2024-2025 Executive Team
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Shakiba is a 2nd year MSc student at York University. Her research focuses on the separation and detection of biologically relevant proteins and aptamers using capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. She is excited to be the Co-Chair for the 2023 year for CIC-Toronto!
Through a variety of experiences, Shakiba has gained experience in fields ranging from composite nanoparticle synthesis for use in biosensors, honey bee genetics, aptamer selection, and vaccine development. These experiences helped form Shakiba into a scientifically and professionally well-rounded individual who is thrilled to share her network with the CIC Toronto chapter. Shakiba is also experienced in project management and event planning from her role as Industrial Liaison with the CIC Toronto (2022-2023) and as coordinator with the CIC National Team.
Apart from chemistry, Shakiba enjoys baking and going to the gym.
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Born in Vancouver, BC, Trevor carried out his first chemical synthesis in the laboratories of Langara College. After transferring to University of British Columbia to finish his BSc, he took an interest in the reactivity of metal complexes, leading him to the University of Toronto where he spent many blissful hours at the X-Ray diffractometer characterizing his creations. Following completion of his PhD, Trevor was awarded postdoctoral fellowships by NSERC and the Azrieli Foundation, which supported his stay at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, where he used computational tools to study the boron pincer compounds that he made in the lab. In 2020 Trevor joined Toronto Research Chemicals, where he is currently engaged in the pursuit of complex synthetic targets as an organic chemist. In his free time, Trevor likes to watch baseball, play music, and relax with his wife, Laura, and their 19 house plants. As Chair of CICTor, Trevor is privileged to work with such a terrific team of volunteers endeavouring to create bonds outside the laboratory!
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Emily is from Vancouver, BC and started her path in chemistry at the University of British Columbia during her B.Sc. She then went on to complete her M.Sc. at the University of Toronto studying Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. After working as a synthetic chemist, she is now navigating a career switch.
Emily is passionate about building connections and giving back to the community. She joined CIC Toronto to support the career growth of fellow chemists and hopes to grow CIC’s audience as Communications Officer.
Outside of work and CIC, you can find Emily running, reading, watching YouTube, and, currently, traveling around Europe while on working holiday.
Please do connect with her about career transitions and living and traveling abroad!
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After finishing his Chemical Engineering Technology diploma at Seneca College and gaining experience as a research technologist, Quang went on and transferred to the Chemical Engineering program at Lakehead University while still supporting CIC Toronto as a Communications Officer remotely. He is passionate about working toward a more sustainable future, and, more recently, the application of computational power in solving problems.
As Vice-Chair, Quang aims to support and collaborate with other exec members to bring CIC Toronto events to a wider audience through various initiatives and “create bonds outside the laboratories”!
In his free time, you can find him practicing martial arts, hiking, cooking, trying new things or just simply binging some TV shows.
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Jennifer studied chemistry at Toronto Metropolitan University and did research on mixed-metal organic dyes for light-harvesting applications. She is passionate about learning and sharing knowledge to help others improve their quality of life.
As this year's treasurer, she hopes to make our financial updates easy to understand and add some educational elements during our monthly meetings.
Jennifer enjoys visiting local restaurants, bakeries, and ice cream shops. She also writes reviews on Yelp to support these businesses.
Feel free to connect with her regarding topics around local food businesses, career struggles, career development and personal finance.
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Kishora is a third-year undergrad co-op student studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Toronto Scarborough. She has a growing interest in the fields of analytical chemistry and molecular biology and thus wishes to discover a career path fit for her that is interrelated between these fields that she is passionate about.
She is excited to help spread more awareness of opportunities to fellow undergrad students and future chemists by helping promote CIC's events and opportunities as a Communications Officer. Her main goal is to be able to help others who are also still discovering possible careers in chemistry and to ensure that others and herself are forming strong networks through CIC Toronto's events.
In her free time, she loves to listen to music, try out new bubble tea flavours, and watch pretty much anything scary (mainly horror or thriller!).
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Arshiyah is about to complete her BS.c in Chemistry at Toronto Metropolitan University, and is currently in the process of completing an undergraduate thesis. Over this past year, she has been working in the Miniturization in Bioanalysis lab under Dr. Darius Rackus, as an iBest resident, where she is codnucting research in Microfluidics and the seperation of microplastics. This research aims to characterize the volume of microplastics, that are found within our surrounding aquatic environments, on a micro scale.
Throughout her time in this position she has gained extensive experience in microfabrication and various analytical characterization techniques like flowcytommetry and laser direct infrared imaging. As graduation approaches, with just a few months left, Arshiyah looks forward to exploring careers within her field and starting this new chapter in her life!
As a new member of CIC Toronto, Arshiyah is looking forward to building connections within the team as well as the chemistry and chemical engineering community.
Sofia Michailovich
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Jonathan is a PhD student at the University of Toronto, where he also did his undergraduate degree. His research specializes in theoretical/computational chemistry, using computer simulations to explore physical chemistry, specifically on thermal transport at the molecular level.
Jonathan first connected with the CIC because he is very interested to learn about career paths outside of academia. As an industry liaison, he would like to help connect the community here with companies in chemistry, whether it's for a student wondering about what comes next, or people who are actively searching for positions.
In Jonathan's free time, he enjoys playing video games, playing guitar, and exercising.
Himanshu Jha
INDUSTRIAL LIAISON
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Himanshu Jha is a Chemical Engineer and specialized in Marketing. He earned his qualifications from India and recently moved to Canada.
He has 11 years of experience. His major experience lies in providing technical support and sales of Thermosetting Polymers to clients in the electric vehicle, renewable energy, electrical, electronics, composite, construction, defence, and various other markets. Currently, he is working as a Technical Sales Representative at Crosslink Technology Inc.
He joined CIC’s Industrial Liaison as he believes, based on his experience, he can contribute to this field and connect more people with the chemical industry. In his free time, Himanshu loves learning guitar, meditation, and playing chess. He also enjoys hiking.
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Shanna graduated with a PhD in Chemistry with an emphasis in Material Chemistry from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago. Her project involved the fabrication of low-cost, high quality copper indium sulphide quantum dots and thin film solar cell absorbers using simple and affordable means.
She has a passion for research and development and is intrigued by how it is impacted by organizational and governmental policies. As such, she enjoys solutioning challenges from unique perspectives and is committed to increasing connections between industry and the CIC Toronto Section. Leisurely, Shanna enjoys hiking and a good game of 'Hive'!
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Zahra, a Ph.D. candidate in Chemical Engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), Canada, earned her BSc in Safety Engineering - Health, Safety, Environment (HSE) and an MSc in Chemical Engineering-HSE. With a background encompassing five years of professional experience in consulting engineering after her MSc, she transitioned back to academia for her Ph.D. research, focusing on wastewater treatment and process control.
Her current research involves employing advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) to treat nonbiodegradable wastewater. Zahra's expertise extends to the degradation of water-soluble polymers in a pilot-scale photoreactor, where she is concurrently designing a control approach to maintain optimal operating conditions and desired effluent quality.
Recognized for her academic pursuits, Zahra has been honoured with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), Toronto Metropolitan University Graduate Scholarship (TMUGS), and Toronto Metropolitan University Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science (FEAS) Graduate Fund.
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Paloma is a Chemical Engineering PhD candidate at Toronto Metropolitan University, with experience in multiphase flow, mixing, and computational fluid dynamics.
During her undergraduate years in Brazil, she developed a strong passion for research that has continued to this day. During her Master's, she conducted research on the formation of flammable gas clouds in oil and gas companies. This research aimed to reduce explosion risks and accurately classify hazardous areas. In 2021, Paloma moved to Toronto to pursue her doctoral studies, and her current research focuses on gas-liquid mixing systems employing complex non-Newtonian fluids applied to bioreactor operations.
As a member of the CIC Toronto Executive Team, Paloma is dedicated to building connections within the chemistry and chemical engineering community in the Greater Toronto Area. Also, she is committed to assisting the team with academic events and promoting a supportive environment within the community.
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Armaghan is currently a 2nd-year PhD student in Impellizzeri's lab at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her research focuses on developing innovative materials, concentrating on the synthesis of photochromic metal-organic frameworks (P-MOFs) and exploring the potential of urea-based MOFs (TMUs). She earned her master’s degree from Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch in Tehran, Iran. Her master's thesis revolved around the innovative mechanochemical synthesis of Cu-MOFs, which she effectively applied as a catalyst in aerobic Chan–Lam coupling reactions.
With her role on the CIC Toronto Executive Team, she hopes to expand her horizons beyond academia, aiming to create connections beyond the academic world.
Outside of the lab, she is passionate about music, enjoys theater immersion, and maintains an active lifestyle by playing volleyball.
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Susannah is a University of Toronto Alumni with over 2 years of industry experience. Her research background involves developing polydopamine nanoparticles in the Dr. Sullan Lab for targeted biofilm breakdown and characterizing acylhdrazones for application as photo-switching molecules in the Dr. Woolley Lab. She works at a medical device company as a Research Associate to bring her experience as a chemist into real-world applications for the early detection of sepsis.
Susannah has been a committed member of CIC-Toronto for 3 years, starting as an executive-at-large to moving to the role as Public Outreach coordinator to expand her responsibilities. During her time at CIC-Toronto, Susannah has organized several career development workshops, industry tours, and an ongoing mentorship program.
This year, her main ambition is to build further connections with industry professionals in chemistry to connect them to our community. Other ideas she has is to lead more creative and engaging events that CIC-Toronto has not yet explored.
Outside of chemistry, Susannah is an avid foodie - always willing to try new restaurants in the GTA. Otherwise, you can find her at home scrapbooking and playing with her chinchilla.
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Julia, Marketing Lead at Kraken Sense, is passionate about bridging academia with industry to expand STEM-driven careers in Canada. In her current role, Julia engages with government stakeholders on biological and chemical detection for public health monitoring. She is eager to channel her extensive network and insights gained from these interactions into the CIC, enriching its impact and fostering meaningful connections for participants.
With a HBSc in Life Science from McMaster University and an MBiotech degree from the University of Toronto, Mississauga, Julia has gained diverse experience working in municipal government organizations and several startups, where she held technical and business development roles.
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Emma is originally from Victoria, BC, where she completed her BSc of Chemistry at the University of Victoria in 2022. With academic research experience in perovskite materials for solar cell and X-ray detection applications and industry experience synthesizing tin-based semiconductors, Emma made the move to Toronto to continue her education through a master’s of Molecular Science at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her current research is focused on the synthesis of organic dyes and their application in bulk-heterojunction dye-sensitized/organic solar cells.
Over the past several years, Emma has enjoyed volunteering as a Student Director for the Association of the Chemical Profession of British Columbia, as a VP of Professional Development for the Molecular Science Graduate Course Union, and as the Faculty of Science Director for the Toronto Metropolitan Graduate Student Union. She now looks forward to branching out into the GTA community as a member of the CIC Toronto Executive Team and building connections outside of academia.
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Sam is a PhD candidate in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Toronto, studying lipid nanoparticle drug delivery systems. She is also a co-founder and CEO of NorthMiRs, an early stage biotech startup developing gene therapies for the treatment of sepsis and related inflammatory conditions.
She has served in various roles at CIC Toronto over the years, but as internal events coordinator she hopes to foster more meaningful connections amongst the executive team and to maintain relationships with past CIC Toronto executives.
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Laxmitha, a first-year chemistry student at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), is excited to make her mark on the chemical community as she takes on the role of Internal Events Coordinator for CIC-Toronto.
With a passion for chemistry and a heart for community, she is eager to immerse herself in the world of chemical research and discovery. Beyond the classroom, Laxmitha dedicates her time to volunteering at the Ronald McDonald Charity House (RMCH) at Centenary Hospital, where she provides support to Pediatric and NICU patients and their families, embodying the values of compassion and community engagement.
Laxmitha brings with her a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm, and a fresh perspective. She is excited to collaborate with fellow members of the chemical community, organizing events that inspire, educate, and connect individuals across diverse backgrounds and interests.
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Jordan did his B.Sc. in chemistry at Ryerson University where he developed a passion for research. He is now a Ph.D. Candidate at York University with a focus on main-group chemistry for material and energy applications using redox non-innocent Lewis pairs.
In his spare time, when it exists, he enjoys cooking, video games, and wine.
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Adrian is currently attending the second year undergrad at Toronto Metropolitan University for Chemistry co-operative. Adrian have been apart of my local CCU (Chemistry Course Union) where they work to help students find a passion for chemistry.
Only in two years, Adrian have grown an interest in chemistry, more specifically in organic chemistry. Adrian plans to finish the undergraduate program by June of 2027 and expand further knowledge in a laboratory or in research.
Being fairly new to the chemistry field, Adrian is always eager to get involved with the community. Adrian is excited to get new insights of the chemistry field and explore different possibilities. Adrian is expressive, loves to collaborate and talk with anyone, and very optimistic.
Aside from my studies, Adrian is very artistic. In the free time from my education and part-time job, Adrian is a beginner makeup artist and pianist.
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Raj is currently working at LGC-TRC as a synthetic chemist. Prior to this, he worked as a post-doctoral research associate at University of Saskatchewan and University of Colorado, Boulder. During his post-doctoral research, Raj developed a novel glycosylation methodology which is a useful tool for the synthesis of various glycoconjugates. In 2013, he completed his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Memorial University of Newfoundland where he worked on applications of organocatalytic Michael reaction to synthesize indolizidine and quinolizidine alkaloids.
Raj wanted to serve the chemical community in Canada since his graduate school days. He found out about the CIC Toronto section's wonderful work from Trevor (Current Chair) at TRC which inspired him to join CIC Toronto and excited to volunteer for future events.
In his leisure time, Raj loves to watch cricket, tennis and playing with his sons.