The beginning of the Fall 2024 semester offers a great opportunity to ask our incoming graduate students about their aspirations and motivations. Here, two of our students have shared insights into their research goals, the pivotal moments that sparked their passion for chemistry, and factors that influenced their decision to study at U of T. Here's what they told us.
Julie Dang
Julie completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Waterloo with a BSc in Medicinal Chemistry (Co-op). She is starting an MSc in Chemistry in the Rousseaux group on the St. George campus, playing around with some photocyclization chemistry. She will be working with the Acceleration Consortium to work on the self-driving labs as well!
What branch of chemistry do you specialize in, and how did you come to choose it?
I specialize in organic chemistry. I came to like it more in second year of undergrad where I took my first organic chemistry course. Initially, it was tough to grasp the concepts, but once I got the hang of it, I really liked what you can do with synthetic methods.
What are you looking forward to most as you began your graduate studies here at U of T?
I I look forward to making friends and connections in the department and I’m excited to contribute to the novel research!
Were there any surprises when you began?
I was surprised that I could apply my organic chemistry background to work on a project that has a lot of computing and automation for self-driving labs! Also, I got to learn a lot of new stuff for this project!
Phil Samokhin
Phil recently completed aBachelor of Science in Chemical Biology at McMaster University in Hamilton, just down the road from his hometown of St. Catharines. He has worked in various labs working on multiple projects in synthetic organic chemistry, and is excited to continue this type of work with Professor Mark Lautens.
What branch of chemistry do you specialize in, and how did you come to choose it?
My previous lab work has been done in synthetic organic chemistry labs, and I’ve worked on various catalysis and methodology projects. Ever since working on an organic chemistry assignment in grade 12 of high school, I’ve been fascinated by it. Since then, I’ve taken all the orgo courses I can, and have worked on as many projects as supervisors would allow.
What did you look forward to most as you began your graduate studies here at U of T?
I’m looking forward to meeting and working with the many brilliant minds in the department. In the short time that I have already been here, I have been amazed by the strong connections not only within the lab, but between labs.
Have there been any surprises so far?
The creative freedom afforded to me is much greater than I expected, and I am very much enjoying that fact!