Hailing from Massachusetts, Gillian earned their BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. After graduating, they spent several years working as a process engineer in the biotech industry before deciding to pursue their interest in polymer science and engineering at the University of Waterloo. Their research focuses on expanding the applications of biodegradable polymers. In their free time, Gillian enjoys camping, board games, cooking, and attempting to brew the best cup of coffee possible.