Despite increases in women’s academic achievements and involvement in scientific fields over the past several decades, women remain underrepresented in STEM disciplines all over the world. On February 11th, we celebrate the 7th annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science which was implemented by UNESCO to amplify the critical role that women and girls can and do play in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
We want to highlight some outstanding women in STEM who have significantly contributed to their research fields while also promoting science outreach and serving as role models and mentors for youth.
Dr. Valerie Miller
Dr. Valerie MillerDr. Valerie Miller holds a BSc in Biology and Environmental and Resource Science from Trent University as well as a PhD in Land Reclamation from the University of Alberta. Her PhD research focused on building soils using mine waste materials at a diamond mine in northern Canada.
She is the Outreach Coordinator for Future Energy Systems at the University of Alberta. Through this role, she supports a variety of outreach initiatives, from classroom visits to lab tours, in order to help researchers communicate their scientific research. Dr. Miller is very passionate about STEM outreach. In addition to being an outstanding Science Rendezvous volunteer, she has also been involved with Telus World of Science, Alberta Envirothon, Nature Kids and Let’s Talk Science.
Check out Dr. Valerie Miller’s Science Rendezvous volunteer profile + connect with her on Twitter!
Dr. Adeola Olubamiji
Dr. Adeola (Addy) Olubamiji made history in 2017 when she became the first black person to obtain a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan. During her time at U of S, Dr. Addy was a Site Coordinator for Science Rendezvous. She specializes in Metal and Plastic Additive Manufacturing (also known as 3D-Printing) and is currently the Director of Additive Manufacturing Solutions at Desktop Metal.
Dr. Addy founded the STEMHub Foundation – a Canadian non-profit organization that provides under-represented youth with free hands-on STEM programming, learning programs and mentorship. STEMHub Foundation has reached over 5000 youth and professionals with their services. Her passion lies in helping others. As a career coach and mentor, through D-Tech Centrix Inc, she has helped hundreds of immigrant professionals seeking career advancement and career transitioning opportunities. Dr. Addy has almost 52k followers on Instagram and over 75k followers on Twitter. She uses her platforms to inspire, advocate and mentor. As she puts it, “people can’t be what they can’t see.” Among other awards and recognitions, Dr. Addy was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women and one of RBC’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrants.
Connect with Dr. Addy on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube + check out her website!
Dr. Erin M. McConnell
Dr. Erin M. McConnellDr. Erin M. McConnell is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Ottawa, studying single-molecule detection using nanotechnology. Her research interests involve the use of DNAzymes and aptamers for human health applications, from diagnostic probes to therapeutics. She is very involved in the field of nucleic acid chemistry and is currently a Board Member of the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society.
In 2018, Dr. McConnell was awarded the NSERC and L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Supplement which recognizes female scientists, at the postdoctoral level, who have shown exemplary involvement in science promotion, mentorship and leadership. Dr. McConnell is very passionate about science outreach. In addition to being an outstanding Science Rendezvous volunteer, she is a volunteer with the Canadian Association for Girls in Science (CAGIS) – a STEM club for girls and gender-nonconforming youth aged 7-16. She is involved with several initiatives that aim to support and empower women in science.
Check out Dr. Erin M. McConnell’s Science Rendezvous volunteer profile + connect with her on Twitter!
Rhiannon Kirton, MSc
Rhiannon Kirton, MSc is a Zoologist who currently works as a Biologist for a First Nation in BC. She completed an MSc at the University of Western Ontario, investigating the effects of hunting on white-tailed deer movement and habitat use. Rhiannon is a first-generation student and completed her BSc in Zoology from The University of Manchester in England.
Her research interests include large mammal ecology, human-wildlife conflict, landscape ecology, carnivore ecology, habitat connectivity and anthropogenic impacts. She is also interested in how we can learn from Indigenous peoples to achieve greater sustainability and biodiversity.
Notably, Rhiannon is the Co-Founder of Black Mammalogists Week and was a grantee of the Trebek Initiative – a collaborative grant program between National Geographic Society and Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS).
Check out Rhiannon’s website + connect with her on Twitter.
Dr. Emily S. Choy
Dr. Emily S. ChoyDr. Emily S. Choy is a Postdoctoral Fellow at McGill University and Environment and Climate Change Canada. Her research is supported by the NSERC and L’Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Research Excellence Fellowship which recognizes outstanding female postdoctoral scientists who are committed to science outreach and mentorship.
Dr. Choy’s completed a PhD in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Manitoba, supported by an NSERC Post Graduate Scholarship. She also holds an MSc from the Chemical and Environmental Toxicology program at the University of Ottawa. Her current research focuses on the study of the direct and indirect physiological effects of Arctic climate change on seabirds.
Dr. Choy was a Weston Scientist on the 2014 Victoria Strait Expedition in search of the lost Franklin ships. She is very involved in science outreach and is currently a Scientific Advisor for The W. Garfield Weston Foundation’s Committee for Northern Philanthropy and a new councillor for the Association of Field Ornithologists.
Check out Dr. Emily S. Choy’s website + connect with her on Twitter!
Holly M. Fruehwald
Holly is a PhD Candidate at Ontario Tech University studying Materials Science. Her PhD research focuses on the development of carbon-based materials clean electrochemical energy systems. She uses carbon modified with low-cost and renewable elements as a replacement for materials that rely on rare and expensive elements.
Holly is the Chief Administrative Officer for the Canadians Working for Inclusivity in Chemical Sciences, Engineering and Technology (CWIC) Network. She is also one of the founding members and current Co-President of the Ontario Tech-Trent Working for Inclusivity in Chemistry (OTT-WIC) Chapter of the CWIC Network. She is very passionate about science outreach and education. She has been involved with initiatives and programs like SoapboxScience and Skype a Scientist, in addition to being a Science Rendezvous volunteer for over 5 years!
Check out Holly’s website + connect with her on Twitter and Instagram!
Dr. Gurinder Kaur
Dr. Gurinder KaurDr. Kaur holds a PhD in Physics and is currently a Physics Instructor at the College of the North Atlantic (CNA). Prior to coming to Canada, she was a recipient of the prestigious Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Fellowship.
Dr. Kaur’s research focuses on the development of new nanomaterials for electronic and optoelectronic devices. She is an active member of the Canadian Association of Physicists, the American Ceramic Society, the Forum of Chalcogeniders and the Semiconductor Society of India.
Dr. Kaur has always been passionate about science outreach. In addition to being an outstanding Science Rendezvous volunteer, she was part of our 2021 Science Communication team!
Check out Dr. Gurinder Kaur’s Science Rendezvous volunteer profile!
Cailin Correia 
Cailin Correia holds an Environmental Biology degree from McGill University. Currently, she is the Communications Coordinator with Ocean Networks Canada – a not-for-profit organization based in Victoria, BC, that pursues marine research and promotes ocean literacy.
“I think it’s particularly interesting how science can serve as a means of measuring environmental health,” says Cailin Correia, “and how it can be used alongside other forms of knowledge to create innovative solutions to the environmental challenges we are facing.”
Through her current role, Cailin discovered Science Rendezvous and became a volunteer. She was also part of our 2021 Science Communication team!
Check out Cailin’s Science Rendezvous volunteer profile.
Dr. Justine Tishinsky
Dr. Justine TishinskyDr. Justine Tishinsky completed a PhD in Human Health and Nutritional Sciences from the University of Guelph in 2012. Since then, she has been working as the Coordinator of a large first-year Biology of Health course as well as an Instructor in Nutrition and Biology at the University of Guelph.
Dr. Tishinsky recently joined Science Rendezvous as a volunteer and was part of our 2021 Science Communication team! She is committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists and innovators. As she says: “it’s about connecting with our community and making science both exciting and tangible for people of all ages.”
Check out Dr. Justine Tishinsky’s Science Rendezvous volunteer profile + connect with her on Twitter!
