Call for Cohort Committee Representatives
Volt-Age invites applications from current graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to join the Cohort Committee, a new governance body representing the collective voice of its trainees.
About
As part of our commitment to build an inclusive, responsive and supportive community, Volt-Age is establishing a committee that will:
- Represent cohort perspectives in the Volt-Age governance.
- Provide structured input to Volt-Age's leadership team.
- Strengthen communication between the cohort and Volt-Age's governing committees.
- Foster a culture of engagement, collaboration, and shared governance.
The application deadline has passed.
Available roles
Volt-Age is seeking five members to serve a 12-month term from the date of confirmed nomination.
All positions will receive support from the Cohort Training Program Officer, who will serve as the Volt-Age liaison as needed to support onboarding and ensure a smooth transition into the role.
- Leads the cohort Committee, sets meeting agendas, facilitates discussions and ensures that decisions and actions are followed up.
- Serves as the primary liaison between the cohort and Volt-Age leadership.
- Coordinates with the cohort’s representatives on other governing bodies (EDI and Executive Committees) to ensure consistent communication and alignment across governance activities.
- Ensures accountability and continuity of the Committee’s work.
- Acts as the Cohort Committee’s representative on the Advisory Board, the oversight body that reviews strategic directions of Volt-Age.
Coordinates internal communications and ensures that relevant updates from the various representatives flow back to the cohort.
Collaborates with the Chair and Secretary to promote key messages and opportunities across institutional partners and communication channels.
- Keeps meeting minutes and records.
- Manages communications between Cohort Committee and the wider cohort (consider data policy e.g., sharing of contact information).
- Assists in coordinating meeting logistics and follow-up.
- Represents the cohort on the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee.
- Brings forward trainee perspectives on inclusive research practices, accessibility, and equity initiatives.
- Participates in the Executive Committee, which provides final approval on organizational decisions.
- Collaborates with the Chair to ensure broad representation of cohort perspectives on Executive Committee agenda items.
- Advisory Board: Advises strategic recommendations made by Executive Committee, with an emphasis on, but not limited to IP and commercialization, partnerships and performance tracking.
- EDI Committee: Advise on the implementation and progress of the EDI Action Plan and provide guidance on relevant Volt-Age processes and strategies to ensure the integration of EDI principles across the program.
- Executive Committee: Make key decisions for Volt-Age, including but not limited to funding decisions, administration, governance, reporting and budget.
Eligibility
Be current graduate students (master's or PhD) or postdoctoral fellows funded by Volt-Age's research projects.
Have at least one calendar year remaining in their current study program or postdoc contract as of June 1, 2026.
Demonstrate an interest in governance, leadership and community engagement.
Be able to commit to attending meetings once every three months and where applicable, representing the cohort in one governance committee.
Application process
Complete the application form containing a short statement of interest (150 words) describing:
- Your skills, attributes and values.
- Any relevant work, community, leadership or training experience.
Submit the self-nomination form by: 12pm Noon EST, April 2, 2026.
Selection procedure
The selection process will take place through cohort voting to ensure fairness, transparency, and broad cohort engagement.
- Each member of the cohort will be invited to cast one vote per position.
- Candidates receiving the highest number of votes for each role will be appointed to the Cohort Committee.
- In the event of a tie, a revote will be held for the position.
| Voting period: | April 9-16, 2026 |
| Nomination letters will be sent out by: | April 24, 2026 |
| Responses to the nominations must be received by: | April 30, 2026 |
| Election results will be announced to the cohort by: | May 5, 2026 |
Applicants
No applications.
1. Rawan Elshal
Institution: Concordia University
Level of Study: MSc Business Analytics and Technology Management
Skills and attributes
I grew up with strong values centered around community, responsibility, and collective progress. I was taught that contributing to a group means showing up consistently, supporting others, and thinking beyond individual interests. These values shape how I approach leadership today. Volt-Age brings together trainees from different disciplines, research interests, and backgrounds. In that kind of environment, representation requires active listening, clarity, and structure. I bring strong organizational skills, accountability, and a commitment to transparent communication. I believe a research community thrives when members feel informed, connected, and genuinely heard. I would approach this role not simply as a position, but as a responsibility to strengthen cohesion within the Volt-Age cohort and ensure trainee perspectives are thoughtfully represented.
Work and training experience
My academic and professional experiences have consistently required structured communication and stakeholder coordination. During my undergraduate studies, I served as VP Bilingualism and Advocacy within IRUO, where I supported initiatives promoting inclusion and the clear representation of student concerns in institutional settings. Currently, as Vice-President of Communications for the JMSB MSc Society, I coordinate internal messaging, structure announcements, and ensure MSc students are informed about academic and professional opportunities. Managing multiple communication channels has strengthened my organization, clarity, and consistency. In parallel, I work as a Project Management Advisor at CNESST, where cross-team coordination and accurate information flow are essential. My involvement in research initiatives such as DECODER, as well as engagements connected to IDRF and NCCM, has further exposed me to interdisciplinary collaboration and governance environments.
2. Suleiman Ahmed
Institution: Concordia University
Level of Study: PhD in Civil Engineering
Skills and attributes
My experience in geotechnical research has helped me get comfortable working with complex information and explaining it clearly to different audiences. I’m used to taking input from various people and turning it into clear, practical points that others can understand and use.
I’ve worked in collaborative environments with people from different backgrounds, which has helped me stay aware of different perspectives and represent them fairly. I focus on listening carefully and making sure feedback is captured accurately and communicated clearly.
I also value being transparent, reliable, and consistent in communication, as these are important for building trust and representing the cohort effectively.
Work and training experience
In academic and professional settings, I actively contribute to discussions, organize input from multiple participants, and ensure key points and decisions are clearly communicated to maintain alignment within the group. Prior to joining Concordia, I worked as a team leader with site engineers, coordinating tasks, aligning priorities, and ensuring accurate information flow to support on-site decisions. This experience strengthened my ability to manage communication across different roles and constraints.
At Concordia, I completed the Graduate Leadership Development Program workshop, which further developed my leadership and communication skills in structured, team-based environments.
Balancing research, coursework, and collaboration has strengthened my organization and time-management.
3. Ahmed Nouby Mohamed Hassan
Institution: Concordia University
Level of Study: MASc/PhD in Building Engineering
Skills and attributes
I believe a story is a strong way of communication. So here is how I developed my skill!
Growing up in a multicultural city, I appreciated communication as a foundation for meaningful impact. This shaped my ability to communicate clearly, stay organized, and coordinate effectively across diverse groups in multiple activities.
As Enactus AU member, I learned to actively listen, understand different perspectives, and design solutions that respond to real needs. As a TA, I strengthened my ability to translate student feedback into actionable improvements, ensuring a better learning experience.
Currently, in both academic and community roles, I continue to refine these skills by tailoring communication to new audiences and contexts.
I am guided by transparency, inclusivity, and consistency. I believe effective representation requires making all voices heard and ensuring information flows clearly and reliably. I am committed to being approachable, responsive, and accountable in representing trainee perspectives.
Work and training experience
My experience combines communication, leadership, and coordination across academic and community contexts:
- As a Corresponding Person in the Smart Solar Community Volt-Age SEED project at Concordia University, I act as a communication link between an industry partner (S2E) and multiple graduate students, ensuring structured and reliable information exchange.
- As Marketing Lead at Global Shapers Montreal Hub, I develop strategies to enhance public visibility and build meaningful relationships with partners through digital and in-person engagement.
- Previously, as a designer, I contributed to engineering development committees, including an urban campus project, requiring coordination across multiple academic institutional levels.
- A Presentation Committee Manager & R&D Committee Member at Enactus AU: I presented our sustainability projects to different stakeholders, winning 4 prizes at the national competition. I developed outreach strategies for our waste-based wood to reach out to potential beneficiaries.
1. Gauraang Malik
Institution: Concordia University
Level of Study: PhD in Building Engineering
Skills and attributes
I would like to contribute more actively to the Volt-Age community and help strengthen communication across researchers working on electrification and sustainable technologies. As a PhD student working on AI and building energy systems, I regularly collaborate across disciplines and value clear coordination and knowledge sharing.
The Secretary role interests me because it focuses on documentation, communication, and organization. I bring experience using AI responsibly for meeting documentation, such as secure recordings through tools like Plaude with local LLMs to generate summaries that help preserve privacy. I hope to support transparent communication and effective representation of perspectives.
Work and training experience
My experience combines research, project management, and community engagement. I frequently coordinate discussions, document technical ideas, and communicate across interdisciplinary teams.
I have also organized technical events and discussions within the AI community in Montreal, which involved coordinating events, facilitating collaborative discussions, and summarizing key outcomes. These experiences have strengthened my organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to communicate complex topics clearly.
I value transparency, collaboration, and proactive communication. These qualities would help me represent trainee perspectives effectively while ensuring that committee discussions and decisions are clearly documented and shared with the broader cohort.
2. Salaheddine Aichi
Institution: Toronto Metropolitan University
Level of Study: PhD Ohse
Skills and attributes
Communication, Leadership, PMI
Work and training experience
PMI, Leadership, Construction, Oil and Gaz, Engineering
1. Maryam Mahmoudikouhi
Institution: Concordia University
Level of study: PhD in Chemical Engineering
Skills and attributes
I am a first-year PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering at Concordia University and a Volt-Age funded trainee. My research focuses on Hydride batteries, and I am deeply committed to contributing not only scientifically but also to the strength of our research community. As an international student actively engaging in Volt-Age training initiatives, including courses and workshops, I value collaboration, inclusion, and cross-cultural dialogue. I bring strong organizational skills, reliability, and a thoughtful, analytical approach to decision-making. Through prior academic and collaborative experiences, I have learned the importance of clear communication and representing diverse perspectives with professionalism and integrity. I am motivated to serve as a bridge between trainees and leadership, ensuring that cohort voices are heard in key decisions. I am committed to fostering an engaged, supportive, and forward-thinking Volt-Age community while maintaining excellence in research and governance.
Work and training experience
I began developing leadership experience in high school, where I was elected by student vote to serve as the cohort committee's secretary. In this role, I organized meetings, documented discussions, and facilitated communication between committee members and the broader student body. Being selected through a voting process strengthened my sense of responsibility and accountability to represent peers fairly and transparently.
Later, as a lab manager, I coordinated research activities, supported team members, maintained laboratory organization, and helped ensure smooth daily operations. This experience strengthened my organizational skills, reliability, and ability to work collaboratively in a structured environment.
1. Mohamed Jendoubi
Institution: Concordia University
Level of study: PhD in Computer Science
Skills and attributes
Effective representation requires careful listening, clarity, and responsibility. I approach discussions by first understanding different viewpoints and identifying common concerns before proposing solutions. I am comfortable engaging in structured dialogue and asking precise questions to clarify complex issues.
I value transparency and direct communication. If selected, I would ensure that trainee perspectives are presented accurately and without distortion, and that decisions made at the Executive Committee level are communicated back clearly to the cohort.
I also believe representation requires balance — considering both individual concerns and the broader mission of Volt-Age. My goal would be to contribute constructively, support informed decision-making, and help maintain an open and respectful environment where trainees feel heard.
Work and training experience
I have over 20 years of professional experience in software development, data systems, and technology projects, including roles that required coordination between technical teams and organizational stakeholders. This has given me experience in structured decision-making and cross-functional collaboration.
Alongside my PhD research in AI systems, I am the founder of Uluumy, an AI education platform with a strong social impact focus. Through Uluumy, I have led training programs, built partnerships, managed initiatives, and engaged with diverse communities across Québec and internationally. This work required leadership, clear communication, and accountability.
I have also participated in research and innovation ecosystems, collaborating with academic and industry partners. These experiences have prepared me to represent trainee perspectives responsibly, contribute constructively to governance discussions, and communicate decisions clearly back to the cohort.
2. Muntasyir Al Wafi
Institution: Toronto Metropolitan University
Level of Study: PhD in Building Science
Skills and attributes
I’ve spent most of my academic and professional life navigating different cultures. Having the chance to move from Indonesia to Turkey, Kenya, and now Canada. This has taught me how to listen first and speak second. I believe an effective representative doesn't just broadcast their own ideas; they act as a filter, making sure the quietest concerns in our cohort reach the leadership team.
As a PhD student, I’m fully aware that joining this committee is a big responsibility and a significant time commitment. I’m not just looking for a title or position; I’m genuinely excited to help build a research culture where we actually feel supported. My background has trained me to be an analytical advocate, look at the data, and propose a solution that makes sense for everyone. I’m approachable, I’m transparent, and I’m ready to do the work to bridge the gap between our research and real-world impact.
Work and training experience
My time at UN-Habitat in Nairobi gave me a front-row seat to how high-level decisions and funding actually affect work on the ground. It taught me how to navigate the system without losing sight of the people it's supposed to serve. Locally, my role on the Age-Friendly Advisory Committee in Waterloo has been a lesson in advocacy, figuring out how to translate community needs into city policy that sticks.
I also spent time as a Program Coordinator at Urban Minds, where I was the middle-person between high school students and professional architects/engineers. I believe this experience is exactly what the Executive Committee needs: someone who can speak the language of governance while keeping their feet firmly planted in the student experience. I understand the weight of accountability, and I’ll make sure our cohort’s interests aren't just an afterthought during funding or administrative discussions.
3. Adam Harameen
Institution: Concordia University
Level of study: PhD in Chemical Engineering
Skills and attributes
- Resilience (Life journey from a poor family in a poor village in a poor country)
- Time management (Managing between work, study, personal duties, ...etc)
- Multi-task management (Working as EU projects delegate at EXITCOM Ltd while being a solid member in R&D and Engineers department juggling tasks associated to each department and meeting deadlines).
- Critical decisions making: Having opportunities with high risks helped developing my sense of risk assessment and predict outcomes for the best decision making).
- Responsibility and accountability: In my career and personal life, I've always been assigned for tasks require high level of responsibility as well as being honest and accountable for any negative outputs.
Work and training experience
- EU projects delegate/representative and manager for EXITCOM Recycling Ltd.
- Former member of BEPA association, and a contributer in the EU BASE (battery passport) Project.
- Lab co-manager at EXITCOM Ltd, and lab manager for SETLab at Concordia.
- Part of the organizers of Sudan revolution (Tuti Island committee).
- Selected for Lab2Market Oceans program 2025.
4. Amir Abbas Aghajani
Institution: Concordia University
Level of Study: PhD in Electrical Engineering – Power Electronics
Skills and attributes
As a power electronics researcher, I have hands-on experience, which I believe is a crucial aspect for anyone aiming to effectively represent trainee perspectives. I have designed several power electronics converters and electrical systems; therefore, I understand what a practicing engineer truly needs. I am also collaborative and solution-oriented. My goal is not only to raise concerns but also to contribute to practical and constructive improvements in areas such as research training and professional development.
Work and training experience
I have developed relevant experience through teaching, research, and academic service. As a teaching assistant and Capstone supervisor, I have guided students, communicated technical concepts clearly, and worked with teams in a structured way.
My research in power electronics has strengthened my analytical and problem-solving skills through hands-on work and collaboration. I have also served as a reviewer for IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics and IET Power Electronics journals, which has given me valuable insight into what makes research effective, as I have evaluated several research articles.
5. Amirreza Aghili Mehrizi
Institution: Concordia University
Level of Study: PhD in Chemical and Materials Engineering
Skills and attributes
Based on my previous experience, I believe I could responsibly represent trainee perspectives. I start by being a good listener to understand different points of view and communicate them in a way that helps people feel heard. By respecting fairness and accountability, I would always do my best to listen to different perspectives and opinions, considering different aspects, and bring them forward in an honest and thoughtful way. During my time in the Volt-Age program, I tried to be organized, dependable, and comfortable working collaboratively with others because my approach is that there is always more to learn in a representative role. If selected, I would hope to contribute positively to discussions and help ensure that trainee voices are considered in Volt-Age’s decisions and priorities.
Work and training experience
My academic, research, and professional experiences have helped prepare me for this role. Before joining Concordia, I worked on the university-industry joint projects where collaborative communication and responsibility are important. I also gained experience working with teams, managing projects, and contributing to technical discussions in a thoughtful and practical way. I have also been involved in volunteer and community activities, including the students’ scientific association during my bachelor's and master's programs. These experiences have helped me build a sense of responsibility, teamwork, and service to the community.
6. Jay Deshmukh
Institution: Dalhousie University
Level of Study: PhD in Materials Engineering
Skills and attributes
Trainee perspectives involve balancing multivariate constraints like research demands, funding, self-development, and societal impact. A first-principles approach navigates these challenges to identify core priorities and value substance over optics. The goal is to distill diverse inputs into a deterministic heuristic toolkit, ensuring discussions lead to execution and rapid iteration loops. Strong accountability on a wide horizon and having quantifiable depth for critical pillars at the same time will ensure that cohort finds meaningful outcomes that actually give the best shot at moving the needle for a sustainable energy future.
Work and training experience
Researching sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries as a PhD student at Dalhousie and working as a former Cell Materials Engineer at Tesla has provided exposure across the full development-to-deployment stack. Collaborating with the Canadian Light Source and industrial partners has required balancing technical execution with the delivery of high-level insights to meet stakeholder expectations. Experience as a Teaching Assistant for senior courses and as a volunteer soccer coach has further developed the ability to communicate effectively and work with diverse groups. Together, these experiences will enable me to align Volt-Age governance with the technical realities of high-impact research and ensure substance remains the priority in organizational decision-making.
Volt-Age is funded by a $123-million grant from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.
