Current undergraduate student Rafiq Omair (Year 3 MechE) began his program with the determination to go beyond the classroom.
Inspired to pursue research opportunities by a physics teacher in middle school, Omair harnesses that advice to gain research experience alongside his undergraduate studies.
Writer Kendra Hunter spoke with Omair about his undergraduate and research experience so far.
Coming in as a first-year student, how important was extra-curricular and research experience to you?
I was very involved in high school extracurriculars and wanted to continue that in university along with exploring research experiences. In my first year I didn’t commit heavily to any specific club or design team and used it as a chance to explore and see what fit my interests and the type of team that I would like to work with.
I joined the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering with a long-term goal of pursuing graduate studies. The research opportunities available was one of the reasons why I chose U of T and in first year the professors I had and the seminars I attended really gave me perspective on future research directions.
You had a summer position with Professor Golovin’s Durable Repellent Engineered Advanced Materials (DREAM) lab after second year. How did that happen?
I reached out to five professors whose research closely aligned with my interests, and had the chance to speak with both them and their graduate students. These conversations gave me a much clearer picture of their work and what my day-to-day responsibilities might look like.
Ultimately, it was the people I met who played a key role in my decision to join Professor Golovin’s lab. I felt a strong sense of collaboration and could genuinely see myself growing with the group over the long term.
Looking back, the most important step in securing a position was doing in-depth background research. I took the time to understand each lab’s focus and how it connected with my own goals, making sure that the research I joined would help shape the future I envision for myself.
I can’t speak highly enough about my experience in Professor Golovin’s lab. Every person I’ve had the privilege of working with has played a meaningful role in shaping the engineer and researcher I am today. Looking back, I truly believe I couldn’t have made a better decision. I’m incredibly grateful to Professor Golovin for giving me the opportunity to learn and grow under his supervision.
How have you benefited from the lab/research experience?
I can confidently say this experience has been invaluable. It not only equipped me with the technical skills I set out to learn, but also significantly strengthened my written communication, literature review, and time management abilities! The skills I developed in the lab proved to be highly transferable, allowing me to succeed in industry roles, other research positions, and beyond.
Did you find it easy to learn about and take part in research activities at U of T?
Yes and no. While many opportunities are readily available and it doesn’t take much effort to find resources and learn how to use them, others require more initiative and persistence. For students who enter university without any awareness that a career in research is even possible, and without anyone ever mentioning it, it’s entirely likely they might go through their first or even second year without realizing the options. One thing I have been working on improving is access to information about research opportunities. I have done this by hosting research panels through MIE’s Mech Club, speaking at showcases and events, including serving on the Organizing Committee for the Undergraduate Engineer Research Day (UnERD), and more!
I love research and I have been very fortunate with my positions I’ve obtained. They have guided my undergraduate experience as much as my classes. I have set out to try and make research as accessible for students as possible and give everyone a shot at pursuing their research interests.
Research has opened the door for me in industry and other academic pursuits. This summer I have been a member of Professor Joanna Aizenberg’s Lab at the Harvard John A. Paulson School Of Engineering And Applied Sciences, where I have been working on novel approaches to sustainable building design, using biomimicry to help create a more energy-efficient world!
How do you balance studies, clubs, research expectations and day-to-day life?
This has probably been my biggest challenge so far. What has helped me manage it is a genuine love for what I do and being surrounded by people who share that same drive and have supported me along the way.
The learning curve on how to balance everything was steep. But the challenges honestly taught me the most. Over time, I’ve significantly improved my time management by adopting simple yet effective systems such as calendars, journals, sticky notes, and a few personal routines that have made a big difference in how I organize my time and responsibilities.
Another major lesson was learning to delegate effectively. At one point, I was overseeing several teams and clubs, but even in leadership positions, I often found myself taking on tasks I should have passed on. That limited my ability to focus on the bigger picture and also held others back from developing in their roles. Once I became more intentional about delegation, I saw a real improvement, not just in my own productivity, but in the growth and engagement of my team.
-Published August 7, 2025 by Kendra Hunter, kendra.hunter@uotoronto.ca