Women in Science

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

For many of us, weeds are simply an annoyance. Just unwanted plants that keep popping up in gardens, lawns or driveways, even if sprayed or pulled out. They are seen as little more than a cosmetic issue.

National Research Council Canada

Every journey begins with curiosity, and for Qing Yu, that curiosity has always been about making the world better. From her early years in Beijing to her studies in Australia and new beginnings in Canada, Qing's path reflects resilience, lifelong learning and a belief in innovation as a force for lasting change.

National Research Council Canada

Michelle spent 8 months working on software for Cosmological Advanced Survey Telescope for Optical and Ultraviolet Research (CASTOR), Canada's proposed flagship space telescope. She designed a survey planning and scheduling software tool that can double the telescope's observing efficiency and potentially save millions in operational costs.

National Research Council Canada

Dr. van Kooten currently provides adaptive optics support of real-time computing for the Gemini Planet Imager upgrade and for the upgrade of its calibration unit for the Gemini North telescope.

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Sandy Steffen and Geoff Stupple, two scientists who specialize in atmospheric pollution, took part in the first Canadian-led scientific/Navy expedition to Antarctica. This unprecedented mission took place in February and March 2025 aboard His Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Margaret Brooke, with 15 Canadian scientists on board.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"Eventually, I found my way back into the Science Branch, where I now get to combine everything I love: fieldwork, science communication, and making a tangible difference in protecting Canada’s plant health. It’s a role that challenges me, teaches me, and lets me contribute to something that really matters."

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Emilie Reny-Nolin is a scientist who holds a very special position at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). She advises on and coordinates science programs, as well as serving as an Indigenous liaison officer for groups in the Science and Technology Branch and for the Regional Branch for Eastern and Central Regions. If her position is unique, so is her career path. Emilie is a great animal lover, and from an early age her parents instilled in her the value of protecting nature and the environment.

Parks Canada

"Recently, I was involved with a project that conducted controlled pollination of red mulberry trees, which led to the propagation of tree seedlings, genetic testing of leaf samples and the improvement of habitat through invasive species removal, and finally, planting these rare tree seedlings in park. I also participate in other interesting jobs in the park like prescribed fire, field work on Middle Island, invasive species removal by canoe in the marsh, savannah restoration and protecting baby turtles."

Parks Canada

"Currently I am working as the Park Ecologist for Point Pelee. My main job is to lead our monitoring and restoration programs in the park."

Parks Canada

"As the acting geomatics technician, I work heavily with spatial and non-spatial data to support projects and goals in resource conservation, visitor experience, and park maintenance. I collect, manage, analyse, and interpret data with geographic information systems and remote sensing technologies. "

Parks Canada

"These fields are highly competitive, but if you are passionate about a career in STEM I promise you it will all be worth it, as working in resource conservation has been extremely rewarding to me. Always take every opportunity you have to continue to learn, grow, volunteer and gain more experience."

Parks Canada

"It’s a very detail driven role that requires a general knowledge about a variety of different fields including ecology, restoration, cultural resources, visitor experience and safety, project management, and building design. Depending on the nature of the project or event, there may also be a need to engage and consult with Indigenous Peoples and the general public to make sure their knowledge, ideas, and concerns are captured in the process."

Parks Canada

"My main job is to support the Ecological Integrity Monitoring Program by doing various field monitoring projects, including amphibian acoustic monitoring, Five-lined Skink monitoring, and Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus monitoring. I also get to do species at risk monitoring, including Eastern Foxsnakes, bat acoustic monitoring, and turtle nest surveys and hatchling protection."

Parks Canada

"I’ve been able to work on Species at Risk (SAR) assessments, contributed to multi-species action plans, as well as managing the bird records and bird species list for the park. I love being able to work on multi-functional teams and bridging the gap between resource conservation and visitor experience."

Parks Canada

"Don’t underestimate your ability to do anything you feel passionate about. If you spend time and effort, you can find a job that involves subjects you really care about, and that makes coming to work enjoyable."

Parks Canada

"Currently I am part of a great team working on the park’s Marsh Restoration Project which targets invasive vegetation management. This includes the writing of an impact assessment for any natural or cultural resources which could be affected by project activities, collecting data within areas to be managed, and collaborating with researchers conducting wetland related work."

Parks Canada

"As a crew leader, my role is to ensure the fire gear and crew are ready in the case of a wildfire occurrence in the park, implement prescribed fires, provide initial response and suppression to wildfires in the park, as well as fire expertise and assistance to other agencies across Canada (as needed). In the winter season, I am usually out in the field with my chainsaw working on wildfire risk reduction projects and danger tree removals."

Parks Canada

"I am a Resource Management Officer working primarily on Species at Risk and Cultural Resource Management. Currently, a lot of my time is focused on completing an analysis of Species at Risk in the park and prioritizing management actions to assist in their recovery. Apart from my main work plan, we also contribute to Duty Officer response (search and rescue, wildlife management, visitor safety) and other monitoring/research in the park, as needed."

Parks Canada

"In my current role as Project Officer, I am responsible to the agency to support the operational component of wildfire risk reduction projects as well as mitigate the impacts of fuel modification and hazard tree removal in the park."

Parks Canada

"Find what you are passionate about and explore your options. There are so many jobs out there that you might not have ever heard about. For example, if you love animals, being a vet isn’t your only option."

Parks Canada

"Participating in science is an opportunity to adventure and explore the world around us. It’s about being interested and discovering how and why things work. It progresses through curious minds asking questions about the world around them, trying different things and learning from mistakes. Science is waiting for anyone wanting to explore it, and I highly encourage you to do so."

Parks Canada

"I work on monitoring a key species at risk in Jasper National Park: woodland caribou, and by extension many associated species and projects."

Parks Canada

"Our job is to keep tabs on the health of the various ecosystems of the park, from glaciers to plants to mammals. Over the summer, I hike around our huge park and collect data from our biggest project, which uses wildlife cameras to monitor mammals."

Parks Canada

"Do you have a passion for making a difference in the world? Do you ask “why” and “how” a lot? Do you like being around other curious people? Maybe you want to be a scientist too! Science is such a fun and rewarding career."

Parks Canada

"There is so much richness added to the world when you spend a bit of time learning about the ecosystems we live in. Staying open to chance opportunities can also lead you to find passions you didn’t even know you had, and end up in a career you’re truly happy to be in."

Parks Canada

"In general, I oversee songbird and species-at-risk monitoring for birds and bats. In the summer, I am usually in the field collecting bird and bat acoustic data, conducting occupancy surveys on black swifts and bank swallows, and servicing wildlife cameras."

Defence Research and Development Canada

Dr. Kate Kaminska brings a broad multi-disciplinary perspective to a newly updated role as the Chief Scientist at the Department of National Defence’s science and technology organization, Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC). With a PhD in physics, previous positions in the security and defence science realms, and experience in Defence’s Digital Services Group, Dr. Kaminska has a unique skill set to offer science-informed advice to defence decision-makers.

National Research Council Canada

What do scientists do when they run up against a problem too tough for even the biggest and most powerful of modern supercomputers to solve?

You might think the answer lies in building something bigger and better than ever, but in fact, the next major revolution in computing is likely to involve harnessing physical phenomena that operate on the smallest imaginable scales of time and space. This is the realm of quantum computing.

Kate Fenwick, the latest recipient of the NRC Luise and Gerhard Herzberg Postdoctoral Fellowship, is pursuing a research pathway in ultrafast photonics that could one day open the door to building just such a quantum computer.

National Research Council Canada

This summer, Taylor Spengen wrapped up her 4-month co-op term with the ionizing radiation standards group at our Metrology Research Centre. Her team's project involved separating radioactive metals uranium and thorium by cloud point extraction and column separation to determine the extraction efficiency and quantify the amount of uranium and thorium in samples. The project was done to advance nuclear forensics, which examines nuclear and other radioactive materials to determine their origin and history for legal proceedings related to nuclear security.

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Jennifer Provencher studies the health of ecosystems at Environment and Climate Change Canada. Her work on bird health and her desire to share her research are helping advance knowledge about environmental pollution, including from plastics, wildlife disease, and their impacts on birds. This is the story of a scientist with a stellar reputation.

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Dr. Dominique Henri is a human geographer with the Wildlife Research Division at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Her education in environmental sciences and creative writing has led her to a career where she strives to weave Indigenous ways of knowing into wildlife conservation efforts.

National Research Council Canada

Dr. Jennifer Veitch was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada for her more than 3 decades of ground-breaking lighting research.

"I am humbled and delighted to be invited to join a society whose members I have looked up to for so many years," says Dr. Veitch. "To be recognized as one of these leaders is a great honour, but it also carries a great responsibility to contribute to creating a better future, in Canada and around the world."

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

The Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering Program (CWSE) was launched in 1996. Its goal is to increase the participation of women in science and engineering, and to provide role models for women active in, and considering, careers in these fields.

• Dr. Laleh Behjat
• Dr. Tamara Franz-Odendaal
• Dr. Shohini Ghose
• Dr. Jennifer Jakobi
• Dr. Eve Langelier

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Isabelle joined the CNSC in 2009. As a Senior Certification Engineer, she works to regulate the use of nuclear substances and certify the safety of prescribed equipment before it is used in Canada. She is responsible for making sure that these packages are safe and that, in the event of an accident, the nuclear substances they contain will not disperse into the environment.

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Nana joined the CNSC in 2011 as an Environmental Risk Assessment Officer. Since then, she has held a variety of positions within the Directorate of Environmental and Radiation Protection and Assessment related to environmental assessment, compliance, outreach, environmental risk assessment, and emergency preparedness.

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Monica has worked for the CNSC since 2005. While her educational background is in chemical engineering, she has a keen interest in the legal aspects of nuclear regulation and an in-depth understanding and knowledge of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, the CNSC regulatory framework and international nuclear regulation.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Could you identify a plant seed out of hundreds of thousands of species, or tell the difference between the seed of a crop and an invasive species? My name is Dr. Ruojing Wang, and I am a Research Scientist and the Head of the Seed Science and Technology Section at the Centre for Seed Science and Technology at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) Saskatoon Laboratory.

Environment and Climate Change Canada

A research scientist in the Hydrology and Watershed Ecology Research Division, Alexa Alexander-Trusiack was the first manager of ECCC's Indigenous Sciences Division. Discover her passion for attracting Indigenous youth to university programs and facilitating work opportunities.

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Bronwyn fell in love with birds at the age of eleven, on a family camping trip. Although she did not know whether she would ever be able to make a living from it, science was beginning to play a significant role in her life. A decade later, science was at the heart of her academic activities. She officially joined ECCC in 2018 and is currently the coordinator of the science end-user engagement portion of the Genomic Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change (GenARCC) project.

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Sonia Laforest grew up on shorelines and knew that was where she wanted to focus her work. She has been a shoreline treatment expert with Environment and Climate Change Canada for over 20 years and is now building a Shoreline Unit, sharing knowledge to protect Canada’s shorelines for years to come.

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Discover the world of Kim Rattan, Science Program Coordinator. She talks about the new Federal Open Science Repository of Canada (FOSRC), which is free and available to all.

Environment and Climate Change Canada

What motivates Elisabeth Galarneau, air quality research scientist at ECCC, is to go beyond the status quo. This allows us to reorient our mindsets and open up to more integrated approaches. That’s why her scientific project is larger than life.

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Ana González is easily carried away by the beauty she sees everywhere, from her garden to the Amazon rainforest. An ecologist for over 15 years, she has studied bird life from one America to another. A passionate conservationist and coffee enthusiast, she's constantly on the lookout for answers about bird migration.

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Magali Houde is a specialist in ecotoxicology and her primary interest is to study the impact of human activities on our environment and the fauna that inhabits it. She talks about her experience, with young and old, which she describes as very positive and without obstacles, since she hopes to be able to inspire others.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"We come together as a diverse group of people who are passionate about contributing to the health of animals, the public and the environment."

Natural Resources Canada

To celebrate International Women’s Day, Simply Science introduces three inspiring women who are advancing the Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation’s (CCMEO) scientific objectives. Their work contributes to a wide selection of geospatial data and mapping products, covering areas such as emergency mapping, forests, geology and geophysics, mines and minerals and topography.

National Research Council Canada

Growing up in Newfoundland, Dr. Jennifer Smith's love for the ocean may have come naturally. Today, Jennifer is a postdoctoral fellow in the Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering Research Centre, working with graduate students on human-centred training and technology.

National Research Council Canada

During a 14-month term at the NRC, Shiva Zargar’s research had a real impact. Working with a talented team at the Clean Energy Innovation Research Centre (then known as the Energy, Mining and Environment Research Centre) in Vancouver, British Columbia, she helped advance knowledge about pressing global challenges related to sustainability and the environment.

Health Canada

Mrs. Wahba is heavily involved in an awareness campaign to inform people in Canada about the new supplemented food labels and is planning to continue working on other resources for consumers and health professionals.

"We are continuously scanning the environment to keep track of the new labels appearing on the market. This is a file on which we expect a lot of innovation," she adds.

Public Health Agency of Canada

Dr. Heather Coatsworth is passionate about bugs.

So much so, she has made it part of her life’s work. An entomologist by training, she has brought this passion to her role as Chief of the Field Studies program at the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) National Microbiology Laboratory (NML), where part of her job is researching Lyme disease.

Defence Research and Development Canada

When given the chance to serve her country and make a difference in the world, time and time again, Marie-Pierre Raymond has enthusiastically said yes.

Natural Resources Canada

Doreen Churchill is the director of the Corner Brook Research Facility in Newfoundland and Labrador, which is part of the Atlantic Forestry Centre of the Canadian Forest Service.

Dawn Kellett is a research scientist at the Atlantic division of the Geological Survey of Canada.

Tabitha Takeda, an environmental and mechanical engineer, is the manager of Renewable Heat and Power Group – CanmetENERGY in Ottawa.

Solange Nadeau is a senior forest sociologist at the Laurentian Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service.

Defence Research and Development Canada

Defence scientist Inbal Marcovitch is working to ensure that standardization is part of the process as Canada and its allies work to rapidly adopt new green military technologies to respond to the climate crisis.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"My name is Dr. Carmencita Lake, and I can't think of a time when I didn't want to be a veterinarian."

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"I'm Tracy Lawrence and my work at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) plays a role in the success of our country's multi-billion dollar grape and fruit tree-growing industries."

Defence Research and Development Canada

Alexandra McLeod, a mechanical engineering technologist and leader of the maritime information systems and technology (MIST) group at the DRDC Atlantic Research Centre, explains how they use a high-pressure tank to ensure underwater equipment can withstand the pressure of the ocean depths.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"This past summer, I had the chance to work as a student with Dr. Erin Campbell in CFIA’s Entomology Research Lab, part of the Ottawa Plant Laboratory. My summer was filled with new experiences and so many beetles, so here’s a little snapshot of what it looked like."

Canadian Space Agency

Jagriti Luitel, Canadian Space Agency intern, explains where her passion for space came from and how this interest influenced her life choices.

National Research Council

"Being part of an organization that sees the value in research freedom is a privilege. Not only are the projects interesting but the people I work with make the research even better."

National Research Council

"When I started studying chemical engineering, I had no idea that I would have the opportunity to apply all of my expertise in materials engineering and then environmental engineering in this way."

National Research Council

“The variety of the tasks I got to do and the inclusive environment meant that my placement was unique and exciting,” Erienne says. “The experience is unmatched and it’s an incredible glimpse into what is occurring in Canadian research.”

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"I really enjoy understanding the science, doing the science and translating the science. That's what brought me to the role that I'm in now as the Vice-President of Science. So although I don't work in a lab everyday, I understand what they do in the lab."

Canadian Space Agency

"I provide nutrition support for upcoming CSA astronaut missions, including International Space Station and Artemis missions. This involves procuring Canadian food for spaceflight and ensuring that it meets rigorous technical criteria."

Canadian Space Agency

"I'm a geologist specialized in geochemistry. For a long time, I have studied the composition of rocks in order to evaluate their origins. I've worked on Earth rocks and lunar rocks, and soon I'll have the chance to help preserve rocks from asteroid Bennu."

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

An international authority in benthic ecology and genomics, Dr. Kenchington has devoted her career to studying and listening to organisms that live on or in the seafloor to help understand how they interact within the ocean ecosystem.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"My name is Caitlyn Best and I have a passion for veterinary medicine, spending time outdoors, and puzzles. I like a fast-paced work environment where I can make a meaningful difference on a larger scale. This is where my work as an epidemiologist, or animal disease detective, comes in."

Health Canada

Dr. Nasheri believes that she has the best job in the world. It’s exciting, interesting and she gets to learn something new everyday. The best part of her job, she says, is that she gets to make positive contributions to the world she lives in.

Health Canada

Daily exposure to air pollution can affect our health, potentially leading to chronic lung disease, heart attacks, strokes, and even death. Health Canada Research Scientist Dr. Hwashin H. Shin uses her expertise in mathematics and statistics to better understand the link between air quality and the health of Canadians.

Health Canada

Dr. Sabina Halappanavar is a Health Canada Research Scientist who investigates possible human health impacts of exposure to engineered nanomaterials, with a special focus on the respiratory system. Her work has also been instrumental in developing more effective tools that help reduce the use of animals in laboratory experiments.

Health Canada

Dr. Lozeva-Thomas comes from a family of smart, strong, independent, well-educated women. They helped shape her life (and her inquisitive mind) from an early age. She always knew that she wanted to enter the medical profession in order to help people overcome their illnesses. What she didn’t know was how far that dream would take her — and that the different paths she would follow would lead her to where she is right here, right now.

Health Canada

Dr. Liu and her team collaborate with researchers in the provinces and various universities to develop and share knowledge related to air pollution and population health. Her research helps set priorities to assess, manage, and communicate air pollution and health risks, and to measure the effectiveness of policies related to air quality.

Health Canada

Dr. Katya Feder, a Research Scientist at Health Canada, has been looking into how to safely use personal listening devices (such as cell phones or other audio devices using headphones or earbuds) in order to avoid hearing loss.

Health Canada

We are exposed to numerous chemical substances as we go about daily routines. How do we know they are safe? Well, Deborah Ratzlaff and her colleagues in Health Canada’s New Substances Assessment and Control Bureau make sure they are! Her team of biologists and chemists is hard at work helping to ensure that the newest substances appearing on the market in Canada are safe for you and the environment.

Health Canada

Since 2007, Health Canada researchers have examined the blood of astronauts before and after their space missions to understand the impact of radiation on their bodies. Dr. Lindsay Beaton is part of the team responsible for this interesting work.

Health Canada

Janice Wong’s interest in science started with a simple chemical reaction to create a household staple: aspirin. During her first year at Simon Fraser University, at an introductory chemistry course, her professor led the class through the process of mixing compounds to form acetylsalicylic acid. It was then that a spark ignited.

National Defence

Meet Magaly Obas Compton, the quantum and emerging science and technology policy lead at Defence Research and Development Canada, as she talks about her fascinating work supporting this important area of research.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

International travel is also part of the job. Ashley and Renée use Canada's strong framework to bolster plant breeders' rights and plant science globally.

Defence Research and Development Canada

"Science and technology is key to helping DND/CAF to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency of operations and integrate clean energy solutions into existing platforms while ensuring operational capability is maintained."

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"My name is Geneviève Lebrun. In addition to being a mother to three beautiful boys, I am enthusiastic about working out and running and I work as a food inspector with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)."

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC)

October is Women’s History Month in Canada, a time to celebrate the women and girls from our past, and our present, who are contributing to a better, more inclusive Canada.

National Research Council Canada

One of Josette El Haddad's goals at the NRC is to find solutions to defeat climate change. She and her team at the Energy, Mining and Environment Research Centre are working tirelessly to exceed expectations and develop specialized sensors for effective data collection on storing carbon dioxide in geologic matrices, identified as an effective way to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

National Research Council Canada

It's no secret that the strength of the NRC lies in its diversity. From sensor fabrication research as a master's student at the Center of Excellence in Electrochemistry at the University of Tehran in Iran, Narges Shaabani is now a Research Associate at the NRC's Nanotechnology Research Centre in Edmonton.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"I've always wanted to work with animals. A childhood filled with fishing, hunting and helping on a family friend's farm in the gorgeous foothills of Southern Alberta had a lot to do with that."

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"As a Palestinian born in Kuwait and raised in Malaysia, my parents sacrificed a lot to remove my brother and me from war-torn Kuwait in 1990. More than anything, they wanted to secure a safe childhood and good education for us."

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"My name is Noelle Smith. Computers and programming have always come easily to me. In grade 7, I helped set up the school's computer lab. From that point, I was the go-to "tech person" for teachers and students alike."

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"The year was 1999. On a warm August night, I stepped foot on Canadian soil for the first time at Toronto's Pearson International Airport. I didn't know what to expect, but wanted to try my best to see where and how far I could go from here."

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"My name is Jasmine Mander. Born and raised in Ottawa, I was privileged from a very young age with easy access to the natural world. Location is everything. In a valley surrounded by rivers, the Gatineau Hills and bountiful urban parks and trails, and with access to the Rideau Canal, of course, I was able to discover the beauty around me while fostering my passion for science."

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Hayet Laggoune is a scientist who works as an Analyst in Ottawa. Hayet’s curiosity to understand the world around her and explore its wonders led her to a career in the sciences. She holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in applied sciences in renewable energies from the Université de Constantine in Algeria and a doctorate in engineering in image processing from the Université de Bourgogne in France.

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Geneviève Bélanger is a scientist who works as an Acting Associate Director in Quebec. As a young adult, she contemplated being an astrophysicist. Although she continues to look up at the stars, her fascination with biological sciences took precedence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology with specialization in wildlife management, and a master’s degree in wildlife and habitat management, both from the Université du Québec à Rimouski.

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Lucy Harrison is a Project Manager in Vancouver. Find out how scuba diving with her father at 12 years old sparked her interest in marine biology and led her on a very unique career path. Her studies include a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Plymouth in Marine Biology and a Master’s Degree from Simon Fraser University in Tropical Marine Ecology.

Natural Resources Canada

A biologist by training, Marie-Claude Gros-Louis has worked at the LFC for over 20 years. In 2020, she successfully began a career shift that few public servants make. She stepped from the world of science into the world of partnerships by becoming a liaison for national Indigenous forestry programs.

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Johannie Martin knew from a young age that biological sciences were an “obvious choice” for her. Find out how her love of saving snails led her on a path to working as a Project Manager in Quebec. She attended Université Laval in Québec City, where she acquired a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, a master’s degree in biology and a Ph.D. in oceanography.

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Lynette Esak is a Project Manager in Edmonton. Lynette’s drive to solve puzzles made her a natural fit for a career in the sciences. Her studies include a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with focus on plants, soils and economics, and a Master of Science in Soil Science, both from the University of Alberta.

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Marion Doull is a Senior Policy Analyst in Ottawa. She provides subject matter expertise on health and gender-based analysis plus. Her studies include a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Ottawa, a Master’s of Health Sciences in Health Promotion from the University of Toronto and a Ph.D. in Population Health from the University of Ottawa.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"Despite my family's financial challenges, my parents prioritized my education over many other commodities and their efforts meant that I was able to attend university. My dad used to say that, unlike them (mom and dad), who only got elementary education, supporting us in obtaining a university degree was the best and only inheritance they could give us."

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"When the time for university came, I was torn between medical school and a biology degree. My parents were excited about the idea of their daughter becoming a doctor, but I hesitated. I knew that medicine would be very hard for me emotionally, and that's when I decided I wanted to become a biologist."

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada

"It’s about the quest for knowledge, to know how things came to be and using this knowledge to create new things. It’s mind-blowing what’s possible with science, engineering and technology."

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

"What drew me to my current role are the opportunities to do a bit of travel, visiting construction sites during planning and execution phases. I like the hands on practical aspect, it gets me out of the office. It is so satisfying to see the outcome of all the long hours of planning - I love seeing the projects on paper get built."

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

"What some might find surprising about engineering is that there is a mix of office work and field work; which I really enjoy. My first job as a student involved going outdoors to collect data. Even now, I’m out setting up a new edge of field study. When I have students working for me, I make sure to take them into the field so they can understand where all the data comes from for our projects."

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

"In my classes there weren’t a lot of women, and at the time it would have been nice to have someone to look up to and guide me. Now that there are more women in this field, I see more potential role models. In addition to mentorship, we should provide opportunities for training, professional development and outreach; the Diversity Network at AAFC is perfect for this!"

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

"I have a Chemical and Biosciences Diploma from college and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Manitoba. While I studied to be a lab technician, I found that I needed to be more connected to the outdoors. When I started as a soil and water conservation technician with the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA), my attention to detail, note keeping, and lab protocols came in handy. Not being afraid of getting dirty was also an asset."

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

"I think my strong suits are organization, planning, and problem-solving. Those things are important in this kind of job because it’s like a moving puzzle. You have to be flexible because equipment can break down, someone can call in sick, or it starts to rain. I probably have three plans in my head at any one time."

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

"It inspires me to see that more and more women are involved in science in the past decade and so many of them have joined the public service workforce. I feel fortunate to have studied and worked in environments that support women and I know firsthand the value of being understood and supported; currently I work in a group where 70 percent is made up by women."

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

"Role models and mentorship are very important. It takes just one person to make a difference—one person in your life who you look up to and who inspires you. I currently mentor two young women who I meet with once a month to talk about their careers and other things in their life."

Related video: The Two Million Foot View: Satellites in Agriculture with Dr. Heather McNairn

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

"Now that I am the Associate Director of an Agricultural Research and Development Centre, I think people would be surprised that I don’t make decisions all day long. It’s really more about finding ways to enable people to use their own creativity, expertise, and character to make great decisions about how they will move their science forward, and how they will in turn enable their own people to make great decisions."

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

"Don’t be scared to try something and to ask questions. If some aspect of science tweaks your interest, search out who to talk to, ask to visit them, or better yet spend a day job-shadowing. Find some aspect of science that interests you and that you enjoy. "

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

During regional communicable disease outbreaks such as Syphilis, Tuberculosis and H1N1 Karen has worked on local multi-disciplinary teams to develop and initiate interventions and contribute to outbreak response efforts. She also collaborated closely with Indigenous youth, elders, and educators throughout the Northwest Territories to develop sexual health programs and initiatives. “Seeing first-hand the positive impact of my work has been a real highlight of my career,” she told us.

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

Rolande is currently a senior nurse consultant for the Public Health Agency of Canada's Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Surveillance System, in Ottawa, Ontario. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is the most common form of human prion disease. Prion diseases are rare, fatal, degenerative brain disorders that are thought to occur worldwide in both humans and animals. The term CJD is often used to refer to all forms of human prion disease. In 1998, Health Canada launched a national CJD surveillance system to monitor for the disease in Canada. Rolande and her nurse colleagues manage about 100 CJD cases a year.

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

Kathy is engaged and inspired by her leadership role in the area of professional guidelines and public health practice at the federal level. However, she fondly remembers the personal interactions and intimate moments spent caring for patients and families in her early years as a nurse. It is these experiences that continue to guide her, providing the foundation for a rewarding career and her current work with PHAC.

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

Lynn Menard works with the maternal and child health team at the Public Health Agency of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario. She is currently working alongside numerous external maternal and newborn health experts to revise the Family-Centred Maternity and Newborn Care (FCMNC) National Guidelines.

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

Samantha Wilson-Clark sees her nursing education and training as invaluable to her public health career. “Being a nurse makes me a better public health professional,” she said. “Nursing taught me how to think critically, how to work under pressure and how to be flexible and adaptable. It provided me with the theoretical foundation to think big while not forgetting the person sitting in front of me.” Samantha especially enjoys connecting with people on the job and knowing that her work has a positive impact on Canadians.

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

"I work in the area of internal dosimetry research. I am looking at the solubility of biokinetics of different contamination hazards that our workers could be exposed to. Second, is preclinical studies towards some of the targeted alpha therapy research that is being performed at CNL, where I am basically evaluating those entities in the body and determining the dosimetry and the efficiency at targeting tumor sites and treatment of the disease."

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

" I am currently trying to understand how plants and animals respond to different things like radiation, chemicals or environmental changes. Part of my work is also to look at biomarkers, and try to find new ways to evaluate health. A biomarker is, basically, a test or a measurable change that can give us information about health. "

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

"One of the coolest things I've been working on is actually the conversion of trains to hydrogen fuel cells. This is incredible, because you don't have overhead electrification and you can use hydrogen as a way to store energy and then create fuel for the trains."

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

"I'm working on our small modular reactor technologies program. Our goal of that is to demonstrate the commercial viability of a small modular reactor within the next 10 years. That will include hosting a new demonstration nuclear reactor at a CNL site."

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

What would you say to aspiring young women considering a career in STEM fields? I would say absolutely go for it. The beauty of science and math is that you can be very directly involved in tangibly solving challenges that the world has today and that we're going to need addressed so that we can have a great future.

Natural Resources Canada

"I think the best part of my job for me is the opportunity to go to sea. To work with my technicians, geologists, scientists, to collect data in the arctic ocean. My background is as a sea going oceanographer and to be able to go and work with a team after months and months of planning these cruises is a thrill."

Natural Resources Canada

"You know that the arctic is a vast vast area. And you know it’s cold and you know it’s isolated. Logically you know all these things before you go up. But once you get there and you’re standing on a ship, and you’re breaking ice and you’re looking out over the horizon you don't really grasp the magnitude of where you are and how big an area this is, until you’re sort of standing there."

Natural Resources Canada

"In the beginning of the UNCLOS project, I was the chief scientist in the Arctic on the ice camp work and on the ship going programs. For UNCLOS, what we were trying to do to get the maximum claim possible you have to look at bathymetric highs that are attached to your margin and they are both attached, the ones that are significant for us, the Lomonosov Ridge and the Alpha Ridge are both attached north of Ellesmere Island. This is the area we had to begin our work."

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"To date, scientists have catalogued about 1.5 million species of organisms on the planet, with insects making up about two-thirds of this bounty. This whole world of often very small creatures is simply fascinating to me."

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"I'd have to say that I love the entire scientific method, starting from asking a big or small question to reviewing everything that's out there on the subject, formulating my own hypothesis and then coming up with an experimental design to test that hypothesis. And obviously follow up and do the experiments and analyze the data to finally give an explanation."

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"When I was younger I wanted to be a detective, which is amusing in light of eventually studying science, as both require investigating the unknown and piecing together a puzzle."

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"We work on the development of veterinary vaccines because these are what would stop the transmission of a virus from livestock to humans. It may not be visible, but we definitely maintain a state of readiness."

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"I did my PhD in plant ecology. I feel that plant ecology studies really broadened my knowledge and gave me a better understanding of plants, how they interact with each other and also interact with their surroundings. My studies have always centred on plants."

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"Don't be intimidated by science. I think everyone needs to avoid stereotypes and each one of us should be allowed to follow his or her dream and to do what we want to do."

Public Health Agency of Canada

Have you ever wondered about how infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19 and monkeypox are investigated? It’s no easy task, but the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) field epidemiologists play a leading role in many outbreak investigations.

• Elaine Chan
• Kate Fagan-Garcia

Public Health Agency of Canada

The Outbreak Management Division (OMD) at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) consists of a team of highly qualified individuals from different backgrounds that assess, detect and coordinate investigations of enteric illness outbreaks (e.g., Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria) occurring in multiple provinces and territories in Canada, or at least one province or territory and another country.

• Tanis Kershaw, Senior Epidemiologist
• Ashley Kerr, Senior Epidemiologist
• Anna Manore, Epidemiologist
• Natalie Lewoc, Epidemiologist

Health Canada

The Exposure Assessment Section of Health Canada is a multi-disciplinary research team in the field of air pollution science. Their work supports government decision-making, academic advancement, and scientific resolution of questions related to air pollution exposure in Canada. The team includes dedicated scientists with expertise in epidemiology, geography, (bio)statistics, environmental health and modeling, engineering, and toxicology.

• Vanessa Beaulac - Section Head for Exposure Assessment
• Morgan MacNeill - Epidemiologist
• Liu Sun - Scientific Evaluator
• Markey Johnson - Research Scientist
• Jue Yi (Joyce) Zhang - Researcher

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Bree Ann Lightfoot and Dr. Lisa Hodges work together at the Dartmouth Laboratory where they perform species identification testing of fish and fish products to confirm that companies are accurately labelling their products.

Natural Resources Canada

Dr. Vicki Tschirhart is a research scientist with the Geological Survey of Canada at Natural Resources Canada. Dr. Tschirhart has been working in the field of geophysics for over 3 years and received her PhD in Applied Geophysics from McMaster University in 2014.

National Research Council Canada

Catherine Clark is a research officer working in the Aerodynamics Laboratory at National Research Council Canada. Ms. Clark conducts wind tunnel testing research, working on aircraft development programs and specializing in the testing of aircraft ice protection systems. She has a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering and a Masters of Applied Science degree from Carleton University. Ms. Clark is a registered engineer with Professional Engineers Ontario and has her private pilot's license.

Natural Resources Canada

Dr. Joanne Gamage McEvoy is a research scientist with CanmetMINING at Natural Resources Canada. Dr. Gamage McEvoy has been working in materials characterization since her obtaining her PhD in Chemical Engineering in 2014 from the University of Ottawa, where she worked on the development of solar photocatalysts.

National Research Council Canada

Dr. Jennifer Pereira is a research officer in the field of experimental aerodynamics at National Research Council Canada. Dr. Pereira has been working in this field for over five years and has a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering as well as a PhD in Experimental Aerodynamics from McGill University. Her research work is focused on subsonic and transonic wind tunnel testing of aircraft and aeronautical products.

Canadian Space Agency

"My role exposes me to the earliest phases of upcoming space projects. I have this amazing opportunity to be part of managing the development of space technology and interfacing with Canada's brightest minds, which is very humbling and exciting."

Canadian Space Agency

Before being appointed as President of the Canadian Space Agency in September 2020, Lisa Campbell was Associate Deputy Minister, Veterans Affairs Canada, supporting the well-being of veterans and their families and promoting recognition of those who served Canada.

Canadian Space Agency

"I worked on programming the robotic simulator we use to plan for missions and train astronauts. I'm always so proud to see a successful robotics mission."

Canadian Space Agency

"Moving to Montreal and joining the Canadian Space Agency was one of my proudest moments, and a transition that has opened up several new doors for me. I am currently training at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) to operate as part of the Mission Control Team! Working at NASA and being able to represent Canada at JSC was an opportunity I never thought I would have. It still seems like a dream."

Canadian Space Agency

"It was my dream to work at the Agency, and I was there for an important, historic launch. And I ended up working there a short time after. That is one my best memories."

Canadian Space Agency

"I have the opportunity to work on many aspects of complex space systems, which allows me to appreciate the big picture: from the screw to the control software, from the initial idea to the final check, without forgetting design, manufacturing and the resolution of any technical issues that come up along the way."

Canadian Space Agency

"My first piece of advice would be to find a school or university program you find fascinating. It's important to be passionate about what you do. Use the early years of your career to learn as much as you can and take pride in doing things well. In Space Exploration where I work, there is so much opportunity for learning, working in great national and international teams, and participating in thrilling scientific discoveries. It is said that "the sky is the limit," but in space science, the sky is only the beginning."

Canadian Space Agency

"Don’t be afraid to take risks, accept guidance and ask for help when you need it. There are so many wonderful mentors in the world just waiting for you!"

Canadian Space Agency

Be perseverant and flexible. There are many paths to a satisfying career, so be proactive and have a plan A, B, C… but be ready to seize whatever unforeseen opportunities life may bring, which may become your plan D or E. To quote Louis Pasteur: "Chance favours the prepared mind."

Canadian Space Agency

"I have the opportunity to work on innovative and collaborative projects that aim to define operational concepts and medical technology for human exploration missions to the Moon and Mars."

Canadian Space Agency

"Take chances and open yourself up to different opportunities. STEM is more than just math and science that you learn in school. We use these skills in all aspects of our lives, and this translates into various career opportunities. The options are endless!"

Canadian Space Agency

"I find it extraordinary to be able to work with professionals with a very high level of knowledge and performance, and to be able to collaborate on international projects. I admire the level of commitment and collaboration between the different countries on the International Space Station. Each country contributes in its own way to the advancement of science, technology and robotics for the well-being of humans."

Canadian Space Agency

"First off, work hard to build your credibility; don't shy away from the highly technical end of things. Then claim your seat at the table. Be bold and make your mark. "

Canadian Space Agency

"When teaching astronauts to operate Canadarm2, I had to know my stuff inside and out. Being a younger woman in that environment sometimes made it hard to tell an astronaut, who's proven himself technically and all, to go back and try again or that I was going to show him how to improve on something. I knew that I had to know my stuff because if I was going to challenge one of those people, I'd better have a darn good reason and solid arguments."

Canadian Space Agency

"I wanted to become an astronaut because it provides an incredible challenge. It aligns with my interests in the advancement and application of science for the benefit of society. It will also provide me with a platform from which I may inspire a diverse group of young people to pursue their interests in science and engineering subjects."

Canadian Space Agency

"Don't be afraid to see where your curiosity will take you. Sometimes you don't know what you're looking for until you've found it."

Canadian Space Agency

"I led the team that made a successful business case for the Quantum Encryption and Science Satellite (QEYSSat). I'm very proud to have brought together Canadian industry, academia and other government departments to collaborate on this mission."

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

"At university, I discovered microbiology and was absolutely fascinated by the interactions between plants and plant disease. These have both evolved over time; it is a real warfare with the plant developing new strategies to defend itself and the disease evolving to find new ways to infect the plant."

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

"I am a naturally inquisitive person who challenges just about everything. Being a scientist satisfies my curiosity and allows me to have a broad scope of decision making: from ideas and execution, to results and impact. This is highly rewarding."

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

"My biggest breakthrough was developing a research program in the early 2000s to measure methane emissions from cattle with the goal of finding ways to curb those emissions. Methane is a greenhouse gas and an energy loss for the animal. Because of our foresight back then, we have been able to contribute science-based information to the dialogue surrounding sustainable meat and milk production in Canada."

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

"The creative aspect of the researcher's work, since we have to observe things that we don't always understand, and researchers have to find a way to explain them by adapting or creating methods and experiments. There's a lot of creativity in a researcher's work, and imagination is really an important asset!"

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

"I've always had a fascination with living things and how they worked. I also come from a family of scientists—my father was a potato breeder at the Fredericton Research and Development Centre. So even though I didn't start out studying plants (my PhD was in mammalian genetics) I feel very lucky to be back where I grew up, studying potatoes. I guess it's true what they say about the apple not falling far from the tree!"

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"As an inspector, no two days are exactly alike. CFIA inspectors complete on-site and lab inspections to check the freshness and quality of produce. I'm assigned to different areas across Ontario where inspections are required. When I arrive at a company's facility, I collect and examine samples."

National Research Council

"I just love figuring out why and how things behave the way they do! That’s not to say that there haven’t been times where I’ve struggled to stay motivated or thought about giving up on a problem or a project that seems to get more and more complicated the longer I work on it, but the moment when everything finally clicks is absolutely worth all of the pain of getting there!"

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

Charron and Hodak are examples of the strides being made to cultivate the next generation of leaders in engineering, and they encourage engineering students to be themselves as they pursue their careers. Although Hodak was a student on the CHARS project only a short while ago, she is well on her way to her own full-circle moment as a mentor to other engineering students.