Assistant Professor in Environmental Chemistry and Health, |
Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough
(Graduate Appointment in Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto)
"Nee-ka Rez-eye-ee Sh-ahd" | (she/her) | nika.rezaei.shad@mail.utoronto.ca
My name is Nika, and I'm a first-year PhD student in Environmental Chemistry with a specialization in Environment and Health. I completed my Bachelor's degree in Chemistry at Carleton University, where I worked on several research projects centred on environmental chemistry and toxicology. My PhD research focuses on discovering and characterizing environmental contaminants, particularly thyroid hormone-disrupting chemicals in the exposome that may contribute to human disease. When I'm not in the lab, I enjoy reading, catching up on my favourite TV shows and checking out new movies in theatres, going for bike rides, and volunteering at community and science outreach events.
"muh-lih-sa ch-ow" | (she/her) | melissa.chau@mail.utoronto.ca
My name is Melissa, and I am a second-year Life Sciences (Health Sciences Stream) Student at the University of Toronto doing a major in (Co-operative) Human Biology and another major in Molecular Biology, Immunology and Disease! I was born and raised in Markham, Ontario, and my hobbies include knitting, crochet, reading, dragon boating (In fact, I’m part of UTSC’s dragon boating team), and baking. Other things you may (or may not) want to know about me: I’m an extrovert, I have one sibling (an older brother), I love boba, and the only pets I/my family has are fish (who we never named because they all look the same).
"ɑ-s-tʰɑ mo-dhi " | (she/her) | astha.modi@mail.utoronto.ca
My name is Astha, and I entering my last year at UTSC majoring in Chemistry and Evolutionary Anthropology. I've lived in Scarborough my entire life, and my hobbies include knitting, watching movies, and reading books.
"dy-ann park " | (she/her) | dy.park@mail.utoronto.ca
Diane is a third-year student specializing in Medicinal and Biological Chemistry. Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, she previously conducted research on behalf of the Toronto Zoo as part of its browse program, evaluating the nutritional composition and viability of ensiled staghorn sumac as a feed source for captive browsers. Outside the lab, she enjoys golfing and playing the guitar.
Professor Paco is the senior member of the emotional support team and a distinguished graduate of the School of Advanced Treat Acquisition. He is a tenured expert in Belly Rub Sciences and Applied Lap Sitting. Extremely outgoing and never shy, he specializes in morale boosting through constant human attention and uninterrupted office hours.
Paco is an official therapy dog with Sunshine Therapy Dogs. You may even see him on the job around campus!
Ziggy is a junior member of the emotional support team and a current undergrad at the University of Trying His Best, with a concentration in Squirrel Surveillance. He is a big fan of vegetables as snacks (except zucchini, for obvious reasons) and his emotional support hedgehog.