Cancer researcher, entrepreneur and Justin Bieber’s DJ: Arts & Science alum Amir Alam is a man of many talents

Alum Amir Alam says U of T provided the foundation he needed to succeed as a DJ, a cancer researcher and an entrepreneur. Photos by Kemeisha McDonald.

Amir Alam’s (BSc 2015 WDW) journey to the Faculty of Arts & Science started with a bet.

As a teenager, his love for creating music was ignited one night when he saw a DJ spinning records for a raucous crowd. He struck a deal with his mother: if he got accepted to every major Canadian university he applied to, she would buy him his first set of turntables. He won the wager after fast-tracking his last year of high school and receiving an offer of admission from U of T (along with other top-ranked schools) a few months later.

“The first choice was always U of T – even before my family immigrated from Iran to Toronto, I remember hearing U of T was the ‘Ivy League School of Canada,’” says Alam, who earned his honours bachelor of science degree in 2015 as a member of Woodsworth College.

An international opportunity

Drawn to U of T for its prestige and the city for its cultural diversity and vibrant music scene, Alam moved into residence with his vinyl records and turntables. He began to frequent a local record shop near campus where he persistently approached the manager about a job. This opened the door to regular gigs at clubs downtown and, soon after, touring opportunities with high-profile artists Justin Bieber and The Weeknd. Alam was still a first-year student at the time.

Despite the excitement of touring the world, Alam missed the feeling of belonging to a community that many students experience during their first year at university. Music took a back seat as Alam focused on U of T, determined to fulfill a promise to his father to complete his degree, a double-major in human biology and cell and systems biology.

“When you’re touring, you’re always in a different city. You’re in, you do the show and you’re out. It’s a very scheduled and disconnected lifestyle. I really missed being around like-minded individuals and having meaningful conversations.”

Back to school

Again, focused on his full-time studies, Alam took on mentorship roles and immersed himself in campus life. Beginning in third year, he worked as a lab assistant at SickKids’ Brain Tumour Research Centre alongside renowned neurosurgeon and U of T professor Gelareh Zadeh. Alam then secured a full-time research position in the University Health Network (UHN) at the MaRS Discovery District, where he worked in neuro-oncology and published several papers on brain tumour research.

But new opportunities and challenges were about to change Alam’s trajectory once more.

With his chemistry experience and a love for street fashion, Alam developed Shoe Laundry, a 100 percent plant-based shoe-cleaning product. Working with a lab in Edmonton, he refined the formula and Shoe Laundry became a full-time job.

“My scientific background in the labs at U of T, SickKids and UHN definitely helped me when I was developing the concept,” says Alam. “I knew what I wanted and I had the vocabulary to communicate with the lab.”

The company continues to grow. He’s developing a new product that repels stains before they happen, ensuring it remains in line with the brand’s commitment to sustainability.

In addition to his ventures in science and entrepreneurship, Alam has taken on filmmaking, running a music festival, making his own music again and working in artist relations. He enjoys keeping multiple projects on the go and is open to whatever comes next in his dynamic career.

Perseverance pays off

The most valuable skill Alam developed at U of T was perseverance, he says, noting that the university offers all the resources to excel in this area. Alam’s undergraduate experience cultivated his entrepreneurial spirit and prepared him to tackle challenges with confidence and an innovative mindset.

“The reputation of the school speaks for itself internationally, but what really matters is learning how to use the tools around you to succeed.”

Now mentoring in A&S’ new Venture Mentoring Service, Alam is eager to give back. His advice to current students is simple: unless you are certain about your career path, explore as many options as possible.

“You’ll fail at some things and you’ll succeed at others, but it’s the only way to truly discover what you’re passionate about,” he says.

Originally published by Faculty of Arts & Science