Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainable Chemistry • McMaster University
Bio
Annie graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainable Chemistry, as well as a Concurrent Certificate in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) in 2025. Sustainable Chemistry was in its second year of existence when Annie first joined the program, it was designed to meet the needs of the current industry and the world's desire for more sustainable processes. Her certificate in GIS was also an important component of her undergraduate career, where she learned to map and analyze environmental processes such as wildfires, raster data of lake flows in North America, and vector data of different roads using census subdivision data.
Annie’s time in Sustainable Chemistry culminated in an undergraduate thesis with Professor Gillian Goward, analyzing the potential of different cathodes in zinc-ion batteries using proton NMR to determine their problems and potential solutions. This research is used to push forward the idea that zinc-ion batteries could be used for grid storage of renewables in lieu of more toxic alternative batteries like lithium-ion batteries and lead-acid. This research was presented as a poster presentation in the Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition of 2025, and won in the Sustainable Battery category. This topic is what sparked Annie’s interest in renewable energy, and she hopes to work in that field in the future.
Annie’s professional experience includes two co-op terms as well as a research grant from the Audrey Cameron Award of Academic Excellence. The research was about the effects of wildfire smoke on impermeable surface such as glass in urban zones, and how that may affect the health of residents over time. Her first co-op term was with Environment and Climate Change Canada, where she analyzed greenhouse gas emission records of companies in Canada such as Bruce Power and Dofasco. Her second internship was in the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, where she assessed environmental, social, and economic impacts of public and private projects in Canada such as Highway 413, and the Springpole Gold Mining Project. These experiences really solidified Annie’s desire to work in industries that can create real change in the world of sustainability, and she hopes that her future career will be one that makes a meaningful difference.
In addition to professional endeavors, Annie was heavily involved with McMaster Extra Life, a games-based charity club where all proceeds are donated to the McMaster Children’s Hospital. As the Co-President last year, and a Senior Advisor in her final year, she gained many skills related to management and leadership. In her co-presidency, she lead a team of approximately thirty people and ran multi-day fundraisers, which honed her skills in project management, organization, and critical thinking amongst such a large team with complex events. Over the past three years, she has helped raise approximately $16,000 in donations for the McMaster Children’s Hospital, and hopes to continue volunteer work in the future.
Annie enjoys playing video games in her spare time, and also likes to play the piano, swim, and is interested in Chinese Calligraphy.