Monthly Mind - Erin Donahue-Boyle

I am a second-year PhD student in the School of Chemical Sciences at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, working under the supervision of Dr. Erin Leitao. My research project aims to develop new siloxane-based materials that will serve as safer replacements for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), found in high-value applications like firefighting foams, oil-repellent coatings, and surfactants for industrial processing. 

I grew up in Ottawa and was introduced to chemistry by two excellent teachers (Mr. McGovern and Ms. Jacobson) who fostered my interest in the subject and helped me to dig deeper into subject matter I found interesting. I have long been fascinated by environmental science and wanted to do something proactive about the pollution challenges we face in our daily lives, so I was delighted when I had the opportunity to enroll in the Sustainable Chemistry program at McMaster University. In addition to my coursework, I spent my third and fourth years researching under the supervision of Dr. Mike Brook, working to develop silicone-gelatin hydrogels that are stable in use but that degrade when exposed to enzymes (like bromelain, the enzyme in pineapples that makes them so disastrous for your Jello!). Getting to work in Mike’s lab was a fantastic experience, and I am very grateful to everyone in the group – they were lovely and helped me to develop a sense of belonging and confidence in the research world.  

Ending up in New Zealand for grad school was a fluke. In November of my fourth year, when I was very unsure what I was going to do with myself post-graduation, Erin, my current supervisor, gave the departmental seminar on her work in sustainable inorganic polymers. For the first time, when looking at potential research groups for graduate school, I remember sitting there and thinking, “I want to do THAT.” On the advice of one of my excellent mentors, I reached out to her a few weeks later, and the rest is history. I have been in Auckland for over a year now and am really enjoying my project – and the opportunity to get around to see the natural beauty of New Zealand on the weekends! 

My career has not yet started, but the two lessons I have learned to date are to connect with mentors and to constantly be on the lookout for opportunities. I am very grateful to my many teachers, professors, senior lab members, and other mentors who have taken the time to share their experiences and advice. Without them, I would not be where I am today. Don’t be scared of asking questions – your professors want to help you, and you won’t know what you don’t know until you ask! Secondly, never in a million years would I have imagined that I would have ended up in New Zealand, but I am very happy I did. Keeping your eyes and ears open for opportunities might lead you down a surprising path you didn’t think was possible.