Looking back, my journey through academia has been a series of discoveries, each one building on the last in ways I could never have anticipated. As a high school student, I was always fascinated by science, which led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Toronto. At the time, I was convinced that my future would lie solely in the life health sciences, especially since I developed a particular interest in vision science.
During my undergraduate years, this fascination with how we see and interpret the world around us deepened. I started working at an optometric clinic in my hometown, where I was able to translate my academic knowledge into real-world applications. Through patient interactions, I became intrigued by the complexities of vision and its essential role in day- to-day function. This experience cemented my desire to continue studying vision science, and I decided to pursue graduate studies in this field at the University of Waterloo, home to the only English-speaking optometry school in Canada.
At the start of my graduate journey, I envisioned myself continuing along a path focused entirely on vision science. However, the opportunity to work with Dr. Elizabeth Irving on a project alongside the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA) introduced me to a field I had never considered: aviation. Dr. Irving’s research into the visual requirements of pilots piqued my curiosity, and despite having no prior knowledge of aviation, I decided to dive in headfirst.
Under the guidance of both Dr. Irving and Dr. Suzanne Kearns, I began my first project in this new realm, and to my surprise, I quickly fell in love with aviation. I was fascinated by the complex interplay between vision, human performance, and the technical demands of flight. What started as a curiosity evolved into a deep passion for the field. I had entered a new academic world that combined my love of vision science with the challenges of human performance in high-stakes environments like aviation.
My immersion into aviation led me to join the Collaborative Aeronautics Program (CAP), where I became part of the first cohort of students learning about the fundamentals of aviation. Through the CAP, I not only gained a solid understanding of aviation systems but also learned the importance of collaboration within the field. Aviation is a global industry, and solving some of its most pressing issues, especially around sustainability, requires a multidisciplinary approach.
In pursuit of further knowledge, I completed the WISA e-learning courses and earned my International Aviation Sustainability Certification (IASC). These courses opened my eyes to the sustainability challenges that aviation faces, from reducing emissions to finding new energy solutions. I learned that addressing these challenges requires teamwork across fields.
Reflecting on my journey, I can clearly see how my understanding of both aviation and sustainability has evolved. In high school, sustainability was a concept I understood mostly from an environmental perspective. Now, I realize how interconnected it is with so many other systems, especially in aviation, where vision science, human factors, and technological innovation all play a role in driving sustainable solutions.
From a high school student passionate about biology to a graduate student navigating the complexities of aviation and sustainability, my academic path has transformed in ways I could never have predicted. I’m excited to continue pushing boundaries and finding innovative ways to integrate my love of vision science with the critical challenges facing aviation today.