Members of the facility
From time to time we have research projects and employment opportunities. These allow students and employees to gain valuable experience in Analytical Chemistry and in particular, Gas Chromatography and Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry.

Research Opportunities

Under Graduate Student Research Award.
I'm Rose Anderson-Duvall, a USRA recipient. I applied for the award in the fall on the NSERC website after seeing Professor Mayer present the research that goes on in the lab. As an avid plant and chemistry lover, the hydrosol project in particular excited me. The chance to spend my summer not only working with plants but also getting experience with analytical chemistry was an opportunity I jumped at. The knowledge gained from working here will surely be invaluable as I pursue a career in research.
Rose went on to win the 2023 Trent Conference in Mass Spectrometry prize for the best presentation.
Xinyu Cheng
Summer 2022
I am a Master student studying in Instrumental Chemical Analysis at Trent University. I gained hands-on experience with analytical techniques such as HPLC, GC, MS, ICP-AES, voltammetry, etc. I also have experience with method development, sample preparation, instrument maintenance and repair. Moreover, I have a good understanding of quality assurance, quality control, and international standards (ISO 9001 and ISO 17025). I am currently working on a hydrosol project focusing on developing a robust hydrosol extraction and GC-MS characterization method.
Abigail Bezanson
Summer 2021
I am Abigail Bezanson and I am studying Biomedical Science at the University of Ottawa. In the summer of 2021, after my first year I had the opportunity to work in the John. L. Holmes Mass Spectrometry Facility. During my time there I analyzed a variety of essential oils for terpenes and terpenoids via Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. In addition, I attached a chiral column to the GC:MS and created a method to analyze enantiomers, thus separating any chiral molecules. This method is still in place in the lab.
Sarah Osterholm
Sarah worked as a technician in the mass spectrometry facility, where her work focused on analysing samples using electrospray ionisation. During her time she also learned to use HPLC, and refresh her gas chromatography knowledge. As well, Sarah enjoyed learning about aromatherapy, essential oils, and all the different scents that Sharon had around the lab! Sarah now works as the X-Ray facility technician for the Department of Chemistry here at the University of Ottawa.

COOP Student 2023
Hi, my name is Serena Bezanson. I’m an undergraduate student at the University of Ottawa studying Biochemistry. I’ve been interested in science and experiments since I was young, when my siblings and I would watch MythBusters on the Discovery Channel. Each episode a commonly believed theory was proved or “busted.” I think I especially loved it when they blew something up. Thankfully nothing was blown up in our hydrosol lab this summer. My part of the experiment was focused on cloves, which is one of my favorite spices. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, hiking, and finding the best ice cream places in Ottawa.
I am also working closely with Tony Durst to identify the chemical components of the fruit peel of the Pleodendron costaricense tree, from Costa Rica.
More information can be found here:
Pleodendron costaricense - Arboretum (osa-arboretum.org)north_eastexternal link
Joey Li Summer 2024
My name is Joey Li, and I am volunteering in the John L. Holmes Mass Spectrometry Facility in summer of 2024. I just finished my first year of Biomedical Science at the University of Ottawa, and I am going into my second year in September 2024. I volunteered in this lab with the goal of gaining more experience in the field of chemistry and getting an insight into research. My ultimate goal is to get admitted to medical school, where I wish to specialize in rheumatology so I can help improve the lives of those unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with autoimmune conditions. Volunteering in this lab not only allowed me to apply the skills I have learned in my first-year chemistry classes, but also allowed me to explore the diverse world of mass spectrometry and its vast range of applications in science research. Throughout the course of the summer, I learned how to prepare and analyze samples, identify and quantify different compounds in the samples using both the GC-MS and LC-MS, and the fascinating ways in which mass spectrometry instrumentation works

Batoul Summer 2024
Summer 2024

Monica summer 2024

James Summer 2023
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.

Rachael Lee 2023
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.

Kiran Summer 2023
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.

Kadidja Harbi summer 2023
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.

Joseph Thottungal 2022
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

Sreejita 2022
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.

Hannah Deyell 2022
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.

Eelana Surendran
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!

Amy Cooney
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.

Chloe Lushman
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.
Visiting students for 3 months spring 2024.

Essential Oils and Fragrance Oils
Amina, Alexandra, Eloise, Emmy and Naimah, from France, spent the summer analysing and comparing the hydrosol, essential and fragrance oils of a variety of plants. Using GC-MS and LC-MS.

Emmy Spring 2024
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.

Naimah Spring 2024
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.

Alexandra Spring 2024
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 !

Eloise Spring 2024
"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."

Amina Spring 2024
Hii,
My name is Amina, and I am 21 years old. I'm in my second year of pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering with a specialization in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Montpellier in France.
Currently, I am undertaking my second-year internship at the University of Ottawa. This choice aligns with my career aspirations in the cosmetics and perfumery industry. The focus of my internship revolves around hydrosols, which complements my academic journey perfectly. During this internship, I will be conducting GC-MS analyses on these hydrosols, allowing me to deepen my understanding of analytical techniques in this field.
Contact Us
Chemical facility
Sharon Curtis
sharon.curtis@live.ca
D'Iorio Hall - Room 124
Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5
Tel: 613-562-5800 ext. 604