Meet Science valedictorian Nicole Wong

Faculty of Science valedictorian Nicole Wong graduates June 16 with an Honours BSc in chemical biology with co-op. We asked Wong, who is moving to California to study chemistry at Berkeley, a few questions to get to know her better. Here’s what she had to say.

Why did you choose McMaster? 

I fell in love with the community! Every student I met when I first visited Mac radiated both kindness and passion. It was evident that the students at McMaster not only wanted to be where they were, but also had dreams and goals beyond university.

As an individual who was looking to pursue research, seeing students passionate about their work gave me hope that I could achieve what I wanted by going here.

What’s next for you?

I am headed off to the University of California – Berkeley to pursue a PhD in Chemistry! I am very excited to continue my research journey in California.

Can you share a great piece of advice you’ve been given?

My late, great, high school biology teacher Mr. Onlock would end all of his lectures with “Yeah! Get a biology degree!” Stemming from his appreciation for the beauty and complexity of biological systems, it’s a great piece of advice not only because of its fantastic syntax, but because of the unironic enthusiasm that gushed from his voice every time he’d say it.

More importantly, it was clearly impactful for me because — five years later — I am graduating with a chemical biology degree!

Now that you’re graduating, what’s your advice for students?

You don’t need to know what you want to do during your undergrad, but it is the perfect opportunity to figure it out. Be willing and open to diverging from your original plan if you find something new that you’re passionate about. Explore new courses and pursuits, and if an opportunity both interests you and falls outside your comfort zone, that is a definite sign to go for it!

Everyone around you is learning who they are, and nobody truly has it all together. I don’t have everything together, and I’m graduating! Treat your undergraduate experience like an experiment, with your ultimate goal being to learn more about yourself.

Tell us about a good memory from your time at McMaster. 

In the summer of my third year, I was a Residence Orientation Representative for Edwards Hall. It was one of the most magical groups of students I had the chance to work with, it was incredible to watch them work together and form new friendships.

Specifically, I remember after the announcement that we had placed 2nd for the Residence Cup, all the reps and students spent a solid half hour cheering and celebrating outside Eddy. That moment of happiness and pride will never be washed away from my memory, as I watched these amazing first-year students revel in joyful camaraderie. This is just one example — Welcome Week definitely contains a wealth of good memories for me!

What’s an accomplishment you’re really proud of? 

Leading the McMaster Science Society as President during the 2020-2021 year. I am extremely proud of all the hard work every member of the MSS put in to put forward such amazing programming. From my outstanding core executive team, to my hard-working peripheral execs, to the ever-creative Sciclones that reinvented Welcome Week, to the amazing program societies who stayed committed to their students throughout that whirlwind of a year, thank you all.

Student societies were slammed with one of the toughest years for involvement and outreach, yet they worked extra hard behind the scenes to keep programs afloat and maintain online services for their students. It was an incredible accomplishment that we kept everything going strong during the pandemic, and I am so proud of what was achieved.

To those of you involved in student governance and student societies, I promise you that your hard work made someone’s year that much better, even if you didn’t get to witness it in person.

Tell us about a prof or mentor figure who made a difference for you in your time at Mac. 

While I have been blessed with many amazing mentors at McMaster, I have to highlight Dr. Sharonna Greenberg, who inspired me to pursue chemical biology and has continued to support me since first year. She taught my CHEM 1AA3 class, and after stopping by one of her office hours, she quickly became someone I could turn to for advice on everything.

In a field that can be extremely cutthroat, she inspired me to always lead with kindness and let my intelligence speak for itself. Dr. Greenberg is kind-hearted and always willing to listen, while simultaneously confident and strong. Her door was always open, and I never took for granted how she made time to help me no matter what time of year it was. I look up to her as a role model, and it is thanks to her that I felt comfortable being my authentic self inside the lab and out.

I truly believe that if everyone had a Dr. Greenberg in their undergraduate career, they would be better off as a result!

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? 

The ability to marathon TV shows — I am extremely jealous of people who can do this! I lack the patience and perseverance to watch multiple episodes of television in one day, and it’s preventing me from enjoying shows like Bridgerton as fast as possible. Some may not think it’s a superpower, but to me it definitely is.

What’s an important lesson you’ve learned so far?

You need to set your own boundaries — don’t wait for someone to set them for you. I found myself giving more to those around me than myself, which left me exhausted. Over the years, I learned that while you may think you’re disappointing people by setting personal boundaries, the people worth keeping in your life will be the ones who respect your boundaries, so build a fruitful relationship with them in mind.

While at Mac, did you receive donor-funded financial assistance (e.g., a scholarship, award, bursary)? Any thoughts on the importance of giving back to your alma mater to support future generations? 

I am honoured to be a recipient of the Schulich Leader Scholarship while at McMaster. As someone who is pursuing research, I am very grateful for the donors who choose to give back in the form of scholarships, especially towards summer research and experiential learning. Making research and experiential learning more accessible to all through paid opportunities is key for advancing science, and I hope those who donate know that their funding is allowing more Mac students to make strides in building a brighter world for all.