Blog

On this page we will post blogs written by our speakers and organizers!

Sukhinder Cheema - Why you are what your mother ate during pregnancy?

Q: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

Thank you Sarah Sauvé for inviting me to write my first ever blog for Soapbox Science. Let me put on my scientist hat to introduce myself. I am a full tenured professor in the Biochemistry Department at Memorial University, Newfoundland and Labrador. Before joining Memorial University as an Assistant Professor, I was a Research Associate at the University of Alberta. What attracted me to science was my own mind’s curiosity from a very young age. Back home in India, my mother would ask me to grab fresh eggs, straight from our backyard, every morning. I was captivated by the egg laying process, and would watch those hens for hours wondering what it is that makes them lay eggs, how the hens make the eggs, would the eggs hatch on their own, and so on. My grade eight Science teacher stimulated my curious mind further by directing us to question everything around us with “what” “why” and “how”. My journey to questioning how living things function became a part of my everyday life, and I started wondering how the human body works. My favorite course during my Bachelor of Science was Zoology; dissecting earthworms and cockroaches to learn how they function was fascinating. My Zoology teacher always told me I was going to make a fine surgeon someday. :) My interest in how the body works inspired me to choose the field of Biochemistry to pursue my Master’s degree, followed by a PhD degree. This was not an easy journey at that time because girls and women in India were not encouraged to become scientists, or travel far from home to seek higher education (I did both). My parents highly valued education, and despite having four daughters (and no sons), they were very supportive and encouraged us to become whatever we desired. Both my parents were born in what is now known as Pakistan, and lost everything in August 1947 when they had to move to India after the partition. This, in part, informed their attitude towards education: they used to say, “One can lose everything but education is the one thing that no one can take away from you”. Going to university away from home to pursue my Master’s degree was not cheap but I worked very hard and received scholarships throughout my education starting from BSc to PhD. My dream to become a scientist and a teacher at the university level would not have been possible without constant encouragement and support from my parents.

Q: How did you get to your current position?

I obtained my PhD in Biochemistry from PGIMER, a prestigious medical research institute in India, and then moved to Alberta, Canada to pursue my postdoctoral training. My area of research during my PhD was drug resistance in tuberculosis and the role of lipids. However, my postdoctoral training was in the field of nutritional biochemistry with a focus on lipids. I was intrigued to learn that nutrients regulate almost all metabolic pathways in our body. My zeal to learn more about the role of nutrients in our health persisted and took me on the voyage to the field of nutritional biochemistry. I learnt complicated techniques in molecular biology such as cloning, and making transgenic mice during my postdoctoral training. With a wide range of expertise under my belt, I started seeking faculty positions at Canadian universities but it was challenging to find a position in my area of expertise. This did not deter me from continuing to make efforts to fulfill my dream. I was thrilled to see a job advertisement for an Assistant Professor position in my area of expertise in the Biochemistry Department at Memorial University. Receiving the job offer was my first step towards having my dreams fulfilled to become an independent investigator and to teach Nutritional Biochemistry at a university in Canada.

Q: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

My main area of research is to study the role of a mother’s nutrition on the health of offspring. The concept of “Developmental Origins of Health & Disease” was proposed about 25 years ago; however, a majority of the studies focused on maternal undernutrition. I was one of the first scientists in Canada to ask how maternal over-nourishment, especially excess calories from fat, and the type of fat, will influence offspring health. For the past 20 years, I have been studying how what mothers eat during pregnancy influences the growth and development of the fetus, thereby affecting the health status of the offspring in adult life. The notion that mothers should eat healthy, stay happy and stress free during pregnancy to have a healthy baby has been around since ancient times; however, it was not scientifically known “what” happens, and “why” or “how” mother’s nutritional and health status is important for the baby’s health. My research over the past 20 years has shown that consuming a diet high in fat, especially in saturated fat, during pregnancy has deleterious effects on the metabolic regulation of offspring, predisposing them to a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes and obesity in adult life. On the other hand, consuming the right amount of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy maintains a healthy pregnancy, and prevents the onset of diseases in the offspring in adult life. My research explores how nutrients send signals to DNA to control the regulation of a mother’s metabolism, and that of the growing fetus. We also found that what mothers consume during lactation appears in their breast milk, and controls the development and the health status of the new born. My research has scientifically proven that the nutritional status of mothers during pregnancy and lactation is vital for their own health, and for the future health of their newborn.

Q: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

I have always believed in sharing science and scientific findings with the public-at-large. I found out about Soapbox Science through social media, and learned that it is a public outreach platform promoting women and non-binary scientists. I immediately contacted Sarah Sauvé who has been organizing Soapbox Science events in St. John’s. I have been involved in several public outreach activities through Memorial University, and external volunteer organizations where I share my scientific knowledge, research findings, and get youth and the general public engaged and excited about science. I am involved in Shad Valley and the Let’s Talk Science program; I admire young people’s unfettering charisma to harness their curiosity! Although women have come a long way, the field of science is still very much male dominated, with even fewer racialized women being given opportunities to succeed. I am thrilled there are organizations like Soapbox Science that are making efforts to highlight women in science. I am even more excited that being a woman of color, I will be representing Soapbox Science at the upcoming public event.

Q: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

Science is meant to be objective and beneficial to society in its entirety. Unfortunately, many barriers still exist that prevent people from both pursuing careers in science and receiving access to what is discovered through research. For many years, science was practiced unethically, in ways that severely disadvantaged low-income and racialized people. Even to this day, scientific discoveries that could save lives are afforded only to people who can maintain certain incomes. My hope is that the future holds equitable access to science for all!

Q: What would be your top recommendation to a woman studying for a PhD and considering pursuing a career in academia?

Buckle up! There have been serious advancements in the status of women, non-binary and trans folks pursuing science, specifically in the last decade, which gives me hope for future scientists. Unfortunately, misogyny, homophobia and racism still infiltrate the field. The perpetuation of these harms can lead to imposter syndrome and self-doubt. Remember that, despite any external influence that might seek to exclude you from the field, you DO belong here! Women like Marie Curie, Dorothy Vaughn, Mary Jackson (the list goes on) made huge contributions to science decades ago – it is up to us to continue their legacy.

Janna Andronowski - From the Body Farm to The Rock

About me and my lab

My name is Dr. Janna Andronowski, and I am an Assistant Professor of Clinical Anatomy in the Faculty of Medicine, Division of BioMedical Sciences at Memorial University. I am also the Forensic Anthropologist for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in St. John's.

I have a very multidisciplinary background and am a trained anatomist, biologist, and forensic anthropologist. A current focus of my lab is to further understandings of the dynamic relationship between human bone tissue and physiological and nutritional stressors (e.g., hormones, infection, substance abuse) known to affect the bone remodeling process. We also specialize in forensic anthropological applications of bone histology and 3D imaging as tools in the process of human identification.

I always boast that bone is fascinating and dynamic (and the only tissue worth studying!). It is a living record that is constantly changing over a person’s life in response to injury, hormones, diet, and lifestyle factors (such as drug or alcohol use). And as a forensic anthropologist, we can retrieve a lot of information from bone. For example, if suspected remains are bone or not, are human or not, and we can develop a biological profile (e.g., age, biological sex, stature, trauma analysis) of unknown skeletal remains that will help with the process of including or excluding individuals from a missing persons search.

From the ‘Body Farm’ to ‘The Rock’

Though I am an early career researcher, my work has already taken me around the world and offered the opportunity to work with many diverse groups and agencies. In the pursuit of an academic career, I have lived in five provinces (ON, AB, BC, SK, and NL), three states (NY, TN, and OH), and spent a summer doing research in the UK (Portsmouth). I have over ten years of experience working in forensic science-based laboratories and am fortunate to have trained in some of the most respected forensic anthropological facilities in North America (e.g., the Forensic Anthropology Unit at the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in New York City, the Forensic Anthropology Center and Anthropology Research Facility at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), and Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Forensic Research).

During my early graduate training (2010-2012) I spent time at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner and worked primarily with the Forensic Anthropology Unit. Here, I learned first-hand that crime scenes and the subsequent skeletal analyses can be most complex, especially when there are multiple individuals present, or when the bones recovered were fragmented. I worked under a forensic bone histologist, who taught me how to procure bone for histological analysis, prepare the slides needed for evaluation, and to estimate age from bone microstructure.

The University of Tennessee’s Anthropology Research Facility (aka the ‘Body Farm’) allowed for hands-on training in the recovery of human skeletal remains from various contexts. For example, from the ground’s surface, a burial, or other mock-crime situations (e.g., trunk of car). This year-round outdoor decomposition research facility was the first of its kind, has been operating for over three decades, and is currently run by five fantastic and brilliant women! It was a privilege to work with world renowned forensic experts whom I learned a great deal from, and continue to learn from, through collaborative research. Learn more about the facility and its female leaders here: https://news.utk.edu/2021/03/26/five-women-lead-nations-top-forensic-anthropology-center/

Over the years I have taught a variety of courses and provided public outreach lectures and hands-on experience in anatomy and forensic anthropology to diverse audiences. These included law enforcement, undergraduate and graduate students, death investigators, high school students, museum goers, and forensic scientists. I am most passionate about science communication, outreach, and encouraging women in STEM fields to pursue their academic goals. I look forward to continuing to work with the public here in NL through Soapbox Science and beyond!

My love of Canada (and human gross anatomy) ultimately brought me to NL aka ‘The Rock’. I am currently the Undergraduate Curriculum Content Lead for Anatomy for MUN medical school students. Anatomy is at the core of all medical practice and is also an important component in biomedical research. My courses are designed to provide medical ad graduate students with a comprehension of human anatomy for general knowledge and clinical application. Our hands-on laboratories provide the best opportunity to have practical experience with the anatomy by using prosected cadavers, diagrams, models, and virtual dissectors to understand the physical arrangement of the structures.

A few words of advice on pursuing an academic career

I became interested in graduate student professionalization during my time at UTK. I was seeking experience in grant writing and came across an academic careers course which changed the way I thought about an academic career and ultimately prepared me for the academic job search. Following this course, I spent much time reading blogs, books, forums on the academic job market (and all of its idiosyncrasies!). I became curious about the unspoken cultural norms, biases, and expectations of the job market and was determined to analyze them.

The need for career advising is urgent among new PhDs and the supply is sparse. We are not typically taught about how to prepare for an academic career during our graduate training. I am here to help! Below I offer a few words of advice:

1. Keep your CV up to date/revise categories – e.g., how to organize departmental talks vs. invited talks, what is considered CV ‘padding’, etc.

2. Talk with your mentors about the academic job market – it is a much different process now than it was 30 years ago.

3. Learn where to search for job postings and how to prepare core job documents (e.g., CV, Cover Letter, Teaching philosophy, Research Statement) – it is never too early to start.

4. Seek advice on your research talk (aka the job talk) and practice it!

Sue Ziegler - Who inspired my career in science

This is my very first blog posting ever, and so I thank Sarah Sauvé and the Soapbox initiative for this great opportunity to share and learn about effective ways in communicating our science and promoting women in science. I am a professor of biogeochemistry in the Department of Earth Sciences at Memorial University. My research group and I are working to better understand how boreal landscapes are responding to and in turn influencing climate change. We study the various stores and transformations of carbon and nutrients within and across forests, soils, streams and coastal environments in the Newfoundland and Labrador region in an effort to understand how our landscapes and resources are changing. These efforts help to inform predictive understanding of ecosystems and climate change within our region and beyond.

Q: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

Well it really is both a what and a who in my case, and more specifically a who who helped me better understand the what!

Interest in science sort of creeped up on me starting in high school when I discovered the joy in trying to figure out how some things worked and the mysteries that remained. For example, in pursuit of a high school project I dug into a current (1988) Scientific American issue completely dedicated to AIDS and describing the first fundamental understanding of how HIV hijacks the immune system. This lead me to discover how the human immune system works and also how some viruses work. That was really eye opening for me. It was a great story of how scientists managed to discover fundamental underpinnings of an amazing system and its interaction with this virus. I found this super interesting and also really exciting as I began to understand some of it. Albeit viruses and the immune system are both fascinating, I really was drawn more to understanding our environment and, like the human body felt it important to better understand how it functions and how we interact within it and as a part of it. I grew up around Boston, Massachusetts in an area where drinking water quality had been severely compromised by a number of different industries and had learned a bit about how wetlands function in ways that can control water quality. This lead me to get involved in wetland conservation at a local level which was a wonderful experience but I was always captivated by the interfaces and interactions that wetlands provided so I pursued a degree in environmental science after completing high school.

It wasn’t until I was seeking a summer job as a research intern at a wetland sanctuary in the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland that I encountered a very important “who”, Dr. Marilyn Fogel, who helped me understand more clearly the “what” I was interested in. Dr. Fogel was a senior scientist at the Carnegie Institution in Washington D.C. and is now Distinguished Emerita Professor of Geoecology at University of California Riverside (her blog: https://isotopequeen.blogspot.com/). In a phone interview with her I described, in a round about way, what I was generally interested in and she immediately said “that’s biogeochemistry!” I was never aware that such a field of science existed but soon discovered, though a relatively young scientific field, it was well established and rapidly developing. Lucky for me I got the summer position and was able to learn more about Dr. Fogel, her own research, career, and her family. She and her husband, Chris Swarth (Director of the Jug Bay Wetland Sanctuary), were both instrumental in helping me develop as a scientist not only through the project they mentored me through but providing important role models as scientists and all around good human beings. They are both curious, passionate and highly motivated individuals.

Marilyn Fogel was one of the first and few female scientists I had encountered as an undergraduate science student and her story and active career has remained a very important inspiration for me as a scientist, mentor, parent, friend and human being.

So it really is both a what and who that defines not only how I became a scientist but also what keeps me in science. I am so grateful for the wonderful colleagues and friends in science who continue to inspire me. I am also grateful for the inspiration that comes from the beauty and mysteries of our environment that continue to unfold and teach me endlessly new and exciting things that I am hopeful will help us navigate into a healthy, sustainable future.

Sevtap Savas - Part 3

What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

When I saw that Soapbox Science was planning to have a session right here in St. John’s and was looking for speakers, I could not help but apply for this opportunity.

I became particularly active in public engagement in the last few years and I love, love, love it. I cannot believe I have not focused on this earlier.

Interactions with public bring so much new depth and breadth to our understanding. It is critical for exchanging ideas, experiences, and knowledge. I particularly like to increase awareness about cancer, and issues and challenges faced by the cancer-affected individuals. Equally, I also like to hear what our public members would say about these topics. It is not an exaggeration to say that I have learnt a lot by such interactions, including the priorities of our public members when it comes to understanding and studying cancer. Much of this knowledge cannot be gained by other means, for example, by reading literature.

I am excited to say that public interactions have been shaping my current academic activities. For example, one ongoing initiative I lead is to create a province-wide Public Interest Group on Cancer Research in Newfoundland and Labrador. We are certain that this interest group will help us see the patient and family perspectives all around the province – both from rural and urban areas -, help design specific studies and public education activities together to address some of the issues cancer-affected individuals face in the province, and possibly improve the clinical care and social support programs in the future.

Together.

Imagine!

I also must say how critical it is that the academic environment and local population are supportive of public outreach and engagement activities.

Memorial University has an extremely encouraging approach to public connections and interactions, which has helped me grow in these areas as an academic. For example, we have a dedicated Office of Public Engagement at Memorial University, which provides much needed funds, including for my own public engagement projects; NLSUPPORT unit that provides us tremendous support, education, and opportunities regarding patient & public engagement (examples here and here); many colleagues and students, who contribute to public outreach activities with a genuine enthusiasm and make a positive difference in our communities.

Most importantly, public members in Newfoundland and Labrador are very interested in engagement and outreach activities: they are very eager to interact, communicate, and partner with us & work together, all with tremendous patience and honesty. Engaging with our public members is simply fascinating.

If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

I worry that there is not enough emphasis or even opportunity to have a work-life balance, or prioritize individual wellness over work.

As scientists, we are highly competitive, which is great. Yet, often this also translates into over-working and sometimes burdening ourselves.

Science, as I know it, is about curiosity, courage, determinism, and lots of failures. Failures and needing adequate time – sometime longer than planned - to do science and train the next generations scientists need to be normalized.

Let’s not forget that we also have very pressing moral obligations. Racism, sexism, ableism, and all other biases, prejudices, inequity, and discrimination need to be addressed and removed without any further delay. We need a culture that respects the individuality of the persons, their abilities and limitations (if there is something called limitation – limitations and strengths are only relative concepts, if you ask me). We need a more value-based assessments of our activities, abilities, and contributions, and respect for who and what we are.

I can hear you saying that these are more than one thing that I wished changed in the scientific culture – you are right. :)

But I think they all cover one basic concept – what we have currently need to be modified based on what is right, realistic, and valuable while also keeping individuals’ well-being at the center of the focus.

We have the power to do so.

What would be your top recommendation to a woman studying for a PhD and considering pursuing a career in academia?

Don’t EVER question your abilities and potential; know and exercise your rights; and GO FOR IT!

Ozgen Demirkaplan - About me and what I do: my journey into human science

My name is Ozgen Demirkaplan, and I am a Ph. D. Candidate in Neuroscience in the Faculty of Medicine, Division of BioMedical Sciences at Memorial University. I am also one of the local organizators of Soapbox Science, and I started to volunteer as one of the directors of the board in Happy City St. John’s is a local non-profit public engagement organization.

My parents have always been very encouraging of my love of science and technology. We would spend lots of time outside exploring and experimenting in nature and inside playing and coding on the computer. I believe that my parents encourage my sister and me to ask questions, be curious and learn how things work around us. My sister turned out to be an engineer, and I became a scientist.

I am coming from a multidisciplinary background. I have a major in Analytic Philosophy, and a master's in Cognitive Science. I have always been curious about the brain and mind and have always been enthusiastic about learning more about it. My main interest was always the human perception, how we perceive our physical environment and how we process the perceptual information around us.

I consider myself a lifelong learner. Even though I am still an early career researcher, being a researcher in human sciences allowed me to know more about people in every new project that I was involved in. My enthusiasm for learning keeps me motivated to engage with more people, people from different research areas, and people from different cultures, languages, and religions. My curiosity in this area brought me to St. John’s from Turkey to study auditory perception and cognitive skill development in the cognitive ageing and Auditory Neuroscience Lab.

Recently, I started to feel that I need to do more outside of my research and my academic bubble to engage with different communities and attract women into science. Bringing science to public outreach and the women scientists more visible to young women were my leading motivation. Last year, when my friend and colleague Dr. Sarah Sauvé told me about the Soapbox Science event and asked me if I wanted to bring the event to St. Johns, I said yes right away. With this public engagement event, I am expanding my knowledge base beyond being an academic researcher by encouraging women in STEM and creating role models for future women scientists.

Shreyasi Sarkar - Science & Soapbox Science

With always having an interest in how life works, I was drawn to pursuing Science. Science answers the key questions of how life started, and which factors and processes keep it going. Through significant advancements made in the current days, we are now able to learn about major life events that took place on Earth and also connect ourselves to our ancestors. With many technologies being designed, we can now visualize the many processes at play inside of our bodies, helping us grow and live continually.

As a little girl, I grew up following my father, a doctor, providing care to many different individuals. I found it very interesting and the act of providing support and care gave me happiness, and a feeling of satisfaction. I knew growing up that is what I wanted to do for a living. However, I wanted to dig a bit deeper into understanding how our bodies work and react to external agents. All of these factors drew me close to the field that I am currently in, that is, Biochemistry.

Biochemistry governs what we put inside our body and what our body is made of. The list of diseases and disorders that the current world is seeing is endless. With so many diseases and disorders come different methods of treatment. This is where my Biochemistry-related career and research interest come into play. Through my research, I am trying to understand the first step to therapeutics. By focusing on the relationship between food, diet and health, I am trying to identify the missing links that connect them. These links could then be targeted to cure a wide spectrum of psychiatric, metabolic and immune-related disorders.

Science is hard, to be honest. However, the interesting concepts it has woven as parts of it, makes it really easy to be drawn to. Just like education in general, science should be equally accessible to everyone. The public should be able to easily interact with scientific leaders to understand what achievements they can expect from the current civilization. In the same way, everyone should be provided with an opportunity to study science and no discrimination, amongst any class, should be at play.

A career in Scientific Academia can be a struggle to achieve. With many steps to overcome to be able to have your ‘own research lab’ can take up more than half of a lifetime. Nevertheless, those who persevere through the struggle have a rewarding career. The amount of knowledge and experience one can gain through the journey can be extensive. The training that is received at every step teaches one so much, not just professionally but personally as well. The best way to go about it is to embrace the experiences at every step and treat them as important milestones of life. In addition, starting to plan the academic career early can also be of immense help.

Soapbox Science is an amazing platform full of enthusiastic women scientists, dedicated to their field of knowledge and ever ready to share their interesting findings and ideas. I wanted to be a part of this engaging community to be able to educate the public on scientific advancements and also to promote scientific outreach amongst the community. I am excited to network with everyone and talk all Science for Soapbox Science 2021 in NL !

Marisa Dussault - Q&A

Q: How did you get to your current position?

I am currently completing both a Master of Science in Physics and a Master of Arts in Archaeology. I completed a Bachelor of Science at Memorial University with a major in physics and a minor in archaeology. I will admit this seems like and unlikely combination. In the first year of my bachelor’s degree, I found myself really torn between physics and archaeology and I had a really hard time choosing between the two. Thankfully, I was able to get connected with two mentors, Dr. Kristin Poduska and Dr. Meghan Burchell, who are both incredible scientists and researchers and who are now supervisors for my Masters’. Dr. Poduska and Dr. Burchell guided me in planning out how I could conduct interdisciplinary archaeological science research in both my undergraduate and my graduate programs. I am still very much at the beginning of my career as a researcher and scientist, but I am learning to embrace the uncertainty and continue pushing the boundaries for interdisciplinary science. I look forward to where my career will take me!

Q: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

When I was a kid, I remember always being interested in the world around me. I did not necessarily always have my sights set on doing archaeological science and no, I was not doing calculus as a child or anything like that. I just loved learning and loved every subject at school…except gym. However, one thing does stand out to me: I had a really eccentric, funny, and passionate physics teacher in high school. He proved to me that you did not have to take yourself too seriously to be a scientist and that science could actually be really fun.

I have also had a very consistent support group in my scientific endeavors. In the last few years, my supervisors and mentors have continually encouraged me and made me feel like I have a place in this field and that my voice is valued. I cannot emphasize enough how impactful this has been for me.

Q: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

The most fascinating aspect of my research is how it combines multiple scales of analysis to answer broad research questions. Looking at mollusk shells on an extremely small scale – the arrangement of the atoms – can help answer questions on a much larger scale, such as when coastal societies lived at certain archaeological sites, how they harvested and processed marine mollusks for food, and how coastal societies may have responded to changes in climate.

Q: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

I think as scientists and researchers it is important to not get stuck in our own little bubble. It is very easy to go to your office or lab every day and puzzle over research problems until your brain turns to mush but engaging with the public really reignites that passion for me. The format of Soapbox Science events is so different from anything I have ever done before and I am really looking forward to being pushed out of my comfort zone and sharing my research in a new way.

I also hope that I can spark some passion in young students who may still be deciding what they want to do or what they want to study. Having such a wide variety of researchers involved in Soapbox Science is so beautiful because it shows young people that there is so much you can do with a science background that goes beyond what you read in textbooks. You do not need to fit into a box, and you can forge your own path.

Q: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

This is a tough question, and I could probably write a whole separate blog post about this. If I had to change one thing, I think it would be that science needs to be more accessible, and I mean that in every sense of the word. Research needs to be communicated to the public better, opportunities need to be created so that people from all walks of life and all socioeconomic backgrounds are given opportunities in science, and we as scientists need to open ourselves up to genuinely and honesty engage with the broader public. There are a lot of structural and institutional changes that would need to be made to truly make science more accessible, but I think Soapbox Science is taking a huge step towards genuine public engagement.

Q: What would be your top recommendation to a woman studying for a PhD and considering pursuing a career in academia?

By no means do I have all the answers, and as I explore PhD options myself and consider an academic career path, a couple things stand out to me: 1) seek out mentors and do not be afraid to send cold emails to faculty members and researchers whose work interests you, and 2) do at least one thing a week that you are passionate about that is not related to your research. Your degree may dictate how and where you work, but your degree, or your research, is not who you are as a person!

Sevtap Savas - Part 2

What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

Bogazici University – the institution where I got my BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees.

The undergraduate program I attended was quite tough (only a handful of us graduated at that time) and the University had a very strong “looking-forward and success-oriented culture”.

For example, we all knew as graduate students that we had the power, skills, knowledge, and abilities to establish a career in science after graduation. Many of my peers and friends that I studied together followed similar paths in science and academia. This institutional culture has been very important – there was no question in our minds that we were able to continue with whatever we wanted to do and we were very confident in reaching our aims. The fact that I am an internationally-trained faculty member in a Canadian university is a testament to the impact of this culture.

It is important to have this kind of organizational culture that provides confidence to trainees in terms of their abilities and goals. That is why where you are studying and what you are exposed in that training environment is extremely important.

If there is one thing I can recommend our future trainees and minorities in science, it is the following: “Do not let anyone or any organization to break your dreams, plans, or inspirations. Try to be in places where culture is focused on your success, and where you are provided with tools and skills to reach your goals. Continuously evaluate your priorities & accomplishments, and change places, your thinking, and circumstances, if needed, to reach your goals.”

On top of all of these, I must say that my family has the greatest role in every successful endeavor of my life. I am coming from a middle-low income family, and my family has sacrificed quite a bit for me to pursue my educational and career goals. Without their support and interest, I doubt that I could come thus far.

What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

Unknowns!

There is something irresistible about going into that jungle of unknowns, all in dark with dense bushes and trees, and explore the ways leading to the knowledge and answers to the questions at hand.

Yes, you get a lot of bruises, and sometimes even broken bones, along the way.

Yes, there are a lot of failures, blocked ways, and hurdles to overcome.

Yes, to discover something new right away is challenging, if not impossible.

But there is also an incredible pleasure and satisfaction in knowing that by going through these, you also bring light to the unknown, unexplored, and untackled areas in science.

I am an explorer – personally and professionally; I like being the first person in the unknown areas, as well as being in the areas that are unknown to me. I love constantly looking for different areas and more impactful work benefiting the cancer-affected individuals. I am not scared of new or challenging fields, and luckily, I have the freedom to do so.

This is why academia is great – it ideally lets you choose the topics you would like to work on, and allows you to develop over and over again.

What experiences and tips about mentorship and menteeship can you share?

I have great stories to tell, but I will keep it short, as follows:

In terms of mentors; I had great ones. Some of them helped me see the roads that led me where I am right now. That is incredible. But I kept my independence along the way as well. For example, figuring out many things in life and work, although slows you down at the beginning, can also make you quite independent, efficient, and learn from your own experiences and mistakes. Finding this balance can be important.

I enjoy acting as a mentor, too. I love mentoring my graduate students, even after they graduate. In addition, if my schedule permits, I try to contribute to community organizations’ mentorship programs and training of students interested in research. For example, I am currently mentoring an undergraduate student - as part of the WISE NL mentorship program [3] – and another undergraduate student interested in cancer research. Both are young women and quite enthusiastic learners. I feel lucky to be connected with them.

Having mentees is an opportunity to learn and realize new things. My recent experience got me thinking that listening to mentees and understanding what they may need – even it is not explicitly stated – was very important. Another thing I recently realized was that we may not be aware of this, but there is an ocean of knowledge and tips we each can offer. They may seem very subtle or unimportant to us, but they can make a huge difference in young persons’ lives. Taking a moment to convey these tips and encouragement to young generations does not cost us much, but may help them a lot.

Overall, mentorship is meaningful, easier than we think, an opportunity to learn about ourselves and contribute to community and young generations, and it is a lot of fun. I would encourage everyone to think about mentoring others.

Katja Kochvar - Age & impostor syndrome

I was never so acutely aware of my age before starting my master’s.

As a 22-year-old just recently out of undergrad, I was used to being surrounded by people my age, give or take a couple years. Throughout my childhood and into my young adulthood, my friends were almost always in the same “stage of life” as me. We faced similar obstacles, considered similar next steps for ourselves, and brought similar levels of experience to the table.

For me, doing a master’s directly after my bachelors was a no-brainer. I was passionate about animal behavior research and felt drawn to a career in academia, so why waste any time? I was smart, or so I was told. I did an honor’s thesis, so I had research experience. Everyone said I was ready, so why not get going?

When I came across my current position studying Atlantic puffin communication in Pierre-Paul Bitton’s Visual Ecology Lab, I was beyond thrilled. I liked birds! I’d never seen a puffin in the flesh, but they were awfully adorable. My lab in undergrad studied auditory and visual communication, so I had some background in the area. Plus, I loved being out in the field and doing outdoorsy activities, and this position would involve being on an island for two months to collect data. It seemed like, well, the perfect fit!

My perspective dramatically shifted upon meeting the two other students on the project, one 28 and the other 33. I quickly realized that they were coming with a WHOLE lot more experience and a much more nuanced idea of how this degree would impact their career. They had specific reasons for wanting this particular position, and they had the background to back it up, including extensive field experience with puffins and other seabirds. Experience I had never even dreamed of having. And yet, instead of feeling awestruck, I felt threatened.

For the first couple months, I struggled with that all-encompassing, pesky “imposter-syndrome” that we all seem to suffer from but all forget that everyone else is suffering from. Sitting in lab meetings as we planned our first field season, I was keenly aware of the number of contributions I made to the discussion – or rather, lack thereof. Hanging out with others in the program as they discussed various bird sightings and experiences on bird banding projects, I couldn’t help but feeling like I just didn’t quite fit in. I questioned why I was here, and what I could even bring to the lab and the program. I felt the previously unwavering confidence in my abilities begin to slip away as I focused more and more on my lack of skills, lack of experience, and overall lack of knowledge.

And then I began to write. It started out with a short paper for a class, but soon I was writing a full-fledged research proposal and re-writing and editing a journal publication submission. As I got deeper into my element and positive comments from my professor and supervisor flooded in, my confidence slowly built back up. I began imagining the ways I might contribute to the lab in the future, through crafting protocols, providing feedback on others’ theses, or writing up a collaborative manuscript. And I started noticing the subtle ways I was already contributing – through the formation of a journal club, or even just my positive, enthusiastic demeanor.

But perhaps even more importantly, I began to shift my perspective from competitive and comparative to collaborative and supportive. I started consciously celebrating my lab mates’ accomplishments instead of fixating on my own failures. I offered advice when it was asked for, with nothing but the intention to help. And I opened up about my own struggles with my project instead of locking them away and putting up a façade of easy success. I was far from perfect – it’s hard to shake 22 years of competitive spirit – but I could feel it melting away with each passing day.

I had been told many times before that everyone has their own unique career trajectory, and that no one path is better than the other. While I have agreed with this sentiment abstractly for a long time, it was not until now, seeing such different paths lead me and my two amazing friends to the same place at the same time, that I am starting to concretely believe it. And honestly, I just feel lucky to be here with them, doing something undeniably awesome :)

Sydney Collins - Q&A

Q: How did you get to your current position?

To answer this, I think I will start out with a little about me. I study seabird behaviour and conservation across North America, and I have been working on Gull Island in the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve since 2019. If you are out on a boat in that area this summer and see someone in a hot pink sweater, give me a wave! I have been very lucky to have many years of experience doing fieldwork, as this summer will be my 7^th field season and my 5^th with seabirds. I have been passionate about nature for my whole life. I grew up surrounded by farmland, forest, rivers, and marshland, basically all the habitats that attract lots of wild animals, and my parents and I went camping every year which was always the highlight of my summer. I worked hard in high school and focused heavily on the sciences, partly because I knew I needed them for university, but also because I just love science! When I was 17, I was hired at the Ministry of Natural Resources. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, this was my first real field season.

I did my undergrad at the University of Guelph, where I completed my BSc in Environmental Biology. In my first year, I was invited to work as a field research assistant in Alaska for the Jacobs Lab. I often say that this was due to luck and being in the right place at the right time, but I also worked very hard throughout high school and first year university to put myself in the right place at the right time. This field season turned into another, and the data that I collected in Alaska became my undergrad thesis and was published as a scientific journal article in Animal Behaviour in 2019. I absolutely loved fieldwork and completing my undergrad thesis. It gave me a purpose and made me feel like what I was working on truly contributed to the world. I decided to pursue research as a career, which meant my next steps would be taken in grad school. At the suggestion of everyone I had worked with on my undergrad thesis, I contacted Dr. Bill Montevecchi, known locally as ‘The Bird Man’. He took me on as his Master’s student in 2019, and I am thrilled to now be working with him and Dr. Dave Wilson on my Ph.D.

Q: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

My parents have always been very encouraging of my love of science and nature. We would spend lots of time outside going for hikes, camping, kayaking, and looking for birds in our backyard. They are also very environmentally conscious, and helped me to be involved with environmental activism from a young age. I think my career path was not at all a surprise to my family. When I told them I would be moving to Alaska to live in a tent and study birds, they basically said, “Ok, have fun! Be safe!” and sent me on my way. I was also always very inspired by David Suzuki. It was so exciting as a young girl to see a fellow Canadian work so hard to bring environmental awareness and sustainability to the public. My high school teachers also played a big role. Many of my teachers, especially my science teachers, were so passionate about what they taught, it was infectious!

Q: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

My work focuses heavily on animal behaviour and, more specifically, animal personality, which looks for consistent individual behaviour. I think it is truly fascinating to study a particular individual so closely. The birds that I study do not look different from each other, but I watch them and work with them so much that I can usually tell which individual I am looking at or handling just by their behaviour. I feel like I really get to know all my study animals as individuals rather than each bird just being a number. I also like that this challenges the traditional view of non-human animals being like mindless robots. It is important for humans to view non-human animals as individuals who are each living their own lives, and who have thoughts and make decisions just like we do. Ultimately, I think it helps people to care more about the environment if you don’t view it as “us versus them” but rather as “we”.

Q: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

I am very passionate about both science communication and encouraging women in STEM fields. When I was in public school, I never really knew that a career in research was a viable path. I think a lot of people, including my younger self, have an Einstein-like image in their heads of how a ‘scientist’ should look. In my first year of university, many of my professors were women, and they would give passionate lectures introducing themselves and their ongoing research. I was so excited to hear from real people about their amazing careers, and it inspired me to seek out a research position that ultimately guided my career path. I think Soapbox Science is a fantastic initiative that gives a platform to diversify the public perception of a scientist, and to show young people that a career in science truly is an option.

Q: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

I would definitely change how accessible science is. Journal articles are so expensive and are often written in a way that is not easy to understand, especially for non-expert audiences. Scientific studies rarely make front page news, and those that do are often misinterpreted, written about in a biased way, or cherry-picked to support the existing views of that reader-base. Even more importantly, valuable scientific studies can easily be misinterpreted, or missed altogether by policy makers. I think that it is therefore the duty of scientists to share their work in as many accessible ways as possible. Science communication through public speaking, internet blogs, videos, books, and other methods will help everyone to be informed on the most recent and accurate information.

Q: What would be your top recommendation to a woman studying for a PhD and considering pursuing a career in academia?

You cannot do this alone, so make connections and find your advocates. Racial and gender bias is still present in academia, but finding people who support you as a person and as a scientist can help you to better navigate the current system. It is so important to do your research on your supervisor and your lab before you apply. Working with someone who will help you to reach your career goals because they care about you is just as important as the hard and soft skills you will learn from them. It is incredibly valuable to have someone on your side who is in a position to advocate for you and who can help you to put your best foot forward when applying for positions, or to help you in the face of adversity. I also encourage everyone to think about how they can help other women to achieve their academic goals. We are all in this together, and I truly believe that we can eliminate the biases in academia by supporting each other.

Yellow Martin - Sex and the City (Nerd Edition)

Growing up in a rural town, I had very little exposure to the world of science. Sure, I had science classes, but we were often learning from out of date texts with limited access to computers and materials. I was taught big concepts largely from films shown in class (shoutout to Bill Nye) and had little hands on exposure to the physical world of science. The things little nerds dream about – dissections, chemical interactions, volcanos, science fairs – these were rarities. Being rural, we just didn’t have all the opportunities the big city schools had. Luckily, I was surrounded by support: teachers and mentors who helped foster my love of science and encouraged its’ pursuit.

Going to university in a city setting was… a lot. The culture shock was real. I was so overwhelmed and found myself surrounded by thousands of people compared to the hundreds back home. As most first years do, I quickly set out to find myself and my cohort, bouncing around departments in the process. First I thought I would be a biochemist, then a biologist, until finally, I found my niche within neuroscience. I was in my bliss. It was this perfect medley of everything science, literally. Anatomy, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, psychology, and medicine were all intertwined to make up neuroscience. It was challenging with the added bonus of sounding like the coolest thing ever when telling people, “I study neuroscience”. As I progressed, I found myself working in various animal labs and diving into research on circadian rhythms and Alzheimer’s disease. I became so passionate about the research process of asking questions and methodologically finding answers, that I simply couldn’t let it end. After my degree, I hopped on for another two-year stint as a graduate student.

While in search of a supervisor, I was referred to a neuroscience faculty member who was bringing a new and interesting line of research to Memorial: sex research. Naturally, my mind went right in the gutter, as I’m sure yours did too, but I jumped at the opportunity to expand my knowledge set anyways. Unlike Salt-n-Pepa, when we talk about sex, our lab primarily discusses and analyzes sex differences meaning differences between males and females in anatomy, behaviour, hormones, etc. I ended up studying a small organ within the olfactory system called the vomeronasal organ which controls mate choice and sexual preference. I was fortunate to present my findings at international conferences and to partake in a global community of neuroscientists who inspire me beyond words.

Finishing a master’s degree in science was a round circle moment. I was just a small-town girl who chased after my interests in the city and ended up studying a topic beyond my wildest dreams. The roots for my love of science were planted by my grade schoolteachers, nourished by my professors and mentors, and grown by my supervisor and colleagues. Hopefully, they flourish as I pursue my next chapter in medical school.

“All sorts of things can happen when you’re open to new ideas and playing around with things.” — Stephanie Kwolek, (chemist who invented Kevlar and winner of the Lavoisier Medal)

Hannah Wallace - Why I am Not Limited as a Woman from the East Coast of Canada

I guess I should take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Hannah Wallace. I was born and raised in Saint John, NB, and I am so incredibly proud of my New Brunswick roots. Now I live in St John’s, NL, where I am working on a PhD at Memorial University (MUN).

I have become acutely aware of just how many advantages there are in being from the East Coast. There are SO many but I just want to highlight a few here.

1. It’s a small place.

We all know this and sometimes it works against us, especially growing up when everyone knows everything about you. But, as you get older, it becomes an advantage because it’s likely that you know someone who knows someone who can get something done for you. These connections are such a unique part of being from the East Coast and you can make this work for you.

2. Less competition.

I know some people would say that this isn’t an advantage but I think it is. Since there is less competition, I believe it allows more people to follow what they are passionate about. I have gotten opportunities to do things because there were fewer people competing for the same goal. This doesn’t mean I don’t deserve to be there; it’s just that I would not have had as many opportunities if there had been more competition. Let me give you an example. Most people in PhD programs never have a chance to teach/lecture university classes before they become professors. Luckily, this isn’t the case for me! Since there are not very many virology PhD students at MUN, I have gotten to teach undergraduate students, graduate students, and medical students. This is a really special opportunity that just isn’t available at bigger universities.

3. You know how to make your own sunshine.

We all know the east coast in winter is kind of dark. And cold. And in St John’s, extremely windy. I think this has actually given us an advantage. I think it makes us more resilient and forces us to create our own sunshine. We create our own sunshine when we take on projects about which we are passionate and do other things we love to compensate for the lack of sun in the winter months. I believe this keeps us going and keeps us motivated. I think having soapbox science events here in St. John’s is a perfect example of this!

4. People from the East Coast will ALWAYS support you.

This is probably my favourite reason that I don’t feel at all limited by being from the East Coast. The support I have had throughout, not only my studies but throughout my life, really has made a difference. I have always felt that people believed in me and my ambitious dreams. The effect of knowing your community stands behind you makes all the difference in the world. Being from the East Coast means there is always a large team of cheerleaders rooting for you.

Sarah Sauvé - Organizing Soapbox Science

This week I wanted to share how I came to organize Soapbox Science in St. John's and the organizing principles behind my approach.

I first came across Soapbox Science completely by accident. I was in Halifax for a friend's wedding in the summer of 2019 and had the day to wander around town before the wedding. I always enjoy the Halifax Seaport Farmer's Market and so made my way there as usual. But, not as usual, that day there were women in lab coats standing on soapboxes talking about their research! A volunteer told me about the event, I wandered to every soapbox and not long after asked to speak to the organizer about how she went about organizing it. We had a lovely chat: I learned about the NSERC Student Ambassador grant, what's involved in the organizing, and I got her email. I reached out pretty much as soon as I'd gotten back to St. John's because I'd already decided that afternoon that I wanted to organize an event like that in St. John's. Why not? Connecting the public with scientists and scientists with the public featuring research happening NOW, making visible women scientists while we're still under-represented in science and literally putting them on soapboxes evoking the tradition of Hyde Park Corner, in the city where I'd done my grad studies (London, UK) - all individually great reasons to do this! Plus, with my past experience organizing many both academic and non-academic events, most multi-day, a single-day event with a dozen speakers was very manageable.

In 2020 we quickly adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic by moving online so that we could still hold the first Soapbox Science St. John's. This year, with management of the pandemic more under control overall and expecting the eligible population of Newfoundland and Labrador to have received at least one vaccine does over the summer, we've decided to go ahead with a live event on September 4th at the St. John's Farmer's Market. As someone who is very political and tries to live her politics in everyday life (I don't always succeed), I've applied some of my politics to organizing Soapbox Science: zero waste and buying local. I had applied these two principles to an international academic conference I hosted during my PhD so I knew it was possible to do things differently if you thought about it.

I of course can't guarantee absolutely zero waste in the process of organizing and hosting the event, but there are things we can do to apply the 4R's of zero waste: reduce, reuse, recycle and recover.

• The soapboxes will be made from as much reclaimed wood as can be found, ideally 100%. They may not match in colour, even in a single soapbox, but I see that as an aesthetic in itself - recovering materials is more important than looking uniform.

• There will be no plastic water bottles. Everyone will be encouraged to bring their own reusable bottle which can be refilled in the SJFM. We'll bring reusable glasses for anyone who doesn't have a reusable bottle.

• Food and snacks for speakers will be bought from SJFM vendors; we'll request minimal packaging and paper or reusable containers of our own to be filled wherever possible, as COVID-19 guidelines allow.

• Plastic materials like name tag holders and protectors for the signs that will go in the soapboxes will be sourced from labs and speakers. We don't need many so there is no reason to buy new material.

• We will prefer spray bottle sanitizers over disposable wipes as much as possible.

• Promotional banners and printing will be kept to a minimum, focusing on items that can be reused for future events.

In terms of buying local, I've already mentioned buying food from SJFM vendors. We're also having our lab coats and t-shirts printed locally and of course are hiring a local carpenter. I welcome any other suggestions you might have on ways we can reduce, reuse, recycle and recover & buy local!

With the threat of austerity looming in this province, I feel it's as important as ever to promote the work being done with public money in a publicly funded institution. I feel it's also important to show that we can organize events with less waste and more local focus. Academia has a crucial role to play in society in big and small ways and we have to walk the walk too and change the way we do things.

Alicia Blackmore - Becoming the mother's perspective

My name is Alicia Blackmore, I’m a PhD candidate in Clinical Epidemiology within the Division of Community Health and Humanities at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

I have spent the last four years researching infant feeding, infant and maternal health, and it has become one of my greatest passions. I joined the Breastfeeding Research Working Group of the Baby Friendly Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, I attended conferences on maternal and infant nutrition, breastfeeding symposiums, and found myself joining Facebook support groups to better understand the relationship between infant feeding and the support systems available within our province.

My thesis entitled “Investing in healthy babies and healthy mothers : a patient oriented approach” intends on looking at supports for infant feeding, and how we can make the case to decision makers and policy makers that investing in breastfeeding support is an investment in our mothers, infants, families and communities.

My thesis has allowed me to research galactagogues, specifically Domperidone, as an "off-label" medication prescribed to mothers that helps increase breastmilk production. Where we found that the use of domperidone increased the volume of expressed breastmilk for those experiencing insufficient production. (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0890334418812069). I also conducted a cost analysis from a healthcare system perspective, looking at the association of infant feeding mode and total healthcare service costs during the first year of life (https://bmcresnotes.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13104-020-05228-6). We found that overall $315,235 was spent on healthcare service use for the sample of healthy full term infants during their first year of life. When compared to exclusive breastfeeding, mixed feeding and exclusive formula feeding were found to be significant predictors of total healthcare service use costs, driven by costs of hospital admissions. These findings allow us to continue to make the case for policies and programs that support and encourage breastfeeding and supporting mothers in the early stages of their feeding method during the first year of life.

More recently, I began delving into a mother's perspective. Truly, the most important perspective when considering infant nutrition during the first year of life. I’ve had a number of engagement sessions and have met with mothers within my community hearing their first hand experiences with breastfeeding, formula feeding, seeking support within our community and what their journeys have looked like. Journeys of women that have been empowering, courageous, informative, frustrating, fearful, joyful and at times shocking- (publication currently in submission)

This perspective is something I could only dream of understanding- as a researcher in the field I had such a different preconception of pregnancy, birth, infant nutrition, infant and maternal health. My understanding of breastfeeding and formula feeding could only ever extend so far. Yes, I read hundreds of articles, Yes I have read countless books, Yes I have critically appraised so much of the research out there, or conducted systematic reviews or cost analyses. There is so much that can be taught from a textbook, while there is so much that cannot.

I am finally expanding my knowledge base beyond that of a researcher, as I am becoming a mom. Within the last 4 months of my pregnancy I have gained a perspective, an appreciation and a respect I never knew existed. And I know this perspective will only continue to grow as I continue through my pregnancy and into parenthood. I will get to embark on my own infant feeding journey, and truly understand the vulnerability that comes along with motherhood. As an aspiring researcher, epidemiologist, and scientist, I very much look forward to this journey.

I am happy to wear this new hat, to say that prior to the submission of my doctoral work, I will be able to bring a mother’s perspective to my thesis, not only in the work I have done to date, but in my own writing and in my own doing; through my defence and while finishing my thesis-

Because I am now becoming the perspective that I sought out so long to read about and understand

I can provide a “Mother’s Perspective”