YWIB-Greater Montreal: Planting the Seeds of Science Workshop for Girls

On March 25, 2024, YWIB-Greater Montreal once again hosted this in-person event at McGill University’s Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI) to encourage young women to explore career opportunities and fields of study in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). There were 27 Grade 9 students participating from Sacred Heart High School, aged 14 to 15, together with their teacher, Ms. Krystal Lapierre. Fifteen very enthusiastic women graduate students volunteered their time for this event, with PhD candidates Diana Berry and Mara Whitford leading its organization at GCI.

There were short introductions of WIB/YWIB as well as of McGill and the Goodman Cancer Institute. Dr. Daniela Quail, Principal Investigator at GCI, spoke about her career path and choices and how she ended up where she is today. A science quiz was held for the students. The grad students introduced the Goodman Cancer Institute as well as the importance of studying cancer. The event offered four different lab tours, including a demonstration of lab experiments covering Enzymes in Action, Microscope/Immunofluorescence, DNA Extraction, and PCR/DNA Gel. Following the lab demonstrations, the students and volunteers were treated to a pizza lunch, where the students could talk with the volunteers.

We would like to thank our organizers from the Goodman Cancer Student Society, Mara Whitford (PhD student) and Diana Berry (PhD student), and all the graduate volunteers from GCI for taking time out of their schedules to share their stories and experiences: Jessica Staicu, Mina Ersin, Vanessa Josey, Maria Guerra, Rachel Kim, Anne Blouin, Juliette Wilson-Sanchez, Yilin Wang, Megan Katz, Hira Khursheed, Hannah Nie, Vandana Nathan, Stefanie Valbon Fernandes Garcia, Yilin Wang.

Submitted by Claire Baudouin