Today's Elements of Success features Bennett Armstrong, who tells us about her work with anthropogenic compounds in CHM499Y, the high school teacher who opened her eyes to the wonders of chemistry, and the impact a single atom can have on the planet.
Hi! My name is Bennett Armstrong (she/her), and I am in my final year of the Chemistry Major at the University of Toronto’s St. George campus (University College). Outside of academics, I love reading, playing my harmonica, and traveling.
My research broadly explores how anthropogenic compounds influence the composition and properties of environmental and biological materials. I am currently completing my CHM499 thesis with Prof. Jess D’eon, investigating compositional and property-based variations in honey samples and how these profiles may shift with seasonal, regional, and human-related factors.
Previously, I completed a CHM395 research project under Prof. Jen Murphy, examining how anthropogenic roadway emissions affect the chemical and spectroscopic properties of snowpacks through deposition and post-depositional reactions. Before that, I worked as a Lab Technician intern at A-Gas Americas, where I performed quality testing of refrigerant gases and assisted in their processing for recycling and reclamation.
How did your CHM499 project with Prof. Jess D'eon come together?
My CHM499 thesis focuses on characterizing a series of honey samples from Nicholson Homestead, an organic farm in Bowmanville, Ontario, collected over several months, using NMR spectroscopy. Each year, students in CHM410 (Analytical Environmental Chemistry) run honey NMR analyses and compile the results into a long-term database. I’m using this database as a reference to compare our samples against both historical data and a variety of honey types. Interestingly, a preliminary analysis by the CHM410 students this past fall suggests the possible presence of insecticides in several samples, an unexpected result I’m hoping to explore in more depth. We also received a honey sample from a beehive here in downtown Toronto, and I’m interested in whether there is any evidence of anthropogenic compounds.
In the upcoming semester, I’ll be expanding the project by analyzing compositional features using Liquid Chromatography and Fluorescence Spectrophotometry. We’re also planning to conduct a combined LC-fluorescence experiment, which I’m incredibly excited about!
How did you first become interested in studying chemistry?
I initially became interested in chemistry because of my high school chemistry teacher, Mrs. Wilkens. Her genuine enthusiasm for the subject had a significant impact on me and led me to develop a genuine love for studying chemistry. Seeing how diverse the field is, and how many real-world problems it can address, made me excited about the possibility of contributing to that work myself.
What ultimately solidified my decision were the professors I met at U of T. Their passion for teaching and willingness to engage with students reaffirmed that I was in the right place. Their encouragement both in the classroom and in the lab helped me to gain a clearer sense of the kind of scientist I want to become and the impact I hope to make in the field.
What is your favorite fact about chemistry?
One fact about chemistry that absolutely blew my mind was learning that a single chlorine atom released from CFCs can destroy up to 100,000 molecules of ozone before it’s removed from the stratosphere! I remember reading that and just sitting there stunned at how a single atom can have such a significant impact on our planet.
What advice would you give new U of T undergraduates considering a chemistry specialty?
Don’t be afraid to talk to your professors and TAs! I was very introverted during my first year at U of T and often hesitated to reach out. But, once you take that step, you realize that professors genuinely enjoy sharing their interests with students and helping them grow within the department. TAs can also offer really valuable advice based on their own experiences studying chemistry and getting involved in research.
I also encourage you to explore the wide range of chemistry courses U of T has to offer. There are so many areas you can discover and develop a passion for. Even in my fourth year, I’m still encountering new fields! This semester, I took Dr. Tran’s CHM458 course (Soft Materials for Life, Energy, and the Environment), my first exposure to polymer chemistry, and absolutely loved learning about how diverse polymer applications are, from environmental technologies to drug delivery.
Overall, you never know what might spark your interest unless you try—so don’t be afraid to make new connections and explore new topics!
We’d love to share more about your journey as a scholar and student, and this includes anything you may wish to share about communities you’re part of, identities you’d like to highlight, or challenges you’ve encountered along the way. If there’s anything along these lines you’d be open to talking about, please do!
During my first and second year, I struggled quite a bit with impostor syndrome and burnout. I often found myself caught in a cycle of comparing myself to others, which made me hesitant to seek out new opportunities. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned since then is that everyone’s academic and career path follows its own trajectory, and that gaining confidence is often a gradual process. I also came to appreciate how essential work–life balance is, not only for mental well-being but also for sustaining your academics.
I’m especially grateful to Prof. Jen Murphy, who took a chance on me for my CHM395 project. Her mentorship was instrumental in helping me build my confidence and recognize my potential. Working with her taught me how transformative supportive mentorship can be, and she challenged me intellectually while also encouraging my development as an independent thinker. Her support showed me that I was capable of contributing meaningfully to a project, and it encouraged me to continue pursuing opportunities I once would’ve talked myself out of.
My biggest message for students who may feel the same way I once did is: don’t count yourself out! Reach for the opportunities that excite you, even if they scare you a little, and trust that your confidence will grow along the way!
You have been working with one of the graduate students, I believe, to produce some Chemists of Influence posters. What can you tell us about that?
I’ve been working with Anita Hu, an MD-PhD student in Dr. Helen Tran’s group, along with Dr. Andy Dicks, to create a poster series called Chemists of Influence. Through this initiative, we aim to highlight not only the incredible range of chemistry research being done in and outside our department, but also the diversity of the those who contribute to it.
The project is rooted in making the chemistry community more welcoming and representative. Each poster features a chemist whose work has had a notable impact either scientifically, through mentorship, or through contributions to equity and inclusion. Our goal is to showcase a broad spectrum of research areas and personal backgrounds so that students can see themselves reflected in the field and learn about the many different ways to “be a chemist.”
Working on this series has been incredibly inspiring. I’ve learned so much about the interdisciplinary nature of chemistry, and the many forms leadership can take within the broader scientific community. We’re hoping the posters will spark curiosity in undergraduate students and help them feel more connected to the diverse scientific community they’re joining!
