From Open Houses to writing personalized letters and attending university fairs, Science Ambassadors play a large role in making our science community a welcoming space at the University of Waterloo. As our graduating ambassadors prepare to walk across the stage at convocation this June, we took a moment to reflect on their impact and celebrate their achievements.
Learn more about why they chose Waterloo, what inspired them to become a Science Ambassador, and what lies ahead after graduation.
Tiffany Chan
Honours Biology with a joint Honours Music, a minor in Human Nutrition, and a minor in Medical Physiology
How many years were you a Science Ambassador? 4 years
I came to Waterloo for the co-op program. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after graduation, and I hoped co-op would allow me to explore my interests and figure that out.
I’m a bit of a yapper, so talking to lots of people is right up my alley. That’s what drew me to the Science Ambassador team; I’m passionate about getting involved on campus and supporting others in their own journeys. Some of my most memorable experiences have been participating in Open Houses and attending the Ontario Universities’ Fair. Those events have allowed me to meet so many people and build lasting friendships. The term can get busy, so it’s always nice to reconnect at these events and catch up with everyone.
Now that I’m graduating, I’m looking forward to taking some time off while I wait to hear back about master’s program applications. In the meantime, I have some exciting travel plans: Spain, Portugal, and Italy in July, and Shanghai in September and October.
Jovey Sokhal
Biomedical Science
How many years were you a Science Ambassador? 2 years
I chose Waterloo because it has an incredible global reputation, especially in science, and I wanted to be part of a community known for producing top-tier students.
After my first year here, I knew I wanted to get more involved on campus. I am a huge advocate for the Faculty of Science, so becoming a Science Ambassador felt like the perfect fit. It allowed me to share my experiences with prospective students, which I really enjoyed. It’s rewarding to welcome future students at open houses and see them again on campus as first-year students.
I am grateful that I chose Science at Waterloo. The people, the opportunities, and the experiences I’ve had here have shaped who I am today. Now, I am excited to continue my education at the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine. Becoming a physician has been a long-term goal of mine, and I’m looking forward to the next stage of that journey.
Arzo Baig
Honours Science and Business with a Biology specialization
How many years were you a Science Ambassador? 2 years
I was drawn to Waterloo because I love how fast-paced and innovative it is. I wanted to be surrounded by peers who are motivated and are stepping outside of their comfort zones.
I joined the Science Ambassador team because, in high school, making decisions about which university to attend felt overwhelming. I wanted to share my experience with prospective students and help them feel more excited (and less stressed) about coming to Waterloo Science.
One of my favourite moments as an ambassador was meeting a prospective student at an open house and seeing them again on campus when I was leading orientation. We both recognized each other right away and reconnected; it felt like a full-circle moment.
Being part of the science community has been the best part of Waterloo. Between my involvement in SciSoc clubs and as an ambassador, I've met so many amazing people and had opportunities I never expected to experience when I first started university. While I will miss Waterloo, I'm excited to start a new chapter at the University of Toronto in the Master of Health Informatics program, where I'll explore the intersection of healthcare and technology.
Carmen Schnarr
Honours Biochemistry with a Biotechnology specialization
How many years were you a Science Ambassador? 1 year
I am local to the Waterloo Region and chose Waterloo for its leading co-op program. In high school, I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a career, and the program felt like the perfect opportunity to explore different areas.
I chose to become a Science Ambassador in my final year because I wanted to be part of a community of fellow Science students that helped others. During the Fall Open House, I was on a chemistry panel for prospective students and their parents. Knowing that speaking about my experience in Biochemistry and sharing advice can be part of a student’s decision to choose to come here is very rewarding.
During my time at Waterloo, I discovered that I love teaching others about science. I plan to become a high school chemistry and biology teacher and am attending Nipissing University’s Consecutive Education program in the fall.
Rachel Huang
Honours Science
How many years were you a Science Ambassador? 1 year
Going into university, I knew I eventually wanted to pursue optometry school. I chose the University of Waterloo for its strong reputation and because many of the prerequisite courses for optometry are built into the Honours Science program.
I became a Science Ambassador because I felt I could be a valuable resource for other students interested in pursuing professional schools after their undergraduate studies. Through my own experiences, I developed a strong understanding of the available pathways and was eager to share that knowledge with others.
One of my most memorable experiences as a Science Ambassador was filming a “day in the life” Instagram reel with my friends. It was a fun and meaningful way to highlight how, even within the same program, each of our daily experiences can look very different.
I’m incredibly grateful that my goal of attending optometry school has become a reality, and I’m excited to be moving to Boston to begin my studies at the New England College of Optometry.
Daniel Wang
Materials and Nanosciences
How many years were you a Science Ambassador? 4 years
I came to Waterloo for the unique interdisciplinary major in Materials and Nanosciences, which combines chemistry and physics, two areas of science I am passionate about.
When the Science Ambassador team was recruiting students in 2022, I thought it was a great opportunity to get involved in campus activities as COVID restrictions began to lift. I made the right decision and loved being on the ambassador team. My most memorable moment was attending the Ontario Universities’ Fair in Fall 2024. I had the chance to share why I love my major with prospective students and answer their questions about both the program and co-op.
After convocation, I will be moving to British Columbia. I received direct entry to a PhD in Chemistry at the University of British Columbia, where I’ll be researching luminescent quantum dots.
Mona Rosanally
Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Mathematics
How many years were you a Science Ambassador? 2 years
At Waterloo, there is a strong focus on developing applied skills through labs and experiential learning opportunities, which is why I wanted to go here. I love that Waterloo Science offers the flexibility to customize your degree with options within science and other faculties. It has allowed me to discover new passions and keep my options open.
I joined as a Science Ambassador because I wanted to get more involved in the science community, and outreach felt like a meaningful way to do that. Applying and committing to a university can be hard to navigate, so I wanted to help make the process more transparent and less stressful for anyone going through it. My only regret is not getting involved sooner – there is nothing to lose and everything to gain!
While I’ll always remain a Warrior at heart, I am excited about taking my next step at the University of Toronto in a Master of Science in Biostatistics.
Kalista Ho
Honours Science, minor in Biology
How many years were you a Science Ambassador? 2 years
I chose Waterloo because it’s close to home, and I was excited to join the campus community. Both of my parents are Waterloo Science alumni, so it’s especially meaningful to follow in their footsteps and join them as an alum this year.
When I applied to Waterloo, the pandemic meant there were no in-person open houses. I felt like I missed out on that experience, so when I discovered the opportunity to become a Science Ambassador, I knew I wanted to get involved. Although I didn’t get to attend an open house as a high school student, I’ve loved connecting with prospective students and helping create that experience for them - it has been incredibly fulfilling.
At this year’s March Open House, I had the opportunity to run a biology demonstration, where I connected with prospective students and their parents. I shared some of my favourite experiments and introduced a few basic lab techniques. It was rewarding to inspire others to consider becoming scientists themselves.
Now, I am actively applying to medical school - fingers crossed! This summer, I’ll be working and volunteering, while also spending time on campus as a Laboratory Assistant.
Parth Patel
Science and Business with a specialization in Biotechnology
How many years were you a Science Ambassador? 2 years
I came to Waterloo for its unique program that combines science and business. I have always loved scientific discovery and wanted to pair it with a solid foundation in business to make a real-world impact.
Coming into university, I was looking for a meaningful way to get involved and truly connect with other students and faculty, and joining the Science Ambassador team offered the perfect opportunity to do that. Being an ambassador allowed me to share my passion for science and build a welcoming community for incoming students.
My favourite memories as an ambassador are those that involved collaborating with my teammates during open houses, Waterloo Ready days, and at the Ontario Universities’ Fair (OUF). Helping students navigate their next steps while working with our faculty was a proud moment for me.
I am happy to say I started a new role right out of school in a lab, where I am gaining hands-on technical experience. I am considering a master’s program one day, but I want a few years of experience and a well-defined career path before I take that leap.
Grace DelMistro
Honours Biochemistry
How many years were you a Science Ambassador? 1 year
I chose Waterloo for both the co-op program and for the structure of the biochemistry program, which allowed me to pursue multiple subject areas within the field.
When I was a first-year student approaching the end of the pandemic, I heard about the Science Ambassador team. I was in high school when many in-person activities were limited, and I wished that tours and shadow days were available when I was deciding on a university. I wanted to volunteer my time to gain that experience differently and give back to my science community.
I loved doing this by writing personalized cards to accepted students. I remember getting one in the mail after I got into my program, thinking it was a sweet gesture, and I was excited to return the favour.
At Waterloo, I discovered a passion for research, and I’m taking that with me to McMaster University in the Master of Science in Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences program.