CPS Grad Spotlight - Leonardo Uribe Castano

Name: Leonardo Uribe Castaño

MSc or PhD Candidate: PhD Candidate

Location of Undergraduate Education: Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia

Name of the Lab at CPS: Barzda Lab

Selected Awards: CPS Teaching Fellowship 

Research Contributions: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=rKzL224AAAAJ&hl=en

Leo, please tell us about yourself and your journey as a PhD Candidate!

How did you come to UTM? What interested you to join a lab here?

For my doctorate studies I wanted to choose an exciting project, particularly one with relevant applications towards a positive impact on society. After speaking to Prof. Barzda and reading some of his manuscripts, I knew that his lab was the right place to be.

When did you realize that you wanted to pursue a graduate study?

Since high-school I always felt drawn towards physics. Shortly thereafter analyzing and solving interesting physics problems somehow became a fun hobby! After finishing my undergraduate studies, I felt the need to continue in that path. I really enjoyed pushing the frontiers of science through experimental research.

What are your research interests? Tell us few exciting things about your research.

I’m pretty interested in laser physics and its applications, such as nonlinear imaging. The capabilities of the technique we use are outstanding. Right now, we just demonstrated it is possible to differentiate between cancer and non-cancer tissues with more than 90% certainty.

What is your goal when you finish your degree?

After finishing my degree I’m excited to look for my next project outside academia, hopefully one with a strong social component.

What are some of your achievements you'd like to share?

The highlight definitely has to be receiving my doctorate degree after six long years! I’m also proud of my contribution over three years with the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union where we advocated for a better transit system and health care. Lastly, seeing the need for a coherent hub for optical research across the university, I co-founded the University of Toronto Optical Society (UTOS).

Do you have any advice for students considering to pursue graduate studies in research?

Many things can be said about pursuing a PhD. Perhaps the most important of all is to choose your supervisor wisely. Chat to their current and former graduate students. This is a relationship that goes beyond research; it is important not only to have a good academic match but also a strong personal fit. I’m enormously thankful to Prof. Barzda and his wife Nina for being there for me throughout all the ups and downs during my PhD.