Meet the Team

PRESIDENT- SHANE FITZGERALD: Shane is a second-year student from Waterford, in the South East of Ireland. He graduated from University College Dublin with a Bachelor of Science before starting here in GEMS. During his time in UCD, Shane was elected V Captain of the Equestrian Club. From this experience he knows how a successful society should be run. Shane was a class representative in his first year here in GEMS. Through this experience he got to meet so many of the students and various members of staff. He plays tag rugby weekly with MedSoc, so come out and have a bit of fun (craic)! As the newly elected President of the Medical Society, Shane has some great new ideas to try make this year one of the best yet for the society! He can’t wait to work together with a great team to make the next year a memorable one!

SECRETARY- Marah Hasan: Marah is a second-year student from Mississauga, Canada. She graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Science- Biochemistry Specialization. As secretary, she looks forward to ensuring the smooth functioning of the MedSoc committee. Outside of GEMS, she enjoys reading, dancing, and exploring new cultures around the world. She looks forward to meeting all the first years and welcoming them to the GEMS Bubble.

SPORTS OFFICER- CLARE GREHAN: Clare is a 2nd year student from Mayo and graduated with a BSc in Biomedical Science from NUI Galway. She worked for a number of years in different roles in the healthcare manufacturing industry before making the decision to go back to college. Clare loved GEMS sports in 1st year and is really excited to be sports officer this year, organising the weekly sports and annual sport events. GEMS sports is a great way to get to know classmates and the upper years, so getting involved is highly encouraged!!

EVENTS OFFICER- PRIYANKA PATEL: Priyanka is a second-year student from California, USA. She has a degree in Sports Medicine from University of the Pacific in Stockton California. She loves to work out and is a huge foodie. You’ll always find her with snacks in her bag. As Events Officer for 2018/2019, Priyanka and the events committee are responsible for planning the exciting MedSoc events including: MedBall, MedFactor and New Month Party. Having helped plan MedBall last year, she is hoping to make Medball 2019 an amazing one and to help raise as much money as the Medical School can for this year’s chosen charity.

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER- PEI-YIN LIAO: Pei-Yin is a second-year student. She was born in Taiwan, grew up in Montreal, Canada and loves her family to death. She completed a BSc in Nutrition at McGill University in Montreal before going to GEMS. Her hobbies include reading, doing yoga and discovering good food. She enjoys collecting memories by taking photos. As the new Public Relations Officer, you will be seeing her at events snapping away, so do not feel shy to give her a big smile. She looks forward to promoting MedSoc events and documenting all the fun memories.

HEALTH & SAFETY OFFICER- HANNAH GUMMESON: Hannah is a second-year student from Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and a Master in Public Health from the University of British Columbia. She has travelled extensively in Central America, where she has lived and worked over the years. Following graduation, Hannah spent a year as a Project Manager on a provincial initiative for Doctors of BC before coming to GEMS to pursue medicine. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, yoga, delicious food and adventures in the wild. She is looking forward to working with the new Medical Society committee and to another great year at GEMS.

INTERNATIONAL NEW STUDENT LIAISON- ABIGAIL ROBERTS: Abigail Roberts is a second year student from Hamilton, Ontario. She graduated from University of Ottawa with an Honours in Biomedical Sciences. She has previously orchestrated medical missions to Honduras with Global Brigades in her undergraduate degree, so if familiar with informing students of the requirements to cross world borders. She has also spent many years volunteering in local humane shelters in Canada and has been involved with the UL GIVE events committee previously. Abigail looks forward to welcoming new students and helping them transition to the UL GEMS program and life in Ireland.

EUROPEAN NEW STUDENT LIAISON- RYAN FAGAN: Ryan is a second-year student from Bray, Co. Wicklow. He obtained his BSc (Physiotherapy) degree from The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and worked for one year before arriving in GEMS. Ryan trained in karate for eleven years, managing to run a club and is now Chairperson of the Amateur Sports Karate Organisation (ASKO) Ireland. As events officer for the GP Interest Group 2017/18, Ryan was responsible for co-ordinating several charity events for Headway Ireland and Diabetes Ireland, while organising numerous visits to Limerick Animal Welfare Sanctuary, encouraging animal-filled study breaks among students. He cannot wait to meet all the new faces, welcome them from the start and be present as a pillar of support for all throughout the year.

CHARITY OFFICER- MUSTHAFA RASWOLI: Musthafa is a second-year student from Toronto, Canada. Musthafa previously studied biomedical science at York University. During his undergraduate degree, Musthafa was active in several charities and volunteered at numerous hospitals, volunteering at one hospital for 7 years. He enjoys going out too much, procrastinating and binge-watching movies and TV shows. As charity officer, he is involved in forging and maintaining relationships with the numerous charities that MedSoc and GEMs as a whole work with throughout the year. Welcome to GEMs, both MedSoc and the rest of the medical school looks forward to meeting you all soon.

TREASURER- MARTINA MANNION: Martina is a second-year student from Louisburgh, Co. Mayo. Before beginning her medical studies, she graduated with a degree in Biomedical Sciences from NUI Galway, specialising in Pharmacology. During her time there she got involved in youth politics as well as Cell Explorers, an educational outreach programme aimed at primary and second level students. Outside of her medical studies, she loves going to Mayo matches, travelling, reading and walking her collies. As treasurer, she hopes to efficiently budget our finances to produce successful and fun events this year with the aim of raising much needed funds for charity.

3RD YEAR REPRESENTATIVE- MINA DAWOOD: Mina is a third year student from Oakville, Ontario. She graduated from McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology (Physiology Specialization) and a minor in Music. At UL, she is also involved with AMSI as the Local Officer for Humans Rights and Peace. She has lived in several countries and loves to travel whenever the opportunity arises. Mina looks forward to welcoming new students and helping them transition to the UL GEMS program and life in Ireland.

4TH YEAR REPRESENTATIVE- SONYA RAMONDINO: Sonya is a 4th year student from Oakville, Ontario. She completed a Bachelor of Science at McMaster University, followed by the Compressed Time-Frame Nursing Program at Western University. She is thrilled to now be pursuing her dream of becoming a physician alongside her incredible fellow GEMS students. When she's not nerding it up with science, she loves to dance, draw, sing (badly) and write. She is looking forward to connecting with students, and hopes to be a source of support throughout the coming year.

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