The beginning of the fall semester offers a wonderful chance to engage with our new graduate students about their aspirations and motivations. Two of our students have shared insights on their research goals, their passion for chemistry, and the reasons they chose to study at U of T. Here’s what they had to say.
Fatimah Hashmi
Fatimah completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto Mississauga with a BSc in Biological Chemistry. During her undergraduate years, she worked on various projects in the Gunning Group. Now, she is thrilled to continue her journey at UTM, as she pursues her MSc in Chemistry under the supervision of Amanda Hargrove in the Hargrove Lab, focusing on exploring RNA as therapeutic targets.
Area of Study: Biological Chemistry
What branch of chemistry do you specialize in, and how did you come to choose it?
I specialize in Biological Chemistry. My interest in the field was developed after my second year of undergraduate studies when I participated in the inaugural year of the INSPIRE Scholars program. This experience introduced me to molecular modeling software for fragment-based drug discovery, and I gained hands-on experience with learning and conducting various assays to study functionality and stability of my protein. The program was truly inspiring and influenced my decision to join the Gunning Group, where I continued to develop my skills throughout my undergraduate studies.
What are you looking forward to most as you began your graduate studies here at U of T?
I am eager to expand my experiences and contribute to the growing field of RNA research in the Hargrove lab, while also growing my skills and knowledge. I am also excited to work in the new Science Building, which was under construction throughout all my undergraduate years.
Were there any surprises when you began?
I found it surprising that there are a lot of opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration within the U of T research community. It has been impressive how different labs, and their research projects intersect with each other.
(Learn more about Fatimah and her group by visiting our graduate Instagram for the recent Hargrove Group Instagram takeover!)
Marissa MacIver
Marissa completed her undergraduate degree in chemistry at McMaster University, where she focused on synthesizing potential drug candidates and conducting Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) studies targeting pathogens exhibiting antibiotic resistance. She now works at the St. George campus under the supervision of Professor Sophie Rousseaux, where her research centers around developing new synthetic methods for the direct functional group conversion of tertiary alcohols!
Area of Study: Organic chemistry,
Working with: Professor Sophie Rousseaux
What branch of chemistry do you specialize in, and how did you come to choose it?
I specialize in synthetic organic chemistry. This field particularly resonated with me when I realized the significant impact that molecular design and drug development have on the healthcare and pharmaceutical fields.
What did you look forward to most as you began your graduate studies here at U of T?
I’m thrilled to join a distinguished department of innovative and knowledgeable chemists at U of T. I am truly grateful and excited to have the opportunity to expand my knowledge and grow in such a dynamic and enriching environment.
Have there been any surprises so far?
Chemistry is full of surprises and that's why it is exciting. It constantly provides unique challenges and reminders to always triple check your work....and to never get too ahead of yourself!