Merna received her Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry Specialist and Mathematical Sciences Minor with high distinction from the University of Toronto (2019). She completed her Honour’s thesis under the supervision of Patrick Gunning in 2019 for her work on fragment-based drug discovery. She then continued her research project as a Master’s student where her current focus is on the design and synthesis of small molecule covalent inhibitors for targeting cancer. Merna is the recipient of a CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarship-Master’s Award (2020) for her work on targeted covalent inhibitors.

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Outside the lab, Merna likes to spend time with family and friends. She also enjoys travelling, hiking, and playing the piano.