Student Profiles

He’s passionate about the intersection of technology, education, and ethics, and advocates for student-centred policies in academic governance. Through his work in the Senate, Alex has focused on curriculum, equitable access to learning resources, and the responsible use of emerging technologies such as generative AI. He’s excited to help guide UBC’s approach to AI in ways that are transparent, inclusive, and aligned with student needs, both in the
classroom and throughout campus life.

Alex is a Master’s student in Computer Science at UBC Okanagan, supervised by Dr. Milani in Engineering and Dr. Irani in Computer Science. His main research focuses on improving exploration in reinforcement learning, especially in environments with sparse rewards. Beyond his thesis, he is investigating how Large Language Models (LLMs) respond differently to various request styles, such as whether flattery leads to a better response than rudeness. He is also a research assistant at the Digital Transparency Research Excellence Cluster, where he contributes to the field of Trustworthy AI. He joined the Student AI Council to participate in the development of guidelines for the effective and responsible use of AI among students.

Amin Adibi is a research scientist and a Ph.D. candidate at UBC. His doctoral research explores
bias and fairness in AI and statistical models, bridging the gap between computer science and medicine. As a UBC Public Scholar, he works to bring nuance to public discussions about algorithmic bias in medicine while advocating for rigorous assessment of statistical and artificial intelligence models as they become increasingly adopted in clinical care and education.

Coming soon.

Bardia is a Neuroscience student at UBC’s Vancouver campus. He has been actively pursuing his passion for student advocacy throughout his time at the university. Bardia is currently the elected AMS Representative for the Science Undergraduate Society, where he works with the governing bodies of both SUS and the AMS. A significant focus of his advocacy efforts has been the ethical, productive, and safe use of AI tools for students across campus. He is thrilled to be a member of this council, where he can do valuable work for the students.

Blair Visscher is a Masters student in IGS Sustainability and research assistant with the Living With Wildfire Okanagan Research Group. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, a Bachelor’s of Education Degree and is currently a graduate student representative on the UBCO
Senate. She is passionate about student involvement in governance, forward thinking institutions, and communication practices. Her research is focused on climate crisis communication and the intersection of algorithms and emotion during wildfire evacuation in communities in rural British Columbia.

Courtnay (she/her) is a Master of Education candidate at UBC Okanagan with an undergraduate
degree in Sociology. She focuses on facilitating the creation of learning environments that are
diverse, safe, equitable, and accessible. Her research examines how technology can support these priorities by improving inclusion, strengthening student voice, and making teacher collaboration more effective. She is particularly interested in how artificial intelligence can simplify lesson design, reduce barriers to participation, and promote sustainable teaching practices that help prevent burnout.

Eric D. de Roulet (he/him) is an assistant in the Academic Integrity Matters (AIM) Program at UBCO as well as an interdisciplinary PhD candidate researching developments in the international higher
education sector. He contributes to the Advisory Council through his experience in advising students on academic integrity and GenAI use, plus his background in teaching EAL (English as an additional language) and writing-intensive courses in the US, Canada, and China. He hopes, above all else, that his fellow UBC students continue to develop their communication skills and nurture their creative selves even as GenAI tools make their way into the classroom.

Jessica Goel is a fourth-year Bachelor of Science student majoring in Computer Science at the University
of British Columbia, Okanagan. She currently serves as a Director-at-Large on the Students’ Union Okanagan (SUO) Board, where she advocates for student needs and supports campus-wide initiatives.
Jessica is passionate about technology, UI/UX design, and enhancing the student experience through meaningful engagement. Outside of her studies, she enjoys volunteering, creative problem-solving, and exploring the outdoors.

Joud Jelassi is a PhD candidate in the Mechanical Engineering department at UBC Okanagan, where she researches airborne microplastics. She currently serves as the Director of Policy and Records for the Graduate Student Association and has previously held roles such as President of the Engineering Graduate Student Society, among other leadership positions. Joud brings to the
Student AI Council a strong background in interdisciplinary research, student advocacy, and
science communication. She is excited to be part of a team of students shaping the use of AI across the institution, working to ensure it empowers diverse learners, fosters creativity, and addresses real-world challenges.

Lindsay DuPré is a Métis scholar, mom and auntie. She is a PhD Candidate in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies – Indigenous Knowledges at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. Lindsay has worked at the intersections of Indigenous education and health for over a decade within post-secondary and community settings across Canada. In 2023, she was recognized as a Vanier Scholar and her doctoral research examines how Indigenous knowledge systems are being impacted by rapidly changing environmental, technological, and socio-political contexts. Lindsay is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan and lives with her family in Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan, Treaty 6 territory and Homeland of the Métis.

Joud Jelassi is a PhD candidate in the Mechanical Engineering department at UBC Okanagan, where she researches airborne microplastics. She currently serves as the Director of Policy and Records for the Graduate Student Association and has previously held roles such as President of the Engineering Graduate Student Society, among other leadership positions. Joud brings to the
Student AI Council a strong background in interdisciplinary research, student advocacy, and
science communication. She is excited to be part of a team of students shaping the use of AI across the institution, working to ensure it empowers diverse learners, fosters creativity, and addresses real-world challenges.

Coming soon.

Riley Huntley is President of the Alma Mater Society at UBC Vancouver, representing over 60,000
undergraduate and graduate students. A Registered Nurse and CIHR-funded graduate student, he is
completing a Master of Science in Nursing at UBC Okanagan, where his research focuses on emergency department disruptions in rural Canada. Riley has published research on the use of artificial intelligence
in healthcare and serves as Vice President of the Emergency Nurses Association of BC.

Sanaz is a third-year Microbiology and Oceanography student at UBC Vancouver. She has been actively involved in research and leadership since her first year. Her interdisciplinary research, which includes projects in dementia care and marine conservation, has shown her the potential of AI to advance discovery. She is passionate about ensuring AI is applied responsibly.

Dedicated to science advocacy, she serves as a Co-Director for the UBC Young Women for STEM conferences and volunteers at St. Paul’s Hospital. Sanaz joined the Student AI Advisory Council to bring her diverse perspective and help shape ethical, student-centered AI guidelines.

Taran Gill is a third-year Electrical Engineering student at the University of British Columbia. He serves as the Vice President Academic of the Engineering Undergraduate Society (EUS) and as the Applied Science Student Senator on the UBC Senate. In these roles, Taran advocates for student perspectives in academic decision-making,
collaborating with faculty and peers to enhance the curriculum, policy, and overall undergraduate experience. He is particularly interested in how generative AI is shaping teaching and learning at UBC and is eager to help students and faculty explore its benefits and challenges in a practical and thoughtful manner.

Vaishnavi Patil is a UBC student pursuing a double major in Economics and Psychology. She currently serves as the Vice President Academic for the Vancouver School of Economics Undergraduate Society, where she leads initiatives that support student learning and academic equity. She is passionate about the ethical, responsible, and innovative use of AI in education, especially in ways that enhance, rather than replace, critical thinking and cognitive development. With her interdisciplinary experience, she hopes to bring a unique perspective to the Student AI Advisory Council to help shape thoughtful, student-centered AI policy at UBC.

Zarifa is currently serving as the AMS VP Academic and University Affairs and a UBC Vancouver Senator. As a student representative, she has been actively engaged in shaping how generative AI is integrated into the classroom, with a focus on issues of academic integrity, equity, transparency, and accessibility. Through the UBC Student AI Advisory Council, she is committed to ensuring that student perspectives drive decisions on the use of generative AI. She believes that the thoughtful and responsible use of AI has the potential to transform learning, and that it is essential for students to help shape how these tools are developed and applied across the university.