About our
Team
Nirav Saini
President and Founder
We have created this nonprofit to help young people gain confidence, purpose, and real-world skills. As a medical student with a passion for mentorship, I launched the DERM Initiative to support undergraduate students in learning research (from shaping ideas to writing manuscripts) while creating a warm, collaborative environment where students can grow. Outside of academics, I am deeply interested in strength training, mindfulness, and youth wellness. I love playing video games with my younger brother. He is the source of my goofiness.
Parth Patel
Vice President
With a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Calgary, I co-launched the DERM Initiative to promote mentorship, curiosity, and meaningful research among the next generation of aspiring pre-med students. Outside of research, I find inspiration in nature — hiking, cycling, and stargazing — and in writing poetry that reflects the same sense of wonder that fuels my passion for science and discovery.
Abdel Elfazari
Associate Director
Abdel Elfazari is a natural leader with a strong commitment to community. He is also the Vice President of the Sudanese Students’ Association at the University of Calgary and brings a spirit of inclusivity and teamwork to everything he does. Outside of academics, he is an avid chess player and a dedicated athlete, having won two professional boxing matches. Abdel’s drive, discipline, and creativity make him an invaluable part of LSY’s mission to empower and uplift young people
Affan Zahid
Researcher
Since completing my BSc. Honours in Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology from the University of Calgary, I’ve been working full-time as a Microbiologist. Being part of the DERM initiative provides me with invaluable insights into medical research, which has the potential to fundamentally transform countless lives. I look forward to strengthening my research and leadership skills and sharing them with my peers through mentorship and collaborative projects. In my downtime, I can be found at the gym, hiking, playing guitar, or reading philosophy.
Shayan Malik
Researcher
I am completing my Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Toronto. Research has shown me how evidence shapes patient care. Through DERM, I hope to open doors for premeds to hands-on projects and mentorship, so that they, too, can gain this meaningful experience. Away from the bench, I love to cook, play board games, go on hikes, and watch movies.
Tawfiq
Researcher
I am a University of Toronto Graduate from the Honours Bachelor of Science program. Through the DERM initiative, I hope to not only further strengthen my own leadership and analytical skills, but aid in growing similar skill sets in like-minded pre-medical students aspiring for research. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time training my dog, playing basketball, and strumming my guitar.