Eshan Arora Email & Phone Number

Halifax Regional Municipality, Ns, Ca

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

In expanding the impact of the DSSLP’s FIG (FIGS0021), I established the DSSLS to extend our mission into a full-fledged student society and maintain our community through the second semester. This transition marks a significant milestone, creating a platform for students to engage in leadership, self-efficacy development, and outreach. The society not only continues the educational support and community building initiated in the FIG but also introduces prosocial volunteering and community social events. By promoting student-led initiatives and outreach to prospective students, DSSLS aims to foster a nurturing environment where marginalized/BBIPOC students in STEMM can explore their ideas, contribute to the community, and enhance their sense of belonging and empowerment within the academic and social spheres of university life. I also have designed a t-shirt to bolster a sense of community and am planning for it to be manufactured by individuals with IDD through the Prescott Group, where I used to mentor - this highlights my inter-professional leveraging and creativity of tapping into my existing network.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

As a founding member of DSSLP, which is aimed at diversifying STEM fields & breaking down systemic barriers, I’ve since transitioned into doing my Medical Sciences Honours on the program. I am conducting research to evaluate the DSSLP’s impact on marginalized students in STEMM. Employing mixed-methods analysis to assess changes in student attitudes, perceptions & academic performance. Collaborating with similar programs, Dal's Office of EDIA & HRES, Promoting Leadership in Health for African Nova Scotians (PLANS), Imhotep's Legacy Academy, and more for comparative analysis. Have been working alongside Australia's Women in STEM Ambassador to the United Nations (https://evaluation.womeninstem.org.au). Research findings to inform future equity initiatives within Dalhousie & beyond.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

As an inaugural student of the first cohort of the Dalhousie Science Scholars and Leaders Program (DSSLP), I have since transitioned into being the Program Lead for our First-Year Student Division. I developed & led a first-year interest group (FIGS0021: Science for Everyone), and I imparted weekly teachings to bolster a sense of belonging, and empowerment among marginalized/BBIPOC students in STEMM. This role involved not only curriculum development but also nurturing a supportive community and disseminating the hidden curriculum effectively. My honours project further extends this commitment, evaluating the DSSLP's impact on key competencies like Academic Belongingness and Self-Efficacy. This comprehensive approach aimed to dismantle the 'leaky pipeline' in STEMM, ensuring diverse talents are recognized and nurtured.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Senate Learning & Teaching Committee: Advocate for curriculum improvements and teaching excellence, representing student perspectives on academic policies. Focus contributions on incorporating Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Accessibility (EDIA) principles into university policies/curricula, advocating for systemic changes supporting an inclusive academic environment.Undergraduate Academic Programs Senate Committee: As a member of UAPSC, I contribute to the development and review of undergraduate programs at Dalhousie University, ensuring they meet educational standards and student needs.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Member of Task Force to Review the Missed/Late Academic Requirements Policy: Chaired by Dalhousie’s Vice President Academic, the Task Force actively participates in consultation meetings with key stakeholders such as Associate Deans Academic (ADAC), the Academic Quality Team, Student Affairs Advisory Group, and other relevant parties. Our primary focus is the comprehensive review of the Student Declaration of Absence (SDA) policy. Throughout these discussions and policy deliberations, I consistently advocate for the voices and requirements of students, particularly those with accessibility needs. My active involvement in policy discussions and decision-making processes plays a crucial role in advancing the interests of the student body. I actively prioritize the need for inclusive and equitable policy decisions that would benefit all students. This role requires a deep understanding of accessibility issues, government regulations, and the broader context of student well-being.Advisory Group Member, Accessibility in Course Design Task Force: Appointed to the Advisory Group of the Accessibility in Course Design Task Force by the Centre for Learning and Teaching at Dalhousie University, recognizing my advocacy for accessibility and inclusivity within educational environments. This role involves representing diverse (dis)ability groups to guide the task force's initiatives, ensuring policies and course designs align with the needs of students facing various (dis)abilities, including but not limited to coordination, sight, speech, neurodevelopment, non-visible physical health, mobility, hearing, and mental health challenges. Tasked with attending quarterly meetings offer feedback and direction, my contribution is pivotal in shaping an accessible academic framework that acknowledges and addresses the intersectionality of (dis)ability rights with other equity-denied identity groups.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Serve on the university’s top governance body, exercising full voting rights on pivotal fiscal policies and key appointments such as the Chancellor & President. In the Capital Projects & Facilities Committee, review capital projects, aligning them with strategic vision and student needs, upholding confidentiality. Attend Academic & Student Affairs Committee (ASAC) meetings for insights into educational governance. Role embodies fiduciary duty, ethical governance, and active decision-making, enabling effective student advocacy.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

As the inaugural Academic Representative for the Medical Sciences Society of Dalhousie University, I liaison with respective departmental faculty, staff, & leadership and relay communications with other societal councillors. As a member of the Medical Sciences Program Committee, together we collaborate to collectively promote our students’ well-being in academic communities, improve mental healthcare access, and equitably increase access to students from Indigenous or African Nova Scotia backgrounds. (Inclusive Pathways to Medical Professions). Advocated for new “Selectives” in the program (total of 8 were added in 2023/24 thanks to my outreach). Engaged in basketball intramurals & peer mentor tutoring. Assisted in first-year event, contributing to 160 welcome bags.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Elected to be the representative of my program (Medical Sciences) in the Dalhousie Science Society. Following the constitutional legislation, we executives work to uphold societal & departmental bureaucracy and ensure quality education for our cohort peers. Liaison back to my other executive student leaders to continue improving our society.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

As a Senior Medical Sciences student and as a Person of Colour, I am tightly knit with working alongside the Inclusive Pathways to Medical Professions (IPMP) administrative team. I serve as a mentor and tutor to IPMP students, guiding fellow Black/African-Nova Scotian & Indigenous students through their academic journey. Additionally, given my roles on the DSU’s Society & Governance Committee and the Grants & Sponsorship Committee, I spearheaded the creation of an IPMP Society This rationale being to aid in securing consistent funding for IPMP to continue facilitating their impactful cohort activities. Collaborative efforts have also been instrumental in promoting intersectionality and diverse leadership within science & healthcare.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Won election to DSU, overseeing governance for students of all faculties. Member of the Psychoeducational Assessment Ad-hoc Bursary Committee, which alleviates financial burdens for diagnostic assessments, enhancing equitable educational access. Member of the Grants & Sponsorship Committee, which secures and distributes funding for DSU initiatives, honing skills in grant writing & sponsorship negotiation and evaluating grant applications. Member of the Society Review Committee, which approves society constitutions & ratifications, upholding constitutional legislative standards. Member of the Board of Governors Caucus, which crafts strategies & drafts reports for effective student representation. Completed Anti-Oppression & Naloxone Training for campus inclusivity & O-Week.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Designed & proposed novel awards criteria, securing $30K for student excellence in science. Developed 4 prestigious awards highlighting extracurricular achievement, service & leadership; overseeing hundreds of applications. Crafted thought-provoking essay questions & led a comprehensive interview process. Managed all administrative logistics, creating submission forms, devised a 3-phase review process to ensure impartial evaluation & guided scoring, and planned the official ceremony with Dean of Science to hand out award certificates.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Inspired by Kai Matthews, who tragically passed away from MenB at 19, empathized deeply as my brother’s neurological condition was caused by meningitis. Collaborated with 3 medical students to establish a ratified society. Advocated for vaccination at O-Week, secured DSU bursary funding for initiatives, planned talks in residence halls, and distributed educational booklets. Worked with Vice-Provost of Campus Living & Student Well-Being.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Lead educational outreach initiatives in Halifax-area junior-high & high schools focusing on concussion awareness, symptoms, and early prevention. Demystified the science and symptoms of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy for young audiences. Role resonates due to lab research in Traumatic Brain Injury & Blood-Brain Barrier and personal connection to brother’s epilepsy from disability. Officially trained by CLFC.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Brand ambassador/ sales associate at American Eagle Outfitters, where I collaboratively work alongside team members to create a fluid, welcoming, and upbeat work environment in reaching target sales goals. Proficient in open communication, sales techniques, efficient transaction clearing, and customer service. Consistently reach and exceed goals in Customer Conversion, Units per Transaction, Average Dollar Sale, and Reward Program Loyalty.Job roles include:•Greeting customers as the first point of contact, communicating in a friendly and professional way, and setting the tone for a positive shopping experience.•Pivoted during the COVID-19 pandemic as a store-front greeter, upholding strict compliance with the health and safety guidelines and ensuring a safe environment for both customers and employees.•Communicate with customers, identifying their requirements and helping them to locate products, making suggestions, and upselling based on promotions.•Additionaly work in areas such as Cashier Desk, Fitting Rooms, and facilitate cleaning duties to ensure sterling customer service and compliance with corporate standards.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Engaged in a project focused on assessing rodent behavioral scoring techniques post-TBI. Gained expertise in Neurological Severity Score and various TBI mechanisms. As a blind observer, quantified metrics in Open Field, Inverted Mesh, Corner Rearing, and Number of Seizures tests. This research aims to refine the evaluation methods for TBI, contributing to more accurate diagnosis and treatment plans. Our findings have since been published in Science Advances: Mark A. MacLean et al., Memantine inhibits cortical spreading depolarization and improves neurovascular function following repetitive traumatic brain injury. Sci. Adv. 9, (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj2417At the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) Lab, I delved into epilepsy and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) research – a subject close to home due to my brother’s condition (meningitis impacts the BBB). Utilized/gained skills in cryosectioning, microtomy, and immunofluorescent staining, my project explored the effects of brain injuries on mitochondrial transport between cells. Recognized and presented at BRC’s 2023 Research Day. Preliminary findings validate the model’s potential for deeper investigation into brain injury mechanisms.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Part-Time Job to raise money for Dominican Republic Service Trip As a cashier, I memorized produce codes and swiftly checked out customers. Key skills included friendliness, patience, and positive customer relations.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies

-Bachelor of Medical Sciences [Honours] -Certificate of Science Communication & Leadership Certificate of Medical Humanities -Certificate.

Organic Chemistry

Visiting Student at Queen’s University for two semesters of Organic Chemistry

Ib Diploma

Activities and Societies: - Valedictorian - International Diversity Club Senior Member - Best Buddies Special Needs Immersion Club Member.