Meet the BGSA execs
Caroline Grela, Chairperson
Caroline is a PhD candidate in the GP3 lab. She uses population genetics to study adaptation in insects during rapid range expansions. When she’s not running around Nesbitt and chatting up a storm, she enjoys planning and facilitating our social events and on-going projects like our merch sales, fundraisers, and Grad Desk directory. As Chairperson, Caroline is involved in organizing and overseeing the BGSA and its events, as well as acting as a representative and reaching out externally for events, collaborations and projects. She’ll be happy to hear from any students with requests for events or problems with-in the department, and hopes to have the BGSA be a resource and great representative for all graduate students in Biology! In her free time, you can find Caroline bouncing between her arts and crafts, bothering her friends, or hiding out in nature.
Grace Gardner, Co-Chair Communications
Grace is a PhD student in the GP3 (Cullingham) Lab, where she uses landscape genetics to study adaptation in conifers. She recently completed her Master’s in the lab and is excited to continue her journey at Carleton. Grace enjoys being involved with the BGSA, helping organize events and hosting trivia. As co-chair communications her role mainly involves relaying important information to the department. Outside of academics Grace enjoys drawing, swimming and being outside.
Matthew Coffey, Co-Chair Social
Matthew is a PhD Student in Andrew Simons Lab, where he studies how community science data can be used to explore the evolutionary ecology of plant species. Matthew enjoys helping plan events, working on the BGSA’s biology merch, and hosting trivia. As co-chair social, his role involves making posters and social media posts to advertise the BGSA’s fun events as well as running the BGSA Instagram page. Outside of academics, Matthew enjoys playing softball and soccer.
Lili Grieco-St-Pierre, Co-Chair Council
Lili (elle/she/her) is a PhD candidate in the Bruin Lab, where she studies how chemotherapy affects pancreatic islets function. Originally from Montréal, she jumped into BGSA involvement as soon as she joined Carleton in 2023. Since then, she has been a strong advocate for graduate student representation, both at departmental meetings and within the Carleton Graduate Students’ Association. As co-chair council, Lili represents graduate students and collaborates with the department to improve their working and learning conditions. A self-described political nerd, she loves constructive debate and pushing for meaningful change on behalf of her peers.
Tamara Donnelly, Co-Chair Animal Care Committee
Tamara (she/her) is a first-year PhD student in the Social Ecology and Conservation Collaborative. Her research is a part of the Importance and Values of ‘Provisioning Fisheries’ in the Great Lakes project, exploring the human dimensions of fisheries at the intersections of socio-ecological systems, socio-cultural values, food security, and wellbeing. As Co-Chair Animal Care Committee (ACC), she attends monthly ACC meetings and reviews ACC reports and requests from Carleton staff and students. She loves being a member of the BGSA because she believes student voices are essential for decision-making and good governance practices across the university. When she is not conducting research or attending meetings you can find her on a hike, reading (snuggled up with her cats), and enjoying coffee at local cafes with friends.
Sam Bennett, Co-Chair Finance
Hello everyone! My name is Sam and I am your Co-Chair of Finance for 2025/2026. I am a Masters student in the GLEL lab studying how bee diversity is impacted by natural habitat availability and farming practices. As your Co-Chair of Finance, I am in charge of budgeting and financial management for the BGSA this year. If you have any questions about how the financial side of the BGSA is run feel free to shoot me an email at sambennett3@cmail.carleton.ca.