Home
About Us
Board of Directors

2024-2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS | Conseil d'administration

Julie Jonkhans

President I Présidente

Training and Research Manager

BioCanRx

Julie Jonkhans is the training and research manager at BioCanRx where she manages training and research programs and fosters strategic partnerships.. As an advocate for showcasing the value of the PhD, she designs and facilitates programming to help individuals expand upon their expertise and cultivate best practices in research. Julie holds a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Western University.

Aline Medeiros Ramos

Past-President | Présidente Sortante

Graduate Research Scholarship Coordinator at the Academic Affairs and Experience Directorate

Montreal Polytechnique

aline.medeiros-ramos@polymtl.ca

Aline Medeiros Ramos, the Past President of GPDN-RPESP and graduate research scholarship coordinator at Polytechnique Montréal, brings a wealth of experience from diverse roles across over half of Quebec's universities. Aline holds a PhD in philosophy from the Université du Québec à Montréal. Her enthusiasm for her #alt-ac job is matched only by her dedication to collaborate with peers across Canada. In addition to being fully bilingual (English/French), Aline speaks six other languages. Outside of work, you will find her practicing some of them.

Rebecca Maymon

Vice President | Vice Présidente

Academic Associate, Graduate Education

McGill University

rebecca.maymon@mcgill.ca

Rebecca Maymon is a Director at Large of GPDN and an Academic Associate in Graduate Education at McGill University's Faculty of Science, where she works to support professional skills and career development for graduate students. She earned her M.A. and PhD at McGill University in Educational Psychology, Learning Sciences, with a research focus on motivation and student support in higher education. Following her work in the private sector as a recruiter and headhunter of PhDs and scientists, Rebecca brings knowledge of research in professional skills, and PhD career outcomes to her work in connecting highly skilled graduates with meaningful careers across sectors.

Katie George

Membership Manager | Gestionnaire des adhésions

Program Manager, McCall MacBain Postdoctoral Fellows Teaching and Leadership Program

McMaster University

Georgk8@mcmaster.ca

After 16 years of experience teaching in higher education and working clinically within the field of brain injury rehabilitation, Katie jumped into the world of postdoctoral education. In her recent appointment as Program Manager at the McCall MacBain Postdoctoral Fellows Teaching and Leadership Program (out of McMaster University), she applies her skills in cognitive science, educational principles and leadership to each incoming cohort. Creating a cohort community of postdocs has been one of the most enriching aspects of this new appointment. She look forward to what each new academic year brings and how the program can help to shape and evolve the ever-changing world of postdoctoral training.

Joel Rodgers

Operations Manager | Gestionnaire des opérations

Coordinator, Graduate Student Professional Development

Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto

operations.manager@gpdn-rpesp.ca

Joel Rodgers, PhD, coordinates graduate student professional development in the Faculty of Arts & Science at the University of Toronto, where he has held several roles supporting graduate student development over the past decade. In addition to developing programming, he works directly with graduate units to create new professional opportunities for Arts & Science graduate students. Outside of his graduate role, he regularly teaches undergraduate courses in English literature at the University of Toronto Scarborough campus.

Catherine Maybrey

Director at Large | Directrice générale

Coordinator, Postdoctoral Affairs and Research Training

McMaster University

maybrecr@mcmaster.ca

Catherine is the Coordinator, Postdoctoral Affairs and Research Training in the School of Graduate Studies at McMaster University. She has worked with graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in different roles at McMaster since 2010, with a focus on careers and professional development.

Megan Hébert

Director at Large | Directrice générale

Coordinator, Professional Development

University of Lethbridge

hebertm@uleth.ca

Megan Hébert, MEd. is the Coordinator of Professional Development in the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Lethbridge. Her current work focuses on developing professional skills through offering professional development programs, supporting graduate employment through peer mentorship and graduate student competitions, and postdoctoral professional development. Megan completed her MEd at the University of British Columbia, focusing on Adult Learning and Global Change. She is set to begin her PhD - Education: SoTL focus with the University of Saskatchewan this upcoming September. Megan’s past experience includes providing career support and career development opportunities for trades, certificates, diplomas and applied bachelors students at Lethbridge College.

Maria Kyres

Director at Large | Directrice générale

Coordinator, Graduate Career Development

Concordia University

Maria.kyres@concordia.ca

Maria Kyres is the Coordinator, Graduate Career Development at Concordia University where she leads career development programs and initiatives, most notably PhD Career Connect, a comprehensive 12-week career development program for PhDs and postdocs and the recently launched Doctoral Student Internship Program (DSIP), an internship program that facilitates career development in Higher Education for doctoral students. She leverages the skills and experience acquired in her prior roles in HR and Employment Counselling to lead career development programs, professional skills workshops and career panels for grad students. She also sits on the Professional Development Committee with the GPDN and is eager to learn more about how she can best support students in their professional endeavours. She holds a BA in Psychology from Concordia University and an MA in Cultural Studies from Queen’s University. When she’s not working you can find her in some of her favorite Montreal cafes or at Pilates.