Meet the Team
Rishika Selvakumar
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Rishika graduated with a Bachelor of Science from UBC in 2022 and is currently in her last year of the Master of Public Health program at UBC. She is interested in exploring the healthcare field. She joined AEP to support acne education and de-stigmatization.
Advisor
Mehdi Tabesh
President
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Mehdi completed a Bachelor of Science with a major in Microbiology and Immunology and is currently a second year medical student. He joined the Acne Education Project with the goal of educating younger students about the facts and myths surrounding acne and promoting healthier conversations around skin health. Having personally struggled with eczema throughout elementary and high school, Mehdi understands firsthand how visible skin conditions can affect confidence, social interactions, and overall well being. These experiences motivated him to help destigmatize acne and empower students with practical knowledge so they can better care for themselves and support their peers. Through his involvement with AEP, Mehdi has also developed a strong interest in advocating for the inclusion of evidence based acne and skin health education within the BC school curriculum, with the hope of normalizing conversations around skin conditions and improving early health literacy among youth.
Sania Julian
Research Development Lead
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Sania graduated from UBC in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Sciences. She has a strong interest in healthcare, and joined AEP to help increase and awareness and understanding regarding acne education. She hopes to help increase confidence among youth.
Hannah Salcudean
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Hannah completed a Master of Science in Neuroimaging at the University of Southern California and is currently a medical student at UBC. She is passionate about bridging technology and medicine, with a particular interest in improving patient education and access to care. Having personally struggled with teenage acne, Hannah is committed to using her experience to educate youth and reduce stigma surrounding skin conditions.
Research Development Executive
Mark Wang
President
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Mark graduated with a Bachelor of Science from UBC, a MSc in Medicine from the U of A, and is currently a first year medical student. As part of AEP, Mark aims to educate young audiences about acne to dispel misinformation, promote self-esteem, and foster a better understanding of skin health. His goal is to create a supportive environment that empowers individuals to take control of their skincare and address the emotional impact that acne and other skin conditions can have on confidence and well-being.
Heather Rathgeber
Vice-President
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Heather is a fourth-year neuroscience student at UBC and has a strong interest in pediatric mental health and medical advocacy. She joined AEP to empower young students in their transition to adolescence by equipping them with evidence-based tools. Heather’s goal is to help destigmatize acne and facilitate open conversations about its impact on self-image and overall wellbeing.
Gwen Farm
Outreach & Research Coordinator
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Gwen completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is currently a second-year medical student at UBC. She joined the Acne Education Project to bridge gaps in accessible, evidence-based skin health education for youth, drawing on her experiences as both a nurse and someone who has navigated acne and eczema herself.
Soroush Mohebat
Internal Director
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Soroush graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology in 2023. Currently, he is a research technician at UBC department of Pathology where he studies soft tissue cancers. Soroush believes social media often sets unrealistic standards that don’t reflect real life, and this can strongly affect teens as they grow into adulthood. Through volunteer with AEP, Soroush hopes to help bridge that gap in skin health and skin care and encourage young people to feel comfortable being themselves.
Co-founders: Jeffrey Toy, MD (2020-2023), Jason Lee, MD (2020-2023), Vincent Wan, MD (2020-2023)
Alumni Members: Miranda Tsu, B.Sc (2020-2022), Prabhu Gill, PharmD (2020-2022); Nicole Leith, B.Sc (2020-2023); Madeline Renner, B.A. (2022-2023), Sandy Lum, BASc, MD student (2022-2023); Amy Zeglinski-Spinney, B.Sc, MD student (2023), Anahita Seraji, BSc, MD student (2022-2026), Michelle Pham, BSc, MOT (2023-2026)