Spilling the Tea on Research
WISE Presents: Spilling the Tea on Research
Join us on November 5th, 2025 (5:30–8:00 PM, GB202) for an evening of candid conversations about the realities of research in STEM!
This event is perfect for undergraduate students curious about research—whether in life sciences, engineering, computer science, or beyond. You’ll hear from both professors and graduate students through engaging panels that share challenges, accomplishments, and career journeys in research.
After the panels, stay for our networking session, where you can connect informally with panelists, ask questions, and explore potential research opportunities.
Light snacks and beverages will be provided. Don’t miss this chance to gain insider insights and make meaningful connections!
List of Panelists
Graduate Students
Sabrina Zhu – Medicine
Sabrina is a 2nd-year medical student at the University of Toronto, and is currently conducting clinical research in epilepsy. She completed her undergrad in the Pathobiology specialist and Immunology minor at U of T, and has previously published wet-lab and translational research projects exploring fields from pediatric brain cancers to 3D bioprinting.
Myesha Senior – Industrial Engineering
Myesha is a 2nd year PhD student conducting research focused on equity-centered design of digital mental health care tools and technologies for marginalized groups.
Samantha Unger – BME
Samantha Unger is a PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering at University of Toronto. Her research focuses on the development of wearable devices for cardiovascular monitoring which work well for all. She previously completed a BASc in Engineering Science at University of Toronto in the Biomedical Systems option with a minor in Artificial Intelligence.
Meghan Rothenbroker – BME
Meghan completed her undergraduate degree at McMaster in Health Sciences – Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization. She also completed my master’s at McMaster in Biochemistry under the supervision of Dr. Yingfu Li. Prior to starting her PhD she worked as a research assistant at Sunnybrook for Dr. Marc Jeschke. She is now in the 5th year of her PhD in Biomedical Engineering here at UofT in Dr. Leo Chou’s lab. Her PhD research is focused on engineering DNA origami nanoparticles for vaccine applications.
Prarthona Paul – TEP
Prarthona is a graduate student at the University of Toronto in Industrial Engineering with a collaborative specialization in Engineering Education. Her research focuses on the impacts of Artificial Intelligence Technologies on the engineering workforce, how they are transforming the way engineers work, and the implications of this on engineering education. Prarthona completed her undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto with a minor in Artificial Intelligence and Engineering Leadership.
Professors
Marianne Touchie – CivMin, energy, sustainability
Marianne Touchie, PhD, P.Eng. is an Associate Professor jointly appointed in Civil and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Toronto and Director of the Building Energy and Indoor Environment Lab. Dr. Touchie’s research focuses on reducing the environmental impact of buildings while improving the occupant experience, specifically in multi-family buildings.
Sarah Haines – CivMin, microbiology, human health
Dr. Sarah Haines is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering at the University of Toronto and the Principal Investigator of the Indoor Microbiology and Environmental Exposures (IMEE) Lab. She received her BS in Environmental Engineering and her MS and PhD in Environmental Science from The Ohio State University. Her research focuses on healthy and sustainable indoor environments, with expertise in indoor air quality and indoor microbiome, where she uses innovative methods to measure and mitigate pollutants and indoor exposures.
Shoshanna Saxe – CivMin, buildings infrastructure
Dr. Shoshanna Saxe is an Associate Professor in the University of Toronto’s Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering, and Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Sustainable Infrastructure. She investigates the relationship between the infrastructure we build and the society we create to identify opportunities – and pathways – to better align infrastructure provision with sustainability.
Morgan Hooper - UTIAS, teaching stream
Morgan Hooper recently joined the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS) as an assistant professor, teaching stream, cross-appointed to the Division of Engineering Science (EngSci). She graduated from U of T Engineering with a major in aerospace engineering and received her MS and PhD in Aeronautics from the California Institute of Technology (CalTech). Her research focused on experimental unsteady aerodynamics and fluid-structure interactions with views towards sustainable energy harvesting.
Event Schedule
5:20 - 5:30: Registration
5:30 - 5:45: Introduction
5:45 - 6:20: Graduate Student Panel
6:20 - 6:40: Light Refreshments & Graduate Student Networking
6:40 - 7:15: Professor Panel
7:15 - 7:30: Presentation on Research Opportunities
7:30 - 8:00: Networking