Student Stories

Abhilash Kantamneni, a PhD candidate in the Department of Geography, Environment & Geomatics, creates interactive maps to foster a sense of belonging with mapping the things that matter.

Emily De Sousa is a masters student in her first year of the geography program.

Alessia Pugliese is a student in her final year of the International Development program.

Megan Culyer is a third year student in the International Development program.

Brittany Schaefer is a master's student in the Public Issues anthropology program.

What graduate program are you in, and what is the focus of your research?

Abirami Kankatharan is in her second year of the Master of Relational and Family Therapy program at the Maplewoods Centre at the University of Guelph. Growing up in the Tamil community, Abirami became aware of the lingering stigma surrounding mental health, which inspired her to foster acceptance and support within her community. Her experiences supporting friends, family, and community members motivated her to pursue a career in psychotherapy and counselling.

Natalia Ruiz Cuartas is a PhD candidate in Sociology and Development Studies. Her doctoral research explores the intersection of gender and agroecology in Cuba. She is an international student from Colombia and is working on the Gender Equity in Agricultural Science research project. Through the International Development Studies (IDS) Specialization, Natalia has been able to integrate theory and practice while expanding her understanding of development as a process shaped by diverse cosmologies, power structures, and lived realities.