Catalyzing Chemistry is a recurring Chemistry Stories feature where we introduce our readers to graduate students and their work within the laboratories on the St. George, Scarborough and Mississauga campuses. We explore their educational journeys, the steps that brought them to their particular chemistry subdiscipline, surprises and discoveries along the way... sometimes, even, their favorite chemicals or media characters in STEM!
Today's interview is with another new Seferos Group member, Nicole Frias.
Nicole Frias
Nicole completed her MSc under the supervision of Prof. Ryan Hili and Prof. Brian Kim at York University, where she worked on expanding the chemical scope of current gene-editing technologies (base/prime editing). As she previously worked under the supervision of Prof. Chris Caputo, she discovered her passion for studying the reactivity of main-group compounds. She is now very excited to apply concepts in fundamental main-group chemistry towards applications in polymers/materials science.
Area of Study: Polymers/Materials Chemistry
Campus: St. George
Research Group: Seferos Research Group
What branch of chemistry do you specialize in, and how did you come to choose it?
After completing most of my studies in biological chemistry, I decided to shift focus into polymers/materials chemistry in the Seferos group in order to pursue my recent interests in main-group chemistry and apply my knowledge to the synthesis of novel materials for electronics.
What are you looking forward to most as you begin your graduate studies here at U of T?
I'm most looking forward to working with and collaborating with many talented researchers during my PhD at the University of Toronto.
Have there been any surprises as you settled in here?
A big surprise for me so far is how my research background in chemical biology continues to help me in a completely new field. It's also fascinating to note how polymer chemistry can broadly intersect with biological applications.
What is your favorite depiction of scientists or chemistry in a movie, book, or TV show?
My favourite depiction of science in TV would have to be The Flash. I loved to hear the scientific explanations they used while solving cases in the sci-fi universe!