ACID : BASE
Association of Chemists for Inclusivity and Diversity : Building Advocacy, Solidarity and Education
EVENTS
Women in STEM Conference 2025
The ACID:BASE club is proud to be a contributing partner to the 3rd annual Women in STEM conference at the University of Lethbridge!
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Join us on February 11, 2025 at 12:30pm in the Science Commons Atrium to celebrate all of the creative and innovative research being done by all of the incredible women in STEM at the University of Lethbridge.
Pride in STEM 2024
Pride in STEM is an international event that celebrates the achievements and contributions of members from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community across diverse scientific fields. This movement advocates for equality and visibility for professionals and students within the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in STEM. It encourages the celebration of achievements, contributions, and talents of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in STEM, highlighting that diversity strengthens scientific and technological progress by fostering an inclusive environment as well as innovative thinking. In celebration of Pride in STEM this month, ACID:BASE (the Lethbridge chapter of Canadians Working for Inclusivity in the Chemical Sciences, Engineering and Technology Network (CWIC)) conducted interviews with two prominent Canadian chemists from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. These chemists shared their personal journeys, the barriers they faced as a 2SLGBTQIA+ individual, and their advice for aspiring STEM students from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, as well as highlighted necessary changes to create a more supportive environment within STEM.
Dr. Jessica Willi
University of Lethbridge
I grew up in Switzerland and thanks to support from stipends and the Survivor's Pension, I was able to study Biochemistry and Molecular life sciences at University of Bern. In 2014 I earned a bachelor's from the University of Bern, followed by a MSc and a PhD. I discovered my passion for research and the ribosome, nature’s 3D printer that turns genetic code into protein. I defended my PhD in 2019 and won the Faculty Award for best Thesis. During my postdoctoral studies in the United States (2020-2024 Northwestern/Stanford), I was exposed to synthetic biology and the idea of re-engineering nature to solve humanity’s biggest challenges. I feel incredibly fortunate to start a position as an Assistant Professor at the University of Lethbridge, where I am now building a vibrant team to pursue ribosome engineering. I hope I can share my passion for science with many young researchers and make discoveries with wide-ranging impact from human health to agriculture to biomanufacturing.
Why did you choose a career path in STEM?
Because it was interesting to me. After a difficult childhood, finding life sciences was like the dawn to me. The pursuit of knowledge was something good and pure and I wanted completely devote myself to it. In the end, isn’t that what we all want, some sense of purpose?
What does Pride in STEM mean to you?
Pride means queer people can equitably participate in society, so that includes STEM also. But beyond the equity aspect, STEM needs all of our brains contributing to good research and innovation. I believe that STEM’s historical exclusion of minority groups has harmed humanity’s progress. Imagine where society would be if Alan Turing wasn’t driven to suicide, or if we had ten more astronauts like Sally Ride. Studies have shown that diverse teams boost creativity and innovation - so including the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is now more pressing than ever, and will enable STEM to tackle humanity’s greatest challenges.
Could you tell us about your journey in the STEM field and the barriers you faced as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community?
Switzerland is a more conservative country, and I was only out to my closest friends during my undergraduate and PhD. Maybe it was because I already felt like an outsider to STEM coming from a non-academic family background, maybe it was the all-male cis hetero faculty of my department, or maybe it just didn’t feel like to place to talk about orientation or gender. In retrospect, it might have been ok to be out, but I didn’t want to risk my place in science, in case someone did have a problem with it. My PI at the time didn’t know but was always very supportive of me in other ways, so I felt very happy to introduce my now-wife to him years later. During my postdoc in the US, I felt it was the time to be out from the start, and don’t think I’ve suffered for it. It helps that North American Universities are explicitly welcoming of 2SLGBTQIA+ community; the rainbow stickers may seem like a small thing, but they do signal to us that we won’t lose our job over mentioning our orientation.
What advice can you offer to 2SLGBTQIA+ students interested in or pursuing STEM careers?
The most important thing first: You are welcome in STEM and there is a space here for you.
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2SLGBTQIA+ students often have more external challenges to deal with, such as health care access, housing issues, and family drama. All of which can add stress and take away focus excelling at your studies. My advice is to use the resources available and find your tribe of people who “get you”.
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Also, don’t feel pressured to be out right away – there is no obligation to tell family or supervisors if you don’t want to. Your mental and physical wellbeing are more important than visibility. If you don’t feel safe, it’s not the time yet. Your allies and queer community know you are out there, surviving, protecting yourself and biding your time.
We, the PIs and postdocs, admin and instructors being out, proud and explicitly welcoming. I’m doing my small part to show the world you can be a successful queer woman in STEM. This is important for all students: here in Southern Alberta, I may be the first out queer person some students encounter. I’m safe enough that I can face the risk of discrimination, so others don’t have to.
What changes would you like to see in your field to improve the environment for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in STEM careers?
Dr. Erika Merschrod
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND AND RESEARCH INTEREST(S)?
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My PhD was in “Applied Theoretical Chemistry” as my supervisor called it, and my scientific work has always come under the broad umbrella of materials science and engineering. This has allowed me and my students to study a wide range of systems, from developing water quality monitoring systems for harsh/remote conditions, to mapping the nanomechanical consequences of hypertension on veins and arteries. Most of my students do experimental work with a bit of computation, but some have done purely computational or theoretical projects.
In addition to chemistry, I also have interests in literature (I almost double-majored in Romance Languages and Chemistry!), social analysis, organizational structure and policy, Liberation Theology, and Queer Theology.
WHAT FIRST GOT YOU EXCITED ABOUT EDI?
EDI was always a matter of survival for me. Equity was a foundation of my upbringing and has informed my life decisions and battles at every stage. Sometimes those were personal battles, and sometimes they were fights for others. I don’t like the “battle” imagery, but that’s what it feels like to me.
What keeps me excited and motivated and hopeful is working with younger people who bring new ideas and bigger goals to the table. Students today are achieving far more, whether in science or beyond, than I ever could have imagined when I was at that stage. I am also able to identify and celebrate small achievements, which keeps me going when things seem impossible.
WHAT IS YOUR VISION / GOAL WITH YOUR EDI WORK?
Equity for all! Real equity, not just pretty words. Two projects that are priorities right now: promoting and facilitating Ungrading in university courses, and evaluating space allocation on campus at my university. In the near future I would like to train more colleagues to do union organizing and community building among faculty, and to educate white christians on anti-semitism.
IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO SOMEONE ENTERING THE STEM FIELD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
You can do this! and here’s my email; contact me if you are doubting yourself.
A second piece of advice would be that a scientist doesn’t only have to do science. You can be your whole self.
Dr. Merschrod can be found @merschrod on twitter/X.
Dr. Jacky Deng
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND AND RESEARCH INTEREST(S)?
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I earned my Ph.D. in Chemistry Education Research at the University of Ottawa in 2024, supervised by Prof. Alison Flynn. My Vanier-funded graduate research focused on the role of language in how students learn chemistry, including those learning English-as-an-additional language (Eng+) during their studies. I have also led national and international projects focused on improving and studying equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in education and research as member of the Canadian Society of Chemistry's Working for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (WIDE) Committee and the Society of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education’s (STLHE) EDI Task Force.
After considering a career in academia, I chose to accept an opportunity to work as an Educational Developer at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). In this role, I work with faculty and students across all disciplines to explore and study new approaches to teaching and learning, including ways to enhance social justice and equity in education.
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WHAT FIRST GOT YOU EXCITED ABOUT EDI?
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My interest in EDI is deeply rooted in both my professional and personal experiences. As an educator and educational researcher, I am committed to fostering environments where all students have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of how they identify, their backgrounds, or the range of their abilities. I firmly believe that education should be accessible and inclusive, allowing students to thrive, not in spite of their differences, but because of the richness those differences bring to the academic community.
As a racialized scholar, my identity plays a pivotal role in shaping both my worldview and my work. Being a second-generation immigrant and the first person in my family to achieve a postsecondary degree, I understand the unique challenges that come with navigating academia as someone from a racialized background. My journey has been shaped by both struggles and successes, and these experiences have fueled my passion for supporting others who share similar paths.
WHAT IS YOUR VISION / GOAL WITH YOUR EDI WORK?
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​To listen and learn as much as I can and to help others do the same. Diversity is a fact, but equity and inclusion are choices we are confronted with daily. I view EDI work as a lifelong learning process—i.e., the journey is the destination!
IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO SOMEONE ENTERING THE STEM FIELD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I have been really fortunate to have mentors and peers in STEM who constantly reminded me to prioritize my wellbeing and health. I’ll pass on their words of wisdom: Take care of yourself! You can’t do your best work if you don’t feel your best.
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Dr. Deng can be found @WheresJacky on twitter/X
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Women in STEM Conference
The ACID:BASE club is proud to be a contributing partner to the second annual Women in STEM conference at the University of Lethbridge!
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Join us on February 12, 2024 at 1:00pm in the SAB Atrium to celebrate all of the creative and innovative research being done by all of the incredible women in STEM at the University of Lethbridge.
Dr. James Gauld
University of Windsor
James Gauld, hails from the Northern Territory of Australia, and received his PhD in theoretical/computational chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Leo Radom at the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. He then took up a postdoctoral fellowship at the Institution of Quantum Chemistry, Uppsala University, Sweden. Subsequently, he held a Killam postdoctoral fellowship at Dalhousie University in the research group of Prof. Russ Boyd. Since 2001 he has been at the University of Windsor where he has been an Associate Dean in the Faculty of Graduate Studies and is now a Professor and Head, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. In 2019, he founded, co-chaired and -organized the 2SLGBTQ+ in STEM Conference in Canada, and which was most recently held in 2023.
Why did you choose a career path in STEM?
For me, in some ways pursuing a STEM career was inevitable but what it would be was perhaps the choice. I have, as long as I can remember, always been fascinated and inquisitive about the world from palaeontology and archaeology, to rocks and science and more as a young kid. Growing up in remote areas it was my interest in science that eventually led me to pursue a chemistry degree at university. While there, in my 3rd year, I discovered quantum (and computational) chemistry and loved it and knew it was something I wanted to learn about and apply to answer chemical questions and to better understand the world around us. Through a career in STEM I have also been able to travel the world and live in different countries.
What does Pride in STEM mean to you?
It means many things including that those of us who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ are better able to be our authentic selves in our work and studies; we are better able to bring our full selves to what we do. Furthermore, that we are valued as scientists and as people. It also helps to raise awareness of the historical roles 2SLGBTQIA+ persons have played in scientific discoveries and advancements, and that such perspectives and experiences have made and will help make our collective scientific endeavours better. It also perhaps helps to raise broader awareness that science is a human endeavour, and that we all deserve to be fully recognized, valued, and to be able to participate.
Could you tell us about your journey in the STEM field and the barriers you faced as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community?
Firstly, a lot of credit goes to having supportive teachers and family to pursue STEM. I had wonderful chemistry and biology teachers in high school; they were excited by the topics and shared their enthusiasm, and they were also incredibly supportive of each of us taking there time to help if we were challenged by the subject. By the end of my Bachelor’s degree I didn’t know what I wanted to do except learn more about quantum and computational chemistry. That took me to the Australian National University. While there, I collaborated with a visiting scientist from Sweden, and that started my world-wide journey to Sweden then Canada. Regarding barriers, some of them have been internal while others were external. Internal ones, ones we self impose, have included what we today would call imposter syndrome. This perhaps can be further reinforced when you are not out or trying to figure out that side of yourself, and also if you have not been brought up in or around the seemingly rarified world of academia (the nearest university to my home at that time was ~1500km). (Note to yourself: remember, whichever year you are in your studies YOU have earned your place and no one can diminish who you are and what you have achieved.) External barriers have and can include, for instance, toxic environments (e.g., harassment, homophobia, exclusionary behaviours), and systems that do not recognize the diversity of human backgrounds and experiences.
What advice can you offer to 2SLGBTQIA+ students interested in or pursuing STEM careers?
STEM studies opens doors to many diverse and, importantly, rewarding careers and journeys that can even potentially take you around the world. If you are interested in STEM, go for it, the challenges of today and tomorrow will only be overcome when diverse perspectives and experiences. Most companies now actively aim to develop community and provide supports for their employees. So also be sure to find a company that supports and values you (even if you are not out).
There are a number of things that we can do, as individuals and/or a community, to improve our environment. Many of these have been highlighted in studies focused on increasing 2SLGBTQIA+ representation in STEM, as well as persons from historically under-represented groups. Broadly speaking we need to create more inclusive spaces and communities, increase support for 2SLGBTQIA+ students and their access to these spaces and communities, increase awareness of the valued contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ to sciences and their importance.
For example,
• as individuals we can support and stand-up for each other, be up-standers, when we see or hear inappropriate behaviour or comments.
• require that our conferences embed within their mandates networking and community events, as well as talks for non-PI’s.
• provision of greater financial and mental wellness supports for students,
• removal of non-necessary barriers to our fields (examples have included students requiring the permission of the supervisor, over all others, to defend their thesis; requiring field-work in locations that may not be safe for 2SLGBTQIA+ persons).
• our leaders must speak to the importance of recognizing, including, and valuing the lived experiences and perspectives of 2SLGBTQIA+ in STEM, as well as those of historically under-represented groups.
• hosting events such as International 2SLGBTQIA+ in STEM Day.
What changes would you like to see in your field to improve the environment for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in STEM careers?
Dr. Jean-Denys Hamel
University of Lethbridge
Quebec City has been my home from the time I was born until finally earning my PhD. In 2013, I earned a bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the Université Laval, during which I fell in love with research. I chose to pursue graduate studies right after, initially as a master's student, but eventually felt compelled to challenge myself and enroll in the PhD program. After being named a Vanier scholar (2015-2018), the highlight of my journey as a graduate student, I finally defended my thesis in May 2018. After postdoctoral studies in the United States, I secured a position as an Assistant Professor at the University of Lethbridge, which gave me the possibility to pursue my passion for research into the synthesis and reactivity of fluorinated organic compounds. A few months after starting my position, I was appointed Tier II Canada Research Chair in Organofluorine Chemistry and Catalysis. I am now running a young and vibrant research group at the University of Lethbridge, hoping that our work will be impactful for those working in pharmaceutical and agrochemical R&D.
Could you tell us about your journey in the STEM field and the barriers you faced as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community?
It's been very straightforward, I am not going to lie! I am fortunate that people around me (family, mentors, colleagues) have been very supportive of my career path. I have always been riddled with a lot of anxiety, and the constant verbal support of those close to me has provided the words of affirmation that I needed to (finally!) start believing in myself and gaining confidence. I believe that this lack of confidence is the result of years of feeling different and being scared of people's perception of me. In the end, the barriers that I felt were probably self-imposed, but it didn't make them any less real.
What advice can you offer to 2SLGBTQIA+ students interested in or pursuing STEM careers?
Just do it. There's a sufficient critical mass of us now that you should never feel isolated, but I get it... it can be scary! You should not hide who you are, and belonging to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community should in no way limit your options. If you feel that you are being treated unfairly, do your best to speak up, and be confrontational if you must! There is a place for the wonderful, creative, strong-minded human being that you are, and you should not settle for anything less than what you truly deserve.
What changes would you like to see in your field to improve the environment for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in STEM careers?
Why did you choose a career path in STEM?
From a young age, I have always had a curious mind. I was quick to realize my love for science (I was gifted a microscope when I was 8!), and initially thought that my calling was to be a medical doctor or a pharmacist, but once I started getting involved in science labs in high school, I understood that I was getting a much bigger thrill from experimental science. I started a Bachelor's in Chemistry, not knowing where that would take me; I simply decided to go with the flow. Research in organic chemistry turned out to be my favourite because of the rapid pace and the impact it can have on pharmaceutical and agrochemical R&D. Now, why am I in academia and not working for the industry? That's because my main passion is to inspire. While I think that I am a great chemist in the lab, I think that I shine more as I supervisor.
More and more visibility. However, in a way, I dream of the day when there will be no need to 'push' for visibility, that it will be the norm. Period. I am also glad to see a movement towards leaning away from using gendered pronouns in situations where biases must be avoided; this is a fantastic first step in ensuring that everyone is recognized for their brilliant minds or their capacities, not for any arbitrary trait that is completely irrelevant to their competence. Being part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community should be treated the same way. While it certainly defines us in some regards, it will never affect our ability to excel in a STEM career.
What does Pride in STEM mean to you?
It is a reminder that I belong! We've gone a long way from the fixed idea of what a scientist should be, and I wish I had more people "like me" to look up to. In the end, it didn't stop me, but my experience could have been way different. Pride in STEM now ensures that younger folks in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community can more easily find such role models to look up to, whether they are at their institution or not. The more barriers fall, the better, and Pride in STEM is definitely a step in the right direction! Additionally, without Pride in STEM, I don't know that I would now have the courage to speak up and make myself visible. For me, it has definitely facilitated things up quite a lot!
Pride in STEM 2023
Pride in STEM is an international event that celebrates the achievements and contributions of members from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community across diverse scientific fields. This movement advocates for equality and visibility for professionals and students within the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in STEM. It encourages the celebration of achievements, contributions, and talents of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in STEM, highlighting that diversity strengthens scientific and technological progress by fostering an inclusive environment as well as innovative thinking. In celebration of Pride in STEM this month, ACID:BASE (the Lethbridge chapter of Canadians Working for Inclusivity in the Chemical Sciences, Engineering and Technology Network (CWIC)) conducted interviews with two prominent Canadian chemists from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. These chemists shared their personal journeys, the barriers they faced as a 2SLGBTQIA+ individual, and their advice for aspiring STEM students from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, as well as highlighted necessary changes to create a more supportive environment within STEM.
National Chemistry Week Seminar Speakers 2023
Join us on October 16 at 12:00pm as we hear from two leading Canadian EDI scholars in Chemistry!
Dr. Tricia Carmichael
I did my PhD in organometallic chemistry. After that I changed fields for my postdoc and began working in the area of materials science. I was a research staff scientist at IBM Watson after my postdoc, where I learned about microelectronics and worked in the area of organic electronics. My research program now focuses on stretchable and wearable electronics, e-textiles, and green printed electronics.
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Inclusion and support are the most important things to me. I am particularly focused on breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health. I hope to open up conversations about mental health challenges that many of us face in STEM and academia but rarely talk about due to the fear of judgement.
My interest in EDI got sparked a few years ago.I saw first-hand the lack of support from the primary/secondary school system and worked with teachers and principals to make schools more inclusive. I realized that my own workplace and field also held many opportunities for me to try to make changes and improve the climate. This led to my work to improve the visibility of LGBTQ+ scholars in STEM, which included co-founding the first LGBTQ+ in STEM conference in Canada in 2019.
"My advice would be to find your supports. Along with lab-mates and colleagues, there are social media groups and Canadian Institute for Chemistry member resource groups that can really bring a sense of community and belonging. Take advantage of any mental health supports available to you. I would not have made it to where I am without the help of therapy."
Dr. Stephanie MacQuarrie
I am a Professor of Organic Chemistry at CBU and Dean of the School of Technology and Science. I obtained my BSc from Mount Allison University in 1996 and continued to pursue chemistry in graduate school at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University where I earned my PhD in organic chemistry in 2005. In 2005, I accepted a post-doctoral position in Dr. Crudden’s group at Queen’s University. I started my own independent research at CBU in 2009 which includes finding high value applications for waste products, reducing the total carbon footprint of advanced materials and the development of functional materials for electronics, catalysis and absorption.
Working with WIDE, with the support of both the CSC and CIC, our team has established that our vision is to work towards a fair, barrier-free chemistry community in which we all understand, value, and unconsciously and consciously adhere to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion. Personally, I want to continue to work with the amazing people that have already accomplished so much in the area of EDI in Chemistry.
When I decided to become a mother in 2005, during graduate school I realized that our chemistry community had very few resources to support me. For example, I couldn’t easily travel and attend conferences and I often dealt with judgement around pursing academics and raising a family. When I started really looking around I noticed this was true for many situations, including parental care. Our community is doing better recognizing that a fulfilling life includes many aspects outside of career development, yet we are still lagging behind when we consider making sure our spaces are accessible and ready for diverse chemists.
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"My advice to anyone entering any career field is to pursue work that makes you happy, life is very short – we work a lot and hopefully you can find aspects of your career that truly bring you joy. Be aware of others and how your actions, and their actions impact you and others and try to improve STEM – whether through your research, developing policy, outreach or inspiration."
National Chemistry Week Seminar Speakers 2022
Please join us on October 18th from 12-1:30 PM MST
Guest Speaker
Professor Hind Al-Abadleh
Professor Hind Al-Abadleh is a recognized leader, mentor, and role model with 17+ years of active engagement at different levels. Her academic career in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Wilfrid Laurier University started in 2005 following a PhD at University of Iowa and a postdoctoral position at Northwestern University in the U.S. She is an award-winning scientist who established the EPIC lab for Environmental, Physical and Interfacial Chemistry research in the fields of atmospheric chemistry, air quality, geochemistry, and environmental remediation. Professor Al-Abadleh has an exceptional record aimed at transformative organizational change by leading EDI initiatives that was recently recognized by the inaugural Gilead Award for Excellence in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion from the Canadian Society for Chemistry.
Guest Speaker
Dr. Tamara Freeman
Tamara Freeman received her BSc in Chemistry at the University of Victoria and PhD in materials chemistry at UBC Vancouver. Her interest in chemistry outreach began when she regularly performed live chemical reactions as the demonstrator for general chemistry courses (>1900 students). Tamara joined UBC Okanagan’s Department of Chemistry in 2013 as its first and only faculty member in Educational Leadership. Tamara was promoted with tenure to Associate Professor of Teaching in 2020.
A member of Canada’s chemistry education community, Tamara has presented and contributed to over three dozen talks, posters, and workshops at local, national and international conferences describing results from her chemistry education activities, student learning, and wellness support initiatives. Tamara is the 2022 recipient of the Chemical Institute of Canada’s Margaret-Ann Armour Early Career Chemistry Education award. She has also won two wellness-based awards; I Am Accessible and the Golden Apple.
Join us in welcoming Dr. Nola Etkin and Dr. Alison Thompson for our inaugural event!
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Dr. Nola Etkin
Nola Etkin is the Dean of Science and a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Prince Edward Island, where she has taught Organic Chemistry and conducted research in Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis since 1997. Dr. Etkin currently serves on the Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC)’s Working Group on Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, the CSC Board as Director of Student Affairs, and the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat’s Advisory Committee on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.
Dr. Etkin’s involvement in Equity work began as a PhD student at the University of Alberta where she was involved in the local Women in Science and Engineering group and co-chaired the campus LGBTQ group. This involvement has continued throughout her career – she was a founding co-chair of Abegweit Rainbow Collective, which was formed to provide support and advocacy to PEI’s 2SLGBTQ+ community, and is currently a member of the UPEI Joint Equity Committee and the UPEI EDI Steering Committee. Prior to her appointment as Dean, she served as the President of the UPEI Faculty Association, and has served on the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) Equity Committee. In 2016 she edited the book Making Chemistry Inclusive: Proceedings of the CSC Symposium on Equity and Diversity in Chemistry., and in 2020 she was awarded the Chemical Institute of Canada’s Chemistry Education Award, recognizing in part her contributions to EDI within Chemistry Education.
