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 cult...

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 ou...

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 com...

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 year...

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...

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 Canmor...

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 L...

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...

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 Mari...

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 res...

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 summe...

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...

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 experie...

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...

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 Prin...

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...

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 collabo...

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 Profess...

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 quadr...

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...

Our guest of this episode, Halimat Alabi, has been many places and done many things. Listen as she brings us along on her journey through video game design, film and television, and research and teaching, with lots of laughs and poignant moments. She also gives advice for achieving work-life balance, including balancing family and career, and gives us insight into cutting edge visual analytics res...

WWEST Associate Chair Alison Anderson hosts this episode with Dr. Katie Aitken and speaks to her about bird watching, practicing science in the Yukon, and even what birds can teach us about climate change. This episode is the first in a series by WWEST's Associate Chair at Yukon College in Whitehorse, YT. This series gives listeners a glimpse of the lively STEM community in the Great White North....

What was it like to rub elbows with the first Canadian women pioneering for other women's place in STEM? From the early days of the Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST) to witnessing the early days of the NSERC Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering, Dr. Judy Myers has seen a lot in her long career in Zoology. She covers topics such as raising a family while working f...

Hear all about improving processes at the City of Vancouver, industrial engineering, and mentoring immigrant women in STEM in this interview with Zhila Pirmoradi, PhD. She'll also share why she gladly lets her professional life be present in her spare time and how she dealt with being a new immigrant to Canada, as well as how she happened to find herself studying Mechatronic Systems Engineering at...

Holly Burton joins WWEST manager Danniele with her "awkward turns of phrase" (her words!) and fills us in on leadership coaching, her passion for elevating women in male-dominated fields, and everything from how she copes with stress to her thoughts on the mining industry. She also lets us in on a not-so-secret tidbit: Very few people know what they want to be when they grow up.   Holly Burton is...