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Class of 2021

Congratulations to our graduands

By ChemUofT

June 23^rd, 2021

Message from the Associate Chair

Warm congratulations to this year’s graduating class of students! Completing a graduate degree is always a major feat, but doing so during a pandemic is truly remarkable.

The strength of our department rests on the accomplishments of our students, and we are proud of all you have achieved as scholars, including your research, teaching, and contributions to community-building within and outside our walls.

We know our graduates go on to succeed in a wide range of career paths and we look forward to seeing what you do next. It’s disappointing not to be able to celebrate in person this year, but please keep in touch to let us know what you are up to, and come back to visit when you can!

-- Professor Jennifer Murphy

Our Class of 2021

Jerry Augustine

(Zamble Group)

If you could provide a message to incoming graduate students what would it be?

Most of your experiments will fail, so don't stress yourself too much about it!

What is your favourite memory of your time in grad school?

There's many, but most of them involve late night shifts with other graduate students

Lila Begovic

(Nitz Group)

What are your life goals for the next 10 years?

Work alongside Frances H. Arnold revolutionizing biocatalysis. Or adopt a dog. Both very important goals of mine.

If you could provide a brief message to incoming students, what would it be?

Always know your worth. And when you ask yourself, is grad school worth it? The answer: Yes. For the connections, network building, exposure...it's all worth it. But remember to enjoy the process, take those extra coffee breaks, and do not forget that there is no such thing as a stupid question.

Victoria Dimakos

(Taylor Group)

What was your favourite grad school memory?

Hard to pick one! ChemClub pumpkin carving events, Taylor group ice cream runs/skating trips and publishing for the first time!

If you could provide a brief message to incoming students, what would it be?

Learn as much as you can from your supervisor and fellow students! Work smart and enjoy every second, 5 years go by very quickly.

Yuchan Dong

(Ozin Group)

What are your life goals for the next 10 years?

I want to become a manager, leader in my area, and then help other young professionals, students find their goals and confidence. I received a lot of help, advice, mentorship from kind people and I want to give back when I have the capability.

If you could provide a brief message to incoming students, what would it be?

Graduate school is a new start for you. You should treat yourself as a newborn here. Your past success and failure don't count much. You have total control over who you can be after graduation and you have all resources you need. Make good use of this chance.

Racquel Edjoc

(Rousseaux Group)

What was your favourite grad school memory?

The small things: Late night conversations and laughs with labmates by the fumehood.

What's your favourite quote?

I look up at the night sky, and I know that, yes, we are part of this Universe, we are in this Universe, but perhaps more important than both of those facts is that the Universe is in us. When I reflect on that fact, I look up—many people feel small, because they’re small and the Universe is big, but I feel big, because my atoms came from those stars.

Hamna Fayyaz

(Krull Group)

What has been the biggest change in your life during grad school?

I learned to be resilient when faced with research problems.

What are your life goals for the next 10 years?

Some life goals include getting a cat, involving myself in meaningful projects either in my professional or personal life, and traveling to new countries I have yet to visit.

Hava Friedman

(Segal Group)

What was your favourite grad school memory?

Most of my favourite moments in grad school were at the Chemical Biophysics Symposium. Another distinct great memory was Halloween a few years ago, where along with a group of friends, I dressed up as a no-name-brand spice (paprika) for the pumpkin carving event. We were the No Name Spice Girls.

If you could provide a brief message to incoming students, what would it be?

Go to ChemClub and department events -- the friends you make will last you a lifetime!

Hamid Fini

(Kerman Group)

What will you miss about grad school?

I will truly miss the pure friendships which one may find on the campus.

What's your favourite quote?

“ Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax.” by Abraham Lincoln

Mireille Ghoussoub

(Ozin Group)

What has been the biggest change in your life during grad school?

Discovering new research passions. Becoming a climbing nerd. Finding community in STEM.

What are your life goals for the next 10 years?

Bring down the patriarchy. Reduce GHG emissions to 50%. Gain confidence at BBQing.

Christine Gizzo

(Gunning Group)

If you could provide a brief message to incoming students, what would it be?

Grad school is very different from undergraduate studies so give yourself time to adjust to the structure. Give yourself permission to fail and don't confuse science not working with personal failure.

What's your favourite quote?

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Jackie Han

(Abbatt Group)

What has been the biggest change in your life during grad school?

The largest change was definitely having to adapt to making my own schedules and driving what it is that I wanted to do.

What was your favourite grad school memory?

My favourite grad school memories were all the birthday celebration lunches we had as a research group.

Aleksandra Holownia

(Yudin Group)

What are your life goals for the next 10 years?

I would like to continue learning new aspects of organic chemistry, growing as a process chemist and hopefully raising a family of chemists.

What's your favourite quote?

“The reward of the young scientist is the emotional thrill of being the first person in the history of the world to see something or to understand something. Nothing can compare with that experience. The reward of the old scientist is the sense of having seen a vague sketch grow into a masterly landscape.” - C.H. Payne-Gaposchkin

Gabrielle Hoover

(Seferos Group)

If you could provide a brief message to incoming students, what would it be?

Take time to develop skills outside of independent research. The department offers so many opportunities for this. Work with other people in your research, as a TA, and in extracurricular activities. Spend time doing whatever you enjoy. Make friends with all the departmental staff - quick chats with them always made my day better :)

What will you miss about grad school?

I'll miss the community I found within the department.

Shira Joudan

(Mabury Group)

What will you miss about grad school?

The people! I'm so grateful for the enviro chem community, and the ability to walk into anyones office to talk about our days. Hallway chats are something I miss a lot, including with my friends in the greater chemistry community.

What are your life goals for the next 10 years?

I'd like to lead an environmental chemistry research group, spend time with loved ones, and go on lots of canoe trips.

Julian Lamanna

(Wheeler Group)

What has been the biggest change in your life during grad school?

Grad school gave me the flexibility to pursue many different interests. Through this exploration, I developed a further interest not only for science, but I had a lot of exposure to business. While I still love science, my interests have moved to work at the intersection of science and business.

What are your life goals for the next 10 years?

I want to travel the world and make significant impacts in the healthcare industry.

Cindy Ma

(Kelley Group)

What will you miss about grad school?

The friends who suffered alongside me.

What are your plans for the next 12 months?

Write the MCAT and do well on it. Apply to medical school. Survive.

What's your favourite quote?

Don't let your dreams be dreams.

Hamnah Majeed

(Sherwood Lollar Group)

What are your life goals for the next 10 years?

Becoming a clinician scientist, continuing to serve my community through multiple ways, and traveling around the world.

What's your favourite quote?

"If you can't fly, then run. If you can't run, then walk. If you can't walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Pimyupa Manaswiyoungkul

(Gunning Group)

If you could provide a brief message to incoming students, what would it be?

Experiments may fail but you'll be fine.

What was your favourite grad school memory?

Coffee breaks with friends.

Paniz Pahlavanlu

(Seferos Group)

What are your plans for the next 12 months?

Work as a policy analyst. Get vaccinated. Garden. Hopefully see the end of a global pandemic. Play with cats. Repeat.

What will you miss about grad school?

Summer lunches outside and coffee runs with the research group.

Adam Pollit

(Seferos Group)

What was your favourite grad school memory?

Every party where I stayed out later than Paniz.

What are your life goals for the next 10 years?

Keep on finding ways to do chemistry beyond of grad school.

Yue (Grace) Qu

(Krull Group)

What was your favourite grad school memory?

Friday morning coffee chats with lab mates and friends.

What are your plans for the next 12 months?

To find a job so that I can financially support myself and my cat, Gizmo.

Madeleine Sattler

(Morris Group)

What will you miss about grad school?

I will miss the big chemistry community, walking the hallways of Lash Miller and seeing all the friendly faces.

If you could provide a brief message to incoming students, what would it be?

Imposter syndrome is real but everyone experiences it, ask lots of questions and you'll figure out nobody knows what they're doing all the time.

Sang (Chris) Seo

(Morris Group)

If you could provide a brief message to incoming students, what would it be?

Sometimes it helps to step back from a tree and look at the forest. If things are not working out at the moment, take time to take care of yourself first.