Elements of Success catches up with undergraduate Fiona Butler this week, learning about her time at the University of Saskatchewan, her early experiences in quantum computing research, and her current work with the Goh Lab.
Bio: Hi! My name is Fiona Butler (she/they) and I'm in my fifth and last year as a Chemical Physics specialist at UofT St. George in University College. Throughout my undergrad I've done both theoretical and experimental research here at UofT and at the University of Saskatchewan, in Saskatoon where I grew up. I spent two summers as a student researcher at quanTA doing quantum computing research, and this year, I'm doing an undergraduate thesis in the Goh Lab exploring bacteria-surface interactions.
When I'm not in class or at the lab, I work in the chemistry library, and I love to read, dance, and spend time with my friends!
You are currently in CHM499, working with Professor Cynthia Goh. What can you share about your project, and how did that come together?
I'm working on a project investigating bacteria-surface interactions through a technique called the surface interaction profile (SIP). This technique allows us to characterize different bacteria and some anti-biotic resistances they might have through their adherence to various charged surfaces. The goal for me is to introduce phages to the experiment to see how they change the level of adherence. It came together after talking to Dr. Goh in the summer where she described the different projects the lab works on and I was particularly interested in surface chemistry, which is how I ended up working on this project!
CHM499 has a series of workshops meant to prepare students for various aspects of research practice. What have you taken so far… and what was that experience like?
This semester, I attended a workshop about searching, reading and managing scientific literature and a workshop about communicating research to different audiences. Both workshops were very helpful with aspects of research that felt overwhelming, like where to start when reading scientific articles and how to identify and articulate the important parts of my research. I particularly appreciated getting a chance to develop a short "elevator pitch" for my project.
How did you first become interested in studying chemistry?
While I'm now working on more of a biological project, my first chemistry love was quantum mechanics. I remember when I first learned about quantum mechanics when I was younger, and I was amazed that all the tiny particles that make up our universe follow entirely different physical laws than everything we can see. In the Chemical Physics specialization I've gotten to learn so much more about how those particles work, and how we can use them in techniques like spectroscopy to better understand the world around us.
What’s a chemistry fact or concept that fundamentally changed the way you think about the world?
Particles like photons and electrons have both wave-like and particle-like behaviors. For example, if you send electrons through a barrier with one slit, they'll all land in one line behind the slit, like you might expect. But, if you have two slits and send electrons through them, they'll land in a wave pattern, like they went through both slits! This is one of the fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics, but it's still amazing every time I think about it.
How have your identity and experiences as a student influenced the way you navigate and imagine your place in the chemistry field?
I'm very happy to be a lesbian in chemistry; I think it's helped me see that there's many ways to be in the chemistry field. I've done research which I've enjoyed, but I've also been a library assistant in the chemistry library for three years, a science camp counselor, and led science field trip groups. Alongside my technical skills and knowledge, I've developed a love of science communication. All of these aspects feel very important to my journey and fostered an appreciation for everyone who works in scientific fields.
What advice would you give new U of T undergraduates considering a chemistry specialty?
Try as many things as you can, because you never know where your interests are going to lie and knowing what you don't like is just as important as knowing what you do. There are so many branches of chemistry and ways to participate in them. The only way to know what you want is to give them a go and it's always okay to change your mind if you what you want changes!
Try as many things as you can, because you never know where your interests are going to lie and knowing what you don't like is just as important as knowing what you do. -Fiona Butler