Best Of The Wwest

In this episode, we hear from Leigh Joseph about collaborative work at a community level, observing people out on the land and learning their stories that connect them to their place. Leigh talks about how having a more Indigenous presence in ethnobotany is key to community collaboration, and how researching traditional Indigenous plant medicine can help Indigenous communities return to their cultural practices and build a foundation for healing and self-care at a community and cultural level. Leigh Joseph (Styawat) is an ethnobotanist, researcher and community activist. She is from the Squamish First Nation and she works to contribute to cultural knowledge renewal in connection to traditional plant foods and medicines. Her research takes a community-based approach and is influenced by her experience as an Indigenous woman reconnecting to her cultural roots. Wherever possible she draws on ancestral teachings that are connected to traditional plants and the land in her research. For a full transcription of th

Marcia MacDonald, PhD, chats with host Danniele this week about working at the World Anti-Doping Agency. You'll hear about how her work helps to implement more efficient processes in the Athlete Biological Passport Program or ABP. But you'll also hear about Marcia's life as a woman in STEM - how relocating from Vancouver to Montreal for her career has been, and what she is most passionate about outside of work (hint: it involves activism in a big, worldwide issue that we are all familiar with - but you'll have to listen to find out more!).  Marcia MacDonald is a Deputy Director in the Science and Medicine department at the World Anti-Doping Agency. Marcia oversees a team responsible for the global development of the Athlete Biological Passport program, which monitors biological variables over time to indirectly reveal the effects of doping in sport, rather than attempting to detect the doping substance or method itself.  Please note some of the abbreviations and jargon used in this episode: ADO = Anti-Doping

It's time for another Yukon-focused Best of the WWEST episode! Host Alison Anderson talks with Leslie Leong about whether or not new technology really simplifies our lives, whether or not we should separate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) from the arts, and what needs to be done to advance women in STEM. Plus, you'll hear about some really cool art projects that Leslie has completed and is currently working on. Leslie Leong is a Civil Engineer and visual artist living and working in Whitehorse, Yukon. She makes art in many forms, often with a technical focus and an emphasis on 3-dimensional work. Leslie’s engineering degree and experience has enabled her to do all of the wonderful and unusual things she has done, and continues to do. For a full transcription of this episode, click here. Relevant Links: The Arctic Circle Residency Arts Underground Fort Smith, Northwest Territories "How climate change can cause depression, anxiety: ‘We will all be affected’" - Global News  Kintsukuroi Les

In this episode, Bella Kazwell, Web Engineering Lead at Asana, a leading web-based work management system, tells host Danniele about her work at Asana. She describes how she got her dream job and gives advice for all STEM professionals. You'll also learn about the struggles she has faced - and overcome - as a woman in tech. Bella Kazwell is the Web Engineering Lead at Asana, with more than 15 years of experience in engineering roles. She has spent the past seven years on the engineering team of Asana, building products to empower teams to thrive.  For a full transcription of this episode, click here. Relevant Links: Asana Asana Blog: "Building a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace: Q&A with Dustin Moskovitz" Carnegie Mellon School of Computing Science The Eisenhower Matrix ImpostorSyndrome.com (Website of Dr. Valerie Young, expert on Impostor Syndrome) Hosted by: Danniele Livengood (@livengood) Theme Music: “Positive and Fun” by Scott HolmesProduced by: Vanessa Reich-Shackelford Please consider leaving us

Here at Westcoast Women in Engineering, Science and Technology, we don’t just focus on increasing the presence of women in STEM. We focus on increasing diversity in STEM overall, and this week’s episode looks at one piece of the diversity puzzle: how to support trans and non-binary people in the workplace. Danniele is joined by Kai Scott, Principal Partner at TransFocus Consulting, to discuss how organizations can be the best employers they can for trans and non-binary folks. Kai tells us how expanding the binary within a workplace is beneficial for everyone, and how taking steps towards examining one’s deep beliefs and assumptions can shift the paradigm of the workplace. Kai Scott is a principal partner at TransFocus Consulting. Kai is a senior social scientist educated in the field of International Development. He has over 10 years’ experience undertaking complex multi-stakeholder processes across various major sectors. He uses a blend of systems thinking and reflective approaches to solve problems related

In this episode, WWEST manager Danniele speaks with Aerin Jacob all about the importance of diversity in STEM, but especially in ecology and conservation. Aerin tells us about her hopes to include new ideas and other ways of knowing in conservation, how and why she wakes up feeling inspired every day, and how her work is positively affecting the world at large. Aerin joined us remotely from Canmore, Alberta; please forgive the occasional audio hiccup from our remote recording. Aerin's E-mail address (remove spaces): aerin @ y2y . net Aerin Jacob is a Conservation Scientist at the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y). At Y2Y, Aerin’s research informs practical, collaborative conservation across the 3200-km long Yellowstone to Yukon region.  For a full transcription of this episode, click here. Relevant Links:  Aerin's website Canmore, Alberta Highway Wildlife Crossings in Banff National Park Liber Ero Postdoctoral Fellowship The Wilburforce Fellowship in Conservation Science Yellowstone to Yuko

In yet another Yukon-focused episode, Alison Anderson speaks with Carmen Wong all about ecology. You'll find out that it's about more than just trees and bears! Plus, you'll hear Carmen's views on what role scientists should play in communities, her experiences working closely with First Nations elders, and her advice for anyone hoping to enter STEM and ecology. Carmen Wong is the Ecologist Team Leader at Kluane National Park and Reserve. She has a PhD in Forest Ecology from the University of British Columbia. At Kluane, she oversees the park’s monitoring, which includes Dall’s sheep, mountain goats, moose, Kokanee salmon, bats and frogs, among other things. For fun, she loves to ski and mountain bike with Bert, the family dog. For a full transcription of this episode, click here. Relevant Links: Bioblitz Canada Kluane National Park and Reserve Mountain Legacy Project Hosted by: Alison Anderson (@AlisonVAnderson) Theme Music: “Positive and Fun” by Scott HolmesProduced by: Vanessa Reich-Shackelford Please c

In this episode, Jessica takes us along on her past journeys to Ireland, China, and Rome through her memories and the life lessons she learned. We learn about what it's like to study science in university, why she loves working at Genome BC, and her passion for science communication. Jessica also gives some simple, yet poignant advice to students new to university: “Try new things.” Jessica Lu is a Corporate Analyst at Genome BC. In her role, Jessica supports relationships with key stakeholders by providing measuring outcomes and impacts of funded programs. For a full transcription of this episode, click here. Relevant Links:   Best of the WWEST Episode with Holly Burton GenomeBC Genomic differentiation among Northern Goshawks of coastal BC Illuminating Hereditary Cancers Imposter Syndrome and Dr. Valerie Young Ologies Podcast by Alie Ward Trinity College, Dublin   Hosted by: Danniele Livengood (@livengood) Theme Music: “Positive and Fun” by Scott HolmesProduced by: Vanessa Reich-Shackelford Please conside

What's Rachel Nelson's favourite part of her job? The otters, of course! Join host Danniele as she chats with Rachel about landing her dream job at the Vancouver Aquarium, how you can help combat pollution in the ocean, and building relationships with animals. Plus, you’ll find out how pole dance fitness classes actually pair nicely with her work as a marine mammal trainer. Rachel Nelson is a Marine Mammal Trainer at the Vancouver Aquarium. She is currently a sea otter trainer but loves working with animals of all kinds. For a full transcription of this episode, click here. Relevant Links: Marine Biology at the University of British Columbia Marine Mammal Rescue Centre The Seafood Watch App Vancouver Aquarium Hosted by: Danniele Livengood (@livengood) Theme Music: “Positive and Fun” by Scott HolmesProduced by: Vanessa Reich-Shackelford Please consider leaving us a review on iTunes or Stitcher! For more from Westcoast Women in Engineering, Science and Technology, you can follow us on Twitter at @WWEST_SFU,

In this episode of Best of the WWEST: Yukon Edition, Alison Anderson chats with Jocelyn Joe-Strack about going back to the land. Jocelyn tells us how she thinks about the First Nations way in her work strengthening the land planning process in the Yukon. She talks about finding the best solutions for all parties involved as First Nations rebuild and heal from the experiences of colonialism and residential schools. You'll also find out little tidbits about Jocelyn, such as her nickname for her husband and what she would bring with her if she were stranded on a deserted island! Jocelyn Joe-Strack is a PhD student in the field of Land Use Planning and First Nations Studies at the University of Saskatchewan School of Environment and Sustainability. She is also a winner of the 2017 Vanier Scholarship, which recognizes top tier PhD students who demonstrate excellence in academia, research impact, and leadership at Canadian universities. For a full transcription of this episode, click here. Relevant Links:  Aishih

Best of the WWEST producer Vanessa interviews WWEST Program Manager Danniele about what got her into STEM, why she loves the work she does at WWEST, and what it takes to run such a program. She also gives insight into working with various non-profit entities and how their activities can work in tandem with WWEST's goals. Plus, you'll learn fun facts such as what her favourite activity was at summer camp and how she defines success.  Danniele Livengood is the Program Manager of Westcoast Women in Engineering, Science and Technology (WWEST) at Simon Fraser University, operating under the NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering (BC/Yukon Region). At WWEST Danniele works to further the participation of women and other under-represented groups in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  For a full transcription of this episode, click here. Relevant Links: WWEST Episode #19 with Angie Byron WWEST Episode #1 with Cole Brown Connecting Environmental Professionals Vancouver Natural Sciences and E

How does someone who hates math and science with no role models of women in STEM end up as a Metals and Materials Engineer? Colleen Legzdins will tell you all about it in this interview with WWEST Manager Danniele. Rest assured - if you are interested in STEM but not much interest in science and math, you can still have a successful and rewarding STEM career, as Colleen demonstrates with her story. You'll learn how she pursued her education while starting a family, the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, and making a real difference for the environment with her work. Dr. Colleen Legzdins has a background in metals and materials engineering and is a senior professional engineer with over 15 years of experience in industrial wastewater treatment and fuel cells. Be sure to check out this blog post about Colleen by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, Petroleum! For a full transcription of this episode, click here. Relevant Links:   BC Tech Association Engineers & Geoscientists Awards & Recognit

Alison Anderson, the WWEST Associate Chair at Yukon College, interviews Kirsten Hogan and asks the real questions: What challenges does the Yukon face when it comes to environmental engineering, especially mining and environmental reclamation? Why is it important to get more women engineers registered across Canada? And just why does she love the Yukon anyway?  Kirsten has over 15 years of experience in Environmental Engineering with a focus on contaminated sites management and remediation, and greenhouse gas emissions quantification and management. For a full transcription of this episode, click here. Relevant Links:  Aperture Consulting Canada Business Network Engineers Canada 30 by 30 Initiative Environmental remediation Environment Yukon F.H. Collins Secondary School Hosted by: Alison Anderson (@AlisonVAnderson) Theme Music: “Positive and Fun” by Scott Holmes Produced by: Vanessa Reich-Shackelford Please consider leaving us a review on iTunes or Stitcher! For more from Westcoast Women in Engineering, S

On July 5th, WWEST Manager Danniele and Best of the WWEST Producer Vanessa visited the Telus World of Science for the First International Day of LGBTQ+ People in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math! (Short name: LGBT STEM Day.) Vanessa chats with other organizations who took part in this event to help raise awareness and increase support for LGBTQ+ people in STEM and finds out what brought them there and why they find it important. You'll hear from a variety of great organizations directly and indirectly related to STEM fields, and you can visit their websites by clicking the links below. For a full transcription of this episode, click here. Relevant Links:   ASTTBC International LGBT STEM Day PFLAG Canada & PFLAG Vancouver Telus World of Science Trans, Gender Diverse, and Two-Spirit support at The Vancouver Park Board TRIUMF Vancouver Pride Society Hosted by: Danniele Livengood (@livengood) and Vanessa Reich-Shackelford Theme Music: “Positive and Fun” by Scott Holmes Produced by: Vanessa Reich-

If you're looking for some insight into Microsoft's employee engagement, look no further. In this episode, Stacey Mulcahy tells us all about working at The Garage at Microsoft - why she loves it, what she does, and how maker spaces like The Garage can bring community together. She also describes what it's like being "a prototype" and how she defines success for herself.  Stacey Mulcahy is the Principal Program Manager of the Garage at Microsoft Vancouver. She’s an international speaker and teacher and spent many years working in the digital agency space as a developer. She enjoys making things that some consider useless but that bring them joy all the same. For a full transcription of this episode, click here. Relevant Links: Microsoft Garage Shawn Hunt, BC-based Heiltsuk artist Transformation Mask Trello   Hosted by: Danniele Livengood (@livengood) Theme Music: “Positive and Fun” by Scott Holmes Produced by: Vanessa Reich-Shackelford Please consider leaving us a review on iTunes or Stitcher! For more from

Chickens in the kitchen, positron beams, and asking big questions about the universe - you will hear about all of these things in this episode with Dawn MacDonald. Alison Anderson, WWEST Associate Chair at Yukon College, interviews Dawn in this next installment of Best of the West: Yukon Edition. Dawn MacDonald earned her Bachelors in Applied Mathematics with a Theoretical Physics concentration at the University of Western Ontario in 1997, and was the only woman in many of her classes at that time. She benefited from mentorship by faculty in the Space Physics department and Positron Beam laboratory, who gave her summer undergraduate research positions in their offices and labs. She now works at Yukon College as Institutional Research and Planning Officer, using mainly social science research methods to provide data for institutional decision making. For a full transcription of this episode, click here. Relevant Links: Chariots of the Gods The Dancing Wu Li Masters by Gary Zukav Interface Science at Western 

In this episode, Danniele speaks with Dr. Lori Brotto about her career in psychology and gynaecology and how they can intersect. She gives a glimpse into her research and her newly published book, Better Sex Through Mindfulness. In addition, you'll hear about how she survived her early years in university, why it is so important for women to be informed about their sexual health, and how collaboration and networking can be extremely helpful in a career. Dr. Lori Brotto is a professor in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of British Columbia. She conducts research on women’s sexual health and difficulties, develops and tests psychoeducational interventions for women with sexual desire and arousal complaints, and studies many aspects of sexual health including: culture and sexuality, hormones and sexual desire, cancer and sexuality, concerns about HPV and sexuality, asexuality, and more. For a full transcription of this episode, click here. Relevant Links: Dr. Julia Heiman, Indiana

Come along with Dr. Angelica Lim and Best of the WWEST host Danniele on a windy journey through Angelica's discovery of computing science and her passion for robots! Angelica talks about her studies taking her all over the globe and how she settled in at Simon Fraser University. You'll also find out how robots can connect people in a "human-like and grounded way."  Angelica is an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Computing Science at Simon Fraser University, who has studied and worked in robotics for over 10 years in Canada, France and Japan. She has been featured on the BBC, given talks at SXSW and TEDx, hosted a TV documentary on robotics, and was recently featured in Forbes 20 Leading Women in AI. For a full transcription of this episode, click here. Relevant Links:   Angelica's Twitter (@petitegeek) Grace Hopper Celebration Invent the Future AI Scholars Program Jane the Virgin (TV show) Tessa Lau Women in Computing Science at SFU Publications: Collection at angelicalim.com Hosted by: Da

In the second installment of Best of the WWEST's Yukon Edition, WWEST Associate Chair Alison Anderson sits down with Deanna Burgart to discuss her work integrating Indigenous traditional knowledge in engineering. Listen for her tips for getting young people engaged in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) and a little sample of a song that will help you remember the quadratic formula! Deanna Burgart is the President and COO of Indigenous Engeering Inclusion, Inc. She is a self-proclaimed "Indigeneer" and President of Indigenous Engineering Inclusion Inc. In addition to being co-founder of Empowered Innovation Enterprise, she has redirected her work towards professional speaking, post-secondary curriculum development, and resourcing organizations who want to improve their business strategies with Indigenous communities. For a full transcription of this episode, click here. Relevant Links:   Cyber Mentor, University of Calgary Erin Brockovich (film) Fon du Lac Denesuline First Nation

In this episode, WWEST manager Danniele chats with Dr. Gail Anderson about bugs and other animals, a career in forensics that makes a real difference in the world, and the benefits of university if one chooses to attend. Gail also reveals how she achieves work/life balance, her journey from a young forensic entomologist to professorship, and the importance of being a mentor to young people in STEM. Gail holds a Burnaby Mountain Endowed Professorship at Simon Fraser University. She is a forensic entomology consultant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Municipal Police across Canada as well as the SPCA and Wildlife Enforcement.  She has been analyzing forensic entomology cases since 1988, and has testified as an expert witness in court many times. For a full transcription of this episode, click here. Relevant Links:  Canadian Police College Criminology at Simon Fraser University Funding and Award Opportunities - large list of grants and awards, sponsored by Research Services, SFU "The Hypersensit