From October 5–7, 2025, a delegation of 17 students from University of Toronto’s Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry attended the CSChE 2025 Conference in Montreal. The delegation was led by CSChE Professional Development Directors Shreshth Bhargava and Lesley Ha Tchong, and overseen by Basma Elsabban (Chair) and Jeslyn Lorraine Winoto (Vice Chair) of the CSChE University of Toronto Student Chapter. The three-day conference brought together students, researchers, and industry professionals from across Canada to exchange ideas and showcase innovation in the field of chemical engineering.
To highlight the student perspective, we interviewed Elsabban about the team’s experience at the conference. Her reflections throughout this piece provide insight into the opportunities and impact of the event.
Day One: Technical Innovation and Networking
The conference opened with the Reg Friesen and Robert G. Auld Paper Competitions, featuring innovative research presentations by undergraduate and graduate students from across the country. Three U of T students — Angela Ye, Mohammad Abdul Aziz, and Jaekeon An — presented their work on topics ranging from lithium battery recycling and hydraulic fracturing optimization to biofilm characterization.
“This was a great opportunity to learn about different aspects of chemical engineering and see the depth of technical innovation and hard work coming out of our department,” said Elsabban. She added that the presentations also gave her insight into new learning strategies and environmental monitoring methods, such as microplastics extraction.
Later that day, U of T delegates joined the Opening Networking Event and Hatch Plant Design Competition, where students engaged with industry representatives, technology vendors, and student researchers. “I discovered publishing opportunities for students in the Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering and spent time learning about chemical separation equipment and novel column designs,” Elsabban shared. A standout project for her was a magnesium production plant design presented by students from Polytechnique Montréal, which demonstrated impressive cross-disciplinary integration between chemical and electrical engineering.
The day concluded with a professional headshot booth sponsored by Dupont — a popular stop for many U of T students as they prepared to enter the workforce.
Day Two: Collaboration and Career Exploration
On the second day, Elsabban attended the Student Chapter Meeting, where student executives from universities across Canada discussed chapter models, outreach strategies, and ways to sustainably grow student participation. “It was a valuable chance for different chapters to speak openly with both the CSChE Board and CIC representatives about support needs and upcoming initiatives,” she said.
She also connected with student leaders from McMaster University and the University of Alberta to explore ideas for future collaborative, student-led events.
Technical sessions followed, including the “Beyond Lithium-Ion Batteries” session featuring a presentation by Professor Gisele Azimi on rechargeable aluminum metal and aluminum ion batteries. “This helped me connect concepts from electrochemical design to emerging applications in energy storage, which was intriguing to understand,” Elsabban reflected.
At the conference Career Fair, students met with recruiters, faculty members, and graduate students. “It was meaningful to speak with our own department chair, Professor Ramin Farnood, who not only encouraged us to stay engaged with national conferences like CSChE, but also reminded us of the importance of being active contributors to the broader chemical engineering community beyond the classroom. It was uplifting to feel supported in continuing that level of involvement as student leaders.” she added.
Day Three: Communicating Engineering
The final day of the conference centered on competition finals and education-focused sessions. Elsabban attended the Education in Chemical Engineering sessions and the 3-Minute Pitch Competition, which highlighted the importance of clear and compelling communication in engineering.
“As a student chapter chair, I found this especially valuable,” she explained. “It reinforced that leadership in engineering is not only about technical ability but also about translation, outreach and connection — bringing engineering to people who are not yet experts in the topic.”
Building Pride and Community
Reflecting on the experience, Elsabban highlighted how the conference strengthened both her professional network and the sense of community among U of T delegates. “The CSChE conference was a great way to strengthen my cross-campus student network and establish collaborations for this year and the 2026–2027 year,” she said. “It allowed me to gain exposure to cutting-edge research and emerging technologies and, most importantly, connect with attendees, organizers, industry representatives, and our own delegation.”
She noted that attending as a group fostered a shared sense of pride in the department and in the student chapter. She also encouraged her peers to take advantage of similar opportunities in the future, whether as presenters, chapter ambassadors, or attendees looking to explore new directions in their field.