Dr. Behrouz Moemeni PhD, BeMo CEO
Dr. Behrouz Moemeni is the founder and CEO here at BeMo. He is compelled by a vision to change the education system. He believes everyone deserves access to higher education. Specifically, he is determined to create and provide admissions and educational training programs that reduce the social barriers at professional programs. He is also driven by a mission to create the next generation of admissions/candidate screening tools that are more fair, while technologically and scientifically light years ahead of current admissions screening tools out there.
Dr. Moemeni is meticulous about scientifically proven programs, services and products created here at BeMo. He blames this on his training as a scientist and he holds a Ph.D. in the field of Immunology from the University of Toronto. He is the recipient of 19 awards for his work during his undergraduate and graduate years, including the Prize in Biology. He has delivered several presentations at international scientific conferences and his scientific work in the areas of cancer biology and immunology, has culminated in several discoveries and the publication of 3 peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Moemeni has also taught a course at the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine and an undergraduate level course at the University of Toronto.
He is one of the world’s most expensive and sought-after admissions screening experts and is hired by institutions around the world for his expertise. His motivation-based admissions screening strategy has appeared in Diverse Issues in Higher Education, University World News, CMAJ News, and Nature Jobs. He regularly presents thought-provoking presentations to an international audience including appearances at TEDx WLUBrantford and Beyond Sciences Initiative. Click here to watch his TEDx talk.
Dr. Moemeni continues to make time to directly interact with our students here at BeMo and he takes their success personally and advocates on their behalf.
Follow Dr. Moemeni on LinkedIn:
Click here to follow Dr. Moemeni and his journey to make admissions fair, transparent and scientifically advanced.
Select Publications & Presentations:
Behrouz Moemeni, 14 Rules for Admissions Screening in Higher Ed: An Antidote to Bias. Pick up a copy on Amazon.ca or Amazon.com.
Behrouz Moemeni, Intrinsic Motivation: The key to revolutionize education, work and life. TEDx WLUBrantford. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjC7cM8a5zU
Behrouz Moemeni, Why I became an advocate for change in university admissions & employee selection (and why you should too). BSI International Conference. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irDvhC7CE_k
Behrouz Moemeni, etc. Ultimate Guide to CASPer Test Prep. Available on Amazon.
Behrouz Moemeni, et al. Ultimate Guide To Med School Admissions. Available on Amazon.
Behrouz Moemeni, Vacaresse, N. , Vainder, M. , Wortzman, M. , Watts, T. , Veillette, A. , Gajewski, T. and Julius, M. Fyn Expression Predicates Both Protective Immunity and Onset of Autoimmunity. Open Journal of Immunology, 5, 244-259. doi: 10.4236/oji.2015.55020.
Behrouz Moemeni. Unique and interdependent roles of Lck and Fyn in TcR Signalling. PhD Thesis. University of Toronto.
Behrouz Moemeni*, D.F.*, et al. Lck-dependent Fyn activation requires C-terminus-dependent targeting of kinase-active Lck to lipid rafts. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 238(39): 26409-26422. (*Equal contributions)
P.Y.B.A., N.M., H.C., Behrouz Moemeni, et al. The oncogene PDGF-B provides a key switch from cell death to survival induced by TNF. Oncogene, 24(19): 3196-3205.
Guest Posts and Contributions:
"Top 8 Strategies to Prepare for and Ace your Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)", The Student Doctor Network, https://www.studentdoctor.net/2017/08/30/multiple-mini-interview-mmi/
"How to Ace CASPer Without Reading a Single Book on Ethics or Improving Your Typing Speed", The Student Doctor Network, https://www.studentdoctor.net/2017/08/15/casper-scenario/
"Anatomy of a Successful Medical School Resume" USA News & World Report, https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/articles/2017-05-25/anatomy-of-a-successful-medical-school-resume
Blog Posts:
"Top 10 Tips to Get Rejected from Med School (and be Generally Unsuccessful in all Aspects of Your Life)"
"The MOST Important Quality You Need to Get Into Med School (Or Achieve Anything in Life)"
"Why putting all your eggs in one basket is more likely to bring you both academic success and long-term career satisfaction."
Click here for a complete list and to read any of the posts.
Awards:
- Canadian Society for Immunology Travel Award
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) National Poster Competition – Gold Award
- University of Toronto – Dept. of Immunology Travel Award
- Canadian Society for Immunology Travel Award
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program (OGS) - 3 Awards
- CIHR – Banting and Best Canada Graduate Scholarship
- University of Toronto – Immunology Award – 1st Place
- University of Toronto Beatty Award – Immunology
- University of Toronto Fellowship – Immunology
- North York General Hospital Volunteer Certificate of Appreciation
- University of Toronto High Distinction
- University of Toronto Scholar
- University of Toronto at Scarborough Prize in Biology
- University of Toronto at Scarborough Third Year Honours List
- Summer Undergraduate Studentship
- Stanley Kosta Todorow Scholarship
- University of Toronto at Scarborough Second Year Honours List
- University of Toronto at Scarborough In-Course Scholarship
- University of Toronto at Scarborough First Year Honours List
Dr. Helena L. Frischtak BSc. M.D.
Dr. Helena L. Frischtak holds a medical degree (M.D.) from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Helena grew up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and attended an international school in Brazil before coming to the U.S. for college. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2010 with a B.Sc. in Neurobiology. Helena has a passion for global health research and narrative writing. During medical school, she spent a summer in Mozambique, and later a year in Peru as a Doris Duke International Clinical Research Fellow.
As a fourth-year medical student, Helena was a member of the University of Virginia’s School of Medicine Admissions Committee. This latter experience allowed her to gain great insight into what constitutes a strong application. Mentoring comes natural for her, and even before starting with BeMo, she had successfully advised several friends with grad school applications. You can count on her to be invested in your success as if it was her own.
Dr. Lauren Colbert M.D.
Dr. Lauren Colbert did her medical school training at Emory University School of Medicine, where she was heavily involved in teaching, tutoring and mentoring. During that time, she was selected for an NIH-funded Master’s in Clinical Research program, which she completed between her 3rd and 4th years of medical school. She is currently a Radiation Oncology resident at MD Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston, TX where she continues to focus on medical student and resident education in addition to an interest in translational research. She has a strong passion for helping applicants let their best qualities shine and looks forward to working with you.
Dr. Lauren Prufer BScH, M.D.
Dr. Lauren Prufer is a medical resident at McMaster University.
She grew up in Caledon, Ontario and completed her undergraduate degree in Life Sciences at Queen’s University. While at Queen’s, she honed in on her teamwork and communication skills as part of the varsity rugby and cross-country running teams. She then went on to earn her medical degree from the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. During her time in medical school, she developed a passion for sharing her knowledge with others through medical writing, research and peer mentoring.
Dr. Prufer is excited to help students achieve their professional goals as part of the BeMo team. As an athlete, she understands the importance of structured, individually targeted practice in the realization of optimal performance and looks forward to supporting you in perfecting your interview and exam writing skills.
Outside of medicine, she can be found running, hiking with her dog or taking photographs.
Dr. Montana Johnston B.Sc., M.D.
Dr. Montana Johnston grew up on a farm in rural Saskatchewan. She received a volleyball scholarship to Montana State - Northern and later went on to complete her Bachelor of Science at the University of Manitoba. She then completed her medical degree at the University of Manitoba and has successfully matched to the Anesthesia residency program at the University of Alberta.
Montana has been involved in various aspects of peer mentoring through tutoring, personal statement writing and both multi-mini and panel interview practice. While in medical school, she was extensively involved with the Canadian Federation of Medical Students. As a former National Exchange Officer, she collaborated with >70 nations to coordinate international exchanges for more than 350 Canadian medical students.
Outside medicine, she enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, playing volleyball and scuba diving.
Dr. Veena Netrakanti B.Sc., M.D.
Dr. Veena Netrakanti attended University of Alberta for her undergraduate studies and University of Calgary for medical school. She completed family medicine training at University of Alberta and currently works as a family physician in Edmonton. Throughout her training, she participated in volunteer programs that allowed her to tutor and mentor students of all ages. She also participated in University of Calgary’s medical school interviewing process. She is excited to combine her clinical work with working with the BeMo team to help other students achieve their professional goals!
Dr. Karim Wafa M.D. Ph.D.
Over the years as a PhD student, a post-doctoral fellow, a medical student and now as a resident physician in Anesthesia at Dalhousie University, Dr. Karim Wafa has sought out every opportunity to be involved in supporting students, whether from a teaching and learning or advice and guidance perspective. He considers it a privilege to have had the opportunity of working with many motivated and driven students to reach their goals, some of which have went on to complete graduate training, pharmacy or medical training. Having personally been through the process multiple times, he has developed an appreciation for the dedication, difficulty and competitiveness of gaining admission to graduate as well as professional schools.
Throughout his teaching experiences prior to medical school, Dr. Wafa has always been very passionate in ensuring the provision of a nurturing, wholesome and inspiring environment that would allow each student to thrive and grow into a competent and committed professional. Dr. Wafa is thrilled at the opportunity of continuing this goal as part of the BeMo consulting team, and its ongoing dedication in ensuring that our community is constantly working towards becoming well-rounded, competent quality individuals, who serve as ambassadors for their respective professional fields.
Ronza Nissan H.B.A. M.A.
Ms. Ronza Nissan holds a Bachelors of Arts in criminology (Honours) and a minor in Political Science and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in the same field. Ronza has several years of experience within the recruitment industry, giving her a unique real-life perspective in candidate screening and is one of our highly ranked admissions experts here at BeMo.
As an immigrant with a strong passion for outreach programs and children’s rights, Ronza remains active within the community. Working as a catalyst for War Child, Ronza created a committee, One Army that brings awareness through various organized events, in hopes of raising funds for children afflicted by war. Ronza is passionate about utilizing her voice and platform to advocate for families displaced, and strives to be at the forefront of international affairs.
In her spare time, Ronza studies other languages and aims to be fluent in 5 languages within the next few years, and currently speaks 3 languages fluently; Assyrian, Arabic and English.
Dr. Andrej Arsovski B.Sc. Ph.D.
Dr. Andrej Arsovski holds a B.Sc and Ph.D in Molecular Biology from McGill University where he studied the synthesis, modification and secretion of cell wall compounds in the plant cell wall. This work resulted in a number of high impact publications as well as invitations at national and international conferences. Throughout his doctoral studies Dr. Arsovski also acted as a teaching assistant for introductory and upper level biology courses, playing a role in the design and implementation of their respective curricula.
Following the completion of his doctoral work Dr. Arsovski joined a collaborative team at the University of Washington where as part of the larger ENCODE consortium he examined global changes in chromatin architecture in response to biotic and abiotic factors in plants. The research resulted in the first comprehensive atlas of regulatory elements in this species, an invaluable resource for researchers in the field.
While at the University of British Columbia he collaborated with a commercial grower establishing and optimizing a breeding program aimed at improving the marketability of the Pawpaw fruit, a little known fruit tree native to North America by producing a seedless, longer lasting variety.
Dr.Arsovski currently holds an NSERC Fellowship at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada where he studies virus induced regulatory changes in crop species and works to develop resistant varieties of peach and soybean.
Throughout his career Dr. Arsovski has mentored many students and overseen graduate school and grant applications. He is committed to science education and believes increasing diversity in the field is paramount to progress.
Dr. Kyle Paradis B.A., M.H.K., Ph.D.
Dr. Kyle Paradis earned his PhD in Kinesiology specializing in Performance Psychology and completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Kinesiology specializing in Management and Leadership funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Kyle has served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor within the Faculty of Health Sciences teaching undergraduate courses in the School of Kinesiology at Western. As a Teaching and Advisory member in the School of Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies at Western, Kyle has mentored numerous graduate students with their theses and research projects, served on thesis examining committees, chaired thesis defences and doctoral candidacy exams, and brings a wealth of student mentoring experience. Kyle is also an NCCP certified coach and bridges his coaching and mentoring expertise with his background in performance psychology to help individuals put their best foot forward when it matters most to achieve their goals and objectives. Kyle also brings a wealth of research experience serving on the University Research Board at Western and has several academic peer reviewed publications to his name. Kyle brings a keen eye for editing and attention to detail and will be able help students make their applications stand out.
Dr. Sarah Lynn Kleeb B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Dr. Sarah Lynn Kleeb holds a doctorate degree (Ph.D.) from the University of Toronto where she examined the connections between Critical Theory and Liberation Theology. She brings 10 years of experience teaching, advising, and mentoring undergraduate students to her role as and admissions expert, having taught extensively at UofT. Alongside this teaching work, she also remains an active and publishing scholar in her home discipline.
Dr. Kleeb has also acted as the Director of Education for a non-profit charity. This opportunity allowed her to connect with students and scholars around the world, and to develop several internships in partnership with prestigious universities, museums, and other research institutes. Her student-centred approach enabled her to put principles of critical pedagogy and experiential learning into practice, fostering both the intellectual and personal growth of students, with an emphasis on global citizenship and human rights advocacy.
Teaching and learning are Dr. Kleeb’s deepest passions in life. She is curious and inquisitive by nature, pushing herself to explore unfamiliar ideas or materials. As such, arousing a similar passion in students brings her immeasurable satisfaction. Whether teaching courses, supervising interns, or providing feedback on applications, her top priority is helping students reach their goals by way of exploring trenchant, nuanced analysis with a drive to know more. With a deep personal investment in student success and a wealth of experience mentoring and advising, Dr. Kleeb brings enthusiasm and dedication to her role as an admissions expert, helping students identify their strengths, build up areas that need further refinement, and invest time and effort into their promising futures.
Dr. Caitlin Szczupak B.Sc., M.D.
A Pennsylvania native, Caitlin received her undergraduate degree at Gannon University in Erie, PA in Biology with a concentration in Spanish. While there she was a science tutor, University Ambassador, and the secretary of the Student Government Association. During her sophomore year, she attended the Universitat de Barcelona for a summer semester abroad.
Caitlin attended Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, Poland and graduated in 2017. Throughout her time in medical school, she volunteered in mentoring events for new students and continued tutoring students. She served as the President of Obstetrics and Gynecology research group and was a founding member of the student research group. When she isn't mentoring students, Caitlin enjoys spending time with her Chihuahua Indie and learning new languages. Caitlin is currently BeMo's social media and content manager and enjoys interacting with our students.
Dr. Jennifer Russo B.Sc., M.D.
Dr. Jennifer Russo graduated with honors from Tufts University with a degree in English and biology. She then pursued a career in medicine and studied at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, an institution ranked nationally for primary care. Following medical school, Dr. Russo trained in internal medicine at Boston University Medical Center in the nation’s oldest primary care track.
Dr. Jennifer Russo currently works as a Clinician educator, teaching and mentoring students in local medical schools. Dr. Russo has been tutoring students for over ten years and enjoys helping others reach their full academic potential.
Dr. Megan Church B.Sc. M.D.
Dr. Megan Church attended Merrimack College where she majored in Biology and taught an afterschool math and science class for underprivileged middle school students. It was during that time that she developed her love of medicine and teaching. She graduated with high honors. She then spent several months doing volunteer work in Mexico and 1 year doing research at Massachusetts General Hospital while applying to medical school.
She was accepted to the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where she participated in several projects. One project involved the development of a maternal-child health curriculum for community midwives and practitioners in Uganda. After medical school, she did her pediatrics residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital. During residency she honed her interest in teaching and assisted in emergent simulation cases for medical students. She also became passionate about the importance of patient education, preventive care and advocacy and ultimately chose a path in primary care.
She recently accepted a job in outpatient primary care and inpatient newborn attending. She is very excited to begin her clinical career, in addition to having the opportunity to use her knowledge and experience to help others pursue their dream of medicine.
Matty Mehrabi B.Sc. , M.Ed., RN, CCRP
Matty Mehrabi has multiple degrees and certifications in the health care sector and has been practicing in this field for 20 years. She holds a bachelor of science in midwifery, masters of education in health care, registered nurse status, as well as a clinical research certification.
Matty received her bachelor of science in the field of midwifery in 1993. Upon graduation, she enrolled in post-graduate studies and received her Masters of Education in the area of health and healthcare.
Her combined practical experience and graduate level degree in education naturally led Matty towards her passion of teaching. Over the next several years, she taught nursing and midwifery to undergraduate and graduate students at various academic institutions.
In 2004, Ms. Mehrabi successfully completed the Canadian Registered Nurse examination and has since been practicing as a registered nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital. Moreover, as a Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP), she has taken the lead in coordinating various research projects at the University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre.
Ms. Mehrabi’s extensive and diverse educational, research, and work experiences facilitate her ability to provide advice to those considering a career in nursing or clinical research. In addition, she is our expert advisor to anyone requiring advice on recertification of their professional health degrees, may they be newcomers, or those considering immigration to Canada.
Dr. Kenneth Perry M.Sc , M.D.
Dr. Kenneth Perry is originally from Rhode Island where he attended Providence College where he majored in Biochemistry. While at Providence he was involved in numerous clubs and activities ranging from being the Editor of the yearbook, to working in a biochemistry laboratory.
During the years prior to medical school, he completed a Masters program at Loyola University Chicago before moving back to the Northeast. He then worked at Massachusetts General Hosptial as a research assistant in a Developmental Biology laboratory researching Primary Pulmonary Hypertension.
He attended Medical School at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. During his third and fourth years he was one of 10 students selected to pilot a program in Baton Rouge, LA to put medical students in contact with state government and officials. It was there that his interests of policy as well as emergency response were combined and solidified. After his intern year at LSU Baton Rouge, he completed his residency at NewYork-Presbyterian Hosptial in New York City even becoming Chief Resident his final year. Throughout medical school and residency he was able to use his circuitous route to his goal as a tool to help mentor medical school applicants. He is now the Assistant Medical Director of an Emergency Department in Charleston, SC where he continues to mentor applicants to all aspects of the medical field.
Living minutes from the beach, as well as in a culinary hotspot allows him to maximize his time with his family when not in the ED.
Dr. Samuel Jang BSc. M.D.
Dr. Samuel Jang graduated magna cum laude from Northwestern University with duel degrees in Biochemistry and Human Communications Sciences. He worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Feinberg School of Medicine for a year before attending University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health where he graduated with Research Honors. During medical school, he decided to partake in a year of dedicated research developing and studying therapies against neuroendocrine cancers. He presented at many national conferences and published numerous studies in peer-reviewed journals. He is currently a resident in Minneapolis pursuing Radiology as his specialty.
Inspired by his own mentors, Dr. Jang was committed to tutoring students and providing guidance at every step of his training. He looked for avenues to teach students in both formal and informal settings. He held several leadership positions during medical school including in the medical school ethics board. As a part of his research year experience, he supervised undergraduate and medical students who frequently published articles, presented at national meetings, and won prestigious scholarships. He is excited to help BeMo students reach their goals as well.
Outside of patient care, he prioritizes exercise in his daily routine. Other favorite pastimes include tennis, snowboarding, painting, piano, and trying new restaurants.
Dr. Adam Studniarek BSc. M.D.
Dr. Adam Studniarek attended Canisius College in Buffalo, NY on a soccer scholarship where he majored in biopsychology and conducted research at the Institute for Autism. During undergraduate years, he deepened his interest into medicine and surgery in particular, completed his pre-medical courses and graduated cum laude as a Division I athlete. Adam attended Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, Poland where he is originally from. While there, he participated in various volunteering activities, surgical clubs, societies and numerous research projects.
Upon graduating from medical school, Adam pursued his passion and was accepted to a general surgery residency program at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark, NJ. During his initial two years of residency, he not only learned the clinical aspects of surgery, but also the importance of professionalism, education and comradery. He helped a number or medical students and residents achieve their goals and obtain medical school admissions and residencies, respectively.
As his scientific interest continued to expand, Adam decided to dedicate two years of research in the field of colorectal surgery to further expand his knowledge and maximize his chances for competitive fellowships in the future. He is currently a research fellow in colorectal surgery at University of Illinois at Chicago and continues to help undergraduate and medical students with their journey to become physicians. Adam truly enjoys working with the next generation of medical professionals and has particular interest in education within the medical profession. His hobbies include various physical activities as he is currently training for an IronMan, but he also truly enjoys travelling and experiencing new cultures.
Dr. Braydon Connell B.Sc., M.Sc., M.D.
A lifelong resident of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Braydon graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Microbiology & Immunology) and Master of Science (Occupational Therapy) from Dalhousie University. He then went on to attain his MD and start his residency at Dalhousie University Medical School.
Braydon’s interest for inter-professional collaboration and education led him to join HOPES (Halifax Outreach Prevention Education & Support), a student-led inter-professional Health Centre and outreach program providing health education, navigation and clinical care to underserved populations. As a co-executive director of HOPES, Braydon helped lead the opening of the Health Centre – the first student-run-clinic in the Maritime provinces. Braydon has always had a strong commitment to medical education, serving as a representative with the Undergraduate Medical Education Committee and as Interprofessional representative for the Canadian Federation of Medical Students’ Education Committee. Braydon also has a wealth of interview experience in MMI, licensing exams and communication workshops as a simulated patient/health professional. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, a good cup of coffee, hiking and going to the beach.
Braydon understands the many stresses and challenges students face during the application process. He is excited to support students and assist them in achieving their professional goals as part of the BeMo team.
Dr. Ishan Asokan M.Sc., M.D.
Ishan Asokan is currently a categorical internal medicine resident at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. Prior to coming to UCLA, Ishan served as a General Surgery Resident at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He holds a B.A. in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania (2010- Magna Cum Laude), an M.Sc. in Global Health Science from the University of Oxford (2012), and an M.D. from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (2017).
At Vanderbilt, Ishan received the Dean's Award and AMA Physicians of Tomorrow Award for his academic accomplishments, and was elected to the Gold Humanism Honor society. During his time as a medical student, Ishan completed the 2015-2016 NIH Medical Research Scholars Program (jointly funded HHMI/Doris Duke Clinical Research Training Program) and studied stem cell biology at the National, Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Bethesda, MD. Beyond expressing a commitment to a career in academic medicine and leadership, he is very vested in global health and has spent time working in India, Kenya, the UK, and Jordan.
Ishan shares a strong passion for storytelling and hopes to craft BeMo applicants into meaningful narratives and successful admissions.
Outside of patient care, Ishan loves group fitness classes, thrift shopping, writing, travelling, and exploring LA’s delectable food scene.
Nyasha Gondora PhD
Nyasha Gondora is completing a PhD in neuropharmacology at the University of Waterloo. During the course of her graduate career she won several national and university-level scholarships and awards for her research, research presentations and community involvement, including being a two time recipient of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR-DSECT) scholarship. Over the past few years, Nyasha has worked closely with a total of >950 students in her capacity as a course instructor, teaching assistant and research mentor. Alongside teaching and mentorship, Nyasha enjoys public speaking and in 2016 was selected to deliver the official video pitch for a 100 million dollar grant application to the MacArthur Foundation on behalf of The Council of Scientific Society Presidents (Washington, DC).
Nyasha completed her Bachelor's in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas where she studied on scholarship. During her undergraduate studies, Nyasha pursued a broad range of experiences from interning in a public health organization in Washington, DC, doing ecology research and working in a top-tier HIV research lab. Through these experiences she earned a competitive undergraduate research fellowship and two prestigious awards. Texas is where Nyasha first discovered her love for science (and Mexican food!). In her free time Nyasha enjoys reading, jogging and is always ready for the next episode of Grey's Anatomy!
Nyasha believes in the power of effective mentorship and is a strong advocate for student success. She looks forward to channeling her wealth of experiences to help YOU achieve your dreams!
Matthew Triolo PhD(c)
Matthew Triolo is a PhD Candidate at York University in Toronto Canada. He studies the processes that govern the mitochondrial decay, in situations of skeletal muscle wasting. Up to date, Matthew has published 5 times in reputable peer-reviewed journals, presented at various local and international scientific conferences and lectured at the university level. He has also successfully received funding from various government agencies. Matthew is also the Student Chair of the Muscle Health Research Centre. Prior to beginning his PhD, Matthew completed his Master’s of Science degree working in the lab of Dr. Michael K Connor (York University, 2016) studying the regulation of muscle development / regeneration. Matthew obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree (York University, 2014) with a Major in Kinesiology and Health Science and a Minor in Biology. Throughout these years, Matthew has not only developed himself as a scientist and researcher, but he has a plethora of experience mentoring students, both in research and academic environments.
Dr. Sara Quinn M.Sc, PhD
Dr. Sara Quinn is a recent PhD graduate from McGill University. She received both her PhD and Master of Science degree in experimental psychology from McGill, where she studied the social psychology of interpersonal relationships and rejection. Both her doctoral and master’s research were funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). At McGill, she gained invaluable teaching and mentoring experience, supervising undergraduate students on honours thesis projects, and acting as a teaching assistant for social psychology, statistics, and research methods courses.
Before beginning her graduate career, Sara completed an Honours Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Toronto, where she majored in psychology and minored in literary studies, graduating with high distinction. While completing her undergraduate degree, Sara spent two years working as Sports Editor of the Varsity Newspaper, U of T’s official student newspaper. At the Varsity, Sara wrote and edited articles on campus and professional sports, and trained and mentored aspiring student journalists. She stills works as an editor to this day, helping her colleagues prepare academic manuscripts for publication, and undergraduate students prepare grad school applications.
Outside of research and academia, Sara enjoys writing and performing stand-up comedy, solving jigsaw puzzles, going on excessively long walks, and searching tirelessly to find the world’s best donut.
Dr. Mark Anczurowski HBSc, PhD
Mark Anczurowski is a recent graduate of the University of Toronto’s PhD program in Fundamental Immunology, where he studied the molecular mechanisms underlying conditions such as cancer and autoimmune disease to better understand their etiology. He has published 15 peer reviewed articles to date, obtained federal grant support at the national level, and presented his work at numerous conferences nation-wide while pursuing his graduate work. In his spare time, Mark organizes community events, frequents the squash courts & ski slopes, and enjoys taking the time to read a good novel.
Mark is a strong believer in the importance of the development of meaningful mentee-mentor interactions as one of the key secrets of success in today’s market. He has mentored numerous students throughout his education to give trainees the resources and network they need to succeed, in addition to maintaining long-standing tutoring positions and teaching assistantship experience where he also exercises these principles. Looking forward, Mark has a passion for advocacy in academics, to the end of providing equal opportunity for all students to access educational capital, and finding better ways to both prepare and select students when it comes to the admission process. He looks forward to continuing to develop professional relationships with students from all backgrounds and helping each of them achieve their career goals!
Dr. Brad Wiksyk B.Sc., M.D.
Dr. Bradley Wiksyk is a graduate of UBC medical school, and is currently completing a residency in internal medicine at UBC. Prior to medical school, he completed a B.Sc. in Biochemistry at the University of Victoria, and worked as a research assistant at the BC Cancer Agency, publishing several manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals during this time.
Through his academic pursuits, Bradley has developed a passion for teaching through years coaching hockey and volunteering in community mentorship programs. Understanding the unique challenges that applicants to professional programs face, Bradley is eager to work with BeMo applicants in developing individualized strategies to achieve their goals.
Dr. Peter Gunderman MTS, MA, MD
Dr. Peter Gunderman is a first-year radiology resident with extensive experience helping undergraduate and graduate students become competent and confident health professionals.
Peter attended Wabash College, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry and mathematics. While enrolled at Indiana University School of Medicine, he explored the humane aspects of medicine and earned master’s degrees in theology and Christian studies, the latter from Duke University. Peter is now back at Indiana University as a first-year radiology resident.
With a unique background in medicine and the liberal arts, Peter understands both the anxiety and immense potential for personal growth and development in pursuing a career in medicine. As a BeMo academic consultant, he is deeply committed to the future success and fulfillment of those he counsels.
Dr. Elaine Otchere M.A., M.D.
Dr. Elaine Otchere completed her undergraduate work at the University of Michigan, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Women Studies. Prior to medical school, she worked full-time conducting gene regulation research at the University of Michigan.
Elaine recently graduated from medical school at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. During medical school, she received the Dean’s Fellowship Award to spend an additional year conducting immensely productive research at the McDonnell Genome Institute. Other merit-based awards and honors that she received in medical school include the Tylenol Future Care Scholarship and the Dr. Frank O. Richards Medical Student Scholarship Prize.
Currently, Elaine is a transitional year intern at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Following her intern year, she will be a dermatology resident at Duke University Medical Center. Mentorship has positively impacted Elaine throughout her academic career, which is why she is so passionate about giving back and serving as a mentor to others. As a BeMo team member, Elaine is excited to reach a large number of students and support them on their journey to achieve their professional dreams.
Dr. Allen Yu PhD
Dr. Allen Yu is a recent PhD graduate from Duke University. He received both his PhD and Bachelor of Science degrees in Biomedical Engineering from Duke, where he studied injury biomechanics. During his graduate studies, his research efforts focused on determining the precise damaging mechanisms behind traumatic brain injuries to aid the development of prevention strategies. His neurotrauma research interests include applications to the military, sports, and vehicle safety. He has collaborated with several universities and research institutions and has presented his findings at numerous scientific conferences around the world.
Allen has not only developed his technical skills as a scientist and engineer, but he has years of experience mentoring students both inside and outside the laboratory. As an undergraduate, Allen was involved in outdoor leadership and peer education programs. As a graduate student, Allen was a peer mentor for fellow lab members and new students to the PhD program, helping them overcome the hurdles that accompany transitioning to graduate school. Having been on both sides of the application process for all levels in academia, Allen is well experienced and knowledgeable in what it takes to prepare a successful application package. As an academic consultant for BeMo,
Allen is passionate about sharing his academic experiences and helping students reach their maximum potential.
In his free time, Allen enjoys cheering on the Blue Devils, spending time in the outdoors on long-distance backpacking trips, and rock climbing.
Dr. Ryan Flick B.Sc., M.D.
Dr. Ryan Flick is a graduate of Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and is currently completing a family medicine residency at St. Vincent Hospital. Prior to medical school, Ryan completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Pittsburgh while completing research on triple negative breast cancer cell lines.
Growing up in a small town in Pennsylvania, Ryan has developed an understanding of the importance of mentorship and insight into the medical field. He serves his community by volunteering with youth sports programs and Christian mentorship organizations for several years. He enjoys assisting others in reaching their goals of joining the profession of medicine, just like so many physicians from his small town did for him.
Dr. Yuhao Wu MD
Dr. Yuhao Wu is currently a first-year Diagnostic Radiology resident at the University of Saskatchewan. He recently graduated medical school from the University of British Columbia (UBC). In the past, BeMo helped Dr. Wu to improve his MMI interview skills and gain admission to medical school. As an MD Academic Consultant, he wants to give back by contributing his experience and skills to mentor BeMo students in their professional school application process. Outside of medicine, he also enjoys wall-climbing, swimming, and spending time with his family. He looks forward to working with students with various interests and backgrounds.
Dr. David Schulze DO
Dr. David Schulze is a recent graduate of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. Currently he is doing his internal medicine intern year in Weatherford, Texas and will be moving to Los Angeles, California for his Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency. Before entering medical school David was an actor, an EMT, a tutor, a lab manager, a cartoonist, and an English major. He knows what it’s like to have a different career before medicine!
In 2014, David attended the medical science master’s program at the University of Texas Health Science Center and was elected president of his class. After graduating he would become an advisor and mentor to the multiple classes that came after him. He helped them navigate the difficult waters of applying to medical school, dental school, podiatry school, graduate school, nursing school, and PA programs.
As a medical student David was proactive and severed as the class president all four years. During that time he got to see behind the scenes and learned what faculty, administration, and admissions directors are looking for in future students. He also continued to mentor the upcoming classes and was always available to answer a question or read over an essay. Now as a resident David continues to help advise those applying to residency.
David is happiest when the people he’s helped have achieved their goals. He has been on all sides of the application process and has gained many helpful insights. Let him use those insights to help you get the career of your dreams!
Dr. Connor McGuire MD
Dr. Connor McGuire is currently a plastic surgery resident in Halifax, Nova Scotia and is originally from Prince Edward Island. Prior to residency he completed his Bachelor of Science at St. Francis Xavier University, his Master of Health Sciences in epidemiology at Lakehead University, and his MD at Dalhousie University Medical School.
Connor has a longstanding interest in medical education and helping students reach their goals. He started the Surgical Exploration & Discovery (SEAD) program at Dalhousie Medicine which is a two-week intensive surgical program designed to help first year medical students with career minded decisions through observerships, seminars, and social events. Connor is also heavily involved in research and with public health policy as a member of the Doctors Nova Scotia policy and health issues committee.
Outside of medicine, Connor can be found running, playing squash, and trying out new recipes. Dr. McGuire is excited and honoured to help prospective students make the most of their goals to gain acceptance to professional programs.
Dr. Meng Yang PhD
Dr. Meng Yang is a recent PhD graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where she received her PhD in Linguistics. Her research focused on how we, humans, use the many acoustic dimensions of speech sounds to understand the words we hear, as well as how the perceptual biases we bring to this process ultimately affect the course of language change. She has published on this topic and others in peer-reviewed journals and has presented her research at numerous international conferences. Her research was funded by the National Science Foundation among other funding agencies.
Meng is an experienced teacher and academic mentor. During her time at UCLA, she taught both general-education introductory courses and advanced courses in linguistics, and has a passion for pedagogical innovation in the classroom. As a graduate mentor, Meng was an advocate for undergraduate participation in research and created many such opportunities for her students. She is also well-versed in the ins and outs of admissions to competitive programs and has helped numerous mentees successfully navigate the process. As an academic consultant at BeMo, she is excited to share her experience and knowledge with you!
Dr. Xuan Cao M.D.
Dr. Xuan Cao is originally from Maryland and attended undergraduate at Duke University, where he majored in Biomedical Engineering with Minors in Chemistry and Biology. He completed medical school at Drexel College of Medicine and is doing a research year in order to pursue residency in ophthalmology.
In undergraduate, Xuan was actively involved in tutoring both college and high school students. During medical school, Xuan served as an academic tutor as well as a student interviewer for medical school admissions.
One of Xuan's greatest passions is education and mentoring and he is ready to use his own experiences to help others achieve success in their professional school application. In his spare time, Xuan enjoys practicing the piano, playing badminton, and spending time with his puppy.
Dr. Ashley Grimaldi B.A., Ph.D.
Dr. Ashley Grimaldi completed her undergraduate work at University of Colorado, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. She completed her graduate work at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine where she joined their Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences. She earned her Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology from Vanderbilt where she studied the role of microtubule plus-end tracking proteins in the regulation of cellular architecture and physiology. While at Vanderbilt, Dr. Grimaldi wrote funding proposals and secured an American Heart Association predoctoral fellowship for her study of microtubule-dependent regulation of cardiovascular disease. She has six peer-reviewed publications from her time at Vanderbilt where she also gained invaluable teaching and mentoring experience.
After several years in science research, Dr. Grimaldi pursued her passion for helping students and has now been teaching full-time for six years. Dr. Grimaldi’s diverse research and teaching experiences allow her to provide valuable advice to a wide variety of students. As a BeMo team member, she is passionate about bringing her skills and expertise to students as she supports them in achieving their academic and professional goals.
Outside of consulting, Dr. Grimaldi enjoys working on puzzles, taking her dog to the park, and eating tacos with her husband.
Dr. Jessica Nicastro Ph.D
Dr. Jessica Nicastro is a Ph.D. student at the University of Waterloo, specializing in vaccine delivery and nanomedicine. During her studies, she was funded to work on a biotech project in San Francisco, California. She is also an author on 16 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, the lead author on a textbook, the recipient of multiple Tri-Agency scholarships, and has acted as a teaching assistant and guest lecturer at the University of Waterloo.
Building strong mentor-mentee relationships is important to Jessica. She believes that all great relationships are built on a place of trust, and this is something that she strives to foster with every one of her mentees. Over the years, she has mentored hundreds of students in science, writing and in a wet-lab environment. Jessica has found that the most rewarding part of being a mentor is the steady increase in confidence that she’s seen in her students.
In her free time, you can find Jessica reading fiction, running, practicing yoga, or catching up on the latest television shows with her friends.
