u of t

About Kathy Zhuang (EngSci Machine Intelligence 2T2 + PEY)

Kathy is an undergraduate engineering student completing the Machine Intelligence major within the Engineering Science program and graduating in 2023. She has completed summer research internships at UC Irvine, the University of Toronto Intelligent Sensory Microsystems Laboratory (ISML) and the BMO Lab in Creative Research. She has industry experience at Huawei, where she completed her Professional Experience Year as a Machine Learning Research Engineer, and at Amazon as a Software Development Engineer Intern. She has also contributed to U of T Engineering's design teams as a 3D Object Detection Engineer with aUToronto and an Autonomous Rover Team Electrical Team Lead with the University of Toronto Robotics Association (UTRA).

Notable Quotes

• “Doing things I want to do instead of doing things I should.” - Kathy Zhuang
• “Before I know what I want to do, I always look for the one that gives me more opportunities.” - Kathy Zhuang, on decision making

Resources mentioned with Links 

1. Engineering Science Disciplines
2. Engineering Communication Program (ECP)
3. Intelligent Sensory Microsystems Laboratory
4. ESROP Engineering Science Research Opportunities Program)  - UofT
5. LeetCode
6. Cracking the Coding Interview Book & Website
7. STAR Interview Method
8. Book: Counselling for Toads: A Psychological Adventure
9. Distill.pub

How to get in touch with Kathy

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yue-kathy-zhuang/
• Instagram: kath.yue_z

Submit to our Suggestion Box if you have a great guest idea or request!

This podcast is supported by the Hart House Good Ideas Fund, the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, the Department of Chemical Engineering, and the Engineering Alumni Network, all at the University of Toronto.

Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/were-in-it-together. License code: AT02WGQJBZNM4PMH

About Professor Elham Marzi (BA, BIS, Masters, PhD - Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources at the University of Toronto)

Professor Elham Marzi graduated from the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources at the University of Toronto as a PhD with a specialization in human resources and organizational behaviour. Elham is now director of Engineering Business and the International Virtual Engineering Student Team (InVEST) program at the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering at the University of Toronto. She also teaches the courses JRE 420 People Management and Organizational Behavior and APS 500 Negotiation in an Engineering Context. 

Notable Quotes

• "My teaching philosophy is Einstein's Formula E = mc^2 : Engagement = motivate, connection and communication." - Elham Marzi
• "There is so much left to go....the world is bigger than I thought." - Elham Marzi

Resources mentioned with Links

• Basecamp
• Adam Grant  - Think Again and Originals Book
• Podcast – Adam Grant
• X-Culture
• POWER skills
• Toronto Public Library
• The Role of Empowerment on the Relationship between Flexible Work Arrangements, Work-Life Balance, and Job Satisfaction in the Canadian Public Sector - by Elham Marzi
• ISTEP - Institute for Studies in Transdisciplinary Education and Practice
• Engineering Business Minor
• InVEST - International Virtual Engineering Student Teams Program
• UofT Academic Appeals Board
• Faculty Council - Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering - Faculty Council Standing Committee
• Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management PhD Program
• Professor Joseph Wong - REACH Alliance

How to get in touch with Prof. Elham Marzi

• Email: elham.marzi@utoronto.ca
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elhammarzi

Submit to our Suggestion Box if you have a great guest idea or request!

This podcast is supported by the Hart House Good Ideas Fund, the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, the Department of Chemical Engineering, and the Engineering Alumni Network, all at the University of Toronto.

Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/were-in-it-together. License code: AT02WGQJBZNM4PMH

Cori Hanson has served at the university for over a decade, first as a residence coordinator at New College, holding other roles such as Assistant Registrar. She is familiar to many students as a former advisor in the first-year office, staff liaison of the Undergraduate Engineering Research Day (UnERD), and currently leading efforts in EDI (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) as the founder of the Engineering Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Action Group at U of T Engineering.

Notable Quotes

• "Learning is not one size fits all, and so goes for the university experience. More flexible and accessible experiences will be the way forward at every university and every program."  - Cori Hanson, on undergraduate learning.
• "The community is changing, and how do we make sure it's an inclusive space for everyone?" - Cori Hanson, on building an inclusive community.
• "(I) bring student leaders into a space and see what they do with it." Cori Hanson, on her most rewarding experience of working with FASE.

Resources mentioned with Links

Task Force and Action Groups and Initiatives

• Engineering Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Action Group
  • Towards inclusive practices session, overcoming imposter phenomenon
• Joint Task force on mental health academic advising
  • What student don’t understand is tapping into a system of support is big part of being a successful student
• Technology Enhanced Active Learning Community of Practice

First-Year and Upper-Year Resources

• Guide to First Year
• GEAR mentors
• EngCEOs
• Mental Health Academic Advising

Research Resources

• Learning abroad
• Summer Research Program within Engineering
• Undergraduate Engineering Research Day
• First-Year Research Fellowship
• Research Catalogue - Clnx
• UofT Engineering Undergraduate FAQ page

How to get in touch with  Cori

• email: cori.hanson@utoronto.ca

Submit to our Suggestion Box if you have a great guest idea or request!

This podcast is supported by the Hart House Good Ideas Fund, the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, the Department of Chemical Engineering, and the Engineering Alumni Network, all at the University of Toronto.

Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/were-in-it-together. License code: AT02WGQJBZNM4PMH

Introducing Peter Serles (Current PhD Candidate in Mechanical Engineering @ University of Toronto)

Peter Serles is a Ph.D. Candidate in Mechanical Engineering specializing in the Nanomechanics of Materials supervised by Dr. Tobin Filleter at the Nano-Mechanics and Materials Lab. He is a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholar (2020-2023) researching the nanomechanics of nanoscale-additive manufactured (nano-3D printed) components for nano-structural, robotics, and machine applications. He earned his M.A.Sc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto, and Bachelor of Engineering Science from The University of Western Ontario.

Episode Breakdown

• 00:00:48 Peter's story leading up to pursuing Ph.D. in Nano-mechanics at UofT
• 00:06:04 Nano-mechanics research: it's application and challenges
• 00:11:19 Choosing research as pathway comparing to consulting and design
• 00:29:11 Covid research re-start committee and science communication
• 00:33:06 System thinking as a researcher
• 00:45:18 Lightning Round
• 00:59:41 Continuing to grow : collaborating outside the field and closing the gap of communication between fields
• 01:05:37 Final advice for student and talked about importance of letting yourself struggle

Notable Quotes

• "Research is a rabbit hole with no bottom to it...If you go niche enough you will become the expert of your area."  - Peter Serles, on pursuing a Ph.D. Degree.
• “Science without communication is a nerd in the lab."  - Peter Serles, on system thinking as a researcher.
• "Your growth happens at the edge of your comfort zone."   - Peter Serles, advice for undergraduate students.

Resources mentioned with Links

• University of Toronto Research Revealed Gallery
• 10,000 PhDs Project
• Nanomechanics and Materials Lab at the University of Toronto Engineering
• Canadian Science Policy Centre
• RBC Olympians Program
• Shaping Science - Book by Janet Vertesi
• The Pleasure of Finding Things Out - Book by Richard Feynman
• Peter Principle
• Science SAM - Dr. Samantha Yammine, Science Communicator
• Vanier Graduate Scholarship
• Faculty Council Standing Committee (Governance at U of T Engineering)
• U of T Engineering - Design Teams
• Advice to a Scientist

Resources for Managing Research

• Mendeley - Reference Management Software
• ORCID - digital identifier for researcher
• Google Scholar

Articles about Peter

• CNano Tower by MIE PhD candidate Peter Serles featured in U of T's Research Revealed
• MIE PhD Candidates teach engineering concepts to kids at UofT's STEM Day
• Five UofT Engineering grad students awarded Vanier Scholarship in recognition of research impact and leadership

How to get in touch Peter

• Email: pserles@mie.utoronto.ca
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pserles/

Submit to our Suggestion Box if you have a great potential guest idea or some feedback!

This podcast is supported by the Hart House Good Ideas Fund, the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, the Department of Chemical Engineering, and the Engineering Alumni Network, all at the University of Toronto.

Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/were-in-it-together. License code: AT02WGQJBZNM4PMH

In this episode, Alicia Cuzner and Dwayne Matthews will discuss what an IEP is, and the misconceptions behind IEPs. Our hosts unpack the challenges behind getting an IEP made, as well as the stigmas behind IEPs and learning disabilities. Listen to find out more about what an IEP is, and how everyone should have one. This episode also includes a Post Secondary Spotlight on the University of Toronto, Mississauga Campus, and an interview with the U of T Diversity Recruitment and Admissions Officer, Oje Izerein.