Coming to UWindsor was honestly not my first choice, neither for my Undergraduate degree nor my Master’s. Applying to my master’s in chemistry and biochemistry was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and despite the struggles that came with it, I wouldn’t change it for the world. It made me understand and respect the time and effort put into research, allowing me to work and learn techniques hands-on instead of through a textbook, and to understand what it meant to be a part of a team. Now that I have graduated, I hope to start my career as a Forensic Scientist, working behind the scenes to solve cases. With the knowledge and skills that I’ve learned from my time here, I know that I could help provide the closure that the people affected would certainly need. I also met the best people here, my closest friends, and the best staff, making connections that I know will last a lifetime. Coming to UWindsor and being part of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry was like being welcomed into a second family, and I will always hold this part of my life close to my heart. I am forever grateful for the experience and the people who made it so special.
I have been a part of the Chemistry and Biochemistry department since 2023, when I began my Master's, but was doing research through the department starting from 2019, when I was in my first year. I still find everyone so welcoming and helpful. I love attending seminars and defences because the scope of research in Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Windsor is so varied and interesting. I will be staying in the department for my PhD, Fall 2025!
I began my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at the University of Windsor with the intention of eventually pursuing medical school. However, during my fourth year, I joined Dr. Simon Rondeau-Gagné’s lab group and was introduced to a wealth of novel and groundbreaking research opportunities. This experience inspired me to change course and pursue a master’s degree in the same lab, where I had the opportunity to work on developing advanced materials for organic electronics with unique functionalities and applications.
Although the research was challenging, it was equally rewarding. My work led to multiple publications, presentations at national conferences, and collaborations with research groups outside of Canada. I was also fortunate to conduct experiments at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron in Saskatoon—an invaluable experience that further broadened my perspective as a researcher.
Throughout my master’s degree, I developed a wide range of skills that have shaped me both personally and professionally. Conducting independent research taught me efficiency and responsibility, while the collaborative nature of the work within and beyond our lab strengthened my ability to lead, contribute, and grow as a team player. What stood out most to me, however, was the exceptional environment within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The support of faculty members—always approachable and open to discussion—created a welcoming and encouraging atmosphere that made this journey truly outstanding.
Because of this experience, I chose to continue my academic journey at the University of Windsor as a PhD student, co-supervised by Dr. Rondeau-Gagné and Dr. Nick Vukotic. My goal is to further expand my skillset, strengthen my leadership abilities, and contribute to the groundbreaking research being conducted here.
The faculty and staff in the department have always had my back – from administration to keeping me on track to graduate, I always felt supported by everyone in the department. Not to mention that UWindsor is a great place to study chemistry with state-of-the-art facilities. I'm very happy with my graduate school experience at UWindsor, and I will look back fondly at the 5 years I spent doing my PhD. I am now headed to the University of Chicago as a postdoc to continue following my passion in synthetic chemistry!
Choosing the University of Windsor for my PhD was one of the best decisions I’ve made. The supportive research environment, excellent facilities, and close-knit community not only helped me grow as a scientist but also allowed me to build lasting friendships and collaborations. I’m especially grateful for the mentorship and encouragement I received from faculty, who fostered both scientific rigor and gave me the freedom to explore my passions. My time at UWindsor gave me the confidence and skills to become an independent researcher and prepared me to make a meaningful impact in the scientific community. I am currently a Postdoctoral Scholar at Stanford University in the Department of Chemical Engineering.
I began my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Biotechnology at the University of Windsor with the goal of eventually attending medical school. However, as I progressed through my studies, my interests evolved thanks to the department’s diverse courses and research opportunities. The University’s emphasis on hands-on lab experiences and flexible class selection allowed me to refine my focus toward materials chemistry.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is a dynamic environment, with faculty pursuing exciting and cutting-edge research. I had the privilege of joining the Rondeau-Gagné lab as its first graduate student, where I conducted research in organic electronics. My work centered on designing stretchable and healable conductive polymers, a project that required me to integrate principles from chemistry, engineering, and physics.
The University of Windsor was an ideal place to pursue this research, not only because of its proximity to international institutions, but also because of the collaborative, interdisciplinary culture fostered within the department. My time there led to several research awards and ultimately a postdoctoral fellowship in the Swager Lab at MIT, where I continued to broaden my expertise in materials chemistry.
Looking back, what I value most about my Windsor experience is how it prepared me for paths both inside and outside the lab. Beyond building a strong scientific foundation, the department nurtured the curiosity and adaptability that are now guiding me as I explore a career in patent law following the completion of my postdoctoral work at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
My academic journey in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, where I completed both my undergraduate and PhD studies in biochemistry, opened doors to career opportunities I had never considered. I chose to stay at UWindsor for graduate studies because it offered not only the chance to grow as a scientist and leader, but also a close-knit and supportive departmental community. Research in the Department extended far beyond the lab, giving me the opportunity to conduct experiments at prestigious neutron scattering facilities around the world—an experience that proved pivotal in shaping my career. After graduating with the Governor General’s Gold Medal for outstanding graduate achievement, I contributed to building a neutron scattering instrument at McMaster University. Today, I manage the facilities of the Canadian Neutron Beam Laboratory, as we develop more infrastructure and provide critical instruments to support Canada’s research community.