Biomedical engineer Molly Shoichet joins the student-led Margaret-Ann Armour Lecture Series as guest speaker on February 25th. Photo supplied.
A student-led speaker series is welcoming innovative biomedical engineer Molly Shoichet in the second installment of the annual Margaret-Ann Armour Lecture Series.
This annual speaker series led by student group Working for Inclusivity in Chemistry (UAlberta WIC) is focused on carrying on the legacy of Dr. Margaret-Ann Armour as a role model and ally for promoting inclusivity in all STEM fields. For the second annual lecture, UAlberta WIC is hosting Professor Molly Shoichet from the University of Toronto.
An outspoken advocate for women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Canada, Shoichet is a natural choice for the second installation of the speaker series. She is a Professor at the University of Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Tissue Engineering.
“Professor Shoichet is a founding partner of Research2Reality, which is a national social media initiative aimed at engaging the public on innovative research in Canada and creating a bridge between academia and the public,” said Michelle Ha, board member with UAWIC and PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry.
Shoichet’s talk will focus on her career trajectory and her experience becoming the first and only Chief Scientist of Ontario in 2018. She will also give a seminar focused on her research program on 3D cell culture and using innovative tools and techniques in chemistry to answer questions in biology.
“Increasing diversity in STEM is a journey which involves all members of the community working together to create an environment where every individual feels welcomed,” said Sorina Chiorean, co-chair and co-founder of UAWIC and PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry. “Through events such as the Margaret-Ann Armour Lecture Series, we strive to provide opportunities for people to see themselves represented in the community and find mentors which can support their career progression in the field.”
The second annual Margaret-Ann Armour Lecture will take place on Tuesday, February 25 at 10 a.m. in Chemistry E3-25. Professor Shoichet will also give a scientific talk on Monday, February 24 at 4 p.m. in Chemistry E3-25. Both events will be live streamed via UAWIC on Twitter.
The annual series is named in recognition of Margaret-Ann Armour. In addition to Armour's research in hazardous chemical management, she has been a tireless champion for diversity in science, founding the Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science, and Technology (WiSEST) program, and continuing her work as associate dean of diversity in the Faculty of Science. Learn more about the Margaret-Ann Armour Lecture Series.
Interested in diversity initiatives at the University of Alberta? Visit the Faculty of Science diversity hub for information on groups working to empower women and foster diversity in science.