Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto
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Alex Gabbey
Ph.D. Candidate, started September 2020  Alex was born and raised in the wild west of Edmonton, AB. She completed her B.Sc. in Chemistry at the University of Alberta in 2020 under the supervision of Dr. Rylan Lundgren, where she worked on enantioselective Pd-catalyzed decarboxylative cross-coupling reactions. As a Ph.D. student, Alex is working on Ni-catalyzed reductive couplings of NHP esters. When she's not in the lab, Alex enjoys baking, playing the piano, and cross-stitch. When she's feeling particularly ambitious, she pretends she is a runner and trains for half marathons. |
Katie Scotchburn
Ph.D. Student, started May 2021  Katie grew up in Whitby ON, before moving to Ottawa to complete her B.Sc. in Biopharmaceutical Science at uOttawa. While there, she worked on nickel-catalyzed cross coupling of methyl esters under the supervision of Dr Stephen Newman, and then transitioned to a co-op term in the lab of Dr Michael Organ, where she synthesized potential inhibitors of biotin biosynthesis for antibiotic applications. Katie’s research focuses on the synthesis and use of thionoesters in cross-coupling reactions. Outside of the lab, Katie enjoys vegan cooking, sci fi and fantasy, and working out. |
James Pearson
Ph.D. Candidate, started July 2021  James hails from Brantford, ON, but fled to Edmonton, AB to pursue post secondary studies. While in Alberta, he completed his BSc in Chemistry in 2018 at the King's University under the supervision of Dr. Kris Ooms, where he studied siloxy-functionalized polymers. He then completed his MSc in 2021 at the University of Alberta with Dr. Steve Bergens. During his MSc, he focused on the synthesis of photoactive NHC complexes. As a PhD student, he is focusing on asymmetric arylation reactions using metallophotoredox strategies. When not in the lab, James spends much of his free time working out, playing sports, hanging with friends, or meal prepping. |
Ben Chiu
Ph.D. Student, started May 2022  Ben was born and rasied in the lush rainforests of suburban Vancouver, British Columbia. He obtained his B. Sc. in Chemistry at the University of Toronto, joining the Rousseaux group in 2021 to complete an honours thesis project focused on developing a Ni-catalyzed reductive alkyne hydrocyanation reaction using an electrophilic cyanating reagent. Now continuing in the group as a PhD student, he is working on improving and expanding the chemistry of Ni-catalyzed reductive cyanation methods. Outside of the lab, Ben enjoys cooking, gaming, and longing for the North Shore Mountains.
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Sam Dudra
Ph.D. Student, started September 2022  Sam was born and raised in Surrey, BC, but decided to swap coasts to study at Dalhousie University in Halifax. There, she completed a B.Sc. in chemistry in 2022 under the supervision of Dr. Saurabh Chitnis, working on the development of novel P–N polymers. As an M. Sc. student, she is working on investigating and developing new nickel catalysts to be used for cross-coupling. Outside of the lab, Sam likes to hike, go to the gym, and explore the city in search of the best cup of coffee. |
Brian Doan
Ph.D. Student, started May 2023  Brian was born and raised in Vaughan, ON. He completed his B. Sc. in chemistry at York University in May 2020. During his undergraduate thesis, he conducted research under the supervision of Dr. Arturo Orellana, developing Pd-catalyzed allylation and dehyrogenative methods for 4-alkylpyridines. Continuing in the Orellana group, Brian received his M. Sc. in chemistry in August 2022, where he developed iridium-catalyzed allylation and pyridylic oxidation methods for 4-alkyl pyridines. As a Ph. D. student, Brian is working on the synthesis of alpha-alkoxy cyclopropyl boronates. Outside of the lab, Brian likes to rock climb, sing jazz standards, and dance. |
Teh Ren (Terry) Hou
M.Sc. Student, started August 2023  Terry was born in London, ON, and grew up in Taipei, Taiwan. He then came back to complete his B. Sc. in Biological Chemistry at the University of Toronto in 2023. Under the supervision of Prof. Mark Taylor, Terry studied the mechanism of the boron/Pd-catalyzed regioselective alkylation of azoles. Joining the Rousseaux group as a M.Sc. student, Terry is working on three-component cross-coupling reactions of NHP esters. Outside of the lab, Terry enjoys playing the guitar, cooking, watching movies, and playing video games. |
Marissa MacIver
M.Sc. Student, started June 2024  Marissa was born and raised in the small town of St. Thomas, ON. She completed her B.Sc. degree in Chemistry at McMaster University in 2024 under the supervision of Dr. Jakob Magolan. For her undergraduate thesis, she worked on synthesizing potential drug candidates and conducting SAR studies targeted against pathogens exhibiting antibiotic resistance. As an M. Sc. student, she is focusing on the development of novel methods fro the direct functional group conversion of tertiary alcohols. Outside of the lab, she enjoys playing sports, baking, skiing and playing card and board games with friends and family. |
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Julie Dang
M.Sc. Student, started June 2024  Julie was born and raised in Ottawa, ON. She completed her B.Sc. in Medicinal Chemistry in 2024 at the University of Waterloo. There, she completed her fourth-year thesis project under the supervision of Dr. Gary Dmitrienko synthesizing cyclobutanone analogues of penicillins to investigate their potential as inhibitors of the main protease of SARS-CoV-2. Joining the lab as an M.Sc. student, Julie is working on photochemical rearrangement to access borylated cyclopropanols. When not in the lab, Julie likes to read fantasy novels, play video games, and watch anime and TV shows on netflix. When amibitious enough, she tries to be a runner. |
Negin Nabavi
Ph.D. student, started June 2024  Negin finished her B.Sc. at Concordia University in Montréal in 2022. At Concordia, she worked on the regioselective mechanochemical synthesis of isoxazoles under the supervision of Dr. Pat Forgione. After completing her undergraduate studies, she moved to Toronto to work at Axios Research until she decided to pursue graduate studies. As a Ph.D. student in the group, Negin is working on the role of disubstituted malononitriles as nitrile-trasnfer agents in nickel-catalyzed cyanation reactions. When not in the lab, Negin enjoys working out, dancing, and outdoor activities. |
Bridget Henson
M.Sc. Student, started September 2024  Bridget was born and raised in Whitby, Ontario. She completed her BSc in Biochemistry and Chemistry in 2024 at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. There, she completed her honours thesis project under the supervision of Dr. Suzana Straus. This project involved synthesizing and studying antimicrobial peptides, working towards improving their potential as antibiotics. Joining the lab as an MSc student, Bridget is working on photochemical rearrangement to access borylated cyclopropanols. Outside of the lab, Bridget is a proud member of the varsity blues women's lacrosse team. She also enjoys playing tennis, hiking, and attempting to get enough sleep. |
Gabriella Petizian
Undergraduate Researcher  Gabriella was born and raised in the quiet suburbs of Etobicoke, Ontario, and is currently completing her BSc in biological chemistry. Previously, Gabriella worked under the supervision of Mark Lautens, synthesizing a variety of Inda(box) ligands used to improve the enantioselectivity of Chan-Lam type couplings. For her fourth year thesis in the group, she is strategizing the synthesis of acylsilanes to access photo-catalytically formed small rings. Outside of the lab, you cand find Gabriella in the climbing gym, doing yoga, or painting pottery with friends. |
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Livi Allen
Undergraduate Researcher  Livi was born and raised on the East coast of Canada and moved to Toronto in 2021 to start her B.Sc. in Chemistry at the University of Toronto. In summer 2023, she worked in the Taylor group on investigating new hydrogen atom transfer catalysts for site-selective C-H functionalization. She also previously worked in the Nitz Lab on the development of substrates for degradation of PNAG that define endo-glycosidase activity. As a member of the Rousseaux group, she is working on Ni/photoredox catalyzed couplings of NHP oxetanes for her fourth year thesis. Outside of the lab, she enjoys sailing, baking, hiking, and cuddling her two cats. |
