Board of Directors, 2024–25
Adam Lam (he/him) | President
Shankavie is an undergraduate student who recently completed her third year in the Aerospace Engineering program at TMU. Currently, she is gaining valuable industry experience through a year-long co-op as an engineering intern at Safran Landing Systems. She is currently a part of her Hyperloop design team as a structures member. Shankavie has a proven track record of leadership in roles such as Project Manager for the CEN100 first-year engineering course, Student Leadership Assistant, and VP of Communications and Strategic Development for the Aerospace Course Union. Her research experience includes work on spectrometers, and she has been actively involved in student orientation and safety initiatives. Shankavie is deeply committed to enhancing the student experience and helping foster new learning and growth for students.
Khush Bakht Awan is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Engineering Physics at McMaster University, where she has developed a strong interest in electrical engineering through hands-on project work. She is actively involved in several organizations, including the McMaster Solar Car Team, where she collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to enhance the vehicle’s electrical systems, and McMaster NAYGN (North American Young Generation in Nuclear), contributing to initiatives that promote nuclear energy education and innovation. In her leadership role as Vice President Internal for SEDS Canada, Khush manages internal operations and fosters a vibrant community of students passionate about space exploration and related technologies. Her work with SEDS aligns with her academic and career aspirations, as she focuses her studies on nuclear engineering, particularly its applications in space environments, such as power generation for long-term space missions and the development of sustainable space technologies. Through her involvement in these diverse projects and leadership roles, Khush continues to refine her engineering skills while pursuing her passion for clean and sustainable energy solutions, with a long-term goal of contributing to the advancement of space technology and exploration.
Floweret is an undergrad student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University. She developed a keen interest in aerospace and space exploration technologies during high school and have been in pursuit of it since then. Her passion for space exploration and innovation led her to join SEDS Canada, where she currently serves as the Vice president Communications. She coordinates promotional campaigns and engages with the community through various social media platforms to increase awareness of SEDS Canada’s initiatives and events. Floweret also collaborates closely with other executive members to ensure cohesive messaging and effective communication across all organizational channels. Floweret is deeply passionate about women’s empowerment in STEM fields and is dedicated to supporting students within the space community. She believes in the transformative power of education and outreach to inspire the next generation of leaders in aerospace and beyond.
Robel is an undergraduate Aerospace Engineering student at Toronto Metropolitan University and currently serves as VP Finance, Mentorship Manager, and Project Manager at SEDS-Canada. A passionate space enthusiast, Robel has always been driven by a love for engineering and the space industry. As VP Finance, he manages the financial assets of the organization and leads fundraising initiatives to support SEDS-Canada’s mission. In his role as Mentorship Manager, he oversees mentorship programs, working closely with the Mentorship Coordinator and VP External to connect students and young professionals with experienced mentors in the space sector. He hopes to help SEDS inspire space enthusiasts and empower students to make meaningful contributions to the industry. Robel is also involved in several engineering design teams at his university, including TMFR, TMAD, MARS, and TMSR, where he serves as a co-captain and co-founder of the TMSR team. His passion for innovation and leadership is evident in his commitment to these projects. In addition to his academic pursuits, Robel is an ambassador and head of the research team for a non-profit organization, conducting in-depth research on issues facing remote communities in Canada due to climate change and the policies impacting these communities. He works with professors, experts, and members of provincial Parliament at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to find technical solutions to these challenges. Outside of his professional and academic activities, Robel is a Division 1 football player and enjoys reading history and hiking.
Ahmad is an aspiring mathematician in his third year studying pure mathematics at Wilfrid Laurier University. He is a Board-Member in the Students for Exploration and Development of Space and is responsible for overseeing the CAN-ARX and YSpacE campaigns at SEDS Canada. During his spare time, he loves to play chess and billiards and is an aspiring mathematician with hopes of studying differential geometry and topology in the future.
Nava is a second-year student at the University of Ottawa pursuing a dual degree in Biomedical Mechanical Engineering and Computing Technology. She is especially interested in robotics, software, and mathematics. Nava enjoys academic research, and during her time at uOttawa so far, she has completed an independent research paper on computational mathematics. Nava has been involved in student leadership throughout her academic career, having served in executive positions in numerous clubs and councils throughout high school and her first year at university. As the Vice President of Outreach, Nava supervises programs aimed at spreading information on SEDS’ projects across Canada; these include the NASA Space Apps, a high school conference series, and working with regional representatives. Nava is also a member of the Space Life Sciences division at SEDS and the Chair of Bioinformatics. In her free time, Nava volunteers with NASA’s Citizen Scientist program in analyzing data provided by the Climate Sounder on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. As VP of Outreach, Nava is committed to extending SEDS’ reach across Canada and encouraging more student involvement in the space sector.
Noordeep, a third-year Aerospace Engineering student at Toronto Metropolitan University, is on a mission to reach the stars and bring others along for the ride. As the Director at Large (Events) for SEDS—Canada, she will help organize and plan events like the NASA Space Apps Challenge and the Canadian Space Conference. Noordeep’s vision extends far beyond our atmosphere; she’s passionate about forging meaningful connections within the space industry and honing her leadership skills. Her university life is a whirlwind of activity. She’s an integral part of multiple design teams and clubs at TMU, including MET Rocketry, MARS, ACU, and CASI, where she broadens her horizons beyond the technical realm. Noordeep thrives on the energy of conferences and is currently adding her communication finesse to the CALE Conference set for 2025. This summer, she’s also gaining hands-on experience with a co-op internship at Collins Aerospace in Oakville, Ontario. When she’s not charting her course through the cosmos, Noordeep fills her world with creativity and adventure. Her home is a gallery of her paintings, she loves exploring new destinations, and is a regular at concerts. While her professional aspirations are sky-high, she stays grounded with her love for Luke Combs’ country music. Noordeep is eager to meet fellow space enthusiasts and make a significant impact on the community with an amazing SEDS-Canada
Vasundhara is starting her undergraduate studies in Life Sciences at McMaster University in Fall 2024. As the Events Chair for SEDS Canada, she oversees the annual Canadian Space Conference and organizes NASA Space Apps Challenges across Canada. She is also a member of the Space Life Sciences division at SEDS and serves as the Medical Sciences Chair. Vasundhara has a profound passion for both natural and physical sciences, as well as advocacy, having founded the Youth Geographic Association. After presenting her academic poster on Space Medicine at the 2024 CSC conference, she discovered a deeper interest in being involved with SEDS. She plans on presenting research on sustainable soil growing habits in space for prolonged space missions by analyzing different soil compositions. Vasundhara hopes to connect opportunities with high school students and early undergraduates as part of her work with SEDS. She is eager to apply her experience in organizing events in the physical sciences to further engage with the natural sciences within SEDS. Outside of her role in SEDS, she is a keen reader and enjoys exploring the fine arts.
Associate Professor
