Yasaman Mostafaie, Physiology
Yasaman is a 4th year PhD Candidate in the Department of Physiology under the supervision of Dr. Steffen-Sebastian Bolz. Her research focuses on discovery of novel therapeutics in microvascular medicine. In addition to research and teaching, she has always had a passion for leadership and mentorship. She has been a member of the Graduate Association for Students in Physiology (GASP) since the beginning of her graduate studies and has served as an elected executive member for the past 3 years. Over the past four years, she has strived to help create an inclusive and safe community for all graduate students in our department. As president, Yasaman has worked closely with our faculty and Chair to improve student experience and has been an advocate for mental health awareness, equality, equity and diversity. She acts as a confidant to all students, has an “open-door” policy and never hesitates to voice student concerns with our faculty. Yasaman also is an active participant of multiple mentorship programs where she mentors high-school, undergraduate, and graduate students.
Leadership philosophy:
Yasaman always seeks leadership opportunities. As a leader, she aims to create a safe and collaborative team environment where everyone’s input is valued, and their initiatives’ rewarded. While respecting traditions, she does not hesitate to advocate for and bring about change when necessary. Yasaman believes that an effective leader acknowledges and utilizes their peers’ strengths to achieve a collective goal. As a student leader at the University of Toronto, Yasaman believes that this collective goal is to foster an environment that allows everyone to succeed and grow.