This year we asked women in science at Sunnybrook what advice they would give to their younger self or girls aspiring to pursue a career in STEM.

Dr. Sophie-Marie Aicher

Dr. Aicher is a postdoctoral fellow in the Mubareka Lab at Sunnybrook Research Institute.

“Never stop being curious and celebrate even the tiniest wins along the way!”

Claudia Wong, RN

Claudia is a professional leader of nursing and manger at Sunnybrook.

“A career in science requires plenty of creativity. As a young person I was worried pursuing a career as a nurse would mean that I lose touch with the side of me that loves humanities, the arts and being creative. My career has proved me wrong – so much of nursing and other STEM careers require us to think creatively!”

Dr. Amy Yu

Dr. Amy Yu is a neurologist and senior scientist in the Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program at Sunnybrook.

“Go for it!! Be curious. Ask questions. Challenge yourself and others. Forge your own path.”

Dr. Yu is proud of her daughters (pictured above on the left), who are discovering their own paths.

Kristen Cimolai

Kristen is a research technician at Sunnybrook Research Institute.

“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, because making mistakes is how you learn! Especially when you surround yourself with people who are willing to support you and assist you in your journey. I have learned the most after asking for help and being vulnerable around people who are eager to teach.”

Vicky Boateng, RN

Vicky is a project manager, critical care and nursing certificate programs at Sunnybrook.

“Be curious and try new things. You will never know what you like and don’t like until you have given it a try.”

Dr. Shannon Dunn

Dr. Dunn is a scientist in the Biological Sciences and Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program at Sunnybrook Research Institute.

“Sometimes it just takes one mentor to push you in the right direction. My ski coach knew I was interested in science, encouraged me to apply for a summer studentship and introduced me to a professor doing research in exercise science. This led to more summer placements, a Master’s, PhD and the rest is history!”

“To bridge the gaps you might face throughout your academic or professional career, you need to have a supervisor or academic mentor who can inspire you to reach the next level and to help facilitate a project that ‘has legs’ and can result in great outcomes.”

Dr. Marina Wasilewski

Dr. Wasilewski is a scientist in the Evaluative Clinical Sciences and St. John’s Rehab Research Program at Sunnybrook Research Institute.

“Being curious and tenacious will get you far. People may try to convince you that you ‘talk too much’ or ‘ask too many questions,” but keep talking and questioning! Relentlessly seek out educational opportunities and activities that celebrate and expand these qualities—they are your superpower in STEM!”

Kirishanthy Kathirkamathamby

Kris is a research safety & compliance manager and biological safety officer at Sunnybrook Research Institute.

“Follow your curiosity and let it guide you in a way that feels natural to you. Your journey is uniquely yours, and success has no single definition– define it for yourself. Embrace your strengths, use them to fuel your passion, and know that your contributions matter. Keep pushing boundaries your own way, and you will shape the future of the scientific world.”

Dr. Diane Nam

Dr. Nam is an orthopaedic surgeon and associate scientist in the Holland Bone and Joint Program at Sunnybrook.

“When I was young, people told me to choose a career in something I was good at. I wasn’t sure I’d be good in science and I chose something else. I finally caved and did a science degree and I haven’t looked back. Science is a wonderous thing. The knowledge you gain from studying science opens your mind to what is possible beyond what you can imagine. If I could go back to my younger self, I’d say just go for it!”

The post Women and girls in science: What would you tell your younger self? appeared first on Your Health Matters.

For more fun content, follow us on TikTok @teamsunnybrook.

Happy International Women’s Day!

@teamsunnybrook Saturday, February 11 is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. To celebrate, we’ll be sharing days in the lives of some Sunnybrook women in STEM. Meet Ella, a PhD student in pharmacology & toxicology at Sunnybrook. #internationaldayofwomenandgirlsinscience #healthtok #sunnybrook #toronto #womeninstem #dayinthelife #womeninstem ♬ Sunshine – WIRA

@teamsunnybrook Tomorrow, Saturday, February 11, is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. To celebrate, we’ll be sharing days and weeks in the lives of some Sunnybrook women in STEM. Meet Kristina, a lab manager in the Focused Ultrasound Lab at Sunnybrook. #internationaldayofwomenandgirlsinscience #healthtok #sunnybrook #toronto #womeninstem #dayinthelife #womeninstem ♬ Asian style warm tropical house – Future Oriented Triad

@teamsunnybrook In honour of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (Feb. 11), we’re sharing peeks at the days and weeks in the lives of some of Sunnybrook’s women in STEM. Today, meet Carmen, a radiation therapist at Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Centre. #sunnybrook #dayinthelife #healthtok #womeninstem #radiationtechnologist #fyp #toronto #internationaldayofwomenandgirlsinscience ♬ Suns – Official Sound Studio

@teamsunnybrook Today is #WorldHearingDay. Check out this day in the life of Matsya, a research student in Sunnybrook’s hearing regeneration lab. #sunnybrook #dayinthelife #healthtok #womeninstem #research #fyp #toronto #internationaldayofwomenandgirlsinscience #internationalwomensday ♬ Asian style warm tropical house – Future Oriented Triad

@teamsunnybrook We’re continuing to recognize some of the incredible women in STEM working at Sunnybrook by sharing a little about their day-to-day. Here’s Andra, a post-doctoral research fellow, who even gives us a look at a Containment Level 3 Lab! #healthtok #sunnybrook #fyp #womeninstem #research #toronto #dayinthelife #internationaldayofwomenandgirlsinstem ♬ Asian style warm tropical house – Future Oriented Triad

The post Meet Ella, Kristina, Carmen, Matsya and Andra: just a few of Sunnybrook women in STEM appeared first on Your Health Matters.

Dr. Harriet Lea-Banks

Dr. Harriet Lea-Banks is a Junior Scientist in Physical Sciences and the Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program at Sunnybrook Research Institute. Her research in Sunnybrook’s Focused Ultrasound Lab explores ultrasound-mediated drug delivery in the brain.

Why did you pursue a career in science?

I originally studied engineering because I wanted to build things that improved people’s lives. The idea of doing a PhD and going into research felt so far from everyday life and frontline engineering. But learning more about biomedical engineering through my undergraduate degree captured my imagination. Using sound waves to image and treat the body sounded like science fiction, but at Sunnybrook we see it in reality, and it truly does improve lives.

How have mentors impacted your career path?

I’ve been fortunate to have several exceptional mentors, both women and men, that have encouraged and challenged me. They are advocates for me, even when I’m not there. I love this quote from U of T Professor Christine Allen – ‘Find mentors who believe in you and are willing to bring up your name and put you forward for opportunities – even when you’re not in the room.’

What advice would you give to young women interested in pursuing a career in research?

Look out for opportunities to test if research is for you, such as the Focused Ultrasound High School Summer Research Program and the SRI Summer Student Research Program. Diversity and representation in science are improving, but the truth is, we need you. Without female representation at every stage, sex biases will continue to limit medical research and the treatments we develop. The best innovations come from the most diverse groups. So, bring your whole self and help us define what a scientist looks like in 2023.

Dr. Candace McNaughton

Dr. Candace McNaughton is an Emergency Medicine Physician and Scientist in Evaluative Clinical Sciences and the Integrated Community Research Program at Sunnybrook. Her research interests include hypertension, heart failure and the impact of COVID-19 on our healthcare system.

What inspires your work in science?

Because I am an emergency medicine physician and epidemiologist, many of my research questions come from clinical work and patient experiences in the emergency department. Every shift, new questions come up and I learn from my patients. Why do some patients benefit from their heart failure or hypertension medications but others don’t, how can we figure out which patients are which, and how can we best support both? Curiosity gets me out of bed in the morning and keeps me motivated through the long hours reading, problem solving, and the rejections that are part and parcel in science.

What’s one thing your career in science has taught you?

By its very nature, science is challenging and exacting, and most experiences involve a lot of time and/or failures. This can create challenges for people like me, who really want to get the right answer on the first try. Science continues to provide daily lessons in humility and determination. Practically speaking, my training has also been invaluable as a parent, and it’s probably saved my own life a few more times than I care to admit.

What advice would you give to young women interested in pursuing a career in medicine or research?

We need women in medicine and research. That said, it is virtually impossible to devote a career to science without either making significant personal sacrifices or having tremendous, multi-faceted support. Behind every successful scientist there are 3-5 full-time-employee equivalents in support — whether that’s in the form of an incredible grants manager, administrative assistant, nanny, household manager, and/or spouse. Carefully cultivate these relationships as explicitly as you do everything else in your career. Despite the additional hurdles that women still often face in science today, our voices and our involvement are as vital.

Dr. Chao Wang

Dr. Chao Wang is a Scientist in Biological Sciences and the Odette Cancer Research Program at Sunnybrook Research Institute. She also holds a Canada Research Chair in Immunometabolism of Neuroinflammation.

Do you have a role model that influenced your decision to work in science?

I’ve been fortunate to have many role models throughout my career and I continue to learn from people that I work or interact with. My first mentor was my undergraduate professor Dr. Jamie Scott who introduced me to immunology and research, and continues to influence me to this day. First and foremost, you have to love what you are studying. And if you love it, identify mentors and the support system that you’ll need to help you succeed.

What are some of the challenges currently faced by women in science?

Juggling work and family and the trade-offs that come with that is difficult. Science is a career that needs an incredible amount of dedication, time and sometimes 24/7 mental concentration. This can often be challenging while trying to be a good mother and/or attend to family. A salute to all the female scientists — you are all wonder women!

What do you love most about working in science?

Working in science allows me to pursue both my medical curiosity and my passion for teaching. It’s an incredibly rewarding and exciting feeling to discover something new, with the hope to benefit millions of people.

The post Women in Science: Sunnybrook researchers on inspiration, representation, and breaking down barriers appeared first on Your Health Matters.