She Speaks STEM

Struggling to balance grad school and fitness? In this episode, Shana and Saanjali reflect on their own fitness journeys and the challenges of staying consistent while juggling academic life. They’re joined by special guest Laura-Ellen deVries, Lead Coach of Performance and Fitness at the University of Toronto, who offers evidence-based advice on getting started with a routine, building consistenc...

In the first solo episode of She Speaks STEM, Shana sits down for a candid reflection on the past few weeks. She shares what she’s been reading and listening to over the Christmas break, what it’s really like to be a senior PhD student, and how her perspective has shifted as she steps into mentorship and starts thinking seriously about what it takes for a PhD defence. She also talks about why netw...

In this episode of She Speaks STEM , hosts Clara and Rana sit down with two inspiring professors from the University of Toronto to explore the different paths to becoming a professor in academia. Joining us from the teaching stream is Professor Janet Lam (Mechanical & Industrial Engineering), whose career bridges impactful research in maintenance optimization with over a decade of excellence i...

For our first episode exploring career paths after grad school, we invited Jeanette Southwood, P.Eng., FCAE, FEC, LL.D (honoris causa). A UofT Engineering alumna who currently serves as the Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Strategic Partnerships, at Engineers Canada, Jeanette has built an illustrious career in the climate resilience and sustainable cities sectors. Tune in to hear ab...

In this episode of She Speaks STEM, Shana sits down with Amir and Farshad, the President and VP Finance of the University of Toronto Graduate Students' Union (UTGSU). We discussed what the UTGSU is, how it advocates for graduate students, and where your student frees actually go. From financial transparency to underused campus resources, this conversation offers valuable insights into how the...

Celebrating IWD & Campus Initiatives with Marisa Sterling How can we create more inclusive and supportive spaces in engineering? In this special International Women’s Day episode, we sit down with Marisa Sterling, Assistant Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Professionalism at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. We discuss the impact of IWD, the incredible in...

Ever wondered if grad school is the right path for you? In this episode, we dive into our personal journeys—why we chose to pursue graduate studies, the struggles we faced along the way, and the lessons we’ve learned. Whether you’re considering a direct transition from undergrad or thinking about returning after time in industry, this conversation offers candid insights to help you navigate your o...

In our inaugural episode, we dive into what GradSWE is and a little bit about some of our members! Join us as we explore how we found  our place at GradSWE and our involvement in student clubs, featuring Shana Alexander, our President, Clara Phillips, our previous President, and Lindsay Stern, our VP Communications. This podcast is proudly supported by our club sponsor, Marisa Sterling , P.Eng, FE...