ComSciConCAN 2022
Invited Experts
ComSciConCAN 2022 was generously sponsored by:
Keynote Speaker
Dr Katie Mack (she/her) - Perimeter Institute
Dr. Katie Mack is a theoretical astrophysicist exploring a range of questions in cosmology, the study of the universe from beginning to end. She currently holds the position of Hawking Chair in Cosmology and Science Communication at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, where she carries out research on dark matter and the early universe and works to make physics more accessible to the general public. She is the author of the book “The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking)” and has written for a number of popular publications, such as Scientific American, Slate, Sky & Telescope, Time, and Cosmos magazine. She can be found on Twitter as @AstroKatie.
Dr Imogen R. Coe (she/her) - Toronto Metropolitan University
Dr. Imogen R. Coe is currently a professor of Chemistry and Biology and was the founding dean of the Faculty of Science at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson). She is also an affiliate scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, where her research group studies drug uptake. In addition to being an academic scientist and leader, Dr. Coe is well known as a long time advocate for a more diverse, inclusive & accessible world of science and medicine. She is much in demand as a speaker, has written extensively on inclusive excellence in diverse venues such as The Globe and Mail and the Lancet, and has received numerous awards for her advocacy work.
Dr Anthony Bonato (he/him/his) - Toronto Metropolitan University
Anthony Bonato is a gay man and mathematician whose research is in Graph Theory and Network Science. He has authored over 130 papers with 100 co-authors and five books. Bonato is currently full Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Toronto Metropolitan University. He’s won several awards for his research and graduate supervision at the university. He’s served as Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Associate Dean in Graduate Studies. Bonato serves on the NSERC-Mathematical and Statistical Liaison Committee, the CMS Board and Research Committee, and the BIRS Board of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. He co-chairs the annual LGBTQ+Math Day.
Peńina Sara-Lynn Harding (she/her/hers) - University of Northern British Columbia
Penína Sara-Lynn Harding is a PhD Candidate in Natural Resources & Environmental Studies at the University of Northern British Columbia. She is a member of the Esk’etemc First Nation who belong to the Secwépemc (Shuswap). The title of her dissertation is: “Documenting Esk’etemc Experience of Place to Prepare for Generative Land Use Planning”; her areas of specialization are: Indigenous Environmental Planning, Indigenous Research Methodologies, & Experience of Place. She completed the TikTok Accelerator for Indigenous Creators program delivered by the National Screen Institute in December 2021. She is a mother of 4 and goes by Academic_Aunty on TikTok & Twitter. She teaches NREM 210: Integrated Resource Management at UNBC & has been the Indigenous Graduate Rep on the UNBC Senate Committee for Indigenous Initiatives since summer 2019 & was the duly elected President of the Northern BC Graduate Student Society (NBCGSS) in 2019-20. She enjoys being on the land & is a hunter, gatherer of traditional foods and medicines. The name “Penína” was given to her by her great-grandmother at birth (Alice Jack Symphorien was the first of three generations taken to the St. Joseph’s Residential School), it means “a female of high-ranking” & is a demonstration of maintaining Kinship Responsibilities within the Secwépemc on behalf of her great-grandmother.
Dr Amita Kuttner (they/he) - Green Party of Canada
Amita Kuttner (they/he) holds a PhD in astronomy and astrophysics from the University of California, Santa Cruz; their research focused on black holes, wormholes, quantum effects, and the early universe. Amita ran for MP with the Green Party of Canada in Burnaby North - Seymour in 2019, while serving as Science and Innovation critic and bringing forward policy on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. They then ran for leadership of the Party in 2020, and volunteered locally during the 2021 election. While at university, Amita led advocacy groups supporting the inclusion of marginalized people in the sciences, and scientists in the political process. Amita co-founded and served as director for moonlight institute, a non-profit that develops climate, tech, and decolonial policy, as well as frameworks for a just and equitable future.
Farah Qaiser (she/her) - Evidence for Democracy
Farah is a genomics researcher by training, now taking a detour into the world of policy. Currently, Farah is the Director of Research and Policy at Evidence for Democracy, where she leads research, training and campaigns to promote the transparent use of evidence in government decision-making. Farah holds a Master of Science in Molecular Genetics and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto. Previously, Farah co-founded the Toronto Science Policy Network, has written about science for multiple media outlets, and continues to organize Wikipedia Edit-A-Thons to create pages about under-represented scientists. She serves as a member of the Canada Chief Science Advisor’s Youth Council, 500 Women Scientists’ Leadership Team, and Let’s Talk Science’s Board of Directors. In 2024, Farah will release with Hajer Nakua a children’s picture book, titled Khadija and The Elephant Toothpaste Experiment (Second Story Press).
Dr Love-Ese Chile (she/her) - Regenerative Waste Labs
Dr. Love-Ese Chile is Owner and Technical Director of circular economy innovation lab, Regenerative Waste Labs, where she advocates for a whole system approach to product development. In her work, Love-Ese advises businesses on circular product design, closed loop recovery strategies and how to communicate the value of circular products. She leads a technical team of researchers who develop novel waste management and circular recovery technologies. Dr. Chiles' interests lie at the intersection of the circular economy, bioeconomy, green chemistry, and sustainable science. She has taken her scientific training into industry and is passionate about communicating and translating her knowledge into new ventures and initiatives that will add value to our communities. As a person who comes from diverse backgrounds both personally and professionally, Dr. Chile is driven to connect people who may not usually come together to co-create products and services that will lead our communities into a greener and more equitable future.
Dr Maureen Matthews (she/her) - Manitoba Museum
Maureen Matthews is the Curator of Cultural Anthropology at the Manitoba Museum. Her thesis, Naaamiwan’s Drum, published in 2016 is an examination of museum repatriation from an Anishinaabe philosophical perspective and won the Alexander Kennedy Isbister prize for Non Fiction from the Manitoba Writers Guild in 2017. Before coming to the museum in 2011, Dr. Matthews supported the four Indigenous communities proposing the Pimachiowin Aki World Heritage site, a 2.9 million hectare, boreal forest area, as a cultural landscape landscape and UNESCO World Heritage Site by writing scientific papers to enable the proposed registration.
Aaron Kilmury (he/him) - Manitoba Museum
Aaron Kilmury is a master’s of science graduate student studying marine vertebrate paleoecology and biogeography at the University of Manitoba. The recently published first chapter of his thesis examines marine vertebrate (fish, sharks, birds, and reptiles) biogeography of the Late Cretaceous (66-100 million years ago) Western Interior Seaway of North America in relation to Manitoba fossil assemblages in order to investigate the impact of long-term climate changes on marine vertebrate communities in the ancient past. Aaron is currently working on the second chapter of his thesis investigating Late Cretaceous fossils of small-bodied vertebrates of Manitoba and involving Indigenous students in microfossil sorting to increase interest and representation of Indigenous peoples in Earth sciences.
Workshop: Data Visualisation
Mark Belan (he/him) - Artscistudios
Mark is a scientific graphics journalist and visual communicator, working at the intersection of art and science to translate scientific concepts into impactful visuals. With two Master of Science degrees (one in Geochemistry/Astrobiology, another in Biomedical Communications), his work and past experience as a researcher has led him to champion the values of visual storytelling when communicating complex and sophisticated ideas, especially in science. Mark is based in Toronto, Canada and yearns to make science more accessible to everyone with all forms of visual media. Learn more about Mark at www.artscistudios.com
Workshop: Indigenous Storytelling
Panelists: Communicating with Science Policy & Activism
Workshop: Misinformation
Dr Krishana Sankar (she/her) - ScienceUpFirst
Dr. Krishana Sankar completed her PhD at the University of Toronto in the Faculty of Medicine. Her expertise lies in Cellular & Molecular Biology and she has over 10 years of scientific research experience. She is a sought after speaker and science communicator who has presented at many national and international events on diabetes research, the importance of STEM education and science communication. Dr. Sankar is also passionate about countering misinformation and has been dispelling misconceptions around healthcare issues for several years, both in person and on social media. Since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March 2020, she has been working to share accurate scientific information with different communities in Canada, The United States, Australia and Guyana. Dr. Sankar is currently the Science Advisor and Community Partnerships Lead for ScienceUpFirst, a national anti-misinformation campaign in Canada that aims to combat misinformation around COVID-19 and the vaccines. Through her work with the organization, she has engaged and collaborated with several community partners that serve those in the underserved and marginalized populations. A major aim of her work is to remove barriers to access of accurate and relevant information to tackle misinformation in these groups. Through her breadth of work, Dr. Sankar has also shared her expertise on national news outlets in Canada and Guyana and has been quoted in publications like Reuters, the Huffington Post & Global Citizen.
Workshop: Science Improv
Dr Katie Pagnucco (she/her) - John Abbott College
Dr Katie Pagnucco is a science educator by day, and improviser by night. In addition to performing in the Montreal Fringe in an award-winning ensemble as well as various touring troupes, Katie has had the opportunity to teach improv and sci-comm workshops across Canada, the US and Europe for nearly a decade. Katie holds MSc. and PhD degrees in Biology from the University of Alberta and McGill University, respectively.
Vinny Francois (he/him) - Improv College
Vinny Francois has over 20 years of experience as a professional improviser in both English and French and is an award-winning instructor. An entrepreneur and founding director of the Montreal Improv Theatre, he has performed and taught across North America, Europe and Oceania. He has a Master's degree in Physics from McGill University and has spent years in the fields of engineering, marketing, sales and management.
Panelists: Communicating with Diverse Audiences
Create-a-thon Experts
Joanna Giddens (she/her) - University of Toronto & 1twentyover80
Attempting to define myself as either an arts or science person has led me to a dynamic career where I am finally able to blend and leverage my love of scientific communication. By day, I'm the Strategic Plan Manager for U of T's Department of Surgery. By night & weekend, I run 1twentyover80, a freelance editing, writing, and content creation service. My research interests include bioethics, physician wellness, entrepreneurship/innovation, medical humanities, and global outreach - and I love finding new avenues of using the written word to explore these dimensions! I've completed a BAH in Kinesiology (Queen's), an MBA (James Cook, Australia), and a Medical Writing certificate (Harvard Medical School).
Sivani Baskaran (she/her) - University of Toronto
Sivani is a PhD Candidate in Environmental Chemistry where her research focuses on methods for measuring and predicting properties that are important to environmental chemical risk assessments. In addition to her science, Sivani is passionate about science policy & evidence informed decision making. In 2018, she co-founded the Toronto Science Policy Network (TSPN), serving as Vice-President and later President, where she co-led the non-partisan Vote Science national campaigns and the co-wrote the report on The Early Impacts of COVID-19 on Graduate Students across Canada. She has co-authored a number of policy memos, op-eds, and editorials. Sivani continues to work in science and policy and is currently helping launch SciPolCanada — a new platform for research trainees interested in evidence informed policy. In the fall, she will be starting a post-doctoral position that combines environmental chemistry, data science, and policy.
Ikran Ali (she/her) - University of Toronto
Ikran Ali is a fifth year PhD candidate at the Institute of Medical Sciences at the University of Toronto. She is currently conducting research in Dr. Aaron Nauth's Musculoskeletal Lab here at St. Michael’s hospital. Ikran was a winner of Angels Den’s Canada Life People’s Choice Award with Dr. Nauth for their pitch ‘Supercharged Stem Cells: When Bones Don't Heal’. She was also a finalist for the Pam McConnell Young Women in Leadership award presented by the City of Toronto. She is the co-founder of Say Somaali Youth Development Initiative, a program aimed to provide Somali youth in the GTA with holistic mentorship opportunities. Ikran is an advocate for science and equitable opportunities for marginalized youth and plans to continue to serve her community as a leader and mentor.
Adam Zunder (he/him) - University of Toronto
Adam is a graduate of the Masters of Science in Biomedical Communication program at the University of Toronto – a unique but fitting path considering his childhood love for art and animation, combined with a degree in biology and psychology. By bridging the gap between art and science, and distilling complex ideas into accessible visual stories, his goal as a scientific visualizer is to educate and inspire while bringing the beauty of the natural world to light; everything from the movement of the smallest molecules to the enormity of the big bang!
Organising Committee
Maria Chadid-Hernandez @mariale8706
University of Northern British Columbia
I have a landscape ecology background from Colombia and multiple fieldwork experiences. During my PhD, I have been trying to understand the implications of forest management activities (i.e. the ways how natural forest is harvested) on carbon sequestration in different forest types in British Columbia. I am passionate about outdoor sports, and I am always looking for ways to be proactive and advocate for social, environmental and communication issues.
Ben Davis-Purcell @bendavispurcell
Carleton University
Ben is a physicist, teacher, and science communicator, currently in the final year of his PhD at Carleton University. His research is in the field of experimental particle physics as a member of the ATLAS Collaboration, where he also serves on the Early Career Scientist Board. ATLAS uses the proton-proton collisions created by the Large Hadron Collider at CERN to study the tiniest, most fundamental building blocks of the Universe! Ben also volunteers for many SciComm initiatives, including Skype A Scientist and podcast guest appearances, and guides visitors on tours of CERN and the ATLAS Experiment. To unwind, Ben loves playing sports like hockey, squash, and ultimate, and banging on his drums.
Karen Hock
University of Waterloo
Karen is a first-year PhD student in public health at the University of Waterloo. Her research focuses on the impact of food policies on dietary intake, and she is particularly interested in sugary drink taxes and front-of-package labelling. Before returning to graduate school, she worked for over five years as a scientific writer in the health supplement industry, where she became passionate about using science communication to encourage and empower others to take charge of their health. Outside of school, she enjoys swimming, reading, hiking through nature trails, and baking (and eating) cookies.
Toby Le @TobyLe123
University of Manitoba
Toby Le is a PhD student of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases at the University of Manitoba. Toby is studying the immunological effects of a common birth control drug called Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA), and its potential consequences on HIV risk. Outside of research, Toby was the 1st place winner and the People’s Choice Award recipient for the 2020 Three Minute Thesis at the University of Manitoba. Toby is also the founder of the Multidisciplinary Health Research Experience (MHRE) Program; a training program that provides undergraduate students with basic training in different disciplines of health science. Toby is also a member of the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease and was involved in several COVID-19 communication projects for public health. Linked in.
Julie McNutt
University of British Columbia
Julie McNutt (she/hers) is a PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry at The University of British Columbia. She studies the effects of drugs on slowing the progression of breast cancer cells using tools in chemistry. Julie is a co-chair and a founder of UBC Chemists for Diversity and Inclusion, and previously was the president of the UBC Chemistry Graduate Student Society. In addition to her interests in science communication, Julie is passionate about educational leadership. She is nearly finished her advanced certificate in teaching & learning offered through the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology at UBC. Additionally, she is a graduate facilitator of Instructional Skills Workshops and a graduate peer reviewer of teaching and presentations. In her free time, Julie enjoys spin classes and training for a marathon this coming spring!
Tara McDonnell @itstaramcd(twit) @Itstaramcdonnell(ig)
University of Toronto
Tara M. is an Australian scientist and science communicator, currently completing her PhD in the Department of Cell & Systems Biology. She completed her BSc in Chemistry and Molecular Biology, and BSc (Honours) in Chemistry, at the University of New South Wales, Sydney. Tara has completed a wide range of research projects across five different labs, from looking at metal nanoparticle crystallisation mechanisms to deciphering how retinal progenitors decide their fate. In addition to research, Tara has a passion for science communication and outreach, and recently helped co-found ComSciCon Canada as a Non-Profit!
Shanzeh Mumtaz Ahmed @shanzehahmed1
University of Toronto
Hi all! My name is Shanzeh and I studied the autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis. When I'm not thinking about brain lesions, you can find me on a long walk or trying to convince my cat that he did, in fact, just eat, and does not need to meow at me like that.
Shealin Murray @shealinmurray(twit) @neuroscience.and.shea(ig)
Brock University
Shealin (she/her) has a BSc. in Neuroscience from Brock University, and is currently working on obtaining her master's degree. Her research focuses on adolescence, particularly looking at how stressful environments influence the development of social behaviour and related brain areas. She is passionate about integrating science communication in her work, with previous experience engaging people of all ages in the science of everyday life at organizations such as the Ontario Science Centre and Let's Talk Science. When not in the lab, Shealin can be found training for fencing tournaments or doting on her current foster cat.
Sarah Nersesian @NersesianSarah
Dalhousie University;
Sarah is a passionate science communicator and illustrator currently conducting research in the realms of cancer immunotherapy and science communication. She completed her BScH in Bio-Medical Sciences at the University of Guelph followed by an MSc in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Queen’s University. She is currently a Killam, and Vanier Scholarship supported Ph.D. Candidate in Microbiology and Immunology at Dalhousie University, working in the lab of Dr. Jeanette Boudreau. Her doctoral research is focused on investigating the relationship between natural killer cells and high-grade serous cancer of the ovary. Outside of her academics, Sarah founded the first research-focused scientific illustrations company in Canada, Designs that Cell, in 2017. She is also an active member of several organizations, currently sitting on committees for ComSciConCAN, ComSciConCAN Atlantic, The Canadian Society of Immunology, Canadian Cancer Immunotherapy Consortium and The Science Writers and Communicators of Canada.
Michelle Ogrodnik @michelleogrod
McMaster University
Michelle Ogrodnik is a PhD candidate at McMaster University where she combines concepts from psychology and kinesiology to better understand how exercise impacts attention and memory. Alongside her passion for #SciComm, Michelle cares deeply about teaching. She works as an instructor at McMaster and a Lead Educational Development Fellow at the Paul R. MacPherson Institute for Leadership, Innovation and Excellence in Teaching. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, playing board games, and eating cheesy carbs.
Katie Pullella @katiepullella
University of Toronto
Katie is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Toronto in the Department of Nutritional Sciences. Her research focuses on understanding how exposure to environmental toxins, such as arsenic, impacts cancer risk in Canada. Katie's passion for #scicomm stems from working in a science museum, where she spent her time sharing her love of science with audiences of all ages! When she's not working on her research, Katie loves to hike, read and play tennis!
Pramodh Senarath Yapa @PramodhYapa
University of Alberta
Pramodh Senarath Yapa is a PhD Student in Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics at the University of Alberta. He studies the properties of matter when it is cooled to near absolute zero, and explores how quantum mechanics leads to the formation of new states of matter. His current obsession is superfluid Helium-3, which is liquid that has zero viscosity and thus can flow without friction. In 2019, Pramodh was chosen as the winner of the Dance Your PhD competition sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science for his swing-dancing rendition of electron behaviour, "Superconductivity: The Musical!". Outside of various #SciComm activities, Pramodh is playing ultimate frisbee, recording music or out exploring the great outdoors!
Cissy Suen @cc_suen(twit) @ccsuen(ig)
University of British Columbia
Cissy Suen is a joint PhD student with the Quantum Matter Institute at the University of British Columbia and the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research. She researches strongly correlated materials using different spectroscopic techniques, in particular angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy or ARPES. While based in Stuttgart, Germany, she is currently working under a doctoral fellowship at the Advanced Light Source in Berkeley, California. Cissy is also incredibly passionate about science policy; she is interested in exploring how we can better communicate quantum advances to the broader public and bridging the frontiers of quantum research with policy.
Tareq Yousef
Dalhousie University
Tareq is completing his PhD in Medical Neuroscience, looking forward to continued work in research and university education. In 2021, Tareq helped found the first ComSciCon-Canada Atlantic meeting and is delighted to support the continued work of the national committee. Tareq has been interviewed on Les aventures du Pharmachien (CBC ICI) and has written for The Conversation Canada. Website.
Francesco Zangari @franthewriter1
University of Toronto
Francesco is Ph.D. researcher at the University of Toronto within the Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute. He studies the intersection between RNA/Protein biology by building new tools to survey their interactions. These mapping efforts will serve as an atlas that can be referred to in diseased states when often these interactions are altered. When not doing experiments, he has spent time making science accessible through writing covering an array of topics like the microbiome, COVID-19 and Canada’s biotechnology sector for outlets like the National Association of Science Writers, Signals Blog and Massive Science. Through writing, Francesco has also become involved with science outreach groups, and currently works with both Scihigh and ComSciConCAN focusing on fostering scientific literacy throughout the education system. While he spends a lot of time in the scientific realm, Francesco gets away from it occasionally and likes to spend time watching sporting events, digesting the latest NPR podcast or watching investigative documentaries. If you’d like to connect with me, DM me on Twitter @franthewriter1 or leave a message on my site. Website.
