2023-2024 Executive Team

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!

Shakiba is a 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 Industrial Liaison for the 2022 year for CIC-Toronto!

Throughout her undergraduate career, Shakiba completed two industrial co-op positions and worked in two academic labs. The areas of research ranged 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 chemist who is thrilled to share her network with the CIC Toronto chapter.

Apart from chemistry, Shakiba enjoys baking and exercise, with a particular interest in classic french pastries and then spin class to balance it out!

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.

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 Communications Officer, 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.

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!

Lya is a 1st year MSc student in the Lavoie lab at York University. Her research focuses on the development of various inexpensive, non-toxic, industrially competent and earth-abundant zinc(II)-based catalysts to polymerize lactide, a biodegradable plastic.

As Communications Officer, Lya hopes to develop and implement effective communication activities to grow a stronger chemistry community in the Toronto area and support the career exploration of chemists in the community.

Besides research, Lya enjoys working on her hobbies which vary from drawing, to reading, to sewing and dancing.

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!).

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'!

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.

Brian is a final-year PhD candidate in a nanomaterials lab at York University. His work spans from gold nanoparticles implemented as high-mass probes in mass cytometry imaging, to semiconductor Quantum Dots for organic photocatalysis. This work provides cost effective and robust alternatives to current methods and materials.

As a Government Liaison, Brian aims to facilitate stable relations between scientists and policy makers through virtual and in-person events. Subsequently, he hopes to contribute in bridging the gap between science and policy which will benefit both academic and public institutions.

Brian is and avid reader, plays soccer on weekends, and enjoys cooking.