As one of the world’s leading research universities, U of T provides countless opportunities for students to engage in groundbreaking studies across various disciplines. For students interested in pursuing research, understanding how others have navigated their journeys can be inspiring and informative. Here, three U of T students and alumni — including myself — share our experiences and advice.
Hazirah Mohamad: PhD Student, Dalla Lana School of Public Health
Third-year PhD student Hazirah Mohamad reflected on her journey from an undergraduate honours thesis on racial stereotyping and youth delinquency to her current work in healthcare resource allocation and palliative care.
Palliative care is an approach that enhances the quality of life for patients facing life-threatening illnesses. “When you’re young, you think the world is your oyster, which is a great quality to have,” she shared in an interview with The Varsity. “You don’t get bound by limitations… you’re idealistic.”
One of her professors at the National University of Singapore ignited and nurtured her interest in research. Mohamad said, “It was part of a course — it was pure interest.” The fact that the professor trusted her enough to involve her in his work really encouraged her curiosity and confidence in research.
These formative experiences taught Mohamad the importance of having a mentor who believes in you. She noted that the most important thing for people new to research is to find a professor who is supportive of you as a person “and sometimes even if you don’t know where you need to be, but you have a supportive mentor, they will drag you over your finish line.”
Mohamad touched on the sense of vocation that draws many — including myself — into research. She reflected on the unique challenges of her qualitative work, such as navigating sensitive topics and the emotional weight of engaging with terminally ill patients. “When I see people suffering, I feel like there’s a point beyond my personal goals,” she shared. She recalled a patient participating in her research saying it gave their remaining time a sense of purpose, an experience she described as “euphoric.”
Brenda Li: Lab Manager, Rochman Lab
Brenda Li’s foray into research began at the end of her third year when she applied for a Research Excursions Program over the summer. Her first experience was with the Mahler Lab in U of T’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, where she participated in fieldwork surveying the community composition of Anolis lizards across elevational gradients in Puerto Rico.
“It was one of the best experiences of my life,” Li wrote in a text message to The Varsity and added that she learned an incredible amount, and even conducted a small independent project during her time there.
Currently, Li works as the lab manager of the Rochman Lab, where she contributes to several impactful projects. “[I’m] studying the effects of micro- and [macro-plastics] on freshwater benthic invertebrates and fish, the physical fate of microplastics within whole-lake ecosystems, and harmonizing methodologies for monitoring microplastics in ambient water,” she explained.
Li offered this advice to undergraduate students just getting started in research: “If you are unsure of what you are interested in, try different things, apply to the programs the university offers, or email professors to ask for opportunities. Build connections with [professors], grad students [and] go to office hours.”
Ungku Zoë Anysa: MSc Student, Rochman Lab
I began my research journey through the Arts and Science Research Opportunities Program (ROP) during my undergraduate studies in materials science at UTSG. During my ROP interview, the professor thought I hadn’t submitted my grades, and my stomach sank. I was ready to leave, convinced my low first-year GPA would disqualify me. Instead, they asked about my struggles, emphasizing growth and valuing my curiosity over numbers. My initial ROP experience transitioned me into a work-study role, which eventually became a project I continued and published.
After this foundational experience, I continued to do many research projects, ranging from biomimicry in materials science to fieldwork on plastic pollution — an area I am passionate about. I explored various research projects, from biomimicry to plastic pollution. I cold-emailed professors, had coffee chats, and reached out to those whose classes I enjoyed. After a summer fieldwork position, I asked about fall opportunities, and two years later, I’m doing my masters in the same lab.
As a master’s student, my research focuses on automating Raman spectroscopy, which is a technique that uses lasers to analyze microplastics in environmental samples. My ultimate goal is to develop an accessible automated workflow that provides detailed data on microplastic counts, polymer types, sizes, shapes, and colours; benefiting government, academic, and industrial research.
For students starting their research journey at U of T, the key advice I gathered is to stay curious and open to opportunities. Explore programs like the ROP, Research Excursions Program, and work-study options, and don’t hesitate to share your ideas with professors whose classes you enjoy. Be prepared to discuss how your interests align with their research.
If one professor says no, don’t hesitate to ask for advice or referrals to others who might align better with your interests. Persistence is key: professors receive hundreds of emails every day from prospective learners. Follow up on emails, and don’t be discouraged by initial rejections — many successful researchers have faced similar hurdles.
Additionally, it’s crucial to find a research environment where you feel comfortable and supported. If a particular lab doesn’t feel like the right fit, weigh the potential benefits of the experience against your well-being and time.
Research at U of T is not just about advancing your career but also about making meaningful contributions to your field and the wider community. By embracing these principles, you can make the most of the incredible opportunities available at U of T.
Editor’s Note (February 10, 2:44 am): This article has been updated to reflect that the first photo was taken by Virag Takacs, not Medha Surajpal.
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