On March 5, the Inspiring Future Women in Science conference brought together like-minded girls who are curious about exploring careers in science to Perimeter Institute, a leading centre for research, training, outreach and discovery in theoretical physics in Waterloo, Ont. 

High school attendees filled the Mike Lazaridis Theatre of Ideas — named after the Perimeter Institute’s founder, best known for co-founding the mobile device company BlackBerry. This year’s event, presented by Linamar Corporation, marked the tenth edition of the conference. 

The Inspiring Future Women in Science conference is one of a handful of events and activities organized by the Perimeter Institute to celebrate its 25th anniversary. As a global leader in theoretical physics research and exploration, Perimeter Institute empowers scientists from around the world to come to Canada and explore emerging scientific fields, giving researchers the freedom they need to question assumptions and blaze new trails. Since opening its doors in 2000, researchers at Perimeter Institute have made breakthroughs to deepen our fundamental understanding of the universe, laying the foundation of new discoveries across fields including clean energy, health science and computational power.

Through educational talks, workshops and panels, the Institute’s award-winning public engagement has also made a lasting impact on the local community. In a jam-packed half-day event, women across various science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines shared their passion for their respective fields, shedding light on the rewards and challenges that come with pursuing a career in STEM to over 150 girls. 

To kick off the conference, Elisa Torres Durney, a first-year mechanical engineering student at Duke University, walked attendees through her journey of uncovering her passion for how the world around her works. This curiosity eventually led her to discover her passion for quantum computing, an emerging technology that can help researchers solve complex problems faster than traditional computers. To inspire other girls to learn about the technology and its potential applications, Durney launched Girls in Quantum in 2022. Today, Girls in Quantum empowers thousands of girls from around the world to learn how quantum technology can solve global problems.

“I started with my computer back in Chile…and now I’m able to connect with different people who are doing amazing things in this area,” says Durney. “I tell people that no matter how difficult you think something might be, the thing is that if you work with teams, if you work with peers, if you ask questions, if you ask for help, then you will be able to achieve it.” 

Next, panelists Stephanie Holko, director of strategic partnerships and growth at Innovation Factory, Erin Zimmerman, science writer and evolutionary biologist, Katy Celina Sandoval, PhD candidate in neuroscience at McMaster University and Lucy Ho, founder and executive director at Hackergal, took the stage to share their education, personal experiences and careers in STEM. 

While each panelist entered their respective field curious about science, their careers took them on different paths that blend personal interests and disciplines. 

Zimmerman’s doctoral research centred around plant molecular biology. She continued this research into her postdoctoral fellowship, during which Zimmerman gave birth to her son. It was at this time that she discovered some labs are not accommodating or accepting of mothers of young children in research. “I ended up leaving research at that point, but I didn’t want to leave science,” says Zimmerman. “So, I ended up moving into science writing and illustration.” Zimmerman’s first book, Unrooted: Botany, Motherhood & the Fight to Save an Old Science on science, academia and motherhood, was published last year. 

Sandoval’s passion for science, particularly neuroscience, stemmed from her father’s death from brain cancer when she was in high school. This, combined with her mental health struggles, pushed Sandoval to want to better understand how her brain works.

While Ho studied environment and business during her undergraduate career, it was a co-op placement that helped uncover her true passion, which lies at the intersection of innovation and technology. Ho founded Hackergal in 2015 to  inspire and empower girls and gender-diverse learners to explore the world of STEM.  Since then, she has travelled across Canada from coast to coast, equipping the next generation of learners to explore technology through workshops and student clubs. 

Similarly, Holko’s studies in chemical engineering led her to a career in the steel industry that spanned almost 20 years. Now, she helps tech startups and entrepreneurs in the Hamilton and Halton regions get off the ground. 

Following the introductions, curious attendees lined up to ask panelists questions — from how to deal with working in a gender-imbalanced environment to how to determine if you’re on the right career path to strategies for motivating yourself when the going gets tough. 

Careers are seldom linear, and the panelists encouraged students to explore new interests and subjects. “…Be flexible, be open to new experiences,” says Sandoval. “If what you’re truly meant to be doing is what you started with, you’ll come back.” 

Ho and Holko emphasized the importance of gaining real-world experience as a student.  “Find people in the industry, reach out, talk to them—try and find any way to work in their lab in the summer,” says Holko. “Don’t just take any job—try and find something that sort of pushes you in that direction…” Perimeter Institute, for example, offers opportunities for undergraduate students to interact with leading researchers from around the world. The Institute also hosts workshops for high school students to dive into modern physics topics using their secondary-level physics education. 

 The panelists said finding strength through mentors and peers can help aspiring scientists better deal with some of the challenges associated with pursuing STEM, such as impostor syndrome. “It’s about understanding what you bring to the table and showing your value,” says Ho. “Yes, sometimes you have to feel like you insert yourself or have to find those opportunities…there are so many people out there [who] would love to support you if you reach out and ask questions, and the first step is being here.”

“ Know that failure is inevitable,” says Ho. “You will hit roadblocks, you will hit challenges, but that will only build your confidence.”

In her keynote, Holly Fruehwald shared how a mentor changed her career trajectory. Growing up, Fruehwald wasn’t drawn to science. That changed when she enrolled in Grade 11 chemistry, where her teacher made the classroom environment fun, setting the foundation for her career in science. Now, Fruehwald works as a materials scientist and research officer with National Research Council Canada. “Some advice to impart to you is make sure you find those people in your life who will champion for you, who will be there for you, support you, and uplift you, that are so important to have going through any step of your career journey,” says Fruehwald. 

Lastly, students participated in a speed-networking session. Outside the auditorium, 12 mentors in different STEM careers and disciplines set up stations for the attendees to ask questions about their education, experience and personal challenges. Mentors included Hillary Roulston, a veterinarian from Guelph Lake Veterinary Hospital; Asimina Arvanitaki, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Chair in Theoretical Physics at Perimeter Institute; Alison Cardin, VP of Products and Platforms at GHD Digital; Rebecca Hutchinson, a mathematics and computer science librarian; and Claire Leuty, forest technician at Conservation Halton.