MEet the Team
Meet our 2025-2026 McGill RareDIG team!
President
Lynn Dabboussy
Lynn is a Med-1 student at McGill University with a deep passion for raising awareness about rare diseases and their impact. As President of the 2025-2026 term, she is dedicated to sharing her knowledge with her peers and furthering this important mission. Lynn is excited to contribute to the RareDIG team, where she aims to make a meaningful impact and support positive change in the field.
VP Communications
Theodore Butskhrikidze
Theodore is a third-year medical student at McGill University, having completed the Med-P program prior to entering medical school. He is deeply committed to promoting equitable access to education and has demonstrated this passion by organizing informational sessions, developing educational volunteer opportunities, and creating educational materials for students and residents. As the Vice President of Communications for RareDIG, he is dedicated to advancing the organization's mission of raising awareness about rare diseases. Theodore is eager to contribute to fostering a deeper understanding of these conditions and advocating for improved healthcare for all.
VP Communications
Ashley Davilmar-Clokie
Ashley is a Med-P student at McGill University with a strong interest in rare diseases, patient advocacy, and health equity. As Vice President of Communications for the Rare Disease Interest Group, she is responsible for managing the group’s outreach and communications initiatives, with the goal of increasing awareness and promoting education around rare and often underrepresented conditions. She is particularly passionate about using clear, accessible communication to amplify patient voices and foster engagement within the medical student community.
VP Communications
Elie Fadel
Elie Fadel is a medical student at McGill University and this year’s Vice President of Communications for RareDiG. Elie decided to join RareDiG because of the very honorable mission of the initiative. While rare diseases may seem infrequent when considered individually, collectively they affect a significant portion of the population and are not as rare as one might think. Elie is very honored to be part of an initiative that places rare diseases at its core and is always happy to contribute to the team.
VP Finance
Ana Maria Stamatescu
Ana Maria is a fourth-year medical student at McGill University. She completed the Med-P program at McGill prior to entering medical school. She is passionate about RareDIG's mission of being a voice for people with rare diseases, as these patients often face immense hurdles in receiving quality healthcare. Ana Maria is excited to stay on the RareDIG team as an advisory role this year and to contribute to the organization of another enriching RareDIG Day!
VP Finance
Emma Rodriguez
Emma is a fourth-year medical student at McGill University who completed the Med-P program before starting medical school. Her journey through medical education and active participation in research projects has ignited a deep interest in medical genetics, with a particular focus on neurogenetics and congenital malformations. This passion has drawn her to RareDig's mission, where she is dedicated to raising awareness about rare diseases, advocating for individuals affected by them, and promoting education to enhance patient care.
VP Professional development
Valeria Sygal
Valeria is a fourth-year medical student at McGill University. Since the very beginning of her medical journey, she has been engaged in several activities aimed at raising awareness about rare diseases in various specialties. She joined RareDig during her first year of medical school with the hope of continuing to promote the crucial importance of sensitizing the general public and her fellow colleagues to the challenges posed by rare diseases. She firmly believes that every aspiring medical professional should possess a foundational awareness of rare diseases to improve patient care. As the VP of Professional Development, Valeria will work to establish this year's mentorship and shadowing program, providing students with the opportunity to explore diverse medical specialties while gaining insight into the realm of rare diseases.
VP Professional Development
Mélodie Zhou
Mélodie is a Med-P student at McGill University with a strong interest in medical education and rare disease advocacy. She joined RareDIG to contribute to improving understanding and representation of rare diseases within the medical community. Mélodie believes that these conditions are often overlooked due to limited awareness and access to reliable information, making it essential for future health professionals to be attentive to their impact on patients’ lives. As Vice President of Professional Development, she coordinates the mentorship and doctor shadowing program, creating opportunities for students to explore diverse medical specialties and develop a broader perspective on patient care. She is dedicated to fostering curiosity, empathy, and professional growth among her peers.
VP Professional Development
Ariane Lajoie
Ariane is a third-year medical student at McGill University who began her journey through the Med-P program. She joined RareDIG to connect with others passionate about advocating for rare disease awareness and to help bring this important cause to the forefront of medical education. As VP of Professional Development, she’s excited to lead the doctor shadowing program, giving students a unique chance to explore different specialties and gain insight into rare disease care. Ariane looks forward to creating new opportunities for learning and supporting her peers in their journey to become compassionate future physicians.
VP Events
Alec Vong
Alec is a medical student at McGill University. He completed a Bachelor of Science in physiology prior to entering medical school and joined RareDIG during his second year. Through his research on therapeutics for rare genetic diseases, he found their pathogenesis to be both intriguing and a catalyst for creativity and innovation in developing new therapies. He joined RareDIG to spark greater interest in rare diseases among other students and to help raise awareness.
VP Events
Alex Siou
My name is Alexandre Siou, and I’m a third-year medical student at McGill University. I’ve always been fascinated by human physiology, which sparked my interest in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. I’m driven by a desire to understand the mechanisms behind diseases rather than simply memorizing facts - a mindset that also shapes my curiosity toward rare diseases, where a single underlying mechanism can often explain a complex constellation of symptoms. I’m also passionate about teaching and medical education, and I’m excited to help promote awareness and understanding of rare diseases within the medical community.
VP Research
Anne Michèle Laperrière
Anne is a student in the Med-P program. Her rare disease journey began in 2020, when she participated in a project for Gioia, a foundation that supports families affected by rare diseases. Hearing families’ stories and witnessing their resilience inspired her to get more involved in the community. Since then, she has joined a lab focused on leukodystrophy research and applied to medical school. Anne hopes to help make research findings more accessible to families, guide research toward what truly matters to them, and raise greater awareness about rare diseases in her community.
Research Branch
Julia Macintosh
Julia is a PhD student in Neuroscience at McGill, researching rare forms of severe neurodevelopment disorders. Prior to starting her PhD, she completed a BSc in Anatomy and Cell Biology and Pharmacology and an MSc in Neuroscience. It was during her master’s degree studying rare forms of pediatric neurodegeneration that she first learned about the collective prevalence of rare diseases. Motivated by this experience, she joined RareDIG to help improve awareness of rare diseases and the need for rare disease research.
Past presidents
Shreya Udupa
Shreya is a third-year medical student at McGill University, having completed the Med-P program before entering medical school. Rare diseases have always held a profound fascination for Shreya, driving her curiosity to explore the depths of the medical world. Joining RareDIG wasn’t just an opportunity for her to learn more; it was a chance to actively contribute to the club’s mission. Shreya’s interest in advocacy and equity motivates her to make a meaningful impact. Shreya was the president of RareDIG for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Vanessa Ross
Vanessa is a medical student at McGill University. She studied for one year as a Med-P student. Vanessa’s curiosity and little knowledge of rare diseases motivated her to join RareDIG in 2021 as VP finance. Throughout her time at RareDIG she has enjoyed learning all about rare diseases and helping in the planning of Rare Disease Day. She was RareDIG president during the 2023-2024 academic school year.
Émilie Pichette
Émilie is a medical student at McGill University. She completed the Med-P program at McGill before entering medical school. She joined RareDIG early on during her first year of medical school, where she learned about the gaps in healthcare surrounding rare disorders, in the clinical as well as academic setting. As past president and senior advisor, she is motivated to raise awareness among medical students and other healthcare learners, as well as taking steps to improve patients' experiences within the healthcare system and offering the best care possible to all.
Gregory Mikerov
Gregory is a medical student at McGill. His clinical and research interests lie in understanding the mechanisms underlying various neurodegenerative disorders. Notably, he has a particular interest in Parkinson's and Huntington's Disease. Through his research experience, he discovered the unique characteristics of other rare diseases, the variable patient presentations, and the particularities associated with assigning a rare disease diagnosis. He hopes to, as president of the initiative, raise awareness for the increasing need of medical awareness and research efforts in the field of rare diseases.
Michael Maalouf
Michael is a medical student at McGill University. He completed his BSc in Physiology and Pharmacology at the University of Toronto before entering medical school. Upon conducting basic science, clinical, and translational medicine research, it became clear that patients with rare diseases require a voice. This motivated him to lead and expand McGill’s Rare Disease Interest Group across North-America, initiating chapters in medical schools like Perelman, Johns Hopkins, and more. He aims to continuously nurture the rareDIG tradition to help clinicians and researchers see the world through the patients' lenses, and echo their voices and rich perspective to the world.
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