I’m Hrishikesh Patil, currently pursuing my Ph.D. in Biological Engineering at the University of Guelph. My research focuses on food nanotechnology, with the aim of developing innovative solutions to address malnutrition and promote sustainability within global food systems.

Volunteering at Chalmers is a meaningful extension of my passion for community service. It reflects the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, a Sanskrit phrase meaning “the world is one family.” This belief drives me to contribute wherever I can, fostering a sense of unity and support among people from all walks of life.
 

Outside of volunteering with Chalmers, I’m currently working in the public sector and recently completed my Master of Environmental Science degree at the University of Toronto Scarborough. I did my undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph, where I was involved in several volunteer initiatives. Volunteering was always an important part of my time in school, and I knew I wanted to continue giving back even after I started working. I was drawn to Chalmers because of the organization’s deep commitment to food security and its commitment to treating everyone with dignity and respect.

I'm a 1st year master's student at the University of Guelph working in plant biochemistry who was looking for a way to get involved in my community. On my bus-route to campus, I would see lines of people waiting outside of the Chalmer's centre in downtown Guelph. Seeing the positive impact and demand for the services provided by Chalmers, I looked into the organization and applied for a volunteer position. Growing up in the London area, I had close friends whose families benefited from organizations supporting food security and saw first hand the importance of these services, so spending a few hours every week volunteering with Chalmers has been a very rewarding experience for me. Outside of volunteering and my graduate studies, I spend my time with peer-mentoring programs as well as my personal hobbies, which include bird watching and bouldering.

Outside of volunteering at Chalmers, I’m currently working at the University of Guelph, where I focus on chronic pain research and finding ways to translate that knowledge into real-world impact. Outside of work, I stay active by playing hockey and baseball in adult leagues, and I’ve recently taken up golf and pickleball for fun. I’m also recently engaged, and with both of our families living locally, we love spending time together – playing games and enjoying family dinners.

I was inspired to start volunteering at Chalmers by my mom, who has been involved for many years. Even during the height of the pandemic, working 14+ hour days, she always found time to volunteer. Seeing the joy and commitment she brought to Chalmers made me realize I could make time too, no matter how busy life gets.