We want to take International Day of Women and Girls in Science to reflect on the incredible women and girls in science we have featured in our Science Rendezvous stories. They have done and continue to do amazing things for science in Canada and we loved their stories and journeys. Click their names to read the original stories!
Angeline Nelson
Angeline Nelson is the Director of Community Learning and Engagement at the Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre at the University of Winnipeg. Her desire for increased representation for future Indigenous students stems from her own experience as a student. It’s also what led her to the Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre, which is proudly Indigenous-led by a small team of three. The Centre is dedicated to providing educational and cultural student programs rooted in Indigenous language and knowledge.
“Underserved communities, such as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) communities, need equitable opportunities as a start to bridge the gaps that are seen in probably every area of STEM,” says Nelson.
Indra Bishnoi
Indra Bishnoi’s journey into food sustainability began with delivering non-perishables to soup kitchens. Then, she joined one of her city’s Green Committees. Now a PhD student in Neuroscience at the Western University, Indra is the Chair of the Society of Graduate Students (SOGS) Sustainability Committee.
“Not only does working within the realm of sustainability require a good breadth of knowledge regarding the environment, but also policy, economics, research, psychology, and much more,” she says. “There really never is an end to what you can learn – and I love that!”
Dr. Deborah Thomson
Dr. Deborah Thomson and Vanessa Nichols
Dr. Deborah Thomson is the Founder and President of One Health Lessons and Vanessa Nichols is a One Health intern based at Western University.
Vanessa Nichols
Dr. Thomson first learned about the concept of One Health at veterinary school. Feeling that people should learn about One Health much earlier in their education, she started One Health Lessons.
Vanessa was in her second year of university trying to figure out which program to pursue. She was fascinated by the intricacy of cell biology and disease pathology. But, she was also highly driven by issues like environmental justice, sustainability and climate action. Her academic advisor told her about One Health and she was drawn to it immediately.
Seham Kettaneh
Only 14 years old, regular Science Rendezvous volunteer Seham Kettaneh was determined to do something to help people during a pandemic. The rest of her family has also followed her lead and are pursuing their own COVID-19-related projects. “How can we help the frontline heros?” she asked her father, Hasan. This one question led her to recruiting volunteers to help COVID-19 researchers with data collection. As the program grew, she realized she needed to leverage her parents’ platform, Glocalization Hub, to more efficiently manage the logistics.
Hiba Hamed
Hiba Hamed is a three-time Science Rendezvous volunteer. “It made me feel special and empowered to represent Science Rendezvous,” she says as she reflects on her experiences.
After completing a Masters in Social Work, she is now a researcher, a part-time professor for mental health and diversity and inclusion, a clinical social worker and a mental health counsellor at a womens’ shelter. Yet, her journey doesn’t end there. Her goals are to either go to medical school or pursue a PhD in public health.
Sari Glow
Sari Glow is a Head Programming Coordinator for Science Rendezvous for the University of Manitoba. She also received the 2020 Emerging Leaders Award at her university. The award recognizes outstanding student leaders who have made significant contributions to the University and its community. “Leadership involves seeding an idea in a group of people and giving others space to help grow that idea,” she says.
Jodi Schmidt
Jodi Schmidt is a lab technician at the University of Winnipeg’s Anthropology Museum and has volunteered with Science Rendezvous since 2012. She loves anthropology because of “the connections that anthropology allows you to make, both in its interdisciplinary nature, and its ability to shine light on people and their lives in the past.”
She also put together a great anthropology activity to get a taste of what anthropology is all about. Try out our #NoThumbsChallenge!
Dr. Tabitha Wood
Dr. Tabitha Wood is the Associate Dean of Science and Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Winnipeg. She also sits on the Board of Directors for Science Rendezvous. Chemistry is a great way to solve problems creatively and it’s one of Dr. Tabitha Wood’s favourite things about her research at the University of Winnipeg.
She loves to help people think like a chemist at Science Rendezvous, whether in-person or online. Check out her Think Like a Chemisty activity here! All you need are markers, paper and water.
Do you know other amazing women and girls in science we should profile? Let us know!
