Meet five future world-class innovators in this year’s Master of Science in Applied Computing (MScAC) cohort! Yasamin, Edward, Haochen, Maria, and Nathan have diverse backgrounds, and are excited to explore their passions in Toronto’s booming tech hub.
Discover what motived them to choose their concentrations, and the ambitious goals they’re working towards.
Name: Edward Chen
Undergraduate degree: Computing
Concentration: Data Science for Biology
What motivated you to apply for the Master of Science in Applied Computing (MScAC) program?
The MScAC program’s Data Science for Biology concentration allows me to focus on medical research, particularly genetics, which is why I decided to apply.
When I was a kid, I spent some time at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). It wasn’t for anything life-threatening, but I had to get multiple surgeries. Since that point in my life, I’ve met people who have other diseases and challenges, and seeing this firsthand developed my interest in what separates us as humans, what is in our genetics and why some people encounter these challenges. MScAC also gave me the opportunity to return to Toronto. I was born and raised in the Greater Toronto Area, so it’s nice coming home.
Could you describe your academic journey?
I graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Computing specialising in Biomedical Computing. During my undergraduate degree, I completed an internship at SickKids where I worked closely with human data, so information on human cells and genetics could be obtained from it. I liked the environment as well as the data I was working with and realized that I would like a job in a research-oriented environment, potentially in industry or maybe at a hospital.
How are you striving to make a positive impact with Data Science for Biology?
I aspire to become a bioinformatician, concentrating on the creation and deployment of innovative genomics analysis tools. My goal is to contribute to research on genetic diseases and help pioneer gene therapies that may be life-saving for future generations. My commitment is rooted in the belief that with the right blend of biological research and data science, we can leave a lasting impact on global health.
What are you most excited to experience as a student within the MScAC program?
I’m excited about getting to know this large academic community that includes all MScAC students. I think it’s great that MScAC students have our own space in the downtown core — makes it easier to maintain the connections that I made, and bonds that I built during Orientation Week.
This Q & A has been edited for length and clarity.
Name: María Alejandra Escalante
Undergraduate degree: Electrical Engineering and Software Engineering
Concentration: Computer Science
What motivated you to apply for the Master of Science in Applied Computing (MScAC) program?
The University of Toronto is world-renowned, and the MScAC program was the best option for what I wanted, something focused on research and industry. It also gives me the chance to explore my passion for robotics and web development.
Could you describe your academic journey?
I’m an electrical engineer and a software engineer. I’m from Colombia and graduated with a double major from the Universidad de los Andes.
How are you striving to make a positive impact with Computer Science?
My goal is to use machine learning to make life simpler and better for everyone. This could mean things like a better health diagnosis, smoother transportation, or more personalized services. I am striving to be an expert in my field capable of teaching and guiding others on their journey into this technology.
I aspire to attain a decision-making role where I can influence the integration of machine learning solutions in various sectors.
What are you most excited to experience as a student within the MScAC program?
I’m very excited for the applied research internship where I get to work for eight months.
I’m eager to take machine learning courses, especially Natural Language Computing and Computational Imaging. I chose courses that will allow me to explore machine learning, robotics and web development.
Have you had a chance to explore your new home away from home?
Yes! Toronto is a beautiful place. I arrived a month before classes started because I wanted to see the city and do a few tourist activities. I went to see the CN Tower and Niagara Falls. At Niagara Falls, I went for a boat ride and got wet from head to toe but it was amazing!
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Name: Nathan Gurrin-Smith
Undergraduate degree: Mathematics and Physics
Concentration: Applied Mathematics
What motivated you to apply for the Master of Science in Applied Computing (MScAC) program?
I decided to apply to the MScAC program because it has the internship component, which means it supports more than the academic career path. There is research being done in industry, and this program will help me to find and excel in the right position. Also, if I decide to go into academia later, this program gives me the ability to do so.
Could you describe your academic journey?
I studied math and physics as an undergraduate student at U of T. After graduating, I decided to take a gap year to think about how I wanted my future career to develop. During my gap year, I travelled to China, worked part-time at Mountain Equipment Company and then full-time at the Bank of Montreal. My work at the Bank of Montreal complements what I am hoping to gain from the MScAC program — a solid foundation to do excellent applied research in the computing field.
How are you striving to make a positive impact with Applied Math?
I am currently experimenting with computer graphics, quantum computing and computational social science. If I could work in one of those fields in the future and make a positive impact with the output, that would be incredible.
I think it’s also important to explore how you can lift others up. In my case, I could be a mentor to someone else in the field. I believe it’s important to talk to the people in your life — such as professors, family and friends — to help you clarify your thoughts on what you want out of life.
What are you most excited to experience as a student within the MScAC program?
Over the past two years, I’ve gotten more acquainted with the applications of the math I’ve been studying, and I’m excited to get a more in-depth look at these fields as part of the MScAC program. Also, I’m very excited for my courses! I’m currently taking a course in computational social science and another course in physics animation, both are super interesting!
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Name: Yasamin Nouri Jelyani
Undergraduate degree: Computer Science
Concentration: Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
What motivated you to apply for the Master of Science in Applied Computing (MScAC) program?
I was motivated to apply to the MScAC program because I’ve been aspiring to work with the concentration lead, Professor Anna Goldenberg. One of the advantages of being at the University of Toronto is that you can learn from the amazing researchers working in this area.
Could you describe your academic journey?
I began my journey at U of T as a Pharmacology major in the Faculty of Arts & Science. Pharmacology courses gave me a nice perspective on the challenges and current solutions that exist in health care. I was curious about computer science and decided to take a first-year computer science course. I ended up finding my passion in coding and solving problems using software. I switched my major to computer science, and took courses in Bioinformatics that helped me with data visualization and taught me software package development. All this knowledge was useful for the research that I did during my undergrad and beyond.
How are you striving to make a positive impact with AI in Healthcare?
I am very interested in harnessing the potential of AI to revolutionize health care. I aspire to be involved in transformative projects in generative AI such as Google’s Med-PaLM. I also hope to contribute to alleviating the systemic pressures on health care, improve access to care, and enhance diagnosis for patients. I am inspired by the work done at hospitals such as The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). I hope to develop and implement AI solutions that help improve patient outcomes.
What are you most excited to experience as a student within the MScAC program?
I am excited to work collaboratively on projects in my courses and learn from my peers and professors. Everyone is so passionate and skilled at what they’re doing! I am also excited for my internship. The internship component gives you an amazing opportunity to get your foot in the door at a company.
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Name: Haochen Paul Wang
Undergraduate degree: Engineering Science
Concentration: Quantum Computing
What motivated you to apply for the Master of Science in Applied Computing (MScAC) program?
I decided to apply because MScAC offers me the opportunity to take classes from multiple departments and not just the Department of Computer Science, unlike a traditional graduate program.
Also, the professors in the Department of Computer Science and Department of Physics are goldmines of knowledge. Some of them are even technical advisors to various quantum computing companies. Networking with them will help me to build and pursue my career in quantum computing.
Could you describe your academic journey?
When I was in middle school and high school, I watched a lot of documentaries and there was one where Stephen Hawking talked about aliens, time travel and his book A Brief History of Time. I think that’s what got me hooked onto physics.
I was living in China and my parents encouraged me to go overseas for university. My high school guidance counsellor recommended U of T’s Engineering Science program. Since then, I’ve been trying to work in a branch of physics. I have software skills too and believe quantum computing is best suited for my plans.
What are you most excited to experience as a student within the MScAC program?
I’m excited for the unique opportunities that MScAC provides its students. For example, the MScAC program provides a lot of networking opportunities. I’ve learned about the industry positions that MScAC introduces to its students, and these positions are tailor-made for us. I also look forward to my courses because I love learning new content.
Lastly, I love that we’re in Toronto because the city has a lot of trees and green patches. This is especially attractive to me because I like to run!
This Q & A has been edited for length and clarity.
