Featured Student: Marissa Grosz

What is your field of study and when will you graduate?

My field of study is Chemistry and I intend to graduate in May 2027.

Why did you choose to enroll in Co-op?

I chose to enroll in Co-op, as I wanted to gain more work experience in the field. I also wanted to see if chemistry was the right degree for me and I thought that on-the-job experience would offer me some insight into what I would like to pursue in the future and whether or not I should continue my degree in chemistry, or pursue another discipline. 

Which positions did you work during Co-op?

I worked in two separate positions, each very different from the other.

My first position was at LB Foster Rail Technologies out in Burnaby, where I worked as a Lab Technician for eight months. Within this role, I tested a lot of top-of-rail products for quality control and assisted in optimizing formulation products and procedures. 

My second position (which I am currently at) is a Co-op Student in the formulation development team at Acuitas Therapeutics. My role here is to support the research and development of novel nucleic acid lipid nanoparticle formulations. 

Can you share your favourite experience while in Co-op?

I have had several amazing experiences during my Co-op so far, including being given the opportunity to design my own experiments and formulate unique lipid nanoparticle compositions. 

I truly appreciate that my ideas are valued and taken seriously—being able to share my thoughts with the team and have them genuinely considered has been incredibly motivating. 

This creative and supportive environment has allowed me to thrive, deepening my understanding of what it means to be a researcher and offering meaningful insight into the day-to-day realities of working in research and development.

What was your best achievement in Co-op?

My greatest achievement so far has been the personal and professional growth I’ve experienced within this field, as well as the confidence that I’ve gained in myself. 

School can be incredibly challenging and stepping away from the academic setting to work in a real-world research environment gave me the space to rediscover my passion and trust in my abilities.

School can be incredibly challenging and stepping away from the academic setting to work in a real-world research environment gave me the space to rediscover my passion and trust in my abilities. 

I learned to ask better questions, engage deeply with meaningful work and pursue ideas that I truly care about. One of the most rewarding moments was seeing my ideas move beyond the lab and into in vitro testing. 

Knowing that my team believed in my contributions enough to take them further was not only validating—it was a turning point that showed me I have a real place in this field.

What about the best day you had in your Co-op city, Vancouver and beyond?

I have had so many good days in Vancouver that they are hard to count, but one of the best memories I have was completing the Chief’s hike in Squamish. I love the outdoors and love challenging myself—this hike was perfect for that. The view was spectacular and the weather was amazing.  

Vancouver is such a gorgeous city, filled with wonderful people, amazing hikes and beaches. I especially love the summers here and making the most out of the sunshine (while it lasts). 

What did you feel most challenged by and how did you overcome it?

The most challenging part about my Co-op positions was feeling like I didn’t hold enough knowledge coming into the job. 

For the lab tech position at LB Foster Rails, I couldn’t even tell you what a top-of-rail product was, much less how to make them. As for the formulation development job at Acuitas, I hadn’t taken a biology course since my first year, so you can imagine that I had a lot of questions. 

Here’s the thing: employers don’t expect you to know everything coming into your job. You’re a Co-op student. Your job is to learn and have fun doing it!

Here’s the thing: employers don’t expect you to know everything coming into your job. You’re a Co-op student. Your job is to learn and have fun doing it! So, I overcame my lack of prior knowledge by asking copious amount of questions, including what a top-of-rail product is, or what a lipid nanoparticle is and how does it deliver mRNA to the body.

The more questions that I asked, the more excited I got about the job that I was doing.

Managing the balance between academics, Co-op responsibilities and a personal life can be intense – what are your self care practices and/or how do you manage stress?

I found managing the stress of working a lot easier than being in classes. 

In a 9-5 job, you’re all done at 5pm. You can go home, relax and not be worried about exams, quizzes or due dates. 

The times that I did get stressed about my job, I would go home and take time to myself. I went to the gym, walked, journalled, called my mom and ranted about my day or just took a nap. 

Co-op helped me grow into a more confident chemist and researcher.

How do you feel Co-op helped your personal growth?

Co-op helped me grow into a more confident chemist and researcher. 

I came into my first work placement feeling uncertain and questioning whether my degree was the right fit for me. 

Now, I know I’ll come out of this experience with a renewed sense of purpose, a genuine love for research and a stronger belief in my ability to contribute meaningfully to the scientific community.

How do you feel Co-op has helped your career?

I know that Co-op has had a significant impact on my career by connecting me with professionals across the industry and exposing me to valuable networks. 

Through my placements, I’ve gained hands-on experience in both the biotech and top-of-rail industries, while also having the opportunity to conduct research in the fields of chemistry and formulation development. 

These experiences have not only expanded my technical knowledge, but also deepened my understanding of real-world applications in scientific settings.

Which supports from the Co-op program (workshops, practice interviews, etc.) do you feel best supported you? Can you talk about the direct impact on your career and/or personal growth?

Rob Driscoll, my Co-op advisor, was an incredible support throughout my time in the program. 

He was always quick to respond to emails, consistently available to answer my questions and genuinely invested in my growth and success. I found it especially helpful to have one-on-one conversations with him about potential opportunities, as well as his guidance with resume and cover letter writing, and mock interview preparation. 

Thanks to Rob, I gained much more confidence in my application materials and felt well-prepared for interviews throughout my Co-op journey.

What advice would you offer to future Co-op students?

The best advice that I can offer to future Co-op students is to put yourself out there and fully engage with the experience. 

You truly get out of Co-op what you put into it. From my own experience, immersing yourself in the work, asking thoughtful questions and showing genuine curiosity can open the door to valuable learning opportunities and personal growth. 

I also strongly encourage building relationships with your colleagues—networking isn’t just about future job prospects; it’s about finding mentors and forming lasting professional connections that can support you throughout your career.

You truly get out of Co-op what you put into it. From my own experience, immersing yourself in the work, asking thoughtful questions and showing genuine curiosity can open the door to valuable learning opportunities and personal growth. 

I also strongly encourage building relationships with your colleagues—networking isn’t just about future job prospects; it’s about finding mentors and forming lasting professional connections that can support you throughout your career.

What are you looking forward to after graduation?

I’m looking forward to what comes after graduation, whether it be working in the industry or pursuing a master's degree. 

I’m genuinely excited about trying new things, volunteering in different labs and seeing where that takes me. I’m very eager to see what the future holds and am looking forward to the opportunities that I’ll receive thanks to my experience in the Co-op program.