In advance of the coming Graduate Research Days, February 24 & 25, CivMin contacted previous participants to get their point of view on the event and their research goals at U of T. Our Q&A is with PhD candidate Weaam Jaafar.
If you could let us know a little bit about yourself, where you came from, as in what institution, and what attracted you to U of T.
My name is Weaam Jaafar. I am originally from Lebanon, where I attended the American University of Beirut. I got my bachelor’s in chemistry and after that I worked two years in air quality and emissions in Lebanon. I work now with Professor Marianne Hatzopoulou. I saw what she worked on, and it really attracted me to her work, so I applied to U of T.
How did you become aware of Professor Hatzopoulou’s work?
I worked at a professor’s lab before and she recommended me to [Prof. Hatzopoulou], then on the U of T website I saw lots of information about what she does and I became aware of the opportunity.
What are you working on now with Professor Hatzopoulou’s group?
Right now I’m working on a citizen science project where we are working with citizens from the community. We are teaching them how to install air sensors, and compare emission data, so they can actually have the hands-on approach and understand the end result. We’re going to raise awareness towards air pollution to a specific community – around Yonge and Eglinton.
I guess you’ve seen UrbanScanner as well?
Yes, I have. I haven’t tested with it, though I know all about it and have seen it, but I still did not get the chance to use it.
Did you attend the Graduate Research Days (GRD) last year? Was it a positive and reinforcing experience?
Yes, I did. It was really nice, especially as I came from a background that is not related to engineering (chemistry). It was a very nice way for me to get introduced to what people are working on and to have a chat with the professors. It was a really nice experience and, even though we couldn’t do it face-to-face because of COVID, it was a really nice way of doing it virtually.
We had this virtual platform, GatherTown where we created avatars of ourselves, and we used them to go around the hall from room to room. It was so much fun. You could chat one-on-one or within a larger group, as you liked.
It was just one big room, split it into different corners, where every professor had the corner. The administration had their own corner; it was really simple, very nice and quick.
Did you have the chance to meet any of the professors, or students, from U of T prior to that event? Or was [GRD] your first contact?
I did know a student who works with Professor Hatzopoulou. She put me in contact because we’re both from Lebanon and they did guide me through the process a bit with this event. But, other than that, I had no other contact.
We knew last year there were a few incoming grad students located in Beirut and we were concerned, as there had been a massive explosion there last year. We wondered what’s going on, if everyone was okay, and will people be able to attend, even get online, etc?
The Beirut explosion is a tragedy, a very painful event that affected everyone. The number of innocent people lost, the ones injured, the ones left without a home, the damage of our beautiful city caused suffering beyond comprehension. We are still traumatized by it, and I believe that Aug. 4 has left us with a deep scar that is difficult to heal. It was a really rough time. But it was eye opening on a professional and personal level. I got to see the community come together and work on a project related to the explosion. It was on the emissions and what happened after [the explosion]. We were able to provide awareness to the public about air quality and safety – if they should close their windows or open their windows.
You’ve arrived here in Canada now and so how did you find getting accustomed to Canada, the city and the campus?
Aside from the cold, everything is fine. All in all, it was a really nice experience. The community is great, and especially welcoming at U of T. As I said, I come from a background that’s very different from engineering and I didn’t feel like I was left out.
People from the lab who I’ve met virtually, or I’ve spoken to them, they’ve helped me a lot on aspects of my project. It’s a really nice community and I honestly can’t wait to go back in person to meet more people.
How have you found, overall, the city to get around and the campus? Have you found any areas of the city you really like?
I have adjusted well. I haven’t had much time to explore the city, but I went to some of the famous places such as Lake Ontario, Toronto Island, Queen’s Park and the CN Tower, which is pretty huge. It was really nice, you feel relaxed when you’re there, and everything is accessible. Everything is easy.
A part of my lifestyle changed, because in Beirut we didn’t have, for example, a tap to pay [system at stores]. Now here it’s just hold your phone up, you go out and you’re finished. It’s that simple.
Do you live downtown near campus or further away? You’ve found the city easy to get around with a walking or public transit and going to various neighborhoods?
I live downtown, near campus, about 20 minutes away by walking.
It really is easy, so I usually take either the subway or walk, depending on the distance. Everything is accessible by foot. It’s really nice that everything is so close to you and don’t have to travel to far places to get one thing or another.
Toronto is supposed to be one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Do you agree?
Yes, I think so. Next to the University of Toronto there’s Chinatown and Kensington Market near it. It’s so nice. it’s like a huge part in in the city. And then you go back you go to another block over and it’s so different. People from all around the world – it’s not just embedded in the university itself, but it’s all around Toronto.
You arrived in the summer and now it’s winter. How have you adapted?
I arrived in August, so got to experience some heat in the city. I used to be a winter guy, now I’m definitely a summer guy. The cold is manageable, but in the end I really like the summer here – it’s not too hot.
You’re now prepared you for winter and properly clothed, so that’s great. Do you have any tips for students who would be coming to campus or Toronto or even Canada for the first time? Do you have any advice for for them?
I think my advice would be to arrive earlier, or as soon as possible. If the semester starts in September, arrive two weeks before, just so that you settle in. Everything is good because for me, for example, one of the things is you have a time zone difference – you need to adjust to that. Then you need to get your priorities straight – from bank accounts to getting a full SIM card. Even though everything is accessible, you’re still new to the country. Don’t be afraid to ask anyone. Everyone is helpful.
So that’s it. Honestly, just be there on time. Be prepared because U of T is not a difficult university, but it’s going to take time. It’s going to take time and effort. So, if you arrive only a couple of days before class, then immediately engage in the university, you’re going to be lost. Take some extra time beforehand to get prepared.
It’s not even a full year into your research. What’s on the horizon for you, and what’s further out?
Honestly, what’s next is right now I’m just working on developing my project. I want to see how I can elevate it. The something positive about my project right now is I’m getting to experience working with citizens. So working with people from Lebanon, and working with people from Canada, it’s going to be something different. I look forward to that to see what comes next.
Your other colleagues, or research stream students, are they from all over the world as well, right?
Yes, I’ve met some people from Canada, from Iran, Lebanon, Poland and the United States. It’s very, very diverse.
Is the research-stream community really very global at U of T?
It is. It is big time. You’ll be surprised like it’s not just Canadians and a couple of international students. I would say that international students are a big part of the research stream students at the University.
Is this a great opportunity to forge friendships and/or professional relationships that might carry on for a longer time than simply in school?
It gets you more exposure and more learning about new things, new cultures, and different connections. The connections are great that you make here, so it’s a really big opportunity. We have different-thinking people from around the world meeting, discussing what could be, seeing different perspectives and different views. That part is really amazing.
By Phill Snel