2011-2012 TUGS Executives

 President - Ka Ka (Nikki) Ng

Nikki is a fourth year student pursuing a double major in Architectural Design and Human Geography and taking a minor in GIS.  She is very interested in urban concepts and architectural works that integrate dynamic functions of every day rather than designs which are purely superficial. This is her second year as an executive on TUGS and is striving to become a communication tie for geography students and the services TUGS provides.

Vice-President - Jeff Tanaka

Jeff Tanaka is a third year student from University College. He is doing a major in Human Geography along with a double minor in Women and Gender Studies and Diaspora and Transnational Studies. This is his second year as a member of Toronto Undergraduate Geography Society. His interests include looking at how our social geographies are shaped by experiences with race, sexuality and urban segregation.

Vice-President  - Aliya Naqvi

 Aliya Naqvi is presently in her last year at the University of Toronto. Her majors are Human Geography and Canadian studies. This is her second year on the TUGS exectuve team and  she looks forward to another amazing year.

Secretary - Erin Kang 

Erin Kang is currently in her fourth year in hot pursuit of an Urban Studies Major and Minors in History and Human. She has found amazing fellow geographers through TUGS and hopes to meet many more. Her research interests center around community development, sustainable growth in developed and developing countries, and how the notions of sustainability and urban responsibility are percieved by the new immigrant community in Toronto. She is the secretary for TUGS as well as the Urban Studies Student Union (URSSU), and currently is interning for the Toronto Center of Social Innovation. She spent the summer interning at Evergreen Brickworks and the University of Toronto Cities Center, and still occasionally leads Gardening and Stewardship events at the Brickworks.

 Lip is final year Forestry student doing his undergraduate degree on forest conservation science and physical and environmental geography. Involvement in TUGS give him valuable experience in many fronts; such as organization and leadership skills. He encourages all geography students to take advantage of TUGS commons room on Sidney Smith, as well as all the social and academic events by TUGS. Students can join our facebook group (TUGS) for current events and suggestions. Lip is planning to further his study in master program of forest conservation science in U of T.

 Campus Group  Liason - Lip C. Liew 

Social Coordinator -  Toni Papa 

 Toni Papa is a third year New College student majoring in Human Geography with minors in Geographic Information Systems and Political Science. This is her first year as a TUGS executive and is looking forward to an amazing year. Toni is excited about getting involved, meeting new people and studying Geography! Her favourite class is GIS, she loves maps! She also loves the outdoors and staying active. Toni sends out best wishes to all Geography students and especially to first year students who are likely to be charmed into continuing their studies in Geography just she was.

Treasurer  - Demos Antonopoulos

Demos enters the third year in his pursuit of a specialist degree in human geography with a focus on urbanization.  This will be Demos’ second year as a member of the TUGS executive. He hopes to have better results handling the budget than Greece did this past year in his role as treasurer.  If Demos’ comedy career fails he hopes to land a job as a high school geography teacher passing his brilliance on to future generations.

 Advertising Officer  - Josee Matte

Josée is a 4th year New College student currently pursuing a major in Human Geography and double minor in Geography Information Systems (GIS) and Visual Studies. A self-proclaimed workaholic, she has a hand in many aspects of UofT student life. Her recent endeavours include chairing the 2011 New College Orientation, captaining the 2010 Varsity Blues badminton team, running a successful franchise business for two years. She  is also a current residence Don at New College, as well as the Men's Athletics Director on the New College Student Council. She wasn't kidding when she said she was a workaholic! Some of her other hobbies include traveling, photography, arts & crafts, and sports of any kind! This will be Josée's second year as the TUGS advertising officer, so she is always looking for feedback on better ways to improve TUGS visibility on campus! She is also looking forward to seeing many new and returning faces at this year's events!

Technical Officer - Quang Pham

Quang Pham is a final year student pursuing a specialist in Environmental Geography and a career in architecture. His study revolves around sustainability and the built environment. He aims to build on leadership skills through contributing to social and academic events. During his spare time, he enjoys unicycling, cycling, mechanical repairs, and producing everyday art. Upon graduation, Quang plans to further develop his education through enrollment in a master's program.

 Physical Geography Representative - Sultan Hasan

Sultan Hasan is a third year student pursuing a double major in Environmental Geography and Environmental Studies, and a minor in Anthropology. This summer she took Geography courses in the United Kingdom and is looking forward to doing more Geography related work this year! Some of her interests include photography and traveling. It is her first year with TUGS and she is very excited to get involved!

GIS Representative - Phillip Bruno

 Phil Bruno is a fourth year student, double majoring in Environmental Geography and Environmental Studies (with a minor in GIS). As hobbies, he enjoys spending his free time cycling around the city and discussing innovations in today’s automotive industry. This is his first year as a member of TUGS and he hopes to meaningfully contribute to both TUGS and the U of T GIS community. 

Academic Officer - Ian Frank

Ian is in his fourth year pursuing a well rounded geography degree; Majoring in Human Geography while  minoring in both GIS, and Physical and Environmental Geography. He has always been fascinated by maps and where they can lead. His interest in people and places naturally led him to the geography department through a brief sojourn in history and ecology. Growing up in the Paris of the Prairies (Winnipeg, though some may argue
that distinction belongs to Saskatoon) and spending time in numerous mountain towns around the Canadian Rockies supplied Ian with an interesting perspective when he moved to Toronto. The numerous differences and
similarities between Toronto and the other places he has called home has drawn his attention towards the unique cultural climate of the city. The influence that the natural and not-so-natural ravines have had on the distribution neighborhoods, and the structure of the city are a continued subject of inquiry for Ian. Ian is avid back-country skier, who has channeled that energy into urban cycling (since Ontario doesn't offer much in the way of 'back-country' terrain).

Environmental Geography Representative - Stephanie Volpentesta

Human Geography Representative - Ron Pearson

 Stephanie Volpentesta is a fourth year student, double majoring in Human and Environmental Geography. Her goal is to obtain a Masters in Planning. In her spare time Stephanie enjoys traveling, playing soccer and socializing with friends. Stephanie has had the opportunity to travel to many cities within North America and plans to continue her voyages across other cities worldwide. Traveling has given her the chance to embrace an array of city landscapes in which she loves most. It is her first year as a TUGS representative and is looking forward to taking part in events planned for the near future.