Molecular science PhD grad receives top honour at convocation
Reeda Mahmood, TMU Gold Medal recipient. Photo credit: Harry Choi
This fall, molecular science PhD graduate Reeda Mahmood was honoured with the Toronto Metropolitan University Gold Medal for her resilience and impact on the student community.
Mahmood’s academic journey had both challenges and successes. In high school and into her undergraduate career, she struggled with chemistry. She shifted her focus to biomedical sciences but still did not feel confident enough in her grades to pursue graduate school.
It wasn’t until she began working as a program coordinator at TMU’s Science Discovery Zone that Mahmood’s passion for research was ignited. This experience led her back to academia, where she started a Master’s in molecular science, diving into materials chemistry research under the supervision of Chemistry & Biology professor Bryan Koivisto. Mahmood’s fascination with solar cell technology and desire to advance her research prompted her to transfer from a Master’s to a PhD. Since then, her final thesis on novel innovative nanomaterials has been praised for being a valuable framework for future students in the field.
This transition to a PhD challenged Mahmood to rethink her learning strategies and find ways to avoid burnout. She started an account on Instagram and TikTok (@reedadesigns) to bring creativity into her academic journey and share helpful study and motivation tips with a growing online community of over 40k followers. Mahmood also founded Study Squad Live, a series of events and workshops for students looking to improve their study habits and connect with others in Toronto. These are among the many ways Mahmood was involved with the student and research community throughout her graduate career. Her research and leadership have earned her over $100,000 in scholarships, awards and entrepreneurial grants.
Mahmood’s story exemplifies how struggling with a topic does not define one’s potential to succeed. Read more about her journey at TMU:
What does receiving the gold medal mean to you?
Receiving the gold medal is an honour and a testament to how important grit and commitment are. As a high school and undergraduate student, I often struggled in class and didn’t always get the grades I hoped for. However, I never gave up on my thirst for knowledge. As I started graduate school, I spent my time better understanding how I learn best, which allowed me to excel academically and professionally. I’m proud that I continued to push myself to grow academically, and receiving the gold medal is a humbling reminder of how important perseverance is.
What has been your proudest accomplishment at TMU?
It’s difficult to pinpoint a single accomplishment that has made me most proud of my time at TMU. Rather, it’s the wide breadth of opportunities I’ve had, both big and small, that have made me proud. I’ve particularly enjoyed being part of new initiatives at the university. For example, being part of the steering committee that formed the Science Discovery Zone (SDZ) was very exciting, and I really enjoyed going on to be a teaching assistant for SCI 888 (Evidence-Based Innovation) during my PhD which was delivered through the SDZ. Moreover, I was part of the first cohort of Lab2Market (external link) , which enabled me to explore the commercialization applications of my research. I am proud to have been part of these novel initiatives as they provided an opportunity to contribute to their growth.
What advice do you have for current or future students?
As a student, there are so many amazing opportunities available to you at TMU, and I encourage you to take advantage of them. Use these opportunities to learn about what you’re truly interested in, all while building up your resume and experience. If an opportunity you’re interested in is not currently available, then create it! Talk to your professors and staff at the university to bring new ideas to life. You are capable of accomplishing a lot, and while it might not feel this way sometimes, as a student, you have many advantages that allow you to realize your potential, so don’t take this opportunity lightly.
What are your future plans? How has TMU prepared you for your future?
I am excited to continue my journey as a scientist leading with an entrepreneurial and creative spirit. Completing my PhD at TMU has allowed me to build myself as a scientist and researcher, but also an entrepreneur. I am eager to continue to build on and use these skills to solve some of the world’s biggest problems.
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