Executives
David Gallacher
MGAPS President
Hi! As president of MGAPS, I act as the primary spokesperson and advocate for all graduate students. This includes coordinating the MGAPS executive, ensuring constant communication with the department, listening to and voicing the concerns of graduate students, and facilitating contact with other groups within and outside McGill. I am also involved in (ongoing) negotiations around the graduate student stipend. We’re constantly looking for ways to better serve grad students, but we can’t do so without knowing what issues you’re facing or where your needs aren’t being met. Please don’t hesitate to email me or contact me on the grad students’ slack!
Minh Au
VP Academic
My role is to create a positive and pleasant academic experience for MGAPS members. You are welcome to approach me with any sort of academic (i.e. supervisory or course-related) issue, and I will guide you by either acting as a liaison or directing you to the appropriate resources. I am also in charge of the MGAPS colloquia which happens once per year, the coffee & cookies gatherings with colloquium speakers which happened every Friday at 2.30 PM, and the Undergrad Mentorship Program, which I run in collaboration with the MSPS VP Academic in order to foster interaction between undergraduate and graduate students/postdocs. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions concerning academic matters in the department.
email: minh.au@mail.mcgill.ca
Catherine Boisvert
VP Communications
The VP communications is in charge of the MGAPS website, advertising MGAPS events, organizing social media, creating informative posters and communicating with you all in general. If I’m doing my job right, you’ll get regular emails from me. Follow MGAPS on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with what we are doing! I also take on secretarial duties such as taking minutes and attendance at the GAs.
Leo Rizk
VP Finance
Hello grads and postdocs! My name’s Leo and I’m a first-year MSc student (in astroparticle physics with Ken Ragan). I’m new to McGill but I’m not new to the city! Ask me about the best places to visit in Montreal, or where to find the most delicious pizza or drinks! :eyes: When I’m not busy astrophysicsing, I’m probably out on my bike or playing Nintendo. This year, I am the VP Finance for MGAPS. I am also the new grad student representative on the TSI Board of Directors. I make genuine efforts to fill my duties with care and commitment, and I hope to earn your trust and friendship over the coming months. If there’s anything I can help with, please let me know. You can find me in my office at ERP 303 or you can email me at leandro.rizk@mail.mcgill.ca. Take care! Leo Rizk (he/him)
email: leandro.rizk@mail.mcgill.ca
Naman Jain
VP Professional Development
Hi! I am Naman. As the professional development officer, my job is to coordinate action in providing awareness of earlier career planning and professional development while still in grad school. I plan to do this by fostering network of McGill Physics Alumni, facilitating contacts with professional clubs and associations, and inviting experts to learn about jobs that require skills physicists develop pursuing our degrees. Keep your eye out for panel discussions, workshops, and networking events, and let me know if there are skills you need help developing or resources you’d like for job searching!
email: naman.jain@mail.mcgill.ca
Nick Vieira
VP Social
Hi! My name is Nick and I’m a 3rd year PhD doing astrophysics. As your VP Social, my job is to organize the social events you want to see! Want a painting night? To play video games in our grad lounge (Rutherford 322)? To hang out at Thomson House? Reach out to me with your ideas and let’s make it happen. I also previously served as president of MGAPS in 2022-2023 and as a delegate for your TA union, AGSEM.
Officers
Nicholas Vieira
AGSEM Representative
Hi! I’m one of your delegates to the Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill (AGSEM), which is your teaching assistant (TA) union. My job is to make sure you know your rights as a TA and make sure they’re being respected throughout the department. I attend AGSEM meetings to keep you up to date.
Magnus L'Argent
AGSEM Representative
Hi, my name is Magnus and I am a first year Master’s student. I am one of your 3 TA delegates, alongside Nayyer and Noah! If you ever need to reach me, you can find me in the basement of the TSI or feel free to send me an email. Some fun facts about me: - I love to go on hikes, ski, and rock climb - I was born in Alaska and grew up in Oregon - As part of my research I study pulsars and radio astronomy
email: nayyer.raza@mail.mcgill.ca
Malik Lahlou
AGSEM Representative
Hi! I’m one of your delegates to the Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill (AGSEM), which is your teaching assistant (TA) union. My job is to make sure you know your rights as a TA and make sure they’re being respected throughout the department. I also attend AGSEM meetings to keep you up to date.
email: malik.lahlou@mail.mcgill.ca
Matthew Lundy
Chief Returning Officer
email: matthew.lundy@mail.mcgill.ca
Vishwangi Shah
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer
As Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Officer I work to make McGill Physics’ grad experience more open for those who are traditionally excluded from physics. I run workshops to educate folks on issues of equity and inclusion, and promote diversity by offering more accessible amentities in the department like bathrooms, workspaces, and advise on social programming that doesn’t just cater to the mainstream or privileged groups.
Sam Wong
Mental Health Officer
I am responsible for advocating on the wellbeing of our students-by promoting discussion spaces and supporting the creation of a more friendly and welcoming work environment. It is also my job to connect students with health resources inside and outside McGill. Apart from that, I organize events, trainings, workshops or anything else that’s related to wellness that you’re interested in! Your happiness is extremely important in graduate school, and MGAPS wants to help. I am also available for a talk over tea/coffee, active listening guaranteed :) Here’s a list of resources if you need: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/115S6q4jsqyC-5e_OfD6eOt_IFr6Dg-FSW8OBUXgLrbU/edit#gid=1047443943
Francis McGee
PGSS Representative
The job of a PGSS representative is to attend and vote on behalf of physics grads at PGSS council (which is accompanied by free food) and in turn keep MGAPS informed of the current issues and initiatives.
email: francis.mcgee@mail.mcgill.ca
Samin Majidi
PGSS Representative
The job of a PGSS representative is to attend and vote on behalf of physics grads at PGSS council (which is accompanied by free food) and in turn keep MGAPS informed of the current issues and initiatives.
email: samin.majidi@mail.mcgill.ca
TBD
PGSS Representative
The job of a PGSS representative is to attend and vote on behalf of physics grads at PGSS council (which is accompanied by free food) and in turn keep MGAPS informed of the current issues and initiatives.
email: N/A
TBD
Postdoctoral Officer
The Postdoctoral Officer serves as a liaison between postdoctoral fellows and graduate students in the department. It is the officer’s job to keep postdocs informed of MGAPS initiatives and encourage their involvement in MGAPS affairs. This positions is currently open.
email: N/A
David Gallacher
RTech and Computing Officer
I run interactive events to improve grads’ computer-related skills. In the Fall semester, these will be Codetober, a workshop series on introductory programming topics every Tuesday of October, and the Physics Hackathon. Check out https://www.facebook.com/RTechMcGill and www.physics.mcgill.ca/hackathon.
Catherine Boisvert
Sports Officer
Do you like being active and playing games with physics friends? I’m here to facilitate just that! I will help you organize an intramural team or any other recreational activity you want to do with your peers. I also might be organizing some events such as Hockey Night in Physics.
Lisa Nasu-Yu
TA Officer
As Teaching Assistant Officer, I’m here to support you through your time as a TA in physics. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns about your TA-ship!
email: lisa.nasu-yu@mail.mcgill.ca
Christian Capanelli
Workspace Officer
As workspace officer, I focus on improving our physical work environment and ensuring departmental safety. Additionally, I serve on the EDI Committee, with the aim of making our shared spaces more inclusive. Feel free to reach out with your ideas for the grad lounge, offices, or any other area in the building that you think can be improved!