Honours Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology Specialist) • University of Toronto Mississauga
Bio
Thaisa graduated from the University of Toronto Mississauga with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology. Her academic background and extracurricular activities fostered a deep passion to pursue a career at the intersection of sustainable development, science, and community, which led her to pursue a Master of Science in Sustainability Management at the University of Toronto.
As Reach Alliance Researcher at the University of Toronto, Thaisa collaborated with an interdisciplinary team to examine two mangrove conservation projects in Kenya and conduct over 20 interviews with key stakeholders, including community members, government officials, project implementers, and topic experts. Through this experience, Thaisa gained a deeper understanding of project development and implementation, community leadership, and balancing consideration of local contexts with scalability. Since then, Thaisa has participated in a range of sustainability and youth leadership programs, including Rooted and Rising at York University, Climate YES! at the Toronto Metropolitan University, and the 2024 Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice.
In her role as a Research Analyst at the KITE Research Institute, Thaisa worked on a range of brain health research projects and grant applications under the supervision of Dr. Tatyana Mollayeva. Thaisa developed a series of infographics on topics of sex, gender, and traumatic brain injury and published on the development of this knowledge translation tool. Her work has been recognized by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine with the Excellence in Health Equity Research Award and by the University Health Network with the Contribution to Patient Education and Engagement at Toronto Rehab Award. Thaisa also served as Project Coordinator to plan and deliver the CIHR-funded 2025 Summer Institute in Sex and Gender+ Science, demonstrating strong leadership and project management skills.
Thaisa is interested in circular economies and urban sustainability, particularly sustainable built environments and shared green spaces, as well as sustainable livelihoods and ecotourism. In her downtime, Thaisa enjoys bouldering, spinning, and going for long walks on sunny days. She is an avid traveller and lover of a good crossword or jigsaw puzzle, especially when enjoyed alongside a cup of coffee on a Sunday morning.