Maathangi is in their senior year of an honours Bachelor of Science in biomedical science at the University of Ottawa. In their first year, Maathangi was part of the Medical Equipment’s Collections Foundations at the University of Ottawa; this organization aims to provide medical equipment to people in need. Maathangi is also the vice-president of philanthropy in Tamil Student Union at the University of Ottawa; part of their role here is to plan and organize fundraising events to support the Tamil community. Maathangi has a vested interest in improving access to care and support for families and children with neurodevelopmental and intellectual disabilities, with a particular focus on those who are newly landed immigrants. They’ve worked with children on the autism spectrum at the SAAAC Autism Centre’s Art therapy program in one-on-one situations, organized a summer camp at SAAAC Autism Centre, as well as planned events based on individual needs by conducting extensive research. Currently, they am volunteering as a research assistant at the University of Ottawa in a lab whose goal is to improve accessibility to individuals with intellectual or neurodevelopmental disabilities. Maathangi has also worked as a research assistant at Ryerson University, conducting statistical analysis on SARS-CoV2 transmission and intervention methodologies.
