GSA VP Academic: Rija Kamran

Rija is a PhD candidate in Rehabilitation Medicine, a Physical Therapist by training and the current VP Academic for Graduate Students’ Association. She was born in Pakistan where she completed her Physical therapy training (Doctor of Physical Therapy). Her clinical work is primarily focused on people living with chronic neurological conditions like stroke, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis among others. Rija’s research utilizes community-based participatory methods and involves people living with neurological conditions in the research process to devise solutions to the problems that are relevant and useful for them. As for the advocacy efforts, she has always been committed to advocating for student and medical professionals’ rights and promoting positive change. Before starting the VP Academic term with GSA, Rija served as a councillor for the International Students’ Association (ISA) and as the department representative for Rehabilitation Medicine Students’ Association (RMSA). During her term with the GSA, Rija has made significant strides in having the Minimum Guaranteed Funding Project, the work of over a decade move towards implementation. She has also initiated the important discussion on tuition relief for graduate students and pathways to prepare graduate students for industry and academia.