Elijah Aedo-Castillo was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. He graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Arts, Honours, in History and a minor in Philosophy. During his studies, he served twice as a Vice-President of the Black Students’ Network, worked as a Community Engagement Leader with Branches (McGill’s Community Outreach Services), served as an editor for McGill’s undergraduate history journal, and was a Charles Taylor Student Fellow in McGill’s Research Group on Constitutional Studies. He also serves on the board of Foundations First Toronto, a youth-focused nonprofit organization. Outside of academics and work, Elijah enjoys travelling, spending time in nature, and exercising. He is most looking forward to supporting MPPs in their duties, gaining firsthand experience with the day-to-day functioning of the Ontario Legislature, and learning more about provincial governance. 

Nicholas Argyris Arruda was born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario. He earned a Bachelor of Arts, Honours, from the University of Toronto and served as Political Analyst for the journal, Messages in the Media, where his work was published, including his award-winning research on the Pontic Greek Genocide.  He recently completed his Master of Science in European and International Politics and Policy at the London School of Economics, where his dissertation focused on the erosion of the rule of law among EU member states. Throughout the course of his studies, he earned the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, attended the Forum for Young Canadians, worked as a teaching assistant at UofT, and co-founded the Modern Hellenic History Society. Nicholas also plays piano and collects stamps, coins, and banknotes.  Having previously worked as a Student Usher at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, he is looking forward to  further examining and contributing to the legislative process. ​

Jacob Colatosti was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, before moving to Toronto to attend Trinity College at the University of Toronto. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Honours, in Public Policy and International Relations with a minor in Environmental Anthropology. During his studies, Jacob served as captain of UofT’s Varsity Mock Trial Team and co-captained the Trinity water polo team to consecutive championships. Outside of the classroom, he has gained policy experience through funded research in the United States, Japan, and Indonesia, where he examined issues ranging from rural development to labour migration and beyond. In his free time, Jacob is an avid hiker who enjoys seeking out new trails and mountains, most recently climbing Mount Merbabu in Java. While participating in OLIP, Jacob is excited to make use of his firsthand legislative experience and the Queen’s Park archives to develop his research paper. ​

Jayden Cote grew up in Penetanguishene, Ontario, a small town along Georgian Bay. He is a two-time alumnus of the University of Guelph earning both his Bachelor of Commence and  a Master of Science  in Rural Planning and Development where he did extensive research to better understand Ontario’s municipal institutions, housing policy, and economic development practices. Alongside his studies, Jayden was appointed to the University of Guelph’s Board of Governors and Senate, and during his tenure built several years of experience in both the municipal and federal public service, including analyst roles with Indigenous Services Canada and Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, and most recently as a planner supporting infrastructure projects across Atlantic Canada. Outside of work, Jayden can be found hiking along the Niagara Escarpment and spending time with friends and family. Jayden is honoured to join the 51st OLIP cohort and is especially looking forward to seeing provincial policymaking up close. 

Emelia Grossman was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. She graduated from McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts and Science, with a Minor in Biology and a Certificate in Health Humanities and Social Sciences. As a Research Assistant with the Public and Patient Engagement Collaborative at McMaster, Emelia contributed to health policy research and the development of engagement tools designed to ensure diverse communities have a meaningful voice in Ontario's health systems. She also worked at Access Alliance Multicultural Community Health Centre, supporting health promotion programs in Toronto's East End, and was a committed student organizer, helping develop McMaster's first Impact Investing Case Competition and the Arts and Science Programme's inaugural research conference. Outside of work, she enjoys playing squash and visiting cafés across Toronto. She is honoured to join OLIP and looks forward to contributing to meaningful policy work and deepening her understanding of Ontario's legislative process. ​

Isabella O’Brien, originally from Hamilton, Ontario, has spent the last seven years living and studying in Los Angeles, London, and Oxford. She holds a Masters of Philosophy in Politics (Comparative Government) from the University of Oxford and a Bachelor of Arts, Honours, in Political Science from the University of Southern California. During her undergraduate degree, she spent a year abroad at the London School of Economics. Isabella’s academic research has been published in the Journal of Representative Democracy and by the University of Toronto Press. Professionally, Isabella worked as a researcher at Vox Pop Labs on civic engagement platforms such as Vote Compass and Polimeter, as well as a research analyst in the UK conducting political polling and market research. Isabella is an avid reader and a fan of women’s sports. Having previously served as a Legislative Page, she is excited to return to Queen’s Park and gain firsthand knowledge of Ontario’s legislative process. 

David Saldanha, from Mississauga, Ontario, is a recent graduate of McMaster University’s Justice, Political Philosophy, and Law (JPPL) program, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts,Honours. He was part of many executive teams including his program’s JPPL Society, Model UN, and as Co-Planner of McMaster Humanities Welcome Week, managing a team of 95 student-leaders. During his time at McMaster, he discovered a deep interest in bioethics and healthcare in the province, leading to his roles with the Canadian Red Cross where he worked directly with stakeholders to foster better healthcare outcomes for Hamiltonians. David also has private sector experience at GFL Environmental, where he focused on corporate procurement and contracts. In his spare time, he can be found looking for a new favourite restaurant or reading a Stephen King classic. David is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside his fellow interns and gain insight into the Ontario legislative process. 

Ishvita Sharma was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. She graduated from York University, completing a Bachelor of Public Administration degree with Honours in the Policy Analysis stream. During her studies, Ishvita served as President of the Public Policy and Administration Student Association, where she founded an inaugural case competition for York University students to learn and apply policy thinking to pressing public problems. Within the public sector, Ishvita has engaged in a range of work and experiential learning roles, including with the Canada Border Services Agency, Ontario’s Treasury Board Secretariat, and, most recently, the Ontario Pension Board. Outside of work, Ishvita enjoys spending time baking, solving puzzles, and exploring new corners of Canada with family and friends. Ishvita is honoured to join OLIP and looks forward to deepening her understanding of Ontario’s legislative and policymaking processes, learning from those across the Legislature, and contributing meaningfully throughout the program. 

Bogdana Torbina was raised in Toronto, Ontario. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, Honours, in Political Science and Book and Media Studies along with a Master of Arts in European and Eurasian Studies from the University of Toronto. As the former Chief of Staff of the NATO Association of Canada, Bogdana helped expand the organization’s reach and make conversations about domestic and international security more accessible to Canadians across the country. During her master’s degree, she also completed internships at the United States Consulate General in Toronto and the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels. Bogdana enjoys travelling and exploring local architecture and is currently trying her hand at mosaic-making to bring pieces of her travels home. She is honoured to join OLIP and looks forward to gaining insight into Ontario’s legislative process while deepening her understanding of how provincial policy is shaped by domestic and global challenges. 

Sudipta Verma, originally from Brampton, now resides in Vaughan, Ontario. She graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Joint Honours in Public Administration and Political Science (French Immersion), during which she worked in the federal government and contributed to student life through meaningful leadership. Sudipta is proud to have led the first renegotiation of the Residence Life Workers collective agreement, achieving wage increases, job security, and improving young workers' working conditions. As the Vice President of Public Administration for her student association, Sudipta strengthened bilingualism, relationships with faculty/professors, and founded an academic conference and international diplomatic simulation. She is passionate about the performing arts having a background in dance and theatre, loves outdoor adventures, and is always keen to chase a beautiful sunset. Sudipta is excited to work on the legislative side of provincial affairs and learn how political forces and procedural governance interact to create policies.