Graduate student stories

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Past & Present

Nithin Aaron is a theorist at heart, currently studying quantum computing as a Master of Science in Physics (Quantum Information) student at the University of Waterloo. Aaron knew he excelled at math, physics, and chemistry, and particularly enjoyed physics, but it wasn’t until he took an introductory quantum mechanics course in his second year that he discovered quantum computing and was instantly fascinated. This realization led him to focus most of his upper-year electives on math and physics courses and to eventually pursue his education further in graduate school.

Grant Brassem standing in front of whiteboard

Grant Brassem is part of the third cohort of students to embark on the Quantum Technology specialization within the Master of Science in Physics program. This new 12-month, course-based degree lets him utilize the state-of-the-art IQC laboratories for independent projects and make meaningful connections with industry mentors, startups, and a community of over 300 quantum researchers.

Amy Lacey in a helicopter at Whopoping Crane Nesting Region

The whooping crane is the tallest bird in North America and is named for its distinctive “whooping” calls that can carry for several kilometres. Yet, you have likely never seen or heard one before as fewer than 600 of these birds remain in the wild.

Fatima Abrar’s research focuses on how protein mislocalization affects autophagy in Huntington disease (HD). Autophagy is the process of removing and recycling old and damaged cell parts—you can think of it as quality control for cells. It is an essential process that helps maintain cellular health and optimizes cell performance by removing toxic and non-functional parts in the cell.

Emma Collington on the left with her dog Marlowe and Samantha on the right with a cup of coffee.

STEM with Disabilities was inspired by the frustration of being a student with disabilities and the epiphany of the power that comes from community. Through sharing lived experiences, the visibility project connects scientists, engineers, technologists, and mathematicians with disabilities, offering diverse role models for postsecondary students.

Megala Ramasamy standing in front of research presentation board

Vision impairments are on the rise, propelling the global ocular implants market to unprecedented growth, from $14.1 billion in 2022 to a monumental $22.1 billion by 2030. Yet, many potential breakthroughs stumble in clinical trials, often due to unforeseen toxicity and efficacy in preliminary research studies. Megala Ramasamy is developing a low-cost fabrication method for silicone polymers used to create advanced in-vitro eye models that simulate features of the human eye.

Nyhenflore working on a potentiostat in the lab

Nyhenflore Delva’s interest in sustainable chemistry began during her undergraduate studies as she explored ways to mitigate negative environmental impacts. She learned that adopting more sustainable industrial chemical processing could provide many benefits.

Have you ever noticed green scum on the surface of a lake? Cyanobacteria are a type of algae that can cause harmful blooms. Harshina Brijlall, a PhD in Biology student, is working to identify potential algal toxin-producing markers and understudied bacterial communities to aid in lake management.

Andree Coschizza’s research revolves around low-temperature physics for quantum computing applications. One of the main barriers in quantum computing is that the necessary two-level quantum systems only become prominent at very low temperatures (often below 100 mK).

You have probably seen Phragmites australis in the wild—but did you know it is Ontario’s worst invasive plant species? Jersey Fontz, a PhD student in Biology (Water) is developing a seed mix to promote the growth of native species instead of invasive species after invasive species removal.

Jane Ye’s research interests lie in how contaminants and nutrients move around and interact in soils, sediments, surface water, and groundwater. Her master’s research project focuses on petroleum hydrocarbons and how they naturally biodegrade into carbon dioxide and methane in soils under different temperature and moisture conditions.

The global demand for the additive manufacturing industry is expected to increase at a rate of 22% annually and is still largely reliant on the use of non-renewable resources. Ryan Nodder’s research goal is to create an alternative to current petroleum-based 3D printing materials.

The prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) has increased significantly due to prolonged screen time and Mana Monfared, a current PhD in Vision Science student, is dedicated to studying the disease and its effects on eye health.

When it came time to apply to a doctoral program, Dr. Tyler Hampton was recruited to Waterloo because of his desire to take his knowledge of biogeochemistry and apply it to study wildfires and forest harvesting.

When talking with Justin Shmordok, currently pursuing his Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) degree, he shared that he might not have discovered his love for research without the help of Waterloo’s co-operative education program during his undergraduate degree.

MEET OUR STUDENTS

Past & Present

Science that matters: Master’s student researches quantum models of water molecules using computational methods

Science that matters: Master’s student prepares for an imaginative career in the growing quantum industry

Science that matters: Master’s student researches the potential contamination of endangered species’ nesting ponds

Science that matters: Master’s student investigates a drug’s therapeutic potential for improving autophagy in Huntington disease

Amplifying diverse voices in STEM

Science that matters: Master’s student is using 3D printing to help accelerate drug discovery

Science that matters: Master’s student researches the possibility of a dual-purpose system that could combine wastewater treatment with fuel generation

Science that matters: Doctoral student seeks to update monitoring protocols of harmful algal blooms in drinking water sources

Science that matters: Master’s student researches noise fluctuations in superconducting devices used for quantum bits

Science that matters: Doctoral student researches invasive plant species that threaten wetlands

Science that matters: Master’s student researches how contaminants biodegrade in nature and how much greenhouse gas they produce

Science that matters: Master’s student develops novel material for sustainable 3D printing from recycled paper

Science that matters: Doctoral student researches ways to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye disease (DED)

Science that matters: Postdoctoral fellow researches how large wildfires impact water quality

Science that matters: Doctoral student researches the fundamental process of biological nitrogen fixation

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