Today I would like to celebrate some women in physics in honour of the birthday of Marie Curie (1867-1934) and Lise Meitner (1878-1968), two historic women who helped pioneer nuclear physics and showed the world that women can, in fact, be scientists too. If you are curious about Marie Curie, please click here and for Lise Meitner click here.

The women I want to highlight today are those who I have personally interacted with in some way or another, women that have motivated me, inspired me, and/or encouraged me in some way or another. Some of them have also passed along messages for those of you who are reading this. The fact that I am surrounded by so many amazing women already is so heartening considering I’m just in the very beginning stages of my career and have not had to travel very far to meet them all (and this isn’t even a full extensive list of them all!) Also at the end of the post is a link to some interesting stats on the gender breakdowns in physics in Canada.
(*These are in no particular order*)

Erica Caden (she/her), Research Scientist at SNOLAB: I met her while working at SNOLAB, but we really connected when we both attended the Women+ In Physics Canada conference this past summer, after which she became a real mentor and friend to me. I truly admire her perserverence, and the passion she puts into her work. The caliber of her character can be easily seen in the amazing young woman she is raising (her daughter is also a fantastic young lady). She has coached me through many crises in confidence and is helping me achieve the future I am aiming for through things like making my CV, applying for awards, advice, and even just giving encouragement when I need it. Erica has this message to give:

“My words of wisdom would be to cultivate your network of support. Reach out to the folks who have helped you, and pass their knowledge on to the next generations.”

Jodi Cooley (she/her), Executive Director at SNOLAB and Professor of Physics at Queen’s University: I met her while working at SNOLAB, and it’s been incredible to see a woman in a position of power in a science organization as a role model. Whenever anyone says the phrase “girl boss” she is immediately who comes to my mind. I have seen her navigate some incredibly difficult situations at the lab with absolute grace and steadfastness, and she has never had anything but kind and encouraging words to give me. I will always remember the time she told me that my story was inspiring and needed to be shared. That conversation was one of the reasons I started this website in the first place. She has this message to give:

“My favourite thing about being a woman in physics is, first and foremost, being a physicist — having the chance to think deeply about interesting problems and contribute to science. Physics offers no shortage of fascinating questions to explore. I’m also glad that women in physics are becoming more visible. I now feel confident embracing being a physicist who happens to be a woman, without feeling the need to downplay that part of who I am — something that wasn’t as easy 25 years ago.”

Maria Paula Rozo Martinez (she/her), Laboratory Superintendent at Carleton University: I have had her as my lab instructor for two years now, and basically she is the answer to what I want to be when I “grow up.” Not necessarily a lab instructor at a university (although that does seem like a pretty cool job) but just the essence of her. She is so knowledgeable and so open to sharing her knowledge. Whenever I have a question, I automatically scan the room for her because I just assume she’ll have the answer (or at least help me find it). It almost seems like she was built for education. She makes the lab a nurturing and and encouraging place, a place where we actually want to go and learn and get our hands dirty. She has a way of building up my confidence and reassuring me that I’m on the right path, and is still able to be completely calm and friendly when things go a little screwy (as she knows that is the nature of experimental science, and that’s the lesson we’re learning as students).

Seyda Ipek (she/her), Assistant Professor of Physics at Carleton University: She has been my professor twice now, and at least once in every class she will teach me something that makes me say “That is so cool.” She blows my mind all the time. She makes learning fun and engaging. She pushes us to work hard and be our best because she knows we are capable of it. She is also a huge advocate of EDI in physics, and helps to run Carleton’s Physics EDI Committee. And as an aside, she also always has a killer outfit, proving you can be a brilliant scientist and do it with style! She has this message to give:

“Find people who will support you. This can be a friend group, a mentor, an auntie. Academia is hard as it is, you need people rooting for you.”

Rachel Richardson (she/her), Education and Outreach Coordinator at SNOLAB: I met Rachel while working at SNOLAB and she has since become a great friend and peer. We really connected when we traveled together to the Women+ In Physics Conference this past summer. I really love her enthusiasm for science communication and education, she is absolutely passionate about sharing knowledge. Outside of her job she also volunteers with Women In Science and Engineering (WISE) Sudbury and helps to run events like the Science Olympics for young girls, helping to mold future women in science. We share similar goals, both of us are pursuing further education as adults. We have had similar experiences and enjoy similar things (including playing on the SNOLAB softball team). She’s a great person to be around, and her cubicle is one of my first stops when I need a break from work just to have a good laugh or a quick chat. And if we ever road trip together again, I know the tunes will be good and we’ll both be singing along.

Heather Logan (she/her), Professor of Physics at Carleton University: She is one of my professor’s this year, but I actually heard of her before ever meeting her. Erica Caden sent me a paper she wrote entitled “How to make your research group more inclusive for autistic trainees” (click here to read the paper). Like myself, she was diagnosed later in life. Last winter I heard her speak at a women in phyics panel at Carleton, and it was great to get her perspective. She is also a great prof and makes class incredibly fun and engaging. When I see her succeeding in her role and advocating for both women and neurodivergent people, it really makes me believe that I can suceed as well. I know I have said in previous posts that I have never found anyone who has walked a path like my own, but in various people I can find pieces of it, and she is one of those pieces. She has this message to give:

“My favourite thing about being a woman in physics is that I’ve been able to BE A PHYSICIST without having my life limited by the fact that I happened to be born with ‘girl bits’.  In a society in which public life is so often dominated by gender apartheid, having the opportunity to function in a gender-integrated environment is precious.”

Audrey Therrien (she/her), Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Université de Sherbrooke: I met her at the Women+ in Physics conference this past summer and liked her essentially immediately. She was so warm and welcoming, and when we had dinner it felt like I was sitting and chatting with an old friend, even though we had just met! She carefully looked over the poster I was presenting and gave me some great feedback, and then engaged in conversation with me as a peer despite the fact that I had only just completed my second year of undergrad. She asked me for my opinion and listened seriously to what I had to say, and not just about the dynamics of her working group, but the actual science as well. She gave me a glimpse of what my life might be like after I graduate and I am on even footing with those around me, working on a scientific collaboration. She is so encouraging, and helps me realize my own value and my own worth, regardless of how far along I am in my education, and helps me remember that I do have knowledge and skills to offer. She has this message to give:

“I love building new ways to look at the universe. Don’t be afraid to try new things, thats how we learn!”

Christine Kraus (she/her), Research Scientist at SNOLAB: I met her while working at SNOLAB and am amazed at the amount of work she does in terms of education and engaging with students. She organizes SuSi (SNOLAB Underground Science Institute), a whole lecture series on astroparticle physics, which includes workshops. She encourages students to step into roles of leadership and gave me the opportunity to present talks and lead EDI workshops on topics such as mental wellness, neurodivergence, and gender issues in science. She is extraordinarily patient and understanding with students, and always sees the best in those around her. I always leave a conversation with her feeling like I am valued. She has this message to give:

“Keep an open mind – support and find support – keep doing the things you love.”

Professor Emily Heath (she/her), Professor of Physics at Carleton University: I met her while she was my professor last year, and I just love her style of teaching. She has a way of making things just make sense. And outside of the classroom, she’s willing to help students holistically. She was so patient when I would take up most of her office hours asking about not just assignment problems from her class, but on how to study science and math in general. She gave me so many tips and tools that I still use when learning materials and getting ready for tests and exams. She was very understanding about the fact that I come from a background in the arts, and that I am trying to learn how to be a science student while learning the science, which is hard. She helped me develop a firm foundation as a student. I believe every institution should have someone as encouraging as her, and I am grateful to know her.

Nasim Fatemighomi (she /her), Research Science at SNOLAB: I met her while working at SNOLAB and she is such a source of joy at the lab. Every time I talk to her, I leave smiling. She is always so willing to interact with students, to help them learn and grow, and to encourage them. She has spoken on career panels at SNOLAB a couple of times since I’ve been there and always has something useful to say. She doesn’t sugarcoat the difficulty of getting the career you desire in the sciences, and she’s quite frank about the gender gap that does still exist, but she’s also very encouraging and just wants to see people succeed. It’s been inspirational to watch her recently throw her hat in the ring and achieve the position of research scientist at SNOLAB, a highly competitive position to attain, and I plan to congratulate her in person when I go back for my next work term. She has this message to give:

“I think we need to work toward changing the culture which is based on gender stereotyping. Field of physics and similar fields in STEM are accessible to everyone and are rewarding.”

I am extremely grateful to be surrounded by so many amazing role models. These women are people I look up to, and help me to imagine myself succeeding as a woman in physics. If you’re interested in current statistics of women in physics in Canada, check out the results of the CanPhysCounts, the First Canada-Wide Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Physics Survey: click here. We are closing the gap. Let’s keep this momentum going.