Laurier’s personalized science programs provide pathways to careers in healthcare

Feb. 27, 2025

Dr. Laiya Carayannopoulos (BSc ’14) began undergraduate studies at Wilfrid Laurier University in the Bachelor of Business Administration program but had dreams of a career in medicine. Her experience in a first-year Chemistry course solidified that path and her business aspirations soon faded.  

“I was able to work in the chemistry lab throughout the summers after my first year until I graduated doing research in synthetic organic chemistry,” says Carayannopoulos. “All of a sudden, I was getting one-on-one teaching and learning experience. That often isn't an option at a bigger school.”  

Carayannopoulos credits the personalized experience she received at Laurier as a key factor in her career development. She is now a full-time intensive care unit (ICU) doctor at Brantford General Hospital and a clinical scholar at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. As a clinical scholar, she creates clinical guidelines, which are summaries of research and guidance on a given topic and publishes them for other physicians in Ontario and around the world. 

Laurier’s Faculty of Science programs prepare students for the rigours of healthcare careers by offering a foundation of knowledge and research fundamentals, as well as a tight-knit student and faculty community. 

Students in Health Sciences, Chemistry and Biology build an interdisciplinary understanding of topics in health, laboratory sciences and psychology. As they progress in their studies, students begin to incorporate research methods and hands-on lab work. This exposure to real-world learning and a variety of disciplines translates to success on medical school entrance exams and applications, with 80 per cent of Laurier Health Sciences students who applied to Ontario medical or dental schools in 2023 accepted.  

Alongside strong fundamental coursework, students can also take advantage of experiential learning opportunities through summer research placements in Ontario hospitals.

An undergraduate lab course in biopsychology led Dr. Michelle Gould (BSc ’12) to pursue a summer research placement in cognitive neuroscience at the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest in North York. Today, she is a neuro-gastroenterologist and staff physician at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children.  

“Having an interest in both gastroenterology and neuroscience is unusual and it directly stems from those early experiences in the Laurier lab,” says Gould. “There’s a clear trajectory from the courses that I took at Laurier to how I ended up becoming a neuro-gastroenterologist.” 

Neuro-gastroenterology deals with the nerve and muscle function of the gut or GI system, and Gould is among a handful of physicians specializing in the field in Canada and, as one of only two pediatric neuro-gastroenterologists in Ontario, she often sees patients who have been on long, frustrating medical journeys. She credits Laurier’s Health Sciences program with preparing her for the challenges of medical school and beyond.  

“Choosing Laurier Health Sciences for my undergrad was a pivotal step in me getting to where I am now,” says Gould. “The program is designed in a really optimal way, so when you get to medical school you already have a strong foundation of knowledge.”   

A hallmark of Laurier’s personalized educational experience is individual support from professors. 

“Laurier attracts high-achieving students with ambition and an interest in Health Sciences,” says Anthony J. Clarke, dean of the Faculty of Science and a professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “And our faculty are committed to fostering their success, both at Laurier and beyond.”  

Students also benefit from an engaged alumni community, with doctors like Gould and Carayannopoulos donating their time to provide career mentorship and professional connections. 

“I like how Laurier is a close-knit community,” says Carayannopoulos. “That has helped me along the way.”  

In a survey conducted by Laurier’s Career Centre, 70 per cent of 2024 Health Sciences graduates report they are pursuing further education, with 80 per cent of those in health care fields including medicine, nursing, dentistry, chiropractic or rehabilitation science, and 54 per cent of graduates from Biology, Chemistry and Kinesiology are also enrolled in further education.   

“Laurier Faculty of Science graduates are well prepared for further education in medicine and other highly competitive health disciplines,” says Clarke. “They are equipped with a broad base of skills that are much-needed, especially as our province’s population continues to grow and age.”