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 Candidate
director-youthengagement@scwist.ca
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.
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.
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.
Independent Contractors
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.
Shirley (she/her) is a recent Biology graduate from Trinity Western University. Her bachelor’s degree in science has inspired her to look at life through a new lens. She loves all aspects of biology, especially the intriguing and complex connection between humans and microbiomes and the related health implications.
As a former international student from China, Shirley really appreciates the diversity of cultures and languages. She also strongly believes in advocating for women, girls and underrepresented communities, and that education is fundamental to all aspects of positive change, including equality and inclusivity within the science community. She is thrilled to be a part of SCWIST as a STEM Explore Coordinator.
During her free time, Shirley loves going for walks in the neighborhood and saying hi to all the dogs she meets (and their owners too, but she has her priorities). In addition, she really enjoys creative cooking and experimenting with cuisines from different cultures. When she finishes making delicious meals, she loves inviting her friends over for bonding time over food.
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.
Claudia Rivera
safe-stem@scwist.ca
Claudia Rivera, an accomplished leader in diversity and inclusion with a PhD in Adult Learning and a master’s in Virtual Education, currently supports SCWIST groundbreaking Agency and Action to Prevent Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Project. This initiative aims to combat GBV in STEM workplaces by catalyzing systemic change through various strategies:
- Conducting trauma-informed and intersectional workplace policy reviews, along with delivering GBV prevention training.
Disseminating vital resources, tools, and knowledge-sharing strategies. - Conducting workshops to actively engage men in STEM fields, addressing hierarchical power dynamics and redefining masculinity.
Claudia’s commitment to equity is bolstered by prestigious credentials, including a Diploma in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University, a Women’s Leadership Certificate from Yale University, and certifications in Driving Change, Anti-Racism, Employee Engagement & Mental Health, among others. With over two decades of experience in senior management roles for leading Toronto charities and universities abroad, Claudia excels in learning and development, human resources, operations, governance, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Her collaborative leadership approach emphasizes ethical problem resolution and leveraging diverse talents to drive positive change, reflecting her values of compassion, authenticity, transparency, integrity, and accountability. Claudia’s mission is to empower individuals and organizations, inspiring them to bravely pursue change and success, while providing the necessary tools to facilitate this journey.
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.