I was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, and graduated from high school a true multi-disciplinarian. I studied disparate fields (chemistry, math, English literature, music, geography, biology) and did all kinds of extracurricular activities (student council, concert band, school newspaper, world affairs club, math olympics), never settling into one thing, but I never really knew what I wanted to do with my life. My Ford Motor Company of Canada scholarship afforded me the opportunity to study somewhere, and I chose the most distant-from-home school I applied to: McGill University. To be honest, it was not about leaving home...it was all about Montréal – a vibrant, alive-at-night, multicultural and unfamiliar place I thought I would never tire of exploring – something which is true to this day.
I started out as a frosh in Douglas Hall, H-House, and made some of the best friends I have. Everyone I met was open and friendly, but also funny and smart, each in their own way, ready to engage the world and each other. We did a lot of homework together in the suites, and of course got into shenanigans now and then. By year's end, we had formed small groups of roommates which rotated a bit over the next few years, but it was still pretty much the same extended H-House gang wherever we went. Though many of us now live far away, we have maintained ties and try to meet up every now and then in person, having get-togethers that remind me of our days (and nights) on campus.
As McGill became more familiar, I saw what other people were doing, and chose to explore the many opportunities for extra-curricular enrichment. I found volunteering at Q-PIRG McGill [Quebec Public Interest Research Group] to be a particularly fulfilling experience: a great way to meet new McGillians, and also be part of social justice within the greater Montreal community.
As a student at McGill, I still struggled over whether the arts or the sciences were the best fit for me. I enjoyed learning new scientific concepts and getting experiments to work in the lab, but I never lost interest in reading and writing, whether it be Shakespeare in a contemporary manner, pulp fiction, or ideas about the world we live in. Some professors could relate, while others actively encouraged me to "pick a team," help me focus on one thing (and thus improve).
In the end, I opted not to choose. Instead, I merged my diverse interests into my own course of study. It took some negotiating, but working with both departments I molded a biphasic degree – Joint Honours, Chemistry and English Literature – that suited my personality and interests. The scientific training I received (when eventually paired with the right motivation) was enough to get me into and through a graduate school degree in chemistry, and into the world of biotech. The experience I gained at McGill in writing and composition helped me develop a clear communication style which has made a significant impact on my scientific career, in particular for writing manuscripts and answering peer-reviewer questions.
After living on the west coast for over a decade, I moved to the east coast where I knew almost no one. Finding myself close to Montréal again felt like a return to form, and I joined the McGill Alumni Association of Boston to meet some like-minded individuals in my new home. I stay involved with the University now because I want to help McGill graduates in the Greater Boston Area find each other and build networks in various professions. As a scientist and hiring manager, it is great to have access to top-notch talent, and a McGill degree goes a long way in that department. I remain invested in wanting to know who we are, what we are doing, and how we can help each other.