Members of the facility

My name is James Moaddel and I am volunteering in the John L. Holmes Mass Spectrometry Facility for the summer 2023 Hydrosol Project. I am entering my final year at the University of Ottawa studying chemistry and hoping to gain more experience in the lab. Ever since I was a kid, I had a strong passion for science and have always had a heavy interest in the study of the environment we live in. Recently, the different ways we can save the future of our planet has become a strong interest of mine and I am hoping to continue to learn how we can work towards doing this. Working with hydrosols throughout the summer gives me insight on some of the chemical compounds that are found in plants, and the certain real world applications that hydrosols from plants have. I have learned how to prepare, analyze, identify and quantify different components of a sample using GC/MS.

My name is Rachael Lee, an international student from Malaysia currently in my fourth year of pursuing an Honours bachelor’s degree in chemistry at the University of Ottawa. Having the opportunity to volunteer at John L. Holmes Mass Spectrometry Facility not only allows me to develop my practical skills in analytical chemistry but also provides an invaluable platform for me to learn more about mass spectrometry and analytical chemistry. Moreover, with the aid of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry which allows examination of the chemicals contained in the hydrosols of various raw materials, I am thrilled to pursue analyzing additional plant samples using the methods I have acquired from this experience.

My name is Kiran Nandi and I’m a fourth year student in the BSc. Chemistry program specializing in Eco-Chemistry. I’m super excited to do my honour’s project with Dr. Curtis at the JLH facility so I can learn more about mass spectrometry and analytical chemistry! I love being outside, am very enthusiastic about environmental justice and have always been intrigued by plants and flowers, so the botany aspect of this project really interests me. For my project, I’ll be studying the chemical components of different kinds of pepper. Next year, I hope to pursue graduate studies in environmental analytical chemistry.

My name is Kadidja and I am a 3rd year student in biopharmaceutical science with a medical chemistry option. I will be a volunteer at the John L. Holmes Spectrometry Facility in summer 2023. I very quickly developed a certain fascination for science, especially around biology and chemestry. Finally, thanks to this placement as a volunteer in the laboratory and working on the hydrosol project, I have learned how to analyse, quantify coumpound using the GC-MS. I was also able to develop chemical analysis techniques to study the composition of the hydrosol.

Hi my name is Joseph Thottungal: I am an undergraduate student entering my second year of biomedical studies at the University of Ottawa. I am passionate about chemistry, biology and medicine. Lab experiences allow me to explore the efficiency of theory and how theory in textbooks becomes crytsallized in the real world.

Our group is working on hydrosols of many raw materials and analyzing the compounds within them using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. This project will hopefully provide us with helpful information on many spices and fresh plants: and how many natural materials can be beneficial for maintaining proper physical and mental health

My name is Sreejita and I just completed my first year in Health Science.

In high school I was exposed to the wonderful world of chemistry. And I really enjoyed it, so I was hoping to minor in it. My focus in the lab is on hydrosols (water soluble distillates from plants) and their components and analysing these molecules. I hope to learn more about their chemistry this summer to broaden my knowledge and get experience with the GC:MS.

Winter 2022

Hello my name is Hannah and I am an undergraduate student in my third year of an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Translational and Molecular Medicine. I have been assisting in research at the John L. Holmes Mass Spectrometry Facility for a year this Fall 2022. I love all things science which is why I sought out the opportunity to do research in this lab where we focus on using gas chromatography, liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify the chemical constituents found in hydrosols. In my spare time I am a Student Ambassador for the University of Ottawa where I give campus tours to students and I volunteer for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

My name is Eelana, I’m studying Biopharmaceutical Sciences and specializing in Med Chem. I love nature and taking pictures of everything I pass by on a daily basis. I like rainy and snowy days where you can stare out the window for hours!

KIRKNESS Student

My name is Amy and I am a grade 11 student from Labrador (May, 2023). I was given the opportunity to visit uOttawa for a week and learn about plant hydrosols. I have always had an interest in chemistry and its role in plants, so I am very grateful that I got to participate in this research. I worked with some grad students under the supervision of Sharon Curtis and Paul Mayer, and had one of the best experiences of my life with regards to academics. My goal for after graduation is to go into kinesiology, followed by physiotherapy. After this experience in the lab, on campus, and working with the wonderful people that I have met, uOttawa is definitely a possibility for my future. During my time at uOttawa, I got to study cedar in the Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences. We used microwave distillation/extraction to retrieve the hydrosol and prepared the samples. The samples were put through the GC/MS to discover the molecules present in the cedar hydrosol.

KIRKNESS Student

My name is Chloe Lushman and I am a grade 11 student from Happy Valley Goose Bay, Labrador (May 2023). Through the VJKF program, a program to allow Indigenous students to get hands-on research experience in a lab, I was given the wonderful opportunity to work with Sharon Curtis and some grad students in Paul Mayor’s lab at uOttawa. We learned about plant hydrosols. It has been an honour and a thrill to have worked on this project. It has surely been an experience that I will never forget and an incredible achievement to my academics. I am beyond grateful for my week spent in the lab.

My name is Emmy, I am 19 and I’m studying chemistry at the IUT of Montpellier in the south of France. Thanks to my institution I have the opportunity to carry out my internship at the University of Ottawa as a Visitor Research Student to take part in the Sharon Curtis Hydrosol project.

It’s a wonderful experience to develop chemical knowledge about odorant products, to gain more practical experience in analytical chemistry and to work in a multicultural environment with Sharon Curtis and some grad students in Paul Mayer’s lab.

All the knowledge I've gained is very fascinating and enriching in terms of realizing my dream of a career in perfumery.

Hello, my name is Naïmah SILAHI, and I am currently pursuing my Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, specializing in synthetic chemistry, at IUT of Montpellier in France. I am excited to share my internship project at the University of Ottawa, which involves analyzing coconut fragrance oil using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).The project focuses on the analyses of coconut fragrance oil using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Coconut oil has gained attention in Western medicine for its potential therapeutic applications in Alzheimer's disease and neurodegeneration caused by oxidative stress. Extracted from fresh coconut milk using a wet extraction process, our sample maintains its natural purity.

This internship opportunity at the University of Ottawa represents a pivotal step in my academic journey, allowing me to delve deeper into the study of plant extracts and contribute to advancements in analytical chemistry. I look forward to sharing my findings and insights with the scientific community.

Hi, my name is Alexandra and I am a French undergraduate student in the second year of a bachelor degree in chemistry. I am specialized in analysis and would like to work in green chemistry.

I am doing my internship at the University of Ottawa and work on the chemical composition of hydrosols. I hope to learn more about the functioning of the GC-MS but also how it is used to analyse samples. I am very excited about this opportunity that will allow me to develop my experience in analytical chemistry !

"My name is Eloïse Agnel and I am a 2nd year undergraduate student in chemistry in Montpellier, France. I am doing a three-month internship at the University of Ottawa and hoping  to gain more experience in the lab. During my internship, I will gain an understanding of how GC-MS allows compounds to be analyzed in various samples. We will use this technique to analyze hydrosols and essential oils to further discover the different odorous components. I have always been passionate about the cosmetics and perfumery industry, so this internship will be very enriching for my professional project."