Meet the 2024-25 Interns

• BA (Political Science), University of Ottawa

Born in Montreal and raised in the National Capital Region, Anjana holds an Honours Bachelor of Political Science with High Distinction from the University of Ottawa. She was selected for the Sumita Dixit International Security Internship at Global Affairs Canada, focusing on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament. She has represented Canada at the NATO Youth Summit in Washington D.C. and the APEC Youth Summit in Taipei. Anjana’s experience is bolstered by internships with the NATO Association, Public Safety Canada, and the University of Pennsylvania. Her thesis on cyber espionage was presented at the University of Toronto’s Student Conference on Intelligence. Anjana is a board member of Women in International Security – Canada. Previously she served as a student mentor at the Faculty of Social Science and led a social enterprise tackling food insecurity in Ottawa. She has been recognized with the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Medal for Youth in 2022. In her free time, she enjoys cycling, hiking, and travelling to experience new cultures. 

• BA (Political Science, History, Writing and Rhetoric), University of Ottawa

Quinlan is a recent graduate from the University of Toronto, with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, History, and Writing & Rhetoric. Since her time living in Crissey, France during high school, Quinlan has been passionate about international relations and the exchange of ideas from multiple perspectives. During her undergrad, she worked as a Bilingual Interpretive Officer at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of parliamentary procedure. In this role, she supported the CSG East: 62nd Annual Meeting — a regional policy forum which brought together legislators from Eastern Canada and the United States. She furthered her understanding of how policy operates in her recent position as a Project and Communications Assistant for the French-Language Teaching and Learning Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Education. Quinlan is excited to be part of the Parliamentary Internship Programme and is looking forward to enriching her understanding of Canadian politics from a wide variety of perspectives.

• BA (International Development and Globalization), University of Ottawa

Born in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Abinash Kaur Dhaliwal holds an Honours Bachelor’s degree in International Development and Globalization from the University of Ottawa. Abinash’s academic pursuits into the complexities of global development have been supplemented by her social engagement, notably as a Global Youth Ambassador for TheirWorld, a charity seeking to end the global education crisis. She has the privilege of collaborating with youth leaders from around the world, advocating for policy solutions to pressing development issues both abroad and within our communities. Abinash’s commitment to social impact continues through her involvement in early childhood development initiatives such as co-founding Gatka Ottawa, a youth martial arts club focused on fostering cultural pride, physical activity, and confidence-building among Sikh youth in Ottawa. Abinash’s selection into the House of Commons Page Program ignited her initial interest in politics. Since then, she has continued to immerse herself in the intricacies of parliamentary affairs, serving as a Proceedings and Verification Officer at the House of Commons. As Abinash embarks on the Parliamentary Internship Programme, she is excited to merge her passions for social impact and public policy.

• BA (International Relations and International Law), Université du Québec à Montréal
• MSc (Public and International Affairs), Université de Montréal

Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Noah obtained his Bachelor’s degree in international relations and international law at the Université du Québec à Montréal in 2022. After completing his degree, he decided to gain professional experience on the international stage by interning for ASSOVIE, an NGO based in Benin. He then moved to New York City to work as Junior Attaché in Public and Governmental Affairs at the Quebec Government Office in New York. After moving back to Montreal, Noah accepted a position at the Quebec Ministry of Education in the Foreign Affairs team, which he held while in parallel completing his Master’s degree in public and international affairs from Université de Montréal. Having strong interest in diplomacy, he was a Faculty Advisor for a Delegation participating in the National Model United Nations (NMUN) in 2023-2024. In line with his past experiences and education, the Parliamentary Internship Program is a great opportunity for Noah to expand his understanding of the national and international parliamentary political issues that guide Canada’s diplomatic strategy.

• BA (International Relations and International Law), Université du Québec à Montréal
• MSc (Public and International Affairs), Université de Montréal

Christina Koikaran holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University in Political Science, GSFS (Gender, Sexuality, Feminism & Social Justice), and Indigenous Studies. From Montreal, Québec, Christina began her academic journey at Dawson College, where she completed her Law, Society, and Justice DEC, earning certificates in Peace Studies, Gender Studies, and Decolonization. In 2023/24, Christina was an Intern at the National Research Council of Canada where she supported Senior Advisors in the International Relations Office for projects related to research, technology and Canadian international collaborations. Additionally, Christina served as a Research Assistant at McGill University, contributing to a project on Canadian public policy related to social justice. Christina is engaged in a range of volunteer activities, such as supporting humanitarian projects in Colombia and working with various organizations such as IRSAM (International Relations Students Association of McGill) and Overture with the Arts, which provides arts, culture and educational opportunities to underprivileged children in Montreal. Christina is committed to positively impacting her community and beyond and is eager to deepen her understanding of Canadian politics and social justice issues as an Intern.

• BSc (Chemistry), University of British Columbia
• MSc (Applied Digital Health), Oxford University
• Master of Public Policy, Oxford University

Jesse is from Kelowna, British Columbia and completed a Master of Science (MSc) in Applied Digital Health and a Master of Public Policy (MPP) at the University of Oxford where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar. He also holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of British Columbia majoring in chemistry. After completing the PIP, he will resume his medical studies at the University of Alberta. Jesse is interested in the political determinants of health and the influence of policy and politics on health outcomes for individuals and populations across Canada. Has previously worked in policy roles with the Canadian Medical Association, Fisheries and Ocean Canada, and the Rhodes Trust. He hopes to pursue a future career combining his interest in clinical medicine, digital health, and Indigenous health with his skills in leadership and policy development. Jesse is a podcast lover, ice cream enthusiast, and nature and hiking explorer. Jesse is thrilled to join the PIP and looks forward to deepening his understanding of Canadian politics and to explore the inner workings of Parliament. 

• BA (Political Studies), University of Manitoba

From the rural community of Swan River, Manitoba, Justin Langan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies from the University of Manitoba. A member of the Métis and LGBTQ2+ communities, Justin has extensive experience advocating for Indigenous rights and environmental sustainability. He is the founder of O’KANATA, a federal non-profit dedicated to empowering Indigenous youth through education and employment opportunities, with an emphasis on integrating traditional Indigenous knowledge with contemporary practices. With nearly a decade of experience in civil society councils and committees, his achievements include creating international film archives and developing educational programs promoting human rights that resonate across diverse communities. Justin is passionate about fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous perspectives in environmental and public policy sectors. He looks forward to the Parliamentary Internship Programme as an opportunity to enhance his skills in strategic communication, broaden his professional network, and contribute to meaningful policy development in Canada.

• Bachelor of Social Science (Political Science), University of Ottawa

From Toronto, Ontario, Michelle Lewis holds an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in Political Science with an Advanced Minor in French as a Second Language from the University of Ottawa. During her studies, Michelle served as Co-Editor in Chief at Y-Politika, a bilingual student policy journal, where she collaborated with students to produce papers on Canadian and international public policy. Additionally, Michelle participated in directed research with the University of Ottawa and the Women, Peace and Security Network, focusing on supporting women human rights defenders in conflict zones. Alongside her studies, Michelle also worked on Parliament Hill, initially as a Page, then as a Proceedings and Verification Officer in Committees, and subsequently as a Page Supervisor. This role held special significance for her, as it not only involved supporting the daily operations of the Chamber but also offered the rewarding opportunity to engage with and learn from young Canadians during their initial exposure to the legislative process. Michelle enjoys hiking, reading, and cooking. She is keen to merge her academic background and professional experiences and looks forward to exploring another facet of MPs’ work through the PIP.

• BA (Political Science), University of Alberta – Campus Saint-Jean

Born in Toronto and raised in Fort McMurray, Maya completed her bilingual Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Sociology from the University of Alberta’s Campus Saint-Jean. Additionally, she holds certificates in Globalization and Governance, and Global Citizenship. Passionate about political and social issues, she has developed a deep interest in Indigenous-settler relations, social policy, social justice, and comparative politics.  As a Development Agent with Francophonie Jeunesse de l’Alberta, Maya managed logistics, communication strategies, and project evaluations. During her internship at Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, she further honed her skills in legal research and policy development. Maya’s commitment to her community is evident in her roles as Vice-President Academic and Councillor for the Association des Universitaires de la Faculté Saint-Jean (AUFSJ). She has also volunteered with Help-a-Homie, a student-run non-profit focused on relieving poverty in Edmonton. Fluent in English, French, and Amharic, Michelle strives to bring a diverse perspective to her work. In her free time, she enjoys exercise, painting, traveling, listening to music, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.

• BA (Political Science and Economics), McMaster University
• MA (Global Governance), Balsillie School of International Affairs

From Barrie, Ontario, Justin holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from McMaster University. He is currently completing a Master of Arts in Global Governance at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, where his research focuses on emerging issues in Canadian security and foreign policy. As a Research Fellow at the Balsillie School, Justin co-authored a policy brief on digital authoritarianism which was submitted to Global Affairs Canada. He looks for opportunities to use and expand on his knowledge, and has volunteered with organizations such as Democracy Watch and the Canadian International Council to share his passion with others. Justin previously worked for the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, developing public policy responses to a range of issues in Ontario’s alcohol marketplace. In his free time, Justin loves hiking, camping, and experimenting with film photography. 

• BA (Political Science), University of New Brunswick Saint John

Emily is a proud Acadian and Maritimer who recently graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. While at UNB, Emily was an active research assistant throughout the Political Science department working on projects that focused on non-traditional candidates in the 2021 federal election and the role of provincial cabinet and deputy ministers. She also served Editor-in-Chief of the university’s paper and president of the campus’ Political Science Society. Outside of the university, she worked as a Communications Assistant for the Canadian Political Science Association during her undergrad. Emily also enjoyed her time as a Parliamentary Tour Guide for the Library of Parliament, an experience that inspired her undergraduate thesis on the role of bicameralism in the Westminster Parliamentary System in a Canadian context. In her spare time, Emily likes to drink speciality coffee and play 70s music on vinyl. She is thrilled to be a part of the 2024-2025 cohort!