Convocation Conversations: Temerty Medicine Research and Health Science Education Graduates Reflect on their Journey
On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine will proudly welcome its newest alumni at the Fall Convocation ceremony. Among the graduates are Songhee Back, Zoe K. Dimoff, Amanda Montana, Ido Nofech Mozes, Delaram Pouyabahar and Emily Xiong, whose academic journeys have been defined by resilience and growth.
As they prepare to cross the stage at Convocation Hall, they took a moment to reflect on their experiences, their next steps, and to share insights and advice for incoming students.
Songhee Back
MSc, Nutritional Sciences
What made you want to pursue a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences?
I first joined the Department of Nutritional Sciences in my third year of undergrad and was immediately drawn to the energy in the lab. Everyone approached their projects with genuine passion and curiosity. With their mentorship, I developed my critical thinking and research skills. That experience motivated me to pursue my MSc in the same department.
What were some of the greatest highlights of your time as a graduate student in Temerty Medicine?
Serving as President of the Nutritional Sciences Graduate Students’ Association (NSGSA) has been one of my proudest experiences. It gave me the chance to meaningfully connect with students, staff, faculty and alumni and bring our community together. From post-seminar dinners to spontaneous hallway chats, these moments made my graduate experience truly special.
What’s coming up next for you?
I’m currently working in marketing at a global medical device company. Every day, I apply the analytical and knowledge translation skills I developed during my MSc in a fast-paced, real-world setting. I’m excited to continue building my career in the medical device and pharmaceutical space.
If you could talk to your first-year-of-grad-school-self, what would you say?
I would tell my first-year-self not to compare my journey to anyone else’s. Everyone’s path looks different, and that is okay. I would remind myself to focus on my goals and not let pressure overshadow my curiosity. I am here to learn and grow, not to chase perfection or measure my worth by publications.
What advice do you have for incoming graduate students?
There’s so much more to graduate school than just publications. The relationships and connections you build along the way often become the most meaningful parts of the journey.
Zoe K. Dimoff
MSc, Nutritional Sciences
What made you want to pursue a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences?
I have long been interested in how nutrition influences health, which led me to explore how the gut microbiome interacts with diet to shape physiological and metabolic responses. Pursuing a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences and being a member of Dr. Elena M. Comelli’s lab, allowed me to develop the research skills needed to investigate these connections in depth.
What were some of the greatest highlights of your time as a graduate student in Temerty Medicine?
The research community at Temerty Medicine is incredibly well-connected and supported my academic and personal growth. One of my greatest highlights was receiving the Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, which allowed me to travel to Milan, Italy and collaborate with international experts in probiotic development. That experience expanded my technical skills and gave me a new perspective on scientific and international collaboration.
What’s coming up next for you?
I plan to transition into a role related to product development and regulatory affairs in the biotechnology and food science industry. I am excited to use the skills I gained during my graduate work to develop safe, effective, and evidence-based products that have a positive impact on public health and tangible benefits for consumers.
If you could talk to your first-year-of-grad-school-self, what would you say?
I would tell myself to embrace uncertainty and to trust the process of learning. Graduate school is not just about research, it is also about developing resilience, critical thinking skills and the ability to adapt to challenges. Every experiment, even the ones that do not go as planned, helps you grow as a scientist and problem-solver.
What advice do you have for incoming graduate students?
Take initiative and participate in the opportunities available to you. Collaborate with mentors or peers; you will expand your knowledge and make life-long connections. Most importantly, enjoy the journey. Your growth as a researcher often happens in the small, day-to-day moments of curiosity and perseverance.
Amanda Montana
MSc, Nutritional Sciences
What made you want to study maternal and infant nutrition?
I was first introduced to the field of infant and maternal nutrition during my undergraduate degree at U of T. I joined Dr. O’Connor’s lab as a summer student and investigated the effects of maternal weight status on human milk feeding outcomes. This sparked my interest in clinical applications of nutrition research that could support mothers and their infants.
What were some of the greatest highlights of your time as a graduate student in Temerty Medicine?
One of the greatest highlights of my graduate experience at Temerty Medicine was working in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where I built strong connections with researchers, physicians and patient families. I saw firsthand how research translates into real-world impact. I also enjoyed attending national conferences where I was exposed to the innovative work being done in this field.
What’s coming up next for you?
I recently began my first year of medical school at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University. The research experience I gained during my MSc gave me insight into patient care and strengthened my desire to work at the intersection of research and medicine. I look forward to bringing the skills and perspectives I gained throughout my graduate training into my future medical career.
If you could talk to your first-year-of-grad-school-self, what would you say?
I would tell my first-year self that everything happens for a reason and that everyone’s path looks different, and that’s okay. I often worried about what would come after my MSc, but I learned that taking a step back and trusting the process is just as important as working hard.
What advice do you have for incoming graduate students?
Believe in your abilities and the value you bring. Imposter syndrome is common but remember that you earned your place here. Celebrate your progress, ask questions and seek support when needed. You belong here and you can achieve amazing things.
Ido Nofech-Mozes
PhD, Molecular Genetics
What made you want to pursue a PhD in Molecular Genetics?
My decision to pursue graduate studies in Molecular Genetics was largely influenced by the research interests I developed throughout my undergraduate training. Completing a PhD let me harmonize my research interests, try new approaches and gain valuable experience.
What were some of the greatest highlights of your time as a graduate student in Temerty Medicine?
I enjoyed watching the growth of ideas into finished products and seeing all the twists and turns that came with that. I also appreciated working with students and faculty members and presenting at conferences where I was able to meet and discuss science with leaders in my field of study.
What's coming up next for you?
I am currently a first-year medical student at the University of Toronto. During my PhD I became interested in the translational potential of personalized medicine and precision therapeutics. I decided to supplement my research skills with clinical training to better understand the realities and challenges of bringing researching findings from bench to bedside.
If you could talk to your first-year-of-grad-school-self, what would you say?
I would tell my first-year self to have more patience. Research takes time and comes with many ups and downs, making it easy to burn-out. However, when everything comes together it will zoom by. Experiencing the highs and lows makes the process that much more satisfying.
What advice do you have for incoming graduate students?
I would advise incoming graduate students to try new things that are outside of your comfort zone. You may find a new field that you become fascinated with. Fully embrace your role as a trainee and learner, continue to try new things and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Delaram Pouyabahar
PhD, Computational Biology (Molecular Genetics)
What made you want to pursue computational biology?
I’ve always been drawn to interdisciplinary work and biology is the perfect playground for this kind of research. During my undergraduate degree, I became increasingly interested in how computational biology impacts health and the environment. That curiosity pushed me to pursue a PhD program.
What were some of the greatest highlights of your time as a graduate student in Temerty Medicine?
My favorite part of being a graduate student in Temerty Medicine was learning from researchers across so many different areas of biomedical science. The diversity of expertise made it a rich environment where I could collaborate with wet-lab researchers to explore how our computational work connected with real biological questions.
What’s coming up next for you?
I’m currently working as a postdoctoral fellow in the Goeva Lab at the Donnelly Centre. I was awarded the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fellowship and will soon move to the UK to continue researching how machine learning can help us understand biology.
If you could talk to your first-year-of-grad-school-self, what would you say?
I’d tell myself to be patient with the process. Grad school can feel like a race, but the most meaningful progress comes from being curious and focusing on learning. If you stay open and patient, the right opportunities and results will follow naturally.
What advice do you have for incoming graduate students?
Grad school, especially a PhD, is more of a marathon than a sprint. Try to build a sustainable work-life rhythm. There will be challenges so it’s essential to build a support network and take care of your mental and physical health. Developing resilience is just as important as building your scientific expertise. Mostly importantly, remember to enjoy the process. As a wise person once said, be bold, be brave and learn statistics!
Emily Xiong
PhD, Molecular Genetics
What made you want to pursue a PhD in Molecular Genetics?
During my undergraduate studies, I became interested in understanding how microbes interact with their environment and how they survive under stress. Completing a PhD gave me the opportunity to explore these questions with amazing mentorship from experts in the field. I also knew that if I wanted to pursue translational or applied science, whether in a clinical or industry setting, I’d need both the technical and critical thinking skills that a PhD develops.
What have been some of the greatest highlights of your time as a graduate student in Temerty Medicine?
The best part of my time as a graduate student in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine was the people. I was part of an incredibly smart, supportive, and collaborative group of students who showed up for each other, both in and out of the lab. It was inspiring to see my peers achieve remarkable success pushing science forward.
I also had mentors who shaped me, not only as a scientist, but as a person. I know I can always reach out to them for advice about research, career paths, or even life in general. I’m so grateful to have built those lifelong connections.
What’s coming up next for you?
Now, I’m working as a Research Coordinator at Shared Hospital Laboratory, which is the largest hospital-based clinical microbiology lab in Ontario. In this role, I design and run research studies to develop and validate assays for clinical use.
It’s a great fit for me because I get to apply experimental design, troubleshooting skills, and technical expertise to research that has immediate clinical relevance. Plus, I get to see how my work directly impacts real diagnostic workflows and clinical decisions which is incredibly rewarding.
If you could talk to your first-year-of-grad-school-self, what would you say?
I’d tell my first-year self that grad school is tough, and the early years can feel especially overwhelming when everything is new. But one day you’ll realize you’ve become the person that others turn to for help. It just takes time.
I’d also tell myself that imposter syndrome is real and everyone feels it at some point. Don’t compare yourself to others. Focus on learning, stay curious, and trust that you’re growing, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
What advice do you have for incoming graduate students?
Don’t be discouraged when experiments fail or projects take unexpected turns. Those moments often end up teaching you the most and some of the coolest discoveries have come from unexpected results.
Most importantly, lean on your community for support - your lab mates, friends, family, and even pets. Science can be hard, but it’s also rewarding, and the people around you make all the difference.
