OUR TEAM
At the Innovation Hub, we are student-led and driven.
MEET OUR TEAM
The Innovation Hub is a student-driven research collective that uses a peer-to-peer approach to understand the needs of U of T students. Campus partners provide us with real design challenges, and we hire teams of interdisciplinary students to work on each project using a consulting model. Student team members are empowered to understand their peers’ needs using human-centered design and learning as they go, building confidence through practical work experience.
Our projects range in scope from designing campus spaces and services, policy evaluation, listening to the needs of students from equity-deserving groups, ideating for the future, and more.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
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TEAM TITLE
Full Name
Position, Department
Team Member Name
Position Title
Description of team Member, i.e: They are interested in exploring the use of human-centric design approaches to create learning environments that are engaging and accommodating of diverse learning approaches. They are excited to bring this energy to the iHub and collaborate with fellow students to build a community that is welcoming and inclusive to all. Outside of school you can often find them coaxing friends into playing board games, rock climbing, or with her nose in a book.
Team Member Name
Position Title
Description of team Member, i.e: They are interested in exploring the use of human-centric design approaches to create learning environments that are engaging and accommodating of diverse learning approaches. They are excited to bring this energy to the iHub and collaborate with fellow students to build a community that is welcoming and inclusive to all. Outside of school you can often find them coaxing friends into playing board games, rock climbing, or with her nose in a book.
Team Member Name
Position Title
Description of team Member, i.e: They are interested in exploring the use of human-centric design approaches to create learning environments that are engaging and accommodating of diverse learning approaches. They are excited to bring this energy to the iHub and collaborate with fellow students to build a community that is welcoming and inclusive to all. Outside of school you can often find them coaxing friends into playing board games, rock climbing, or with her nose in a book.
BLOG EDITORS & CONTENT WRITERS
Full Name
Position, Department
Full Name
Position, Department
Team Member Name
Position Title
Description of team Member, i.e: They are interested in exploring the use of human-centric design approaches to create learning environments that are engaging and accommodating of diverse learning approaches. They are excited to bring this energy to the iHub and collaborate with fellow students to build a community that is welcoming and inclusive to all. Outside of school you can often find them coaxing friends into playing board games, rock climbing, or with her nose in a book.
Team Member Name
Position Title
Description of team Member, i.e: They are interested in exploring the use of human-centric design approaches to create learning environments that are engaging and accommodating of diverse learning approaches. They are excited to bring this energy to the iHub and collaborate with fellow students to build a community that is welcoming and inclusive to all. Outside of school you can often find them coaxing friends into playing board games, rock climbing, or with her nose in a book.
Team Member Name
Position Title
Description of team Member, i.e: They are interested in exploring the use of human-centric design approaches to create learning environments that are engaging and accommodating of diverse learning approaches. They are excited to bring this energy to the iHub and collaborate with fellow students to build a community that is welcoming and inclusive to all. Outside of school you can often find them coaxing friends into playing board games, rock climbing, or with her nose in a book.
Yunika Liu
A&S UTQAP Team Coordinator
Yunika Liu (she/her) is a Team Coordinator and is a fourth year Psychology Specialist. She is most passionate about people-centred research, especially when exploring social exclusions. As a Team Coordinator, she is excited about working on a big team and learning as much as she can from the people around her. When not in school, Yunika loves dancing and figure skating.
Chelsea Wang
A&S UTQAP Team Coordinator
Chelsea Wang (She/her) is a fourth-year student studying International Relations, Sociology, and East Asian Studies. Joining the Innovation Hub as a UTQAP Team Coordinator, she hopes to promote a student-centric approach and enhance student experiences in the Arts & Science Faculty. As a student pursuing studies of society, she is excited to explore other's stories. In her spare time, she likes to play volleyball and explore cafes in Toronto.
Gianluca Mandarino
A&S UTQAP Team Coordinator
Gianluca is a graduate student studying Public Policy at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. As the UTQAP Team Coordinator, Gianluca is responsible for managing his team, as well as leading them throughout the entirety of their project. Formerly a research assistant in the Department of Sociology, he is thrilled to apply the skills he has gained in teamwork and leadership. He is also very passionate about building a better student experience and helping to create safer spaces for students across campus. Outside of work, Gianluca loves to play sports, read, and spend time with friends.
Nejat Ahmed
A&S UTQAP Team Coordinator
Nejat (she/her) is in her final year of her undergraduate studies, majoring in Criminology & Sociolegal Studies with minors in History and Political Science. Stepping into the Team Coordinator position, she finds the student-driven research at the Innovation Hub to be crucial for improving university life for students, and hopes to support both the process and her peers. In her free time, she can be found either playing video games or catching up with friends.
Hazel Guan
A&S UTQAP Quantitative Data Analyst
Hazel (she/her) is a fourth-year student majoring in Statistics and Quantitative Biology at the University of Toronto. As a Quantitative Data Analyst at the Innovation Hub, she aims to gain hands-on experience in data cleaning, analysis, and survey design to help her team find effective solutions. She’s passionate about finding trends and uncovering insights to understand student perspectives. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the city, spending time with friends, and snowboarding in the winter.
Willis Zambo Zambo
A&S UTQAP Quantitative Data Analyst
Willis Yorick Zambo Zambo (he/him), is a third-year student studying Economics, Statistics and Math. He’s excited to help foster a forward-looking, data-driven approach to enhancing the student experience. He especially appreciates the emphasis on passion and collaboration in conjunction with innovation. In his spare time, he plays basketball and football, and also collects fragrances. Willis is excited to join the Innovation Hub team this year!
Alaina Hu
A&S UTQAP Quantitative Data Analyst
Alaina Hu (she/her) is a fourth-year student majoring in Economics and minoring in Statistics and Psychology. She is excited to combine her passion for using data to solve problems with her interest in enhancing the student experience as a Quantitative Data Analyst. Outside of work and school, she loves trying new restaurants around the city.
Anushikha Joshi
A&S UTQAP Quantitative Data Analyst
Anushikha (she/her) is a fourth-year student majoring in Physics and Mathematics with minors in Statistics and Computer Science. As a Quantitative Data Analyst at the Innovation Hub, she is excited to apply her data skills to meaningful projects and make data-driven decisions. Outside of school, she loves cycling and hiking. A fun fact about her is that she is a proud guinea pig mom to Boba and Mochi!
Hiren Jain
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Hiren Jain (he/him) is a third-year student in the Rotman Commerce program with focuses in Data Science and Strategy and a minor in Economics. He is excited to be working at the Innovation Hub as a design researcher to help improve student experiences at the university.
Fatir Hameed
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Fatir (he/him) is a fourth-year student enrolled in Industrial Relations, Political Science and Sustainability. He is looking forward to understanding the student experience on campus better to reciprocate to the university and the community. In his free time, he can be found either reading a history book, or playing soccer at the back campus.
Mona Ni
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Hao Mona (she/her) is a first-year Master of Information student specializing in Human- Centred Data Science. With a strong background in Statistics and Economics from her undergraduate studies at U of T, she is passionate about leveraging data to drive meaningful change and creating impactful, student-focused solutions. Outside of her academic and research endeavours, Mona enjoys dancing, teaching others to dance, and participating in group performances and competitions.
Mari Khan
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Mari (she/her) is majoring in Geographical Information Systems (GIS). She is interested in using design research methods to improve spaces for students. Mari enjoys spending time with her cat and exploring libraries. She also used to enjoy hotpot but is now looking for a new food to over consume for the new school year.
Maris Lambie
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Blake Maris (she/her) is a student in the Critical Studies in Equity & Solidarity program at U of T, with a passion for Disability Studies and Mad Studies. She is committed to challenging ableism and advocating for mental health justice through an intersectional lens. As a Design Researcher at the Innovation Hub, she aims to contribute to inclusive research and policies. In her spare time, Maris enjoys painting and spending time with her cats.
Maggie Zhang
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Maggie (she/her) is a third-year student at the University of Toronto, pursuing a Specialist in Statistics focusing on Social Psychology. Passionate about data analysis and exploring today’s social and environmental environment, Maggie aims to combine these fields to generate meaningful insights. Outside of academics, she is a huge dog lover and a big music fan!
Yunding Ye
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Yunding Ye (she/her) is a first-year Master of Information student specializing in User Experience Design. Currently, she is a UTQAP Design Researcher for the Department of Cinema Studies, where she applies her passion for creating intuitive and impactful user experiences. When not immersed in design projects, you'll find Yunding playing badminton, singing, or getting lost in a novel. She loves blending creativity with technical skills to bring innovative solutions to life in the digital world.
Andrea Crocce
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Andrea (she/her) is in her fourth year studying Economics with Data Analytics, Art History and Classics. This year at Innovation Hub, she will be UTQAP Design Researcher, which she wanted to join to learn more about research and meet new people! A fun fact about Andrea is that she played the piano for ten years and loves animated TV shows!
Ali Castillo Armijos
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Ali (he/him) is an undergraduate student at U of T pursuing a double major in Public Policy and Economics. Originally from Machala, Ecuador, he is passionate about developing inclusive policies that drive social mobility, inspiring him to work with the Innovation Hub. As a Design Researcher, Ali is excited to contribute to projects at the Cinema Studies Institute. Outside work, he enjoys playing the piano, cooking, and swimming.
Narges Nezhad
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Narges (she/her) is excited about using empathy-driven research to enhance student experiences and create a more inclusive campus environment. With a background in Computer Science, Statistics, and Mathematics, Narges loves diving into data through research to uncover the stories that matter most to U of T students. Outside of work, you'll find Narges experimenting with new computer languages, exploring Toronto's hidden gems, or planning the next boating adventure!
Zoe Lambert
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Zoe is currently completing a Master of Health Science in Translational Research at the University of Toronto, where Zoe graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Evolutionary Anthropology with a minor in Medical Anthropology. Zoe’s research interests are in patient/client experience, communication and outreach, and health equity, which aligns with the Innovation Hub's core interests to improve student experiences at the University of Toronto. In Zoe’s free time, Zoe enjoys creative activities, including art, knitting, and baking.
Yashi Sharma
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Yashasvi (she/her) is pursuing her double major in Human Geography and Environmental Studies with certifications in Business Fundamentals and Sustainability. Her interests lie in the domain of policy making and research for an environmentally inclined future whilst making dynamic models for innovative business solutions. Outside of school, she likes to swim, hangout with friends and try out new places to eat.
Elena (Wenyue) Xue
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Wenyue (she/her) is a Master of Information student specializing in UX Design at the University of Toronto. With a background in education, she is passionate about understanding user behavior and designing intuitive, user- centred solutions. Her enthusiasm for innovation and desire to make a meaningful impact drive her to contribute creatively to the Innovation Hub. In her spare time, she loves playing badminton, cooking, and building islands in Animal Crossing.
Rona Mohsini
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Rona Mohsini (she/her) is a third-year Anthropology and Philosophy student. She is passionate about the Innovation Hub's “for-students-with-students” initiatives that bring positive change to the campus community, with students involved and at the center of every project. She is excited to offer her diverse skills and experiences as an A&S UTQAP Design Researcher this year. When it's time to unwind, Rona enjoys making 3D wood puzzles and Lego structures as she listens to music.
Erum Ahmed
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Erum (she/her) is a fourth-year undergraduate student double majoring in Psychology and Political Science. As a UTQAP Design Researcher, she is excited to use a human- centred approach to research and improve student experiences on campus. In her free time, Erum loves to travel and explore new cities.
Yi Liu
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Yi Liu (she/her) is pursuing a Master of Information with a focus on User Experience Design at the University of Toronto. With a bachelor's degree in interior design, she applies user- centred design principles to integrate spatial and digital design, creating innovative solutions. Yi is excited to join the Innovation Hub and collaborate with the team to make the school experience more welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
Ben Ginzberg
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Ben (he/him) is a Design Researcher at the Innovation Hub. A designer of accessible products and experiences, he is in his first year in the Master of Information program to grow his skills in design research and solving human-centric problems. At the Innovation Hub, Ben hopes to identify opportunities of improvement within campus experience to provide a more accessible experience for students. Outside of work, Ben enjoys using his creativity through photography, writing, and performing arts.
Sanya Chawla
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Sanya (she/her) is a current student at the University of Toronto, St. George, pursuing a BSc in Computer Science. Gadgets have always been a central part of her life, and she is passionate about helping people create change through technology. When she’s not running code, you’ll find her running through the streets of Toronto training for her next marathon.
Hailey Shim
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Hailey Shim (she/her) is a fourth-year student majoring in Statistics and Economics with a minor in Computer Science. As a researcher this year, her goal is to listen to and learn from students' thoughts and stories, then deliver meaningful insights to the faculty. Hailey believes many student experiences remain uncovered, and she aims to gather as many as possible to conduct impactful analysis that will improve the campus environment. As a fellow student, she is eager to understand, empathize with, and passionately convey the voices of her peers!
Farah Mikati
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Farah (she/her) is a fourth year Mathematics and Statistics double major and Computer Science minor student. She is interested in applying technical and design research skills to a meaningful project and she hopes to amplify her skills at the Innovation Hub. For fun, she enjoys training in Muay Thai/Kickboxing and reading a lot of books.
Ethan Tsang
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Ethan (He/Him) is a 4th year undergraduate student double majoring in Sociology and Political Science. As a design researcher at the Innovation Hub, Ethan looks forward to further developing his skills in data analysis, and seeks to aid in the efforts of the Innovation Hub to improve the quality of the student experience at U of T. In his free time, he enjoys reading and listening to music.
Charlotte Rahme
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Charlotte Rahme (she/her) is a CDP student in the Master of Museum Studies and Master of Information, Human Centred Data Science program. As a Design Researcher, she is passionate about utilizing data to advocate for community needs. Charlotte frequently visits museums while considering the ways data can support heritage spaces. She is an archer, writer, and nature enthusiast.
Munshatia Merry
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Munshatia (she/her) is a second-year Mechanical Engineering student at the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. She is passionate about empathy-driven projects and looks forward to collaborating with iHub researchers to enhance the U of T student experience. Her interests include exploring design-thinking to improve data analysis and user experience in manufacturing processes. In her free time, Munshatia enjoys reading books and watching crime-fiction movies.
David Diagneault
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
David (he/him) is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in International Relations and Peace, Conflict, and Justice, with a minor in Economics. His interdisciplinary background fuels his passion for applying research insights to advance the iHub's mission. With strong experience in climate policy and conflict studies research, David is eager to deepen his expertise in research design and immerse himself further in the research process. David is also committed to giving back to the school community. A fun fact about him is that he is passionate about making coffee and specialty drinks!
Harish Shankar
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Harish (he/him) is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Engineering Science in the Machine Intelligence option with a minor in Business. Passionate about the Innovation Hub's mission, he hopes to develop human-centred, equitable solutions for students across the university, taking from his experience in engineering design. Outside of school, he enjoys swimming, reading, and watching movies.
Danish Ahmed Bombal
A&S UTQAP Design Researcher
Danish is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing a double major in Statistics and Economics with a focus in Data Analytics and a minor in Mathematics. As an aspiring analyst, he is eager to apply his analytical expertise and passion for finance, especially in private equity and financial technology, at the Innovation Hub. Outside of academics, he enjoys reading books, working out, embarking on road trips with friends, and discovering new restaurants. Also, he is a chai lover!
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