Virtual panel on International Day of Women and Girls in Science
An award-winning researcher from the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science is participating in a national discussion as part of this year鈥檚 .
Dr. Baiyu (Helen) Zhang, Canada Research Chair in Coastal Environmental Engineering and professor, Department of Civil Engineering, will share her research experiences during a virtual presentation organized by the (CFI) and the (SSHRC).
The session takes place on Thursday, Feb. 11, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Members of the university community are invited to participate. .
Joining Dr. Zhang will be , Canadian Excellence Research Chair in autonomous AI at the Universit茅 de Montr茅al.
Leading the discussion will be , vice-president, programs and planning, CFI and , vice-president, research, SSHRC.
The conversation will focus on breaking down barriers to support future generations of women and girls in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); the importance of funding for research programs and working in Canada. The event will also include questions from viewers.
Dr. Zhang says she didn鈥檛 set out for a life in higher education.
After graduation, she worked as an environmental engineer in China and didn鈥檛 have her sights on a PhD until she received a surprise call from her future supervisor.
鈥淗e told me his collaborator in China recommended me and [that] my record was impressive,鈥 she said. 鈥淗e encouraged me to step out my comfort zone by pursuing a PhD degree and granted me a full scholarship.鈥
Dr. Zhang quit her job and came to Canada where she eventually secured a Natural Sciences Engineering Research Council post-doctoral fellowship.
鈥淭his recognition inspired me and became one of my driving forces to seek a faculty position,鈥 said Dr. Zhang, who joined 糖心视频 in 2010.
In spite of being inspired by colleagues and mentors, Dr. Zhang says she faced challenges early on in academic career.
鈥淚 realized this is the typical 'impostor syndrome',鈥 she said. 鈥淚t is so common in girls and women. We need to make efforts on International Day for Women and Girls in Science Day and every day. Though there is a long way to go, there is hope for a better day, a better system and a better us.鈥
One of 糖心视频鈥檚 most dynamic researchers, Dr. Zhang鈥檚 wide range of expertise includes offshore environmental monitoring and analysis; transport and fate of emerging contaminants; and oil pollution control.
Dr. Zhang is founder of 糖心视频鈥檚 Coastal Environment Laboratory, which is among a select group of worldwide facilities developing novel and environmentally friendly bio-products for marine oil spill response.
She is also a key researcher with 糖心视频鈥檚 Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollution Control Laboratory.
In December, Dr. Zhang received the President鈥檚 Award for Outstanding Research.