Each Thursday, varsityblues.ca will highlight a U of T student-athlete and their academic pursuits. Each of these students achieved first class honours with an AGPA of at least 3.50 in the previous academic year. These are our Student-Athlete Stories, presented by Egg Farmers of Ontario.
|
| For Varsity Blues figure skater Olivia Pulsifer, the precision and artistry she brings to the ice mirror the curiosity and discipline she applies in the lab.
A fourth-year pharmacology specialist with a minor in immunology at Innis College, Pulsifer has found her rhythm balancing research, academics, and competitive skating at one of the world's top universities.
"When I was first introduced to biology, I found it fascinating that cells could change and drive different diseases," she said. "The more I learned about cells, the more I became fascinated with their role in disease and how we can optimize their innate use in the treatment of diseases like cancer."
|
 |
(Pulsifer and teammate Nicole Chan skating their gold-medal-winning routine at the 2025 OUA figure skating championship at TMU | Photo by Barry McCluskey)
|
|
Through her studies in pharmacology, the native of Amherst, N.S., has discovered a field that combines her scientific curiosity with her drive to make an impact.
"Pharmacology allows me to approach disease from both a mechanistic and therapeutic perspective to understand new therapeutics," she explained.
That passion has already taken shape in the lab.
"I just started research this summer as a part of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, which allows me to develop research skills before starting my fourth-year thesis," said Pulsifer. "Being able to develop these skills has assured me that I want to pursue research and graduate school and contribute to the development of therapeutics."
|
 |
(Pulsifer outside of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine in October, 2025 | Barry McCluskey)
|
|
Her summer research position, focused on glycoimmunology, has been a defining moment in her academic journey. "This position has allowed me to develop research and critical thinking skills while contributing to novel research in the field," she shared.
Looking ahead, Pulsifer hopes to pursue a graduate degree and contribute to the development of immunotherapies for diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders.
"U of T provides the best research experience for undergraduates," she said. "To be a part of a world-class research university as an undergraduate is an experience like no other."
|
 |
(L to R: U of T Vice-Provost of Students Sandy Welsh, Olivia Pulsifer, and KPE Vice Dean of Programs, Ashley Stirling at the 2024 Academic Breakfast | Photo by Seyran Mammadov)
|
|
As a member of the Varsity Blues figure skating team, Pulsifer earned 2024-25 OUA all-star honours following a gold-medal finish in the couple artistic event; however, among her most cherished Varsity Blues memories is one that took place off campus.
"Skating at Nathan Phillips Square for the Toronto Spring Festival with my team was unforgettable," Pulsifer recalled. "It was such a cold night, but I've never skated on a surface like Nathan Phillips before. Getting to skate with my team in front of a supporting crowd, celebrating my culture, was such a memorable experience I will forever cherish."
|
 |
(Pulsifer, right, skating at the 2025 Toronto Spring Festival at Nathan Phillps Square | Photo by Seyran Mammadov)
|
|
When it came time to choose a university, U of T was the clear choice for Pulsifer. "I chose the University of Toronto because of its great reputation and figure skating team," she said. "It was one of the only schools that allowed me to continue skating competitively during my undergraduate education."
|
|
|
