Spring convocation celebrates new PhD, MSc and Bridging PharmD graduates
At tomorrow’s virtual ceremony, Waterloo Pharmacy will welcome new alumni from the PhD and MSc graduate programs and the PharmD bridging program.
“While we regret that we cannot celebrate our graduates’ achievements in person, we are so proud of all that they have accomplished,” says Andrea Edginton, Hallman Director. “Our newest graduates demonstrated passion and perseverance completing their programs through a pandemic, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.”
Congratulations to the following PharmD bridging graduates:
- Niki Bajic
- Eveline Chiu
- Jackie Diebold
- Vicky Sun
- Bhumi Trivedi
- Brittany Weber
2021 marks ten years since the launch of the Master of Science in Pharmacy program, the first graduate program at Waterloo Pharmacy. In honour of this milestone, the MSc and PhD graduates shared reflections on their experiences as graduate students and their plans as alumni:
Shannon Callender – PhD in Pharmacy
“The
graduate
program
here,
although
comprehensive
and
highly
engaging,
is
so
much
more
than
that.
The
ability
to
think
critically,
innovatively,
and
with
compassion,
is
as
much
a
focus
of
the
program
as
is
the
rigour
of
scientific
research.
To
do
this
in
a
community
that
feels
like
family
is
beyond
what
I
could
ever
have
imagined
when
I
first
entered
graduate
school
–
and
I
do
think
that
there’s
something
to
be
said
about
a
program
where
students
evolve
into
the
best
versions
of
themselves
before
graduating.
Aside
from
persistence
and
resilience
which
are
arguably
the
greatest
lessons
anyone
can
learn
in
graduate
school,
one
of
the
biggest
lessons
I’ve
personally
learned
is
that
you’re
capable
of
more
than
you
think.
Never
let
self-doubt
get
in
the
way
and
never
lose
sight
of
the
bigger
picture.
I’ve always had a passion for scientific communication and am currently working in the Learning and Development field where I get to think critically and apply those research and development skills every day. I’m enjoying the ride and looking forward to seeing where this journey takes me!”
Samantha Shortall – PhD in Pharmacy
“The culture and space (open-lab concept) at the School of Pharmacy allow for many opportunities to share, learn and collaborate with other research groups that have different interests and strengths from your own, which can lead to a more diverse research experience. I advise others to allow yourself to be creative – it’s okay to take a path or approach that deviates from current paradigms.
I hope to apply my knowledge and skills to tackle formulation challenges within the pharmaceutical industry, with a particular interest in gene therapies. Currently, I am a formulation scientist at Avro Life Science where I am involved in designing a platform to passively deliver small molecules and RNA to the skin.”
Derek Chen – MSc in Pharmacy
“My favourite part of the graduate program were the wonderful people I met. The journey would have not been possible without their support, help, and encouragement. Going through the program, I’ve learned that you need to have something in your life that can help you escape from the stress of grad school. Whether that be exercise, family, friends, or whatever, you need to find something that can divert your focus. I’ve also learned that you can never be too organized or too prepared, for anything and everything. Going forward, I want to improve my knowledge and skill in computer science, and eventually in the future find a job where I can combine my health science experience with science.”
Congratulations to all spring 2021 graduates!
