Kifle Z. Aregahegn earned a B.S. in Chemistry (with a minor in Mathematics) and a M.S. in Molecular nano-photonics. He received his Ph.D. in atmospheric chemistry from the University Claude Bernard Lyon 1 in France in 2014. He has been working on many projects with different research groups, including postdoctoral researcher with Barbara Finlayson-Pitts at UCI, USA; Hartmut Herrmann at TROPOS, Germany; and Barbara Ervens at UCA, France. He loves solving challenging analytical problems in the lab and to learn new concepts and ideas.

Stephen has completed his BSc(Hons) in environmental chemistry at University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) and written his honours thesis with Prof. Myrna Simpson on the effects of different litter inputs on soil organic matter composition in a temperate forest. With plans to diversify his insight into environmental chemistry research, Stephen has joined the VandenBoer group in fall 2020 as an MSc student. He is currently developing new analytical methods for quantifying trace perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) in environmental samples.

Moxy joined the VandenBoer group in the Fall of 2021 as an undergraduate Honour’s thesis student with the intention to pursue Masters before entering into professional schools. She chose to continue her work for an MSc degree starting in September 2022 under the supervisor of Dr. VandenBoer. She is continuing her work with agricultural soil samples to study reactive nitrogen cycling, focusing on how biology (soil microorganisms) would lead to changes in soil emissions. Outside her studies, Moxy loves to hike and has been a trained Bharatnatyam dancer for 5 years.

Yashar has completed his HBSc in Chemistry at York university and joined the VandenBoer group in the summer of 2020 for an Honour’s thesis project, which focused on building a model description of dew and its influence on HONO interface exchange. His aspirations in large dataset analysis and modelling propelled him into continuing his research in fall 2022 as an MSc student. Yashar is currently bridging the gap between observed and modelled quantities of HONO by exploring a revised 1D model that can be used to predict HONO quantities, based on integrating known sources and sinks of HONO from literature. Outside of his studies, Yashar has a passion for astronomy and is a Piano instructor.

Irina first joined Dr. VandenBoer’s group in the fall of 2021 as an undergraduate for an Honour’s thesis project focusing on the measurement of trace perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) in aqueous samples. She completed her HBSc in Chemistry at York University and after some time off from school, Irina decided to pursue a Master’s degree and re-joined the VandenBoer Group in fall 2023 as an MSc student. She will be continuing her research on PFCAs in the environment, using advanced analytical techniques. Outside her studies, Irina enjoys hiking, camping and kayaking.

Emma graduated with her HBSc in chemistry from the University of Toronto in the spring of 2023. Her previous research spanned several topics related to interfacial reactions in the environment including heterogeneous chemistry on particulate matter and the partitioning of PAHs to air-water interfaces. Emma joined the VandenBoer group in the fall of 2023 to study halogen activation chemistry in the atmosphere. Outside of her studies, Emma enjoys crocheting and reading historical fiction books.

Eric completed his HBSc in chemistry at the University of Toronto. His previous research experience includes the parameters affecting the snow-atmosphere exchange of ammonia. He joined the VDB & CJY groups in the fall of 2021. His graduate project will be part of the groups’ work on transport and deposition of PFAS into at-risk Canadian whale habitat. Outside of his studies, Eric is a tennis instructor and a ski race coach.