Chemistry

Nicole Babich-Morin graduated from the University of Ottawa with an Honours B. Sc. in Chemistry and a minor in Civil Law (2017). She then attended the University of Montreal obtaining an M. Sc. in Chemistry (2020). Nicole was involved in a research project studying light-induced motion of small glass molecules. She joined the John Abbott chemistry department in 2020. In her spare time, Nicole coaches horseback riding and competes in Dressage throughout Ontario and Quebec.

Suzanne Black joined the JAC Chemistry Department in 2000.  She graduated from The University of Tulsa’s School of Engineering with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1987.  She obtained her Ph.D. in 1992 from Harvard University where she studied multiphoton ionization of phosphine under the supervision of Prof. Peter Chen.  She then moved to Canada and joined McGill University where she directed the General Chemistry Laboratory program for six years.

Andrew Brown has been teaching at John Abbott College since 2005, following several years of teaching experience at the CEGEP and university level. He obtained a B.Sc. in Chemistry at Bishop's University. This was followed by a Ph.D. from McGill University. Prior to teaching at John Abbott Andrew has also been involved in research and development on the optical properties of materials.

Michal joined John Abbott as a chemistry teacher on September 2007. She was also teaching at Dawson college (Cont. Ed program) in the academic year of 2008-2009.

She holds BSc (Chemistry) and MSc (Applied Chemistry) from the Hebrew University, and PhD(Chemistry) from McGill University. She also spent two years as a Post Doctorate Fellow at the University of Montreal -Chemistry department.

Her research experience mainly involved material chemistry: form organic conjugated polymers (synthesized for purposes of light emitting diodes), to nano materials (such as polymers, lipids and nano-particles) at interfaces.

While working on her master degree Michal also worked at Intel.Ltd (Jerusalem), as a member of the engineering department.

Sean Hughes has been a teacher in the department of chemistry at John Abbott College since 2006. In 1999, Sean earned his B.Sc. in Biology from Concordia University and was a graduate of their Science College program. He stayed at Concordia University to pursue his Ph.D. in Chemistry under the co-supervision of Drs. John A. Capobianco and Gilles H. Peslherbe. His work entailed understanding the cluster-to-bulk transition of micro-solvated ions.

Prior to joining John Abbott College, Sean taught classes at Dawson College as a member of their continuing education department and assisted Dr. Bhuvan Pant for a number of years with an e-course for non-science students at Concordia University. At John Abbott College, he became Pathways Coordinator in 2010 and has been an active member of several program committees (Pathways, Crossroads, Science and Nursing) as well as a long-standing member of the Student Success Committee. He became a Science program coordinator in 2021.

In addition to his work at John Abbott College, he has worked closely with the Master Teacher (PERFORMA) Program (MTP), acting both as head technician and as a research supervisor. He is currently collaborating on a PAREA-funded project, spearheaded by the SALTISE group, to explore inquiry-based learning in Science program laboratories.

Sean has also been a member of the CPE du Campus board of directors since 2016 and has acted as its President since 2017. He served a term on the board of the Learning Specialists Association of Canada (LSAC) while chairing the organizing committee of the 2017 LSAC National Conference. For more details, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-rashad-hughes-3b062a186/

Shahid has been working at John Abbott College for 39.5 years in the Chemistry Department as Professor. He has extensive laboratory experience, and teach most chemistry courses. He has a Master’s degree from McGill University (185), and a Diploma of Teaching from the Universite de Sherbrooke (1976).

Shahid has received the prestigious POLYSAR award for Outstanding Teaching in Community and Technical Colleges, presented at CIC/ACs Joint Conference in 1977. In 1994, Shahid received the C3 award for Contributions to Chemical Education.

Shahid taught PERFORMA courses from 1978-1985 for the teaching of college level teachers in their pursuit of a diploma on Collegial Teaching.

Finally, Shahid was one of the authors of the textbook, “Physical Science: Discovering Matter & Energy”, published by Copp Clark Pitman Ltd.

Dr. Antonio Nicodemo has been a teacher at John Abbott College since 2004 as a member of the Continuing Education Department teaching both Analytical and Organic Chemistry courses. In fall 2007, Antonio joined the Faculty of Science (Chemistry Department) as a part-time staff member and subsequently as a full-time teacher (Winter 2008). Prior to joiningJohn Abbott College, Antonio taught at Marianopolis College and was a Teaching Assistant/Faculty Lecturer at McGill University (MacDonald Campus) during his graduate studies in the Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry (MSc) and the School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition (PhD). In addition, Antonio has also worked in industry at Charles Rivers Laboratories as an Analytical Research Chemist/Project Manager and as an instructor and trainer since 2001. Antonio earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry from McGill University (Faculty of Medicine) in 1991, MSc in Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry from McGill University(MacDonald Campus) in 1995 and obtained his PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry from McGill University (MacDonald Campus) in 2004.

Jean-Michel Régimbal joined the JAC Chemistry Department in 2000. He graduated from the chemistry program at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi in 1993. He obtained his Ph.D. in 1999 from York University where he studied atmospheric chemistry with Prof. Michael Mozurkewich. He then taught meteorology and climatology at York University before returning to Quebec in 2000 to teach chemistry at John Abbott College. He left John Abbott from 2001 to 2003, working at Vanier, Marianopolis and Dawson Colleges. He developed a complementary course on climate change course that is now taught here in the winter to non-science students.