The Muppets - Current Team

Abriella Whidden

Abriella is in her last year of chemistry at Mount Royal. She was a part of the Alberta Innovates- Student Summer Research Studentship (AI-SRS) during summer 2026 doing Green Chemistry venture on chemical waste management and a student lab volunteer since fall 2025. She is passionate about finding ways to make chemistry greener, especially within synthesis. 

Outside the lab, Abriella enjoys to crochet, read and hike with her friends.

Ben Windsor

Ben is finishing up his last year in the chemistry program at MRU. A part of the Student Learning Assistant (SLA) program as well as a volunteer research assistant during the the fall and winter semesters of 2025 - 2027, and a Student Research Assistant (SRA) over the summer of 2026.

He is proud to be a part of the scientific community at MRU, and will continue exploring the world of chemical synthesis in the future.

Outside of his university life, Ben is an avid climber with a focus on bouldering, and enjoys game nights with friends.

Current Projects: Synthesis of new ligands with a focus on triazoles, complexation of 1st row metals with known ligands, and a secondary research paper focusing on anti-symmetric, bidentate triazoles formed via the click reaction.

Fred Harford

Frederick Harford is a 4th year student of chemistry at MRU. During the fall and winter, he works as a student learning assistant and has been a volunteer research assistant since fall 2024. Some of his works include “Integrated structural, optical, and dielectric properties of PZT/ITO thin films for transparent sensor applications” (2025) and “Chemical and Morphological Characterization of ITO/PZT, Ag/PZT, and PZT Discs for Transparent Piezoelectric and Photonic Applications” (2026). Frederick Harford has a passion for science and learning and looks forward to expanding his skill set.

Outside of university, Frederick Harford enjoys exploring the outdoors, fishing and working on cars. He enjoys learning new things and is always willing to try new hobbies.

Emma Owerko

Emma is entering her final year of chemistry here at MRU. She is very excited to be joining the research team this fall and to be learning many new things! 

Besides chemistry, Emma enjoys travelling, seeing her friends, and spending time with her cats.