Melissa Anderson, Mary Houston, Taraneh Andalib, Rosie Borrough, Dr. Melanie Martin, Thalia Magyar, Taylor Hanson, Dr. Esmat Elhami — © UWinnipeg
Physics is no boys’ club.
That’s the message a group of UWinnipeg researchers hope to share with other aspiring female scientists, as they present their research this week at the Women in Physics Canada conference in Saskatoon, SK.
UWinnipeg undergraduate students Melissa Anderson, Rosie Burrough and Taylor Hanson, recent graduate Mary Houston (BSc 16), Acadia University undergraduate student Thalia Magyar, and University of Manitoba graduate students Taraneh Andalib and Kyla Smith will present their research as part of the student presentations at the conference. Their research covers topics from subatomic physics, quantum gravity and medical physics.
“I began my studies in physics at The University of Winnipeg with some trepidation, worried that I might be walking into a boys’ club,” said Houston. “On the contrary, I found a fun and inclusive community with tonnes of smart ladies in my classes and supportive professors teaching them. I am optimistic that the future of physics will include a more gender-balanced selection of scientists.”
Physics Professor Dr. Melanie Martin will give a plenary talk about her research developing magnetic resonance imaging techniques and participate on a panel with Professor Dr. Esmat Elhami.
“When I became a professor less than four per cent of full professors in Canada were women,” said Martin. “Today the number has more than doubled. I hope I can inspire women physicists to pursue their academic dreams so that in 10 years the number doubles again.”
The intent of the conference is to provide support and encouragement to women who are early in their science careers. The conference provides participants the opportunity to network with women in physics from across Canada, while fostering a sense of community and belonging among participants.
The conference runs from July 27 to 29.
