Members of the facility

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.

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 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 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 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.

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.