We are a group of Calgary university students, high school students and doctors who are calling on the Alberta provincial government and the federal government for stricter regulation of vaping and e-cigarettes. SAAVE was co-founded by Seong Eon Ha, Elliott Reichardt, Asha Hollis, and Juliet Guichon in early 2019. SAAVE reinvigorated its advocacy efforts in 2024, concerned by the emergence of nicotine pouches.
2024 Team
(Alphabetical order)
Alexis Espanioli is a third-year Health and Society student concentrating in Anthropology at the University of Calgary’s Health Sciences program. She was inspired to join SAAVE after studying the profound consequences of vaping and the shameful marketing tactics that large companies employ to lure adolescent to purchase their dangerous products. Working across various schools in Calgary, Alexis witnesses firsthand the concerning prevalence of youth vaping. Through her involvement with SAAVE, she aims to raise awareness about the lasting effects of vaping and to hold companies accountable, advocating for measures to halt their exploitation of young consumers for profit.
Annaliese Boim is a third-year Biomedical Sciences major at the University of Calgary. She joined SAAVE because she is passionate about advocating for public health and protecting youth. Besides her studies, Annaliese is a certified pharmacy assistant and is also a student in the McKay research lab. She also holds her ARCT in piano performance and shares her love of music by teaching piano. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, getting bubble tea, and singing.
Camille Rozon is a third-year Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Calgary. She joined SAAVE because she has three younger siblings in high school and junior high and finds the trend of children and youth vaping very alarming. This summer she did research on HIV in the lab of Dr. van Marle. Outside of school, Camille leads a Girl Guide group in her neighborhood and is working on her ARCT in piano. She is also an executive for the University of Calgary Outdoor Adventurers club where she organizes events that get university students of all skill levels into the outdoors and moving!
Delaney Robinson-Wong is a third-year Biomedical Sciences major at the University of Calgary. She joined SAAVE because she has a strong passion for safeguarding public health and the well-being of young people. In her spare time, Delaney enjoys volunteering at an environmental education centre, going to the gym, and hanging out with her dog and kittens.
Denniela Belen is a second-year Biomedical Sciences student studying under the Cumming School of Medicine’s Health Sciences program. She is a recipient of the Alberta Premier’s Citizenship award and the Alberta Centennial Award for her work in social responsibility and leadership. Denniela joined SAAVE to continue her community advocacy, and raise awareness regarding youth developing nicotine addictions through vaping- an issue in which she has witnessed multiple of her peers sacrificing their health for. Denniela is passionate about preventing young, impressionable minds from falling victim to unhealthy habits, and is dedicated to advocating for legislation that will protect youth.
Josh Borja is a second-year Health and Society major with a concentration in Health Economics and Policy. His research interests lie in pediatric epidemiology, studying how risk factors shape health outcomes for children and youth. Through roles in community outreach and health research, Josh is dedicated to addressing social determinants and enhancing mental health outcomes for vulnerable children, youth and emerging adults. He joined SAAVE to raise public awareness and advocate for stronger prevention to protect adolescents from the harms of vapes and e-cigarettes.
Lisa Wei is a second-year Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Calgary’s Health Sciences program. She joined SAAVE because after seeing many of her high school and university peers become addicted to vaping and e-cigarettes, she was concerned for the health of her fellow youth. Lisa is dedicated to advocate for measures that will protect future children and youth from developing nicotine addictions.
Maren Abuzukar is a third year Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Calgary. Her transition into SAAVE came as a natural result of years of educating children on the risks and realities of vaping. In her own town Maren organized presentations to younger students to provide them with the tools to make educated decisions regarding vaping. Maren is an advocate for health and education and volunteers her weekends tutoring children from low income families and assisting autistic young adults to become more physically active. Beyond her studies Maren is a student researcher in the Chu Stem Cell lab, volunteers at a daycare, and helps out at the genetic department of the Alberta Children’s Hospital.
Michelle Tang is a 3rd year undergraduate in the Health Sciences program at the university of Calgary. Michelle joined SAAVE because she is passionate about advocating for young kids, and creating a future for them where they can succeed. Aside from her studies, she enjoys volunteering at the library and senior care homes and making miniature sculptures from polymer clay.
Naya Alnazer is a third year Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Calgary. She joined SAAVE to advocate for the health of youth and adolescents. Currently, Naya is a student in the Paul Arnold research lab. In her free time, Naya enjoys dancing, reading, and crocheting.
Nina Carcamo Arakawa is a University of Calgary BHSc student majoring in health and society. She is committed to advocating for and implementing upstream solutions that create healthier and equitable societies. As part of this commitment, she joined SAAVE to advocate for safer vaping and e-cigarette legislation that will help youths live healthy and smoke-free lives. Aside from SAAVE, Nina conducts research in health services and systems, is an active member of multiple clubs, and is an avid reader in her free time!
Raneet Kahlon is a third-year Biomedical Sciences major at the University of Calgary. She joined SAAVE because she is dedicated to advocacy and public health literacy, especially for youth. Outside of school, Raneet is a student researcher in the Huang Lab. She also coaches a young girls hockey team with Girls Hockey Calgary. In her spare time, she enjoys skiing and paddle boarding – when the weather permits!
Riley Ngo is a third year Bachelor of Health Sciences student at the University of Calgary majoring in biomedical sciences. He joined SAAVE because he is passionate about promoting public health and advocating for youth. Riley holds his ARCT in Piano Performance and enjoys spreading his love of music by teaching piano and accompanying. In his spare time, Riley likes to draw, read, and play the piano.
Rivan Dutta is an 11th grade IB student at Henry Wise Wood High School. He joined SAAVE because of his first hand exposure to how vapes and e-cigarettes can affect the lives of adolescents around him. He wanted to make an impact on his community and address this issue before it gets out of hand. Aside from school, Rivan enjoys basketball, music, and hanging out with his friends.
Sherrilynn Liu is a second-year Biomedical Sciences student in the University of Calgary’s Health Sciences program. She joined SAAVE with a strong commitment to advocate for health measures that protect youth, having seen many of her high school and university peers with addiction to vaping and e-cigarettes. Concerned about the rising number of children and young people addicted to nicotine, Sherrilynn aims to raise public awareness about the harmful health impacts of vaping.
Shivan Dutta is an 11th grade IB student currently attending Henry Wisewood Highschool. He joined SAAVE because he has seen how vaping is affecting the lives of youths around him. He wanted to advocate for adolescents and make a change in his community to fix this issue before it affects more people. He wants to prevent youths from falling victim to addiction.
Simer Kahlon is a Gr. 10 IB student at John G. Diefenbaker High School. She joined SAAVE to help protect youth from the harms of vaping she has observed first hand. She is passionate about health advocacy and working to amplify the voices of youth. Outside of school, you can find Simer either playing hockey or volleyball. In her spare time she enjoys writing poems.
SAAVE 