Research Team

PhD Candidate

• MSc Molecular Science, Toronto Metropolitan University (2021)
• BSc Chemistry Co-op, Toronto Metropolitan University (2019)

Rachele previously did her master's under the supervision of Dr. Foucher and Dr. McWilliams, with a thesis focused on preparing new polystyrenic onium and substituted thionylphosphazene antimicrobials for hospital settings. For her doctoral studies, she will now be exploring the functionalization of lignin products to make sustainable resins in collaboration with Dr. Sacripante. When not in the lab, Rachele can often be found attending a concert or musical theatre production, solving puzzles in an escape room with her friends and labmates, or playing Animal Crossing or Pokémon on the Nintendo Switch.

rachele.carafa@torontomu.ca

MSc Candidate

• BSc Chemistry, Toronto Metropolitan University (2022)
  

Liam previously did his undergraduate thesis with Dr. Foucher on the synthesis, application, and evaluation of quaternary ammonium compounds for their potential use as antimicrobial coatings in clinical settings. He will be continuing that work as a master's student, working towards the covalent bonding of quaternary onium antimicrobials on cotton. Liam is a proud blood donor and enjoys playing tabletop RPGs.

liam.brennan@torontomu.ca

MSc Candidate

• BSc Biomedical Sciences, Toronto Metropolitan University (2023)

Christele previously did her undergraduate thesis on reproducing sulfonamide-based quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) on cotton, which complemented Liam's project. Under Dr. Hausner's co-supervision, she will expand her horizons by finding evidence that QACs degrade and fragment bacterial genetic material. Her master's project aims to investigate three research foci: biocidal persistence for effective biofilm reduction, horizontal gene transfer mitigation, and the potential for it to be a universal antimicrobial - wouldn't that be the dream? In her free time, Christele enjoys watching action movies and listening to podcasts.

christele.ladores@torontomu.ca

MSc Candidate

• BSc Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Trent University (2021)

Anthony finished his BScH in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, with a publication titled “Eco-design and tunable structure-properties of chitosan-epoxy-glycerol-silicate biohybrids using integrated crosslinking” under the supervision of Dr. Merchant at Trent University. Under the co-supervision of Dr. Sacripante, he is currently working on extracting polymers from seaweed, where he will functionalize it to create different polyesters and polyurethanes with a cross-linked silane precursor. In his free time, you can find him watching SSC Napoli, working out or playing video games.

anthony.fasulo@torontomu.ca

MSc Candidate

• BSc Chemistry Co-op, Toronto Metropolitan University (2024)

Garry graduated from the chemistry co-op program at Toronto Metropolitan University and completed 1 year of co-op work at LANXESS. For his master's studies, he will be working towards synthesizing novel TPED derivatives with different functional groups to use as initiators in epoxy resin applications under the co-supervision of Dr. Heyd. Garry can speak 4 languages.

garabed.baboghli@torontomu.ca

• BSc Chemistry Co-op, Toronto Metropolitan University (2025)

Wilson is an undergraduate student who joined the Foucher group in early 2024 to synthesize polyferrocenylsilanes. Since then he has continued working with the group and is now a thesis student working on the synthesis of novel pincer ligands for polystannanes. Outside of the lab, Wilson likes to engage in hobbies such as creative writing, pondering philosophy, or finding new ways to use his creative abilities.

wilson.digby@torontomu.ca

• BSc Chemistry, Toronto Metropolitan University (2025)

Hamza is in his final year as a chemistry student working on his undergraduate thesis under the co-supervision of Dr. Sacripante. His work involves modifying alginic acid to improve its mechanical properties to use in plastic food packaging. In his free time, you can find Hamza working out or playing video games.

hamza.malik@torontomu.ca

• BSc Chemistry, Toronto Metropolitan University (2025)

Maya is a fourth year undergraduate student currently working on her thesis under the guidance of Dr. Sacripante and Dr. Foucher synthesizing non-isocyanate polyurethanes from lignin-derived cyclic carbonates. In her free time, Maya can be found at the Game Makers Union working on the level design of the video game Final Escort.

maya.mott@torontomu.ca

• BSc Chemistry, Toronto Metropolitan University (2025)

Angelica is currently doing her undergraduate thesis on the synthesis and characterization of lignin-derived bisphenol diols for the preparation of polyurethanes in collaboration with Dr. Sacripante. In her free time, Angelica enjoys baking and listening to podcasts. 

angelica.treleven@torontomu.ca

• BSc Chemistry, Toronto Metropolitan University (2025)

Gabriel is a 4th year undergraduate student doing his thesis under the supervision of Dr. Foucher. He is currently working on evaluating whether quaternary ammonium and quaternary phosphonium compounds cause cellular damage and protein denaturation in bacteria. Outside the lab, he enjoys bouldering, listening to K-pop, and singing karaoke with friends. 

gabriel.velasco@torontomu.ca