication, and greater recognition of postdoctoral contributions.
I would serve as an engaged and collaborative representative by listening to fellow postdoctoral researchers, communicating Council matters clearly, and contributing thoughtfully to decisions affecting graduate and postdoctoral education at York.
Christine Corso
Christine Corso is a former classroom teacher who returned to earn her PhD after working with a non-profit research and advocacy group to advance public education through evidence-based dialogue. Christine has served on executive council of the Canadian Association of Sociology of Education for 4 years and on School Council (as well as standing committees) at the Ontario Institute for Students in Education at UofT. Both Christine's research and advocacy is related to economic and social inequities in schooling and she has extensive experience working with community groups and stakeholders to build coalitions and joint research-based initiatives. She looks forward to joining the Faculty of Graduate Studies Council to help expand financial and professional supports for graduate students as they move through and beyond their academic trajectories at York.
Christos Orfanidis
I am a Connected Minds Postdoc in the School of Human Resource Management, doing research at the intersection of AI ethics and leadership. I bring extensive university governance experience stemming from my tripartite role as the inaugural co-chair of the Student Life Advisory Council, a member of the Student Life Budget Committee, and a member of the Gradlife Advisory Committee at the University of Toronto during my graduate studies. I am also an elected Director of the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education with service as the chair of the Conference Committee and a member of the Accessibility Committee. My priority as a member of the Faculty of Graduate Studies Council would be to support the integration of cutting-edge transformation for postdoctoral education and employment, as well as graduate education more broadly, including curricular and operational digitalization, in ways that respect the diversity of our unique student and stakeholder populations, by prioritizing fairness, inclusiveness, belonging, and accessibility.
Taha Sajjad
I am a postdoctoral researcher at York University and hold a PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from York. My interdisciplinary research combines engineering, information theory, biological systems, and data-driven modelling. I also bring university-level teaching experience, including serving as a Course Director and teaching within the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
My academic service has included membership on a Tenure and Promotion Committee, representing students on the Graduate Student Advisory Council, and serving as Vice-President of Finance in a graduate student association. These experiences strengthened my ability to review complex matters carefully, collaborate with individuals from different academic backgrounds, and contribute constructively to institutional decision-making.
I am interested in serving on the Faculty of Graduate Studies Council to ensure that postdoctoral perspectives are meaningfully represented in discussions concerning research, professional development, teaching, academic policy, and the broader postdoctoral experience. Postdoctoral researchers occupy a distinctive position within the university as researchers, emerging independent scholars, mentors, and, in many cases, instructors. I understand the opportunities and challenges associated with this stage of an academic career.
If elected, I will listen to the concerns of fellow postdoctoral researchers, prepare thoroughly for Council meetings, and contribute thoughtfully to discussions and decisions. I would bring a collaborative, evidence-informed, and inclusive approach while supporting policies that strengthen graduate and postdoctoral education across York University.
Congjie Shi (Nancy)
I believe that our university should be much more than just a place to study and work. It should be a place where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging. Since coming to York in 2021, I kept building meaningful connections with both students and faculty. I obtained my PhD in Mathematics here in 2025, and stayed on as a postdoctoral researcher. I have been a graduate student here before, so I know many of the experiences and challenges graduate students go through first-hand. I would be honoured to have the opportunity to serve on the Council of FGS, hear the concerns of both faculty and students, represent their views and help make York a more welcoming, supportive and inclusive place for all.
I have been actively involved in student leadership and service. I previously led the Mathematics and Statistics Graduate Student Association (MSGSA). I have also served as the chief councillor of the Faculty of Science for the York University Graduate Students’ Association (YUGSA) and served on the executive council for the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM). I hope to continue advocating for graduate students, strengthening connections across the university, and creating opportunities that support students' academic and social life at York.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Vinushini Arunagiri
During the past year as a postdoctoral researcher in the TULiP lab, I have gained a close understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing postdoctoral scholars within our department, from funding and mentorship structures to professional development and career transition support.
Postdoctoral researchers occupy a unique position within the graduate studies community where we are closely engaged with graduate training and supervision, while also working alongside faculty and the department at large. I would welcome the opportunity to bring this perspective to the council, advocating for the interests of postdoctoral researchers while contributing constructively to broader discussions on graduate education, curriculum, and research training.
Having served previously as a committee member and mentor for the Yale New Haven Hospital's Women's Networking committee, vice-president for the Graduate Students organization and founder and member of the first ever Graduate Students Diversity committee at Hofstra University, I am confident in my ability to represent my colleagues effectively and engage thoughtfully with Council's work.
I would be grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity.
Phil Henderson
I'm a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow, currently hosted at the Global Labour Research Centre. As someone who is now on their third postdoctoral fellowship, I am particularly interested in advocating for the position of postdocs at York in the context of an ever-worsening academic job market (a situation only compounded by the steady erosion of other high-skill job sectors as well). To this role, I bring a history of department/unit level governance, as well as wealth of experience in union organizing (through CUPE 4163 [UVic] and 3903 [UofT]).
As part of my responsibility in this role I will commit to holding biweekly 'office hours' that are open to all postdocs at York. Through this mechanism, I hope to develop a much broader and deeper appreciation of the range of experiences, issues, and ambitions among the postdoctoral community at York. Another important goal in this position is to advance protections around intellectual property, academic integrity, and research/teaching ethics, specifically as they relate to the rapid develop of Large Language Models and other 'AI' technologies. Postdocs are particularly vulnerable to the negative workplaces consequences associated with these developing technologies and our voices should be at the centre of university policy development.
Durdana Khan
I am an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow at York University, working in the areas of environmental epidemiology, maternal–child health, and population-based biomonitoring. My academic trajectory has been shaped by a commitment to rigorous research, evidence‑based decision‑making, and meaningful contributions to the university's teaching and governance structures. I have significant experience working with national datasets, leading collaborative research teams, and navigating complex academic processes, including ethics, data governance, and multi‑institutional partnerships.
In my role as Course Director, I have developed and delivered upper‑year curriculum, implemented innovative assessment strategies, and supported student learning through mentorship and inclusive pedagogical practices. These experiences have strengthened my understanding of the academic needs of both faculty and students and the importance of transparent, consultative decision-making at the Faculty Council level.
I am interested in serving on the Faculty Council because I value shared governance and believe that faculty voices play a critical role in shaping academic priorities, curriculum standards, and policies that support research excellence and student success. I bring a perspective grounded in interdisciplinary research, equity‑focused teaching, and a strong commitment to institutional service. I am particularly interested in contributing to discussions related to curriculum development, research support structures, and policies that enhance the academic experience for faculty, students, and trainees.
I would welcome the opportunity to contribute my experience, collaborative approach, and commitment to academic integrity to the work of Faculty Council.
Alexandra Mourgopu
I am a MITACS Elevate Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of History at York University, where my research explores music, migration, urban space, and the Greek Canadian diasporic experience in Toronto. My academic background is interdisciplinary, spanning architecture, cultural and urban geography, history, and ethnomusicology. I hold a joint PhD from the National Technical University of Athens and Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, and my research and teaching experience has taken place across Canada, Greece, and France.
As a postdoctoral researcher, I am particularly interested in strengthening the representation of postdoctoral scholars within the wider graduate research community. Postdoctoral researchers occupy a distinctive position within universities: we are independent researchers and emerging academic leaders, while also navigating questions of professional development, institutional belonging, research funding, teaching, and future career pathways.
I would welcome the opportunity to contribute this perspective to Faculty Council and to engage with colleagues from across disciplines on issues affecting graduate and postdoctoral research at York. My interdisciplinary background and experience working across academic, community, and public-facing research environments have made me especially attentive to collaboration, accessibility, and the value of bringing different forms of expertise into institutional conversations. I would be pleased to contribute actively to Council discussions while also representing the concerns and experiences of York’s diverse postdoctoral community.
Augustine Okoh
Dr. Augustine Okoh is a CPRA-funded postdoctoral researcher embedded in the M4 and Aging Lab at the School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health. Augustine has a long history of service and leadership, including as the Graduate Students' Representative for the Section of Researchers of the College of Family Physicians of Canada during his doctoral studies. He also served as the Graduate Students' Ambassador of the Health Policy PhD program at McMaster University.
These experiences have strengthened Augustine’s commitment to collaborative leadership, inclusive representation, and fostering a supportive academic community. Through his research and service roles, he has developed a strong appreciation for the diverse perspectives and needs of faculty, researchers, trainees, and staff across academic environments.
Augustine is interested in serving on Faculty Council because he believes effective governance depends on meaningful representation, open dialogue, and a shared commitment to advancing the Faculty’s academic and research mission. He would bring to Council a collaborative and student- and researcher-informed perspective, while working constructively with colleagues to identify opportunities and address challenges affecting our academic community.
Ogochukwu Onyeso
I am a postdoctoral fellow at the School of Kinesiology and Health Science, currently supported by the 2025 Canada Postdoctoral Research Award through March 2028. I previously held a one-year postdoctoral visitor position in the same Faculty, so I know this community from both perspectives. I would welcome the opportunity to serve postdoctoral researchers on the Faculty of Graduate Studies Council.
I bring substantial governance experience gained during my PhD at the University of Lethbridge. As an Independent Representative at the Graduate Student Association (2022 to 2024), I participated in student mobilization, served two terms on the GSA Award Committee, and represented graduate students on University committees, including the Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee, the Health and Safety Advisory Committee, and the 2023 Dean of Faculty of Health Sciences Search Committee. I also served as Vice President of the University of Lethbridge (Academically Employed) Graduate Student Association in 2024, and I currently sit on the Executive Council of CAnD3. This work taught me how to carry trainee concerns effectively into institutional decision-making.
My research centres on mobility and health equity among older adults, and I care about equity in graduate education with equal seriousness. Postdoctoral researchers face distinct pressures around funding continuity, career transition, and belonging, and these deserve consistent representation on a Committee of Senate.
If elected, I would attend reliably, listen carefully, and advocate practically for postdoctoral interests, particularly equity-deserving researchers. I bring a direct, collegial working style and a genuine commitment to service. Visit my e-portfolio: onyeso.com.
Caighlan Smith
I am a postdoctoral researcher in digital media and communication studies. My SSHRC-funded postdoctoral project specifically investigates the democratic agency that can be evoked by different types of digital game design. As a researcher concerned with democratic problem-solving and deliberation in today’s contemporary digital age, I have much to contribute to the faculty council and would look forward to actively participating in conscientious and informed university governance. I have prior experience serving as a voting member on university councils: while undertaking my doctoral studies, I was the graduate student representative for the Memorial University Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty Council. I also acted as an elected director for the Memorial University Graduate Student Union. During this time, I additionally assisted with academic unit planning for the English and Communication Studies graduate programs at Memorial, to help improve graduate student experience. I would now love the opportunity to contribute my time and expertise to York University’s Faculty of Graduate Studies Council, in service to their important mission to support graduate and postdoctoral educational development and foster academic excellence.