News & milestones

Congratulations to Jimit Hetalkumar Patel (MSc in Chemistry) and Siya Hariprasad (BSc Honours), who celebrated their graduation at Brock University. We are proud of their achievements and contributions to the Kaur Lab, and wish them every success in their next chapters.

At Brock University’s President’s Update, Prof. Divya Matta Kaur shared her teaching philosophy and her work to create diverse opportunities and inclusive pathways for students. Her contribution placed student learning and opportunity at the heart of the University’s celebration of a year of impact.

PhD student Subrat Kumar Sethy presented at the FMS graduate conference, GRAMMS, at Brock University. His poster, “How Far-red Light Tunes Photosystem I (Computational insight into redox changes on the donor and acceptor sides),” explored computational insights into photosynthetic redox tuning.

Congratulations to Jimit Hetalkumar Patel on completing his MSc thesis defence, “Computational Analysis of Donor- and Acceptor-Side Redox Tuning in Far-red-light Acclimated Photosystem I.” The lab gathered to celebrate this important milestone. Jimit went on to graduate in October 2026.

Brock News featured Prof. Matta Kaur’s participation in the 2026–27 UN SDG Open Pedagogy Faculty Fellowship and the development of assignments connecting chemistry, sustainability and student-created knowledge. The international fellowship initiative is not officially affiliated with the United Nations.

We welcome co-op student Lukus Swayze, who joined in September, and celebrate Khushi Soni and Siya Hariprasad’s completion of their undergraduate research appointments this month. PhD student Jigisha Ghadge also joined the group in Fall 2026, bringing interests in Photosystem I, pharmaceutical modelling and computational biology.

The Kaur Lab visited Safari Niagara in September 2026 to welcome Subrat Kumar Sethy and Jigisha Ghadge to the Kaur Lab and Brock University. It was a chance to connect outside the lab and celebrate their arrival in the group.

Undergraduate researcher Siya Hariprasad presented her poster, “Computational Investigation of Redox Tuning in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Photosystem I,” at the Undergraduate Research Symposium. We celebrate this opportunity to share her research with the Brock community.

Brock News features the group’s work on how cyanobacteria adapt photosynthesis and fine-tune electron transfer under far-red light.

Prof. Divya Matta Kaur received tenure and was promoted to Associate Professor of Chemistry at Brock University in July 2026. We celebrate this milestone in her research, teaching and mentorship, and the students, colleagues and collaborators who have contributed to the lab’s journey.

Prof. Matta Kaur and Prof. Lyn Trudeau received Brock support to co-create an Indigenous-informed photosynthesis lesson through Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed Seeing.

Led by Subrat Kumar Sethy, the Journal of Physical Chemistry B study compares how the protein environment tunes the iron–sulfur electron-transfer pathway in visible- and far-red-light acclimated Photosystem I.

In her Brock University convocation address, Prof. Matta Kaur reflected on transformation, perseverance and mentorship. The 2026 Faculty of Mathematics and Science Excellence in Teaching Award recipient invited graduates to use their education to create opportunity for others.

The group’s Plants study examines transcriptomic remodelling of light-harvesting and photosystem genes in Acaryochloris marina under contrasting illumination, with Abraham Peele Karlapudi and V. K. Himabindhu.

Subrat Kumar Sethy joined the Kaur Group as a PhD student in May 2026. Supported by an NSERC doctoral award, he studies structural and environmental influences on chlorophyll d-containing Photosystem I using classical and quantum computational methods.

Brock highlighted Prof. Matta Kaur’s 2025 Award for Excellence in Teaching for Early Career Faculty and her approach to making chemistry understandable and welcoming.

Brock featured the lab’s far-red photosynthesis research and its potential relevance to sustainable agriculture and crop resilience.

Katayoun Etemadi completed her MSc in Biotechnology in May 2025 and celebrated with the group in June. Her research explored the electronic structure of the reaction centre of Acaryochloris marina.

Prof. Matta Kaur discussed mentorship, representation and practical ways to help more girls and women enter and remain in science.

The lab’s work on the design principles of far-red photosynthesis for improved crop production was included among Brock projects receiving federal research funding.

For International Women’s Day, Prof. Matta Kaur reflected on her path as a woman in STEM, educator, researcher and new mother.