Transitions and Student Program

Careers Outside of the Lab Panel (AM1)

Curious about where a chemistry degree can take you beyond the bench? Join us for a dynamic panel discussion highlighting the diverse and exciting career paths that exist outside the traditional academic laboratory setting. From entrepreneurship and regulatory affairs to science communication, policy, and industry leadership, our panelists—each with varying backgrounds in chemistry—will share their unique journeys, insights, and advice for navigating alternative careers. Whether you’re a student, recent graduate, or a professional considering a change, this session will broaden your perspective on how your scientific skills can thrive in unexpected places.

Facilitator: Matt Zamora, Nanalysis

Panelists:

Richard Hazlehurst
Bio: To come
Ghazal Golchin
Bio: To come
Fatme Dahcheh, Recursion
Bio: As an Executive Director, Business Development at Recursion, Fatme leads a broad range of business transactions across drug discovery and development. Fatme was also involved in the strategic business combination of Recursion and Exscientia to create a vertically integrated, technology-enabled drug discovery platform.

Prior to her current role, Fatme served as Strategic Partnership Manager at Cyclica, where she streamlined partnership assessments and managed deal evolution from identification to execution. Prior to that, Fatme transitioned from a scientific role to business development at GreenCentre Canada, where she managed an international client base and executed multi-million dollar programs to support the commercialization of clean technology innovations.

Fatme earned both her BSc and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Toronto. She furthered her business expertise with a Mini MBA from McGill University. Fatme is a dedicated mentor and advisor and remains active in the academic community through her volunteer work with NSERC scholarship selection committees.

Feyisayo Enuiyin, Denobiq Technologies Inc.
Bio: Feyisayo Enuiyin is the Founder and CEO of Denobiq Technologies Inc., where she leads the development of Ajamjo, an AI-powered guest intelligence and concierge platform for boutique hotels and independent hospitality operators. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from McMaster University.

Before founding Denobiq, Feyisayo built her career in enterprise product management at Geotab, Bell Canada, and RBC, where she led cross-functional teams and shipped products across fleet management, telecommunications, and financial services. Her path from chemical engineering to tech was not a straight line, and she navigated the transition through curiosity, strategic networking, and a willingness to start over in unfamiliar spaces.

Beyond her company, Feyisayo is deeply invested in community as a growth strategy. She co-directs events at Girls Into VC, sits on OSPE’s Research and Innovation Task Force, co-hosts the WIT Love podcast, and led the creation of the NSBE McMaster Entrance Award. She spent four years mentoring and leading initiatives through RISE in STEM, a nonprofit promoting STEM pathways for marginalized youth, and is an active voice in Toronto’s tech ecosystem.

Feyisayo’s journey from the lab to the boardroom has been shaped by a belief that the analytical thinking and problem-solving rigour engineers develop are assets in any industry. She is passionate about helping the next generation of scientists and engineers see the full range of what their training makes possible.

Fun fact for the icebreaker: I once missed an international flight because the food at the restaurant was so good I forgot I had to leave the country.