Chemistry Student Q&A: Victoria Levy

We spoke with Victoria Levy, a fourth-year Biological and Pharmaceutical Chemistry student, about her experience at the University of Guelph (U of G). Victoria is working on her undergraduate thesis project studying the formation of 1:1 cocrystals through hydrogen bonding, supervised by Dr. Lara Watanabe, Dr. Kathryn Preuss and Dr. Robert Reed. Levy will head to Germany this summer for a research internship at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, studying in the Medicinal Chemistry group.

What made you choose U of G?

I was initially interested in U of G because of its beautiful campus with a friendly, close-knit community, as well as the top-tier research facilities. This was important for me since I chose the Biological and Pharmaceutical Chemistry program, and I wanted to know that I would have a variety of opportunities open to me, including research. My favourite part about my program is how the professors come from unique backgrounds in STEM with different industry experiences. Learning from different people and perspectives is important in science, especially for learning different lab techniques to work efficiently and confidently in lab settings. What also interested me about my program was the pharmacology courses I got to take at Seneca Polytechnic Institute, where I got hands-on experience in the pharmaceutical industry. 

Tell me about your co-op experiences. What skills did you gain and what industries did you explore?

My first co-op experience was a 4 month-term at Swift Current Research and Development Centre in Saskatchewan with the Pulse Pathology group. This was my first time working in a professional lab setting, and I learned to work confidently by myself and with a team. Here, I was given my own project working in microbiology. I got to structure my lab days and define the purpose of my project with the guidance of my supervisors. Working in a lab group helped me learn to take feedback and improve my teamwork skills.

My second co-op experience was an 8-month term at Environment and Climate Change Canada in the Emergency Sciences and Technology sector. Here, I worked in oil chemistry and learned how to prepare and extract samples of oil contaminants, conduct quality control, and create data reports. This job helped me gain a unique understanding of chemistry, particularly in hydrocarbons. I learned a wide variety of lab techniques that I wouldn’t have gotten in an undergraduate lab course and improved my personal confidence in the lab. This co-op helped me decide that I wanted to pursue research and further my education.

Tell us about your summer research abroad opportunity.

I am going to Karlsruhe, Germany this summer to be a research intern at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology working in the Medicinal Chemistry group. This opportunity is from the Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE) Germany program. I’m so excited to explore research in a new country, where I’ll not only gain further lab experience, but also have the chance to travel and immerse myself in a different culture. Continuous learning is important to me, and this experience will help me further develop my chemistry knowledge and lab skills—both of which will be beneficial to my career.

How has your program helped you develop your career pathway?

I originally didn’t know about many career options in STEM that interested me besides dentistry. I picked my program because of its unique blend of biology, chemistry and pharmacology. I thought this would be a great undergrad program before going to dentistry school to pursue a career in pediatric orthodontics like I always wanted. When I got to university and took the chemistry and pharmacology courses, my focus shifted to wanting to go to pharmacy school instead and become a pharmacist. However, through my lab opportunities and co-op terms, I realized that my skills and interests were actually a great fit for research, and I discovered my passion for understanding the why behind science. 

As a student graduating this December, what advice do you have for other chemistry students looking to develop their career and prepare for grad school applications?

Looking back on my time at U of G, I’ve realized that getting involved and staying determined can take you far in the STEM industry. This university offers so many opportunities to learn and grow, so I recommend taking advantage of them. Persevere through challenges, seek out new experiences, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Connect with your professors and build relationships with peers and faculty. These connections will be valuable, whether you’re pursuing a career or applying to grad school and looking for research opportunities.