Alumni Profiles

Leah Brown '13 | Alexandra Parks '13 

Leah Brown and Alexandra Parks, graduates of Ontario Tech University’s Bachelor of Health Science Medical Laboratory Science program (Class of 2013), have built remarkable careers at the forefront of medical innovation. As long-time colleagues and close friends, their professional journeys reflect the transformative power of their Ontario Tech education.

Leah was drawn to the Medical Laboratory Science program for its emphasis on hands-on learning and the promise of job security in a field she is passionate about - STEM. Alexandra, inspired by a desire to help people and gain practical skills, saw Ontario Tech as a stepping stone to a meaningful career in health sciences. Their decision to study at Ontario Tech was influenced by the program’s rigorous curriculum and state-of-the-art simulation labs, which prepared them to thrive in real-world medical settings.

Today, Leah is a Technical Specialist in microbiology, driving innovation through cutting-edge projects, including introducing artificial intelligence to segregate urine cultures—a pioneering initiative in Canada. Alexandra, now a Manager of Microbiology Operations, oversees critical testing processes, ensuring timely and accurate results for patients. Both work at Dynacare in Brampton, where their passion for innovation and excellence has garnered recognition, with Leah’s work highlighted in the Canadian Journal of Medical Laboratory Science. Summer 2022 Vol. 84, No. 2. Both credit Ontario Tech for enhancing their problem-solving abilities and strengthening a high-performance culture, which proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic when critical testing initiatives were developed.

Reflecting on their time at Ontario Tech, Leah and Alexandra fondly recall the program’s supportive environment and mentors who shaped their careers. Leah recalls securing an NSERC research grant under the guidance of Dr. Ayush Kumar, whose mentorship deepened her love for microbiology. Alexandra cherishes the close-knit community of peers and faculty that inspired her growth and led to lifelong friendships.

Leah and Alexandra recently came back to campus to speak to current students in the Medical Laboratory Science program and shared empowering advice: embrace every opportunity, seek out research grants, and get involved in innovative projects. Their journeys stand as a testament to the exceptional education and opportunities Ontario Tech provides, empowering alumni to make a tangible impact in their fields.

Abbie Chaddah '18

When Abbie Chaddah was a little girl, she would line up all her stuffed animals on the couch alphabetically by name and teach them their numbers and songs. Today, Chaddah, who will graduate from Ontario Tech in January with her BEd, is more accustomed to giving lessons to students in Grades 7 to 12, but her passion for instruction is just as strong.

Chaddah grew up in Toronto but knew she wanted to go away to university to find out who she was as a person. She took a tour of Ontario Tech and “It spoke to me.” At first, it was hard to live away from home, but she joined some clubs and sports teams and began to find her place. In hindsight, she appreciates the decision more than ever.

Although she is heading toward a teaching career, the road to an occupation wasn’t always a smooth one for Chaddah. In high school, she became very involved in sports and decided to pursue a kinesiology degree at university with the goal of becoming a chiropractor. When she wasn’t accepted to chiropractic college, she felt unsure about what her next steps should be. Meanwhile, Chaddah got involved in coaching. She had participated in club sports during her first two years at Ontario Tech and was a member of the Ridgebacks varsity badminton and rowing teams in her last few years, so it was a natural evolution. As Chaddah finishes her final semester, she is doing her third teaching practicum. When she graduates in January, she hopes to find a temporary position in the Durham region to finish the school year. Chaddah credits Ontario Tech for opening doors for her.

Ryan Scrivens '09, '12 

Like a lot of teenagers, Ryan Scrivens got into trouble in high school. Unlike many of them, the Ontario Tech double graduate (BA, MSc) became curious about his rights and followed that path to a PhD in criminology and an assistant professorship at Michigan State University.

Scrivens began his pursuit of knowledge by earning a diploma in Law and Security Administration from Durham College, which led to an opportunity to earn a BA in criminology at Ontario Tech in only two additional years.

“I thought of going into law enforcement, but first I wanted to have a better sense of the criminal justice system,” says Scrivens, so he continued on to earn his master’s degree. Dr. Barbara Perry, a renowned expert in hate crimes, took him on as a graduate student. He explored how police officers responded to hate/bias-motivated crimes against women and became passionate about doing research. “Ontario Tech taught me the critical thinking skills to navigate complex social issues – something that goes a long way in developing a research project.”

Scrivens entered a criminology PhD program at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia with an initial interest in how police officers responded to hate crimes. During this time, he also delved into right-wing extremism in Canada as part of a project Perry was heading. He later examined how right-wing extremists used the Internet for his dissertation and has since become a respected expert in the field.

Interestingly, the students in his cyberterrorism courses fit the same profile: local and national law enforcement and intelligence officials, military men and women and many others – people who have day-to-day experience with the subject. Scrivens’ life has come full circle and he’s enjoying the ride.

Curtis Carmichael '18

After a childhood living in poverty in Toronto Community Housing in Scarborough, Curtis Carmichael is committed to providing opportunities for others growing up in challenging circumstances by “empowering the next generation of global leaders from racialized, marginalized, and under-resourced communities.” 

Carmichael considers himself lucky to have beaten the odds, especially considering that he got involved in drug dealing during elementary and middle school to help out financially at home. A man who had been previously imprisoned for drug dealing became his mentor and steered him toward books that demonstrated that access was class-based. 

“I used football to get out of the neighbourhood,” says Carmichael, who earned a football scholarship to Queen’s University. Rather than coasting, he focused his attention on getting a good education and earned his BA in health and physical education/fitness.

In addition, he published his memoir, Butterflies in the Trenches, the story of his rise from poverty to a leader and role model who returned to work in the community from which he came. Butterflies in the Trenches has been adopted by school boards across the country and is required reading for Ontario Tech’s BEd students where Carmichael also serves as the Faculty of Education’s equity, diversity and inclusion consultant.

He has also become the founder and chief executive officer of Source Code Academy Canada, which he calls “Canada’s first culture-focused innovation and entrepreneurship academy preparing children and youth for the future of work.” For the moment, the Source Code Academy offers programming virtually and in-person in schools and community organizations, but he hopes to see that change in the coming years when they acquire their own physical location. As he plans, Carmichael thanks Ontario Tech faculty Allyson Eamer and Anna Rodrigues for showing him the way.

Andrew Seto '10

Andrew Seto, Chartered Professional Accountant, was recently named a partner at Impact CPAs LLP accounting firm in Richmond Hill, where he specializes in tax accounting. He also teaches tax accounting and other accounting courses at Centennial College and is the father of a two-month-old son.

Of course, being busy is nothing new for Seto. During his student days at Ontario Tech, he worked toward his accounting degree and CPA designation while serving on the executive of both the Accounting Association and the Chinese Student Association. He helped to organize events, did paperwork and assisted in obtaining funding for Chinese holiday celebrations.

Seto chose to attend Ontario Tech because it was a new university. He enjoyed the full range of university experiences, living in residence for the first two years, in an off-campus apartment in his third year and back at home as a commuter student during his final year. While at Ontario Tech, Seto formed lasting friendships with fellow students from his residence – they try to meet in person at least once a year – and friends from his business courses, with whom he mixes business and pleasure, making and receiving referrals.

In fact, Seto broadened his Ontario Tech circle after graduation, joining the alumni association and contributing generously to the Student Success Fund. Seto fell into accounting when, as a teen, he decided to learn to do his own taxes to see if he could save money. He got to know the ins and outs of filing taxes and began helping others file their returns.

Seto would eventually like to make the switch to full-time teaching, depending upon when a position opens up. “[Ontario Tech] Professors Jane Bowen and Ferdinand Jones are inspirations in my life and about what a CPA can do, especially from the teaching side,” he says. “I like helping students think about what an accounting job entails and giving them practical advice. I want them to see the big picture.”