Meet the Grad Students!
Matt DaCosta
2nd year PhD student
Contact: matt.dacosta@utoronto.ca
Ghazal Sayad-Haghighi, M.Sc.
1st year PhD student
Contact: ghazal.haghighi@mail.utoronto.ca
Ghazal is a first-year PhD student in the Fekl Group. Her research focuses on the design and development of nanodiamond–adamantyl metal complexes, with an emphasis on understanding their structure, reactivity, and potential applications in inorganic and organometallic chemistry. Ghazal completed both her undergraduate and master’s degrees at York University. For her undergraduate thesis, she worked under the supervision of Prof. Morin, where she synthesized and characterized TiO₂-based nanomaterials for their photo-oxidation activity and surface reactivity, sparking her interest in the interplay between inorganic structures and their functions. Between degrees, Ghazal spent several years working in industry, gaining hands-on experience in the pharmaceutical, membrane technology, and surfactant formulation fields, which strengthened her appreciation for the practical applications of chemistry. Outside the lab, Ghazal is passionate about American muscle cars, traveling, and exploring new cultures, most often found somewhere in South America when she’s not in the lab. She’s also a lover of languages and conversation, fluent in English, Spanish, and Persian.
Meet the Undergrads!
Irfan Zaman
ROP Undergraduate student
Contact: irfan.zaman@mail.utoronto.ca
Irfan is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto Mississauga, majoring in Biological Chemistry and aspiring to pursue a career in medicine. Endlessly curious, he enjoys learning about anything and everything he encounters, especially when it involves chemistry. To share his enthusiasm for the subject and foster a sense of community, Irfan founded the UTM Chemistry Club and serves as an executive member of the Erindale Chemical and Physical Sciences Society. His passion for teaching and mentorship also extends into his roles as a tutor and teaching assistant. When he’s not immersed in academics, Irfan enjoys playing video games, particularly challenging single-player titles that reward persistence and skill. A self-proclaimed foodie, he loves discovering new cuisines and recreating them in his own kitchen. His love of travel ties it all together, as he’s always eager to explore new cultures, meet people, and learn about the world one adventure at a time.
Olivia Visentin
CHM489 Undergraduate student
Contact: olivia.visentin@mail.utoronto.ca
Olivia is an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto Mississauga, studying Forensic Chemistry. She joined the Fekl group for her love of chemistry and coffee. Olivia is currently working on her thesis for the crystallisation and structural characterisation of bulky diadamantyl magnesium compounds. Outside of the lab, Olivia is usually playing squash and golf, gaming or cooking steak. Olivia keeps busy as President of the Craft Club and an executive member of the Chemistry Club. Her favourite activities are streaming on Twitch and running Bingo nights at her local retirement community. Olivia loves learning and connecting with people, which is why the Fekl group is an ideal fit for her!
Khai Nguyen (he/him)
ROP Undergraduate student
Contact: tankhai.nguyen@mail.utoronto.ca
Khai is a fourth year undergraduate student at University of Toronto Mississauga, specializing in Chemistry and minor in Math. Under the supervision of Prof. Fekl, he investigated a computational prediction of a synthesis route to Adamant-triyl-Titanium species last summer and currently researches on frustrated lewis pairs (FLPs) via quantum simulation. His passions besides science are listening to classical music, watching gameshows and YouTube Videos.
Katinka Miklossy
Work-study undergraduate student
Contact: katinka.miklossy@mail.utoronto.ca
