U of T PhD chemistry students open the lab door to the next generation of scientists

Kira Boutilier-Young, a PhD student in polymer chemistry at the University of Toronto, can trace her interest in chemistry back to her Grade 8 teacher.  

“He did so many demonstrations and had us do so many experiments,” she said. “I think gaining hands-on experience at such a young age was the catalyst for me to pursue a career in science.”  

In April 2026, Boutilier-Young was able to give back through ChemPALS (Chemistry, Polymer and Automation Learning for Students), providing others with a similar opportunity.

Co-organized by Boutilier Young and fellow PhD student Sonia Mulgund, ChemPALS is held over the course of two weekends, engaging high school girls and gender diverse youth in Toronto with interactive learning experiences in polymer science and automation. With help from a team of graduate student volunteers, the high schoolers conduct several hands-on experiments in the Lash Miller Chemical Laboratories, including some more advanced experiments Boutilier-Young said are not typically performed by other outreach programs.

Among such experiments is making a degradable bioplastic from cornstarch or glycerol, and using an Opentrons OT-2, a liquid handling robot borrowed from the Acceleration Consortium that speeds up the transfer process.  

Like Boutilier-Young, Mulgund said she was also lucky to participate in similar high school programs like ChemPALS, with those experiences also influencing her to pursue science.  

“ChemPALS participants may not learn all of these complicated scientific facts about polymer chemistry in a day-long event, but I do think having a positive experience interacting with graduate students doing real research and meeting other young people who are excited about science can leave a lasting impression,” said Mulgund.  

“Some students may come from backgrounds where science isn’t encouraged, or they may just not enjoy their high school chemistry class,” she added. “Through ChemPALS, young girls and gender diverse youth can meet real scientists who look like them and have fun doing science in a positive space. I think that can go a long way toward making STEM fields feel more accessible.”

Feedback collected from some of the participants demonstrates this impact. One participant said, “I personally enjoyed every part of ChemPALS and would come back again. I especially enjoyed learning many new things about chemistry and physically being able to participate in the experiments. I also really liked meeting new people as everyone was really kind as well as the volunteers.”

Another participant shared, “I really enjoyed the experiment[s]! It was interactive and unique and lots of fun to play around with. I also enjoyed the robot as it was fun to look at the code and understand how it was functioning. The lab in general was also an amazing experience as it is so cool looking.”  

ChemPALS was funded in part by AC’s Initiate Grants, a program that helps U of T community members launch projects, programming or events that lead to positive culture change in the research ecosystem. The grant is a component of the AC’s EDI action plan, which aims to address systemic inequities in research participation and representation. The AC receives funding from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CREF).  

Boutilier-Young and Mulgund received $5,900 for ChemPALS as one three recipients of the 2025-26 Initiate Grants. Learn more about the AC's grant programs here. Learn more about the other recipients below.

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Boutilier-Young (far left) and Mulgund (first row, far right) with graduate student volunteers and ChemPALS participants. Credit: Sonia Mulgund