*Due to low registration, this event has been cancelled for the 2023 year. We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes and thank you for your interest in this event*

Interested in establishing a starting point for learning about the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion within STEM? The Science Student Success Centre presents our second annual Diversity in Science Panel. Students are invited to meet with professionals at this discussion of equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

At this event, a panel of professionals from science industries will speak about their careers, respective fields, and experiences with obstacles they had to overcome or are still struggling with while being within a traditionally under-represented group in STEM. This will then be followed by a Q&A session in which students can ask the visiting professionals any questions they may have.

This year's panelists are:

• Bianca Bono, PhD graduate student in Neuroscience

  Bianca graduated in 2020 with a bachelor's in Neuroscience and Mental Health with a minor in Psychology. She is currently a PhD student in Dr. Melissa Chee's lab, studying how metabolic hormones impact our stress response. Bianca strives to make science at Carleton University more inclusive. She recently volunteered with the Neuroscience's EDI committee and produced a video speaking about her experiences as a lesbian in science. By sharing her story, she hopes to encourage others to accept themselves for their differences.

• Emmerson Borthwick, 4th year student in Neuroscience and Mental Health

  (He/him) 4th Year Neuroscience and mental health student. Started the Pride and Science Alliance (PSA), an online space for LGBTQ+ STEM students to meet and connect. Member of the Carleton Trans Advocacy Group. I love cats and foraging for wild plants.

• Sara Hassan, 4th year student in Neuroscience Combined Honours with a minor in Human Rights

  Hello! My name is Sara. I am currently in my 4th year of Neuroscience Combined Honors with a minor in Human Rights at Carleton.

  Here’s a little bit about me: I love art! That includes everything from ice sculptures, paintings, portraits, and origami. I am fascinated by the brain and how it works, hence asking one too many questions in my neuro classes. I really enjoy powerlifting and am a Canadian Armed Forces member who worked with an army reserves unit during my first year and am currently in the Canadian Navy training to be a marine technician! I also work as a clinical research on the Orthopedic surgery research team within CHEO Research Institute.

  One piece of advice I would give to all incoming students: take things slow. Don't worry about managing too many commitments in first-year (clubs, part-time work, school, friends, etc.). It is almost too easy to burn out when you put too much on your plate all at once. So, know that it’s okay to get involved in one or just a few activities in or out of school, as long as you are not overloaded, and they give you a chance to destress. Even though you may find first-year overwhelming and confusing at first, take it one day at a time. It is never a bad idea to take a Mental Health Day, so if you need one, take one. And remember, you're not going through it alone! There are always resources and people here to help – like the SSSC.

  Besides being a reservist in my time at Carleton, I've worked as a research assistant on neuroscience, developmental biology/genetic projects, as well as immunology. I have done multiple SaPP terms with Carleton Biology professors to adapt curriculums and make them more student-centric. I am also the founder of Bridge the Gap (BTG) which is Carleton’s only social-justice-motivated research and film production club. It focuses on reshaping societal outlooks by publishing short documentaries that showcase opposing view points of a social justice issue and reduces polarization in our community. (Find out more about BTG on our Instagram @carletonBTG) I've also been an SSSC mentor for 2 years now (this year will be my third!). I've volunteered at multiple different organizations - some of them are student groups while others are outside of Carleton such as Planned Parenthood Ottawa and Christie Lake Kids.

  While getting involved in so many different avenues can be daunting, it only pushed me to be more disciplined at managing my time so I can equally participate in my extra-curriculars, academics, and social life. I personally enjoy all my extra-curriculars so they helped take my mind off school stress and it contributed to me focusing better in the classroom as well. They made my university experience a lot more diverse which helped with my self-discovery and establishing a healthy balance between my social and academic life.

  Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or would like to chat! Whether you’re interested in my activities, thinking about joining the Canadian Forces, or need advice about your university career, feel free to visit me in the SSSC and introduce yourself! I look forward to helping you make your university experience a successful one!

  • Dr. Seyda Ipek, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics (Theoretical Physics)

    I am an assistant professor in the Department of Physics. I received my PhD from the University of Washington and worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Fermi National Laboratory and at University of California, Irvine. I am originally from Turkey, a country at the geographical and cultural intersection of Asia, the Middle East and Europe. My science career has been very much affected by my visa-based immigrant experience in the US and in Canada. I was also a part of many women in science/physics groups in grad school and later. I am the co-manager of a Turkish women in science group, Bilim Kadinlari. In addition and in conjunction to the challenges of women face in STEM fields, I fight against many other kinds of discrimination that happens in the academic workplace and beyond. I am part of a group called Particles For Justice where we discuss current social issues and work to raise awareness in our colleagues.

Register for this event through mySuccess (Access MySuccess through Carleton360) and click on Science Student Success Centre.