Mirjana Poljak

Mirjana Poljak, She/Her/Hers

My name is Mirjana Poljak and I am in my final year of the Honours Political Science program at McMaster University, minoring in public service leadership. After I complete my undergraduate degree, I hope to continue to pursue studies in public policy and law. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, reading, kayaking (an activity I have recently taken up!), and spending time with friends and family.

My interest in taking part in CityLAB Semester in Residence (SIR) was sparked from having reflected on the effects that the COVID-19 Pandemic has had on municipalities and small communities. Though financial assistance and recovery plans from federal and provincial levels of government are highly important, I believe that a community-based approach to tackling the negative repercussions caused by the pandemic is the most effective direction to follow. Community issues are best understood by community members who contain the knowledge and insight to develop strong, innovative, and successful solutions.

This semester, I am incredibly excited to be working on LRT Community Benefits project, anchored in creating meaningful relationships with stakeholders and Hamilton residents as to ensure that all who are implicated in community issues have a seat at the table.

Megan Marsh

Megan Marsh, She/Her/Hers

I am a third year political science student at McMaster, currently living in Hamilton, however, originally from Georgetown, ON. I am a highly athletic person and spend most of my free time participating in sports. I am aspiring to go to law school after my undergraduate program. I decided to take SIR because the outline targeted many characteristics and values that I believe align with myself. The idea of taking an academic class that produces something tangible in the end excited me. SIR provides with students with both academic and life skills. I personally enjoy going out into the community. Not being from Hamilton, the SIR program was a seemingly interesting way to become more engaged in the Hamilton community, as well as create an impact. In part of being in he municipal elections group, our goal is to increase voter turnout within the community. Being a political science student, I have always had interests politics and specifically elections. SIR is allows for students to explore their interests, while having fun and producing multiple deliverables.

Tom Parapilly

Tom Parapilly, He/Him/His

Hey there! My name is Tom Parapilly, and I am a 4th year Life Sciences student at McMaster University. I adopted Hamilton as my hope in the fall of 2018 and very excited about the opportunity to make a change in this wonderful city that has played a vital role in my life so far. Hamilton to me is one of the most unique cities and when I heard about the opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the city from a previous alumnus, I figured hey might as well give it a go right? I have learnt about many things from over my time as a student and I loved that this was one way for me to get involved and put myself to work on practical solutions rather than theoretical ones. As someone that truly believes that the voice of the people can create the most change, I am so glad that I got this opportunity to help make sure that all voices were heard regarding our project about bringing Community Benefits to the Hamilton LRT.

I hope that my interests outside the sciences I have pursued in my schooling towards reaching out to the community and helping incite change, will result in making a lasting impact on Hamilton and hopefully bettering the lives of the people that call this city home.

Maleka El Naghi

Maleka El Naghi, She/Her/Hers

Hi, my name is Maleka El Naghi! I’m a fourth year student at McMaster University where I’m currently majoring in Biology and completing a concurrent certificate in Philosophy for applied ethics and policy. My academic interests include bioethics and health policy, and I’m interested in pursuing my master’s in Public Health. Outside of academics I am currently apart of the McMaster Community Garden, where we provide harvest for those facing food insecurity in Hamilton. In my downtime I love to crochet, cook and try new foods, and listen to ever indie playlist on Spotify.

Before applying to CityLAB, I was enrolled to complete my honours thesis in molecular biology. However, the more I read about SIR, the more I realized I wasn’t going to feel the most fulfilled working in a lab, but rather working within the community. Hamilton has become a home away from home for me, and I felt it was important I spent my last year at McMaster giving back. So far, I have learned so much about project management and how to engage in fulfilling and meaningful dialogue. I’m excited for what my team’s project on Climate Change Resiliency in Hamilton will bring about, and to use the skills learned in class to connect with the community on the climate change emergency.

Vithuyan Sugumar

Vithuyan Sugumar, He/Him/His

My name is Vithuyan Sugumar and I am in my fourth year of Life Sciences - Sensory Motor Systems at McMaster University. I am from Brampton, although Hamilton has become a second home. When I first applied to CityLAB I had no idea what I was getting into but I can now say it has been one of the greatest experiences I have had in university thus far, and is truly unlike any class I have ever taken.

I have always felt it is important to involve yourself with the community that helped build you, and Hamilton is no exception. Through this class I have had the opportunity to deeply reflect on my role as a member of the Hamilton community and understand many of the complexities and issues that exist in the city. CityLAB has forced me out of my comfort zone, allowed me to grow as a person, and given me the opportunity to meet some amazing people. Above all, however, it has shown me the impacts we have as individuals, and the strides we can make when we work together.

Outside of CityLAB, I love running, working out, hanging out with friends, and listening to music!

Sahra Siyad

Sahra Siyad, She/Her/Hers

My name is Sahra Siyad, and I am a fourth-year Life Sciences student at McMaster University. My academic interests include climate justice, genetics, disease, and the social determinants of health. I am an avid reader and lover of docu-series and documentaries. I've lived in Corktown, Hamilton, Ontario, since 2002 and have always been an active part of my community. I currently serve as treasurer on the Corktown Cooperative Homes board of directors.

I took CityLAB to develop my understanding of the socioeconomic issues and dynamics within the city of Hamilton. As a resident of the downtown core for the majority of my life, I have witnessed first-hand the challenges that Hamiltonians face concerning municipal services and infrastructure. As I am becoming more involved in my immediate community, the CityLAB SIR program has given me the opportunity to develop my community engagement skills and practices. Most importantly, I hope the CityLAB course can assist in my professional development towards becoming a more productive, compassionate, and socially aware citizen.

Mahek Shergill

Mahek Shergill, She/Her/Hers

My name is Mahek Shergill, and I am a fourth year student in the Health Sciences program at McMaster University. During my time at McMaster, I’ve been involved in initiatives focused on health equity and policy, and worked on genomics and population health research. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with ventures exploring the intersection between technology and healthcare, and am interested in how innovation is evolving how we access services across sectors.

I joined the CityLAB SIR program this year because I wanted to branch out of the ‘McMaster bubble’ and understand the history and social fabric of Hamilton in an interdisciplinary environment. I’ve always been curious about urban design and the ways in which these decisions shape our daily lives in both implicit and explicit ways. I am excited to be collaborating with the Hamilton Community Benefits Network to engage the community on the very timely and multi-faceted Hamilton Light Rail Transit project. I hope that my small contribution is able to help make Hamilton a better place to live, work and play!

Falisha Razack

Falisha Razack, She/Her/Hers

My name is Falisha Razack and I am in my final year of Political Science at McMaster University.

I am interested in the legalities of sustainable infrastructure and eco-friendly city building. My academic career thus far has allowed me to explore the depths of sustainable policy.

My participation in the CityLAB SIR program has strengthened my connection to the city of Hamilton. This experience has honed my community engagement skills, allowing me to better advocate for equitable and accessible infrastructure. I aspire to use the knowledge I have gained throughout my semester in residence to pursue a career in public policy.

Kazza Topp-Nguyen

Kazza Topp-Nguyen, He/Him/His

Hello, my name is Kazza Topp-Nguyen and I am a fourth year student studying Finance at the DeGroote School of Business.

After spending the last couple of years involved in environmental activism, I am hopeful to work within finance and the investments industry to fight for climate and social justice. I joined CityLAB Semester in Residence with the goals of engaging with likeminded students and instructors, learning how change is made on a municipal level, and improving my written skills. Closing in on our second month at CityLAB, my first two goals have been central to my enjoyment of the semester and I am sure by the time my group hands in the final report, my written skills will have improved dramatically.

I have found in my program that I am only taught “applicable” and “on the job” skills. We are never taught to ask why things are the way they are. My favourite aspects of CityLAB are learning about the inner workings of municipal government and the relationship of a city with various industries and organizations. Equipped with all these tools, we are then ready to question the status quo.

Sharon Lim

Sharon Lim, She/Her/Hers

Hello! My name is Sharon Lim and I'm in my fourth year of the Health Sciences program at McMaster University, minoring in Mental Health, Addiction and Society.

I decided to join CityLAB to extend beyond the 'McMaster bubble' and learn about what's happening in the City of Hamilton. Initially, I had no idea what to expect (especially since we hadn't been in-person for the past year due to COVID-19), but CityLAB has far surpassed my expectations in every possible way! It has opened my eyes to the wonderful aspects of Hamilton, like its rich history and biodiversity, as well as the points of contention and contemporary issues faced by the community, like gentrification and the incoming LRT. It has been an amazing learning opportunity (and a ton of fun) to work with students from various disciplines, community leaders, and city staff. I have gained so much insight into how the city operates and how I can positively contribute to Hamilton through community engagement.

Milica Hinic

Milica Hinic, She/Her/Hers

I am currently in my fourth year of Communication Studies at McMaster University. I am also a Regulated Health Professional; part-time employee of Hamilton Health Sciences. With that being said, the reason I decided to take a semester at CityLAB was to be able to learn and apply teachings to practice. The idea of being part of diverse team working collaboratively on projects with community, attracted my attentions to this class.

I enjoy learning from others, building relationships and making a true difference. My attained communication skills allow me to present information in a variety of interactional ways where CityLAB helps create a new space for extending these practices. Along with new and innovative methodologies, the dialogue component brings forward my strengths and weaknesses which helps me build more self-awareness and mindfulness towards others.

Take away: Appreciate all communities and their members with respect and continuously educate through the means of engagement.

Nico Belanger

Nico Belanger, He/Him/His

Hello! My name is Nico Belanger and I am in my fourth year of the Arts and Science program at McMaster University.

I decided to apply for CityLAB SIR in the hopes that I could become more involved in the Hamilton community. Most of my academic career has been focused on big (often unanswerable) questions, and CityLAB has given me the chance to not only learn practical skills, but to apply them directly to community issues. It has also been great to have the chance to work with so many amazing instructors, students, and city staff members.

Outside of CityLAB, I enjoy writing/listening to music, playing guitar, and hanging out with friends. I am also currently working on my Honours thesis, which is exploring music as medium for pursuing vulnerability. I am really excited continue with CityLAB SIR, and I hope to have made a small difference by the time it is over.

Sophie Gordon

Sophie Gordon, She/Her/Hers

Hello! I'm Sophie, and I'm in my third year of Social Sciences.

I applied for CityLAB because I had nothing to lose... I was unhappy in PNB yet no other programs appealed to me enough. Although I didn't know much about CityLAB at the time, it intrigued me. I also welcomed any escape from another dreary semester of online school in a program I was unsure of. After a couple short weeks, I realized two things: 1) I had stumbled across an incredible experience (it's like majoring in Hamilton!), and 2) CityLAB sparked my interest in human geography, so I switched into Environment & Society. I enjoy learning about the behind-the-scenes operations in organizations, so it has been neat to see how the municipality engages the public. Not only has CityLAB introduced me to a whole new vocabulary for discussing engagement and infrastructure, but it has made me a better planner and facilitator. Outside of school, I love playing tennis and running on Hamilton’s many recreational trails. CityLAB has improved my understanding of Hamilton, which I consider home now. Learning about the city and exploring it with fun, bright people has been a blast.

Muntaka Siddique

Muntaka Siddique, She/Her/Hers

My name is Muntaka Siddique, and I am in my final year of Honours Life Sciences at McMaster University.

I have been living in Hamilton, Ontario, for 18 long years. Being a long-term resident in Hamilton, I was motivated to be part of CityLab, especially since CityLab works with real-life challenges in Hamilton. Through CityLab, I have the opportunity to create a positive change for my city and fellow Hamiltonians. Unlike other courses I have taken in University, this course provides a real-life element and hands-on experience. As I continue my CityLab journey, I aim to learn more about my city and community and ways to engage the community. And use these meaningful skills in my future endeavours.

My professional interests include health education, women’s health, inspiring children towards STEM, and making education and science more accessible. Outside the classroom, I love to cook and learn traditional homecooked recipes. I enjoy learning to sew, going to the beach, and spending time with family and friends.

Wajeeha Cheema

Wajeeha Cheema, She/Her/Hers

Hello! My name is Wajeeha Cheema, and I am a fourth-year Life Sciences student at McMaster University.

I have been living in Hamilton for 18 years now and am very excited to take this course. Living here for so long has made me treasure the city. But, I have also become more aware of social issues disproportionately impacting specific communities. For these reasons, I chose to enrol in CityLab to learn how to engage and build better relationships with communities to fight for positive and equitable change. As a member of the cycling infrastructure group, I hope to gain life-long skills that better prepare me for community work in the future.

My hobbies/interests are reading, watching anime, baking and spending time with family and friends.