Andrew Collins McRae
Valedictorian
PhD
Physics
In September 2018, Andrew Collins McRae completed his PhD on tuning the quantum states and the flow of electrons in ultra-short, atomically thin transistors, combining electronics and mechanics. His work, partially funded by the prestigious NSERC Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship, has been published in world-class peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences.
Three keys to a good education
- Determine your learning style to be a more efficient and effective learner.
- Ask lots of questions to build your understanding of the big picture.
- Work hard, but not too hard!
Two lessons learned at Concordia University
- Taking the time to organize yourself and put everything in place initially seems to slow down your work flow, but it can save you twice as much time down the road.
- Do as much as you can by yourself, but do not hesitate to ask for help if you get stuck. Relying on experts can save you a lot of time.
Next great goal
- To use my problem-solving skills and make my way into industry to help make the world a better place.
Advice for future grads
- Keep working hard to achieve your goals, and don’t give up. You are capable of so much more than you know!