I joined the Wilson Group in 2022 as a graduate student. I'm currently investigating quantum dot-sensitized photon upconversion in solid-state devices while also doing some optical spectroscopy on the side. I believe green chemistry is essential and of utmost importance for the pursuit of science, as well as in terms of finding solutions to many widespread issues. I'm excited to coordinate this year's symposium and continue the tradition of connecting, reflecting on, and advancing green chemistry across Canada and beyond.

I am a PhD candidate in the Lautens group focused on developing trifluoromethyl reagents that are safer and more reactive to currently available sources. This is my fourth year with the GCI and second year as co-chair. I am excited to continue our work with our new exec team!

My name is Jacob Przywolski, and I am a 3rd year PhD student in Dwight Seferos’ group. I work on ionic polymer materials for use in CO2 conversion technologies, thus allowing for the formation of renewable fuels. I’ve been in the GCI since 2023, and have previously acted as the Secretary and Trivia Coordinator, as well as the Outreach Coordinator for the 2025 GCI Symposium. I’m now the Seminar Series coordinator, and I’ve invited several interesting speakers spanning academia, industry and government!

I’m a fourth year undergraduate student studying Environmental chemistry and Biology with a focus in Green Chemistry! I’m currently completing my CHM395 research project in the Taylor group, where I am developing a predictive model for relative rates of hydrogen atom transfer under photolytic conditions. This is my third year with the GCI and first as an executive member. I’m excited for the year ahead!

I am a first year graduate student in the Polymers and Materials Chemistry program. My current research focuses on developing a self-driving lab for polymer degradation. This is my second year with the GCI, and I am excited to be part of more cool initiatives and activities!

My name is Olivia and I am a PhD student in the Edgar Lab and on Team Tran working on polymers for biomedical applications. I joined the GCI to learn more about applying green chemistry to my own research and how we can encourage others at UofT to adopt more accessible sustainable practices. I am working as the symposium coordinator for the 2025-2026 academic year!

I am a third year PhD student in the Lautens lab (Organic Chemistry). My research focuses on metal catalyzed transformations to access novel compounds. This is my second year with the GCI and my first as the Energy and Waste Reduction Coordinator. I'm excited to help spread green chemistry at UofT!

I am a first year graduate student within the Lautens group currently focussing on carbohalogenation, as well as new techniques in nitrene surrogacy. Part of my motivation in this research is enabling the formation of C-N bonds and complex one-pot assemblies through greener processes. This is my first year with the GCI, working with Armaan to enforce closed fumehoods!

I am currently a 5th year PhD student in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto. My research focuses on the holistic approach for synthesizing small organic molecules in a sustainable fashion to replace petrochemical-sourced raw materials in organic synthesis. The final goal of my research is to integrate these targets into modern technologies to allow for the sustainable fabrication of organic solar cells, medical imaging technologies, and industrially relevant dyes and pigments. As the Website Content Coordinator, I hope to continue to spread awareness of the GCI’s events and initiatives in the coming year!

I am a second-year PhD student in inorganic chemistry in the Korzynski group at UTM. My research focuses on modifying metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) using inorganic chemistry techniques to develop novel platforms for heterogeneous catalysis. This is my second year with GCI and I look forward to getting UTM more involved and introducing some new initiatives!

I am a second-year Master’s student in the Murphy group (Environmental Chemistry), where my research focuses on developing a low-cost sensor to monitor ammonia concentrations/emissions in poultry farms. This is my second year with GCI as the Social Media Coordinator, and I’m excited to continue promoting green chemistry at UofT and to the broader chemistry community!

I am a 3rd year PhD student in the Korzynski group. My research focuses creating functional solid-state materials by applying a surface organometallic chemistry approach to the immobilization of lanthanide complexes in metal-organic frameworks. This is my 3rd year with the GCI, previously serving on the symposium committee, and I am excited to continue contributing to the GCI and green chemistry in general.

I am a 5th-year Ph.D. candidate in the Seferos group, focusing on green energy materials. Previously, I served as seminar and symposium coordinator. I am still very excited (this is my 5th year in GCI) to continue working for GCI and encourage everyone to join!

John De Backere earned his B.Sc. in Chemistry and Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from McMaster University in 2018. John's university teaching career began at the University of Toronto in 2019, and in 2021 he was appointed to the teaching-stream faculty. His teaching primarily focuses on inorganic chemistry and the first-year general chemistry courses. His research interests are centered around the fields of Inorganic chemistry and chemistry education, in particular aspects of laboratory instruction, including incorporating green chemistry and sustainability practices, course-based research experiences, as well as interests in developing/incorporating innovative learning technologies.

Grace is a first-year chemistry PhD student researching battery materials in the Seferos Group. This is her first year with the CGI, and she is excited to organize sustainability initiatives that will help all lab researchers develop a “greener” mindset!

I am a first-year PhD student in Polymer and Materials Chemistry working in Prof. Helen Tran’s research group. My current research is on the development of carotenoid-based semiconducting polymers with enzymatic degradability.

I am a third-year undergraduate student in Biological Chemistry with a Focus in Green Chemistry. I am excited for my first year with GCI and promoting sustainable practices in chemistry!

I am a third year undergraduate student pursuing a Biological Chemistry Specialist with a focus in Green Chemistry. This is my first year with the GCI.

I am a first year Master’s student in the Frank Gu Lab, focused on the preparation and study of formulations. My current research focuses on automating how formulations can be prepared. This is my second year working with the GCI and I’m excited to help promote green chemistry!

I'm Sarah Liu, a third-year undergraduate in the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Specialist program. I'm very passionate about drug and cancer research, as well as sustainability. This is my second year as a member of the GCI and I'm excited to help spark the excitement for Green Chemistry and make a lasting impact by spreading knowledge in creative and meaningful ways!

Hi this is Cici Yue. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring Environmental Chemistry and Forest Conservation Science. This is my third year in GCI. In the past year I volunteer in Green Chemistry symposium (2024). I wrote blog posts about experiments and new discoveries on Green Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry. I believe green chemistry is essential to the development of chemistry as well as environmental pollution. I am excited about learning and promoting green chemistry in our community.

I am a second year PhD student in the Seferos group and my research focuses on batteries and energy storage using organic materials. This is my second year being a member of the GCI and I am excited for all the great and exciting initiatives this year.

I am a third-year student in the Chemistry Specialist program. My passion lies in synthetic chemistry, and I am currently working on site-selective transformations of carbohydrates in the Taylor group. This is my first year with GCI, and I am excited to contribute to advancing sustainability in chemistry!

Hi, I’m Karen, a third-year undergraduate student specializing in Material Science. I’m passionate about discovering and developing innovative, sustainable materials, and strive to advance green chemistry awareness in academia and industry.

Hello! I’m Victoria, the Teaching Laboratory technician for the Dept. of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry (I wear a pink lab coat, so it’s hard to miss me running around Lash Miller)!

I earned my BASc. in Chemical Engineering from UofT in June 2022 and started working here in August 2022 (couldn’t get enough of UofT!). I was very passionate about “green engineering” in my undergrad, especially in the oil and gas industry. In my 4^th year I published a research paper with two other peers that highlights the future of oil and gas in the next 25 years, and the need for this industry as a whole to shift towards cleaner and greener technologies!