Rachel Dragas

Welcomed distinguished guests, conducted on-camera interviews and showcased the fundraiser’s mission for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, elevating the guest experience while highlighting the community’s support.

Promoted awareness and support for Breast Cancer Canada, the event’s charity of choice, through event coverage, interviews and audience engagement, amplifying stories and inspiring charitable giving.

Official host of an evening in support of Autism in Mind, a charity working toward an inclusive society with no barriers for children with autism. Guided the programme, introduced speakers and performers, coordinated live segments and helped raise funds and awareness.

Covered a press conference for Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, gathering information and asking informed questions on national developments, policy and public statements.

Reported from Media Day, interviewing manufacturers, exhibitors and attendees, and creating multimedia content on vehicle launches, industry developments and key announcements for a broad audience.

Launched a multidisciplinary digital and print publication featuring emerging faculty research, stories of empowerment and mental health advocacy, with direct contributions from faculty, staff, students and community organizations. Recruited, trained and led an editorial team of over 20 journalists, editors, graphic designers and photographers; led content and marketing strategy; secured sponsorship and built partnerships with leading mental health researchers and with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau and the Hon. Michael Wilson.

Led the graduate student mental health body representing the concerns of U of T’s graduate population to administration, advising on mental health programming and services and running anti-stigma campaigns. Interviewed, trained and oversaw a core team of 25 plus event volunteers; organized and hosted the annual Open Minds Mental Health conference, bringing in over 1,000 attendees; secured sponsorship and partnerships including Michael Landsberg.

One of two graduate student representatives sitting alongside the Vice-Dean of Graduate and Academic Affairs and departmental chairs. Reviewed and adjudicated applications from students seeking medically legitimate leaves of absence, and worked with graduate coordinators and supervisors on successful reintegration.

Selected to help develop Faculty-wide initiatives in response to the University of Toronto’s Mental Health Framework recommendations. Scheduled and interviewed faculty, staff and students, transcribed and summarised findings, and presented to the core committee for planning and implementation.

Graduate student representative supporting postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and trainees through scientific and social programming, most notably developing and organizing the Annual KRI Research Day and Summer Student Research Day.

Elected to the executive council. Attended bi-weekly council and monthly University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union meetings, voting on funding and academic-life issues and helping shape policy on behalf of the Institute.

Elected alumni mentor providing one-to-one support to third- and fourth-year undergraduates, offering insight into career paths, research opportunities and graduate applications over seven years.

Supported senior undergraduates applying to neuroscience graduate programmes with one-to-one advice on the application process, funding opportunities and research placements.

Facilitated round-table discussions with high school students on stem cell science, practical ethics and case studies, as part of a national outreach initiative transferring knowledge between academia and secondary schools.

Advised second- and third-year neuroscience students on course selection, career paths and research opportunities, and supported their transition to university life.

Remote journalist on the marketing and communications team of the newest chimpanzee sanctuary in the United States, founded to provide lifelong care to 200 former research chimpanzees across 230+ acres. Interviews staff, experts and board members, conducts research and writes features for digital publication to build education, awareness and engagement.

Interviewed faculty about their research and wrote features placing their work within the broader context of scientific knowledge for a quarterly print and digital publication; copy-edited and reviewed articles by fellow journalists.

Provided compassionate community-based psychosocial support to adults, children and families facing life-limiting and terminal illness.

Served on the Neurosurgery, Trauma, General & Thoracic Surgery and Infectious Diseases wards. Collaborated with physicians, nurses, social workers and child life specialists to promote a nurturing atmosphere, engaging patients in therapeutic play to support coping through hospitalization.

Organized open houses and fundraisers advancing the CNIB and its members. Collected data from individuals with varying degrees of vision loss through experimental trials that informed new GO Transit signage and regulations. Coordinated summer camps and field trips for visually impaired children, adapting activities to individual needs.