Meet the Team
From our Board of Directors to our team of passionate and motivated leaders in STEM, we work together to propel our mission and vision forward.
Board of Directors
Tam Pham
PhD
Tam Pham (they/she/chanh) is an AuDHD Viet protein researcher and PhD candidate at Rainey Lab from Dalhousie University. Their research interest is in characterizing and understanding small protein interactions. Tam is passionate about science communication, especially in making science accessible to the general public and members of historically excluded communities. Outside of research, they are an advocate for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in STEM.
Vicki (she/her) is a passionate advocate for women and underrepresented groups in the life sciences and biotech industry. She has held leadership positions in prominent international life sciences and biotech companies and has played a pivotal role in bringing innovative products to market and supporting the growth of diverse teams.
Her goal is to inspire and guide women in their careers, offering her wealth of experience to help them achieve success in science and business with confidence and enthusiasm.
Nirali Rathwa, PhD, (she/her) is a biochemist specializing in small-molecule therapies for diabetes management and regenerative medicine.
With a strong academic background from The M.S. University of Baroda, India, she has immersed herself in the dynamic world of biotech and digital health startups. As a key member of the Startup Team at the MaRS Discovery District in Toronto, Nirali actively contributes to the development and implementation of strategic programs that equip entrepreneurs with essential resources and invaluable insights to navigate the intricate business landscape.
Nirali is fueled by a passion for advocating innovative platforms and technologies that enrich human lives, with a special emphasis on empowering women founders. She is dedicated to reducing the barriers women face in accessing professional job opportunities and achieving career growth.
Gigi (she/her) is currently in higher education program administration as a Program Manager in the undergraduate Biology program at The University of British Columbia. She previously aimed to get an academic faculty position, and held postdoctoral research positions at the University of Oslo, Norway and at UBC studying environmental adaptations of fish.
SCWIST played an important role in her career transition and provided her with a place to network and connect with others. She was able to contribute to the SCWIST team as the Donor Engagement and Partnerships Lead on the Strategic Partnerships Developments and Fundraising team from 2021 to 2022. She is keen to apply her skills and experience to support SCWIST’s mission and purpose in breaking barriers for women and girls in STEM.
Tharsini Sivathasan (she/her) is a CPA and has her BBA from the University of Toronto, with extensive work experience in both the healthcare and education sectors. Her focus is on developing financial strategies and priorities to enhance the overall governance of the institution and long-term financial and capital planning.
Tharsini is deeply invested in fostering an inclusive environment where all young girls and women have equal opportunities to thrive in STEM fields.
Staff
Melanie Ratnam (she/her) is a neuroscientist with a PhD from the University of Toronto with a focus on cellular processes that regulate inflammation after stroke.
She is an entrepreneur, advocate, and passionate supporter of youth pursuing STEM.
Melanie has a passion for improving EDI and representation of women in STEM.
Pooja (she/her) has recently graduated from the University of Ottawa with a BSc in Computer Science and a minor in Psychology. She has a great passion for STEM in particular improving education and accessibility to STEM for younger women. She is also especially interested in the intersection of Arts with STEM (STEAM), and how it can be utilized to encourage more interest in STEM as it shows how large the capabilities within STEM are. She is excited to continue to advocate for women from all backgrounds and cultures to pursue and ignite their interests in STEM. Outside of work, she loves work with her hands whether it is cooking or creating creative projects.
Akanksha Chudgar
yeindigenousnorth@scwist.ca
Akanksha (she/her) completed her undergraduate degree in Economics in India and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in environmental studies from UNBC in Prince George. She has worked with education in various schools in India as well as North America. She is interested in the behavior of human beings – their interaction with each other as well as the natural environment. The aspect that involves changing people’s interaction with nature (and each other) for the better interests her. She believes this can be done through communication, by considering people’s needs and by giving them more information about their impact on nature.
Ashley (she/her) has a BA in Environmentalism and Sustainability from the University of British Columbia. As the Marketing Manager at SCWIST, she can be found creating, storytelling and sharing in digital spaces.
Keely (she/her) has a BA in Political Science and a double minor in History and Religious Studies from McGill University. She is excited to be in her position as Strategic Partnership Coordinator to advocate for women in the STEM community across Canada.