Busayo Akindolie
(she/her)
Knowledge Mobilization Coordinator | The Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans
Busayo Akindolie is a Knowledge Mobilization practitioner working at the intersection of research, policy, and practice. She holds a Master’s degree in Global Health Systems and a Bachelor of Health Sciences. With experience across Canada, Nigeria, and Uganda, she transforms research evidence into practical, accessible knowledge products that support decision-making and improve outcomes for underserved communities. At the Centre of Excellence on Chronic Pain for Veterans (CPCoE), she leads equity-centered KM initiatives, supports co-creation with Veterans and stakeholders, and strengthens the connection between evidence, policy, and real-world impact to improve the health and wellbeing of Veterans and their families living with chronic pain.
SESSION How to Talk about Health
Abi Ashton
(she/her)
Public Engagement Manager | Royal Observatory Edinburgh
Abi leads a team bringing cutting-edge science and technology into schools, communities and spaces across Scotland. She feels lucky to have a job asking STEM professionals stupid questions while giving them the skills, confidence and opportunity to engage with local audiences. Abi is passionate about making sure that everyone has the opportunity to truly engage with STEM and has championed this through a career with learned societies, universities, science festivals, science centres and research councils. If you want to nerd out about inclusive approaches, evaluation or the power of practitioner reflection then find her for a chat during the conference.
NETWORKING The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Mehnaz Aydemir
(she/her)
Researcher/Interdisciplinary Designer | Researcher at the Toronto Metropolitan University, Media Design & Innovation
Mehnaz Aydemir’s research drifts between the tangible and the unseen, tracing the subtlety of presence as it flickers through moments of touch, scent, and memory. She explores belonging through the quiet language of the senses, where what is felt often speaks louder than what is seen. In an increasingly technological world that forgets the weight of the physical, her work lingers on the soft edges of experience—where absence hums with presence, and remembrance becomes a form of return. Through personal narratives and sensory recollections, she seeks the invisible threads that tie us to our loved ones, our roots, and the beings we have forgotten. Her research listens for the faint echoes of who we were, who we have become, and what remains between—those delicate traces through which belonging gently reawakens after estrangement. Mehnaz is a doctoral candidate at TMU University in Media Design & Innovation. Mehnaz’s recent research explores digitally mediated effects on inclusive design through object/human interactions, with a focus on multi-sensory embodiment and subtlety.
ASYNCHRONOUS I am Here – A subtle connection to presence
Chantal Barriault
(she/her)
Director, Science Communication Graduate Programs and Associate Professor, School of Natural Sciences | Laurentian University
Chantal Barriault is the Director of the Science Communication Graduate Program, offered jointly by Science North and Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario. Since 2005, Chantal leads, teaches, supervises graduate students, and conducts research in Science Communication. She joined the faculty team at Laurentian University in 2013 and has led over 30 science communication professional development workshops for various groups. Her research interests focus on understanding and assessing the impact of science communication strategies in informal learning environments. She spent her early career developing and delivering education programmes, teacher training, live science theatre, and science exhibits at Science North.
SCICOMM FIELD NOTES A 20-year Perspective on Transitions in the Canadian Science Communication Landscape
ScienceUpFirst Content Producer | Canadian Association of Science Centres
(she/her)
Sophia Belyk
Sophia Belyk, MSc, is a science communicator and graphic designer. Her background is in media theory, and she specializes in health-related misinformation and conspiracy theories on the internet. She currently works for the ScienceUpFirst initiative of the Canadian Association of Science Centres, producing social media content addressing health, climate, and science-related misinformation. She received her Master of Science from the University of Glasgow.
SESSION From Posts to People: SciComm in the Misinformation Age
Mary Ann Boateng
(she/her)
Assistant Professor | Toronto Metropolitan University
Dr. Mary Ann Boateng is an Assistant Professor in the School of Professional Communication at TMU. Her research centres around themes of media, technology, power, class, space and Canadian history. Her current research explores how space and the representation of space in Toronto shapes how we understand and move through the city. Boateng holds a MA in Cultural Studies and Critical Theory from McMaster and a PhD from the York-TMU Program in Communication and Culture.
SESSION Is All Science Communication Political?
Kayla Bourdeau
(she/her)
Program Coordinator, Indigenous Knowledge and Science Outreach | Toronto Metropolitan University
My name is Kayla Bourdeau, and I am a Master’s student in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Smith School of Business while working full time at Toronto Metropolitan University as the Program Coordinator for Indigenous Knowledge and Science Outreach. I am passionate about creating meaningful, inclusive programs that connect knowledge, community, and innovation. Balancing graduate studies with full-time work has strengthened my skills in leadership, organization, and collaboration. When I’m not studying, working, or mentoring, you can usually find me learning a new skill, spending time with people I love, or enjoying quiet moments at home with my cats.
SESSION Re-Storying Science through Indigenous Relationship
Program Coordinator | Visions of Science Network for Learning
(she/her)
Tatyana Buntin
Tatyana Buntin is a Program Coordinator at Visions of Science, where she develops and facilitates engaging STEM programs for youth. Having started as a volunteer in high school, she has grown with the organization while pursuing a career in child and youth work. Passionate about hands-on learning, being an intentional mentor, and fostering community engagement, Tatyana works to create equitable opportunities for young people to explore, experiment, and develop their potential in STEM.
SESSION Hair and Hustle: Reframing Youth Engagement in Science Communication
Senior Manager, Grants | Science North | Laurentian University
(she/they)
Kyelle Byne
Kyelle is a professional science communicator (M.S.Com), not-for-profit leader and grant writer based in Sudbury, Ontario. She shares her grant writing skills as a Sessional and Micro-credential instructor at Laurentian University, as well as leading funding efforts for several equity-focused community organizations in Northern Ontario. Their advocacy efforts through Science North’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) Committee and community outreach have earned them recognition as a YWCA Young Woman of Distinction, a #RisingYouth Alumni, and a New Leaders Fellow with the national Association of Science and Technology Centres.
SESSION Grant Writing 101: Using Science Communication to Secure Funding
Kristina Campbell
(she/her)
Freelance science writer
Kristina is a science writer who has spent the past decade covering topics related to microbiology and gut health. Besides numerous freelance articles, she has written 5 books related to gut health: 2 editions of an academic textbook (Academic Press), The Well-Fed Microbiome Cookbook (Rockridge Press) as well as Gut Health For Dummies and IBS For Dummies (Wiley). She is passionate about scientific storytelling and increasing science capital in all age groups.
SCICOMM FIELD NOTES Beyond the science media silo: Making scientific concepts resonate with broad audiences
Trés-Von Carimbocas
(he/him)
Associate Manager, Community Partnerships & Activations | Visions of Science Network for Learning
Trés-Von has over half a decade experience working in educational roles serving low-income and under represented communities in the GTA. For the past 4 years Trés-Von has been working specifically in STEM, helping deliver barrier-free and equity based programming for youth in the communities we serve.
SESSION Hair & Hustle: Reframing Youth Engagement in Science Communication
Roopali Chaudhary
(she/her)
CEO and Lead Researcher | Lotus STEMM
Dr. Roopali Chaudhary (she/her) is a cellular & molecular biologist, an entrepreneur, and a lifelong learner. Dr. Chaudhary founded the not-for-profit organization, Lotus STEMM, a networking and leadership platform for South Asian women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM). Lotus STEMM provides equitable science communication bridging the gap between STEMM and culture, while advocating advancement of better diversity, inclusivity and equity in the STEMM fields. In 2024, she received the King Charles III Coronation Medal awarded by the Royal Canadian Institute of Science for her efforts to create inclusive communities in STEMM. Dr. Chaudhary is also a Senior Director at Allarta Life Science Inc, owns a small bakery specializing in science-themed cakes, and enjoys building furniture.
SESSION Bridging Languages and Cultures: Toward Inclusive Science Communication in Canada
Kyle Gordon Cayouette
(he/him)
Doctoral (Ph.D.) Researcher | Department of Law and Legal Studies, Carleton University
Kyle Gordon Cayouette is a PhD researcher working at the intersection of law, public health, and culture. His research examines how health campaigns shape cultural and legal understandings of risk, identity, and responsibility. Drawing on critical public health, visual culture, and interdisciplinary approaches, his work frames health communications and campaigns as a powerful site of cultural governance—one that actively produces meanings, norms, and ideals of what it means to be healthy and responsible.
SCICOMM FIELD NOTES Ceci n’est pas un masque: Health-based symbolisms in health communications
Denis Chmoulevitch
(he/him)
Audience Engagement Specialist | Canadian Association of Science Centres, ScienceUpFirst Initiative
Denis is the Audience Engagement Specialist for ScienceUpFirst, an initiative of the Canadian Association of Science Centres. He uses his background in cognitive science and in journalism to promote science and digital literacy, encourage wide-eyed curiosity, and foster healthy conversations on polarizing topics.
SESSION From Posts to People: SciComm in the Misinformation Age
David Coulson
(he/him)
Managing Partner | Evermaven Inc
David Coulson is Managing Partner at Evermaven, a Toronto-based environmental communications agency, and works as a visual storyteller across Canada. Over the past decade he has helped organizations bring complex environmental and social issues into public view—through campaigns, digital experiences, and visual narratives. His work has been featured in Canadian Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and the Toronto Star, among many others. Currently completing his Masters in Communication and Culture at Toronto Metropolitan University and York University, David studies how visual media shapes public understanding of climate science.
SESSION The Transmedia Emotional Engagement Storytelling (TREES) Model: An Instrumental Workshop on Science Communication
Luisa Da Silva
Executive Director | Iron & Earth
(she/her)
Luisa is empowering fossil fuel and Indigenous workers through creating opportunities to transition into the net-zero economy. She brings a wealth of experience from the energy, conservation, mining, education, and not-for-profit sectors. She began her career in the fossil fuel industry of northern Alberta, and has been influenced by her mining experiences in Canada and abroad. After a successful career as a professional geoscientist, Luisa moved to the United Kingdom to pursue an Executive Master’s of Business Administration. Since then, Luisa has worked in the charitable and not-for-profit sectors, and is enthusiastic about enabling people to transition to fulfilling careers.
Community Talks | Climate Career Portal
SCICOMM FIELD NOTES Co-Creating Pathways with Workers and Communities
Matthew Dawson
Principal | Studiodawson
Matthew Dawson founded Studiodawson to deliver planning, design and leadership services to the museum and attractions sector worldwide. Studiodawson stands apart by bringing a theme park approach to the mission-driven museum sector. Prior to this, Matthew worked for eleven years at Forrec, the Toronto-based global experience design studio. Earlier in his career, Matthew worked on-staff at three major museums during their lead up to their grand openings, directing their inaugural exhibitions and programs of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Musical Instrument Museum and the expansion of the Art Gallery of Ontario. Matthew holds a Master of Architecture degree from Princeton University.
SESSION Reframing Science: Storytelling Through Experience Design
Diane Dechief
(she/her)
Asst. Professor, Director of the Bachelor of Arts & Science | McGill University
Since 2015, Diane Dechief (pronounced deCHEF) has focused on teaching and research in science communication at McGill University. This includes leading FSCI 500: Science communication and outreach. In 2025, Prof. Dechief became Director of the Bachelor of Arts and Science degree, the institutional home to more than 650 innovative and impressive students whose degrees balance arts and science learning. She also leads FSCI 198: Climate crisis and climate actions, a multidisciplinary course which supports students in understanding the climate crisis as a problem that requires action from all disciplines. Diane’s doctorate is in information studies from the University of Toronto and her master’s is in communication studies from Concordia University. Her research has focussed on equity and inclusion challenges faced by people who have immigrated to Canada, including name discrimination.
SESSION Bridging Languages and Cultures: Toward Inclusive Science Communication in Canada
Rawbyn Diamonds
(she/her)
Treasurer & Head of Drag | Science is a Drag
Dr. Rawbyn Diamonds is a clinical epidemiologist with expertise in molecular cancer biology and health equity. Originally from Barbados, she did not fully embrace her queer identity but now lives and performs in Toronto as a fabulous drag queen!
SESSION Science is a Drag: Live in Translation
Liv Engel
(she/her)
PhD Candidate | University of Toronto
Liv is a 4th year PhD candidate at the University of Toronto. Her work focuses on uncovering the neural mechanisms of fear and anxiety behaviours through a multidisciplinary approach, including rodent behaviour models and in vivo neuronal activity recording, with a specific focus on dopaminergic signaling in the medial prefrontal cortex. Liv is also committed to inclusive science communication practices and social justice.
SESSION Changing the way we communicate: Integrating alternate perspectives in SciComm
Encieh Erfani
(she/her)
Postdoctoral Fellow | Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Waterloo
Dr. Encieh Erfani is a physicist and human rights advocate with over 10 years of experience in academia and more than 3 years of active engagement in women's rights advocacy. Following the outbreak of the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement in Iran in September 2022, she resigned from her faculty position in solidarity with protesting students and has since lived in exile. Her advocacy focuses on academic freedom, gender equality, and the protection of at-risk scholars, especially women facing repression and violence under authoritarian regimes. Dr. Erfani’s work bridges science and human rights, amplifying the voices of those silenced by political oppression. She is the co-founder of the International Community of Iranian Academics (ICOIA), where she collaborates with global networks to advocate for the rights of displaced scholars and highlight gender-based discrimination in education and research. Her efforts have been recognized internationally, including by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Award for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility, and she frequently contributes to articles, panels, and policy discussions addressing violence against women and girls, academic repression, and the intersection of science and human rights.
SCICOMM FIELD NOTES Void of Voids
Heather Farnworth
Director Business Development, Ontario Science Centre | Ontario Science Centre/Giant Screen Cinema Association
Heather Farnworth brings more than two decades of leadership and global experience to science communication. Since 2005, she has served as Director of Business Development at the Ontario Science Centre, leading the International Sales Team and expanding the Centre’s reach through exhibit design, consulting, training, project management, and travelling exhibition rentals worldwide. She began her career at IMAX Corporation, later bringing that expertise to the Ontario Science Centre, where she led programming for the OMNIMAX Theatre. Heather has served three terms on the Giant Screen Cinema Association Board and was recently re-elected as Co-Chair of the GSCA Leadership Committee. She holds an MBA from the University of Western Ontario and an Honours BA & Science from McMaster University.
SESSION Reframing Science: Storytelling Through Experience Design
(she/her)
Sarah Figueroa
Data Storytelling Coach | Learning Untangled
Sarah is a data storytelling coach who supports scientists and scholars in turning research into stories that are clear, compelling, and designed to move people to action. She has worked with researchers and practitioners across higher education, public health, government, and community-based organizations. Her work is shaped by training in theater, learning design, and history, including a B.A. in Theater Studies, an M.Ed. in Learning Design and Technology, and doctoral work in the History of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Theater taught her how to build presence and emotion. Learning design taught Sarah how people make meaning. History reminds her that storytelling is never neutral—it shapes communities, power, and possibility. Through coaching and workshops, Sarah support experts in sharing work that is human, grounded, and drives action.
SESSION Lights, Cameras, Data! Turn your research into compelling stories.
Brooke Filsinger
Toronto Metropolitan University | Toronto Metropolitan University
(she/her)
Wa’tkonnonwerá:ton. Brooke niyónkyats. Kanyen’kehá:ka niwakonhwentsyò:ten. Ohsweken nitewaké:non nek tsi tkí:teron tsi tkarón:to. Brooke is Mohawk from Six Nations of the Grand River and also has settler ancestry. She is a PhD candidate in Environmental Applied Science and Management at Toronto Metropolitan University and Advisor to the Dean, Indigenous Education, in the Faculty of Science. Her research, grounded in Indigenous pedagogies and relational frameworks, examines Indigenous inclusion and belonging in STEM. Her work is wholistic, Community-centred, and Student-led.
SESSION Re-Storying Science through Indigenous Relationship
Samantha Fowler
(she/her)
PhD Student; Co-Executive Director | University of Waterloo; The Disabled CoLab
Samantha is a disabled and neurodivergent science communicator. She is the Disability Inclusion Coordinator at the University of Waterloo and the Co-Executive Director of The Disabled CoLab, a non-profit that designs disability community spaces and amplifies disabled voices, including those of scientists and students. She holds a Master of Science Communication from Laurentian University and is a current PhD student in the Department of English at the University of Waterloo, studying at the intersections of critical disability studies and science communication. Samantha is an avid Dungeons and Dragons player and working to re-learn the saxophone.
SESSION RE:Creating Accessible Spaces for Science Identities (and Finding Our Own)
Kristina Fraser
Clinical Research Coordinator, MA COMM Student | University of Calgary
(she/her)
Kristina Fraser is a graduate student in Communications at UofC, with an interdisciplinary background in health and youth research. She began her career as an athletic therapist prior to completing a Master of Rehabilitation Science at UBC. She later worked as a clinical research coordinator in concussion research, where her experiences working closely with youth and families, combined with observing how research is represented and debated on social media in her personal life, sparked a critical interest in science communication. Currently completing her MA in Communication, examining how health research is communicated, interpreted, and contested in public and digital spaces.
SCICOMM FIELD NOTES From Discovery to Divides: 55 Years of Science on Magazine Covers
Robert W Gehl
(he/him)
Associate Professor | York University
Ontario Research Chair of Digital Governance for Social Justice. Website.
SESSION Is All Science Communication Political?
Lexa Graham
Science Educator & Comedian | DNAtured Journal & Dirty Science
(she/her)
Lexa Graham is an award winning scientist, educator, and comedian who specializes in science centered comedy, humour workshops for professionals, and speaking about the science of success for university students. An expert at mixing science and comedy into a fun and educational cocktail, Lexa is the creator of DNAtured Journal, a satirical academic journal on student life and science, and Dirty Science, a monthly Science Comedy show. Lexa is also a popular host, performer, and panelist for all kinds of events due to her personable nature, quick wit, and broad scientific knowledge.
SESSION Laughter As Peer Review
T. Ryan Gregory
(he/him)
Professor | Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph
Dr. Gregory completed his BSc at McMaster University and PhD in evolutionary biology at the University of Guelph, followed by a postdoc at the American Museum of Natural History in New York and the Natural History Museum in London before joining the faculty at Guelph. His interests include genome evolution, applied evolution, philosophy of science, and science communication. He has received research awards from NSERC, American Society of Naturalists, Canadian Society of Zoologists, and Genetics Society of Canada. From 2018-2022 he was Chair of the Department of Integrative Biology and from 2014-2021 he was Editor of Evolution: Education and Outreach.
SESSION Changing the way we communicate: Integrating alternate perspectives in SciComm
Alexander Hall
(he/him)
Assistant Professor | McMaster University
Dr Alexander Hall is a science communication expert whose research explores the representation of science in popular media. With a keen interest in the role of science in society, he is dedicated to fostering active participation and engagement with science among diverse communities. As the leader of the Science in Society Lab at McMaster University, he conducts mixed-methods research that empirically examines how pressing scientific issues impact, interact with, and are perceived by various communities across Canada and beyond. Dr Hall combines a proven track record working on large multidisciplinary research projects, with over 15 years of experience as a science communication practitioner.
SESSION Is All Science Communication Political?
Sheryl Hamilton
(she/her)
Professor | Carleton University
Sheryl N. Hamilton is full professor at Carleton University, holding an equal cross-appointment to the Communication and Media Studies Program and the Department of Law and Legal Studies. She has long researched and published in the area of technoscience and communication. Her current book project is entitled Disease Media and explores cases as diverse as museum exhibits, plush toys, popular science magazines, television commercials, speculative fiction, board games, and images of microbes to examine how we make sense of, represent, materialize, and experience disease and its elements in everyday life.
SCICOMM FIELD NOTES Viral Portraits and Aesthetic Objectivity
Claire Honda
(she/her)
Coordinator | Centre for Research on Brain, Language and Music (CRBLM)
Claire Honda is a scientist who is passionate about the brain, languages, and science communication. She completed a PhD in neuroscience at McGill, studying brainwaves and using neurostimulation to understand how adults process and learn languages. Besides her interest in neurolinguistics, she plays the violin and is an avid tap dancer who has traveled to tap festivals and events around the world. She is passionate about bringing together scientific and artistic endeavours, making science fun and accessible, and promoting connection between people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
ASYNCHRONOUS Neurotropolis – A Board Game about the Brain and Language
Lewis Hou
(he/him)
Director | Science Ceilidh
Lewis Hou is founder and director of Science Ceilidh, an intermediary organisation supporting cultural and knowledge democracy in Scotland. He currently coordinates The Ideas Fund and Community Knowledge Matters network funding directly and supporting grassroots communities across rural Scotland to lead participatory research on mental wellbeing, culture and climate change. He is one of the UK Creative Community Fellows and was recently awarded the Beetlestone Award for leadership in the science engagement field. He is also now undertaking an Engage Fellowship with the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement exploring systems change to support more diverse knowledge production.
SESSION Re:Building Knowledge Democracy - from culture to systems change
NETWORKING The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Isahaq Ibrahim
(he/him)
Associate Manager, Active Living | Visions of Science
Isahaq Ibrahim is a Program Manager at Visions of Science Network for Learning in the Greater Toronto Area, where he leads community-based STEM initiatives for Black and racialized low-income youth. His work focuses on designing and scaling programs that build confidence, curiosity, and real-world STEM skills through hands-on, culturally relevant learning. He cultivates cross-sector partnerships, trains frontline staff, and integrates sport, technology, and social-emotional learning to make STEM accessible and engaging. He is committed to creating pathways that help young people see themselves as problem-solvers, innovators, and future leaders in STEM.
SESSION Hair and Hustle: Reframing Youth Engagement in Science Communication
Siddharth Kankaria
(he/him)
Independent Consultant — Science, Society, & Justice
Siddharth Kankaria is an Independent Consultant in Science, Society, and Justice. He works across the continuum of research, practice, and teaching in a range of disciplines including science communication, social justice, decolonisation, science and technology studies, education, and the history and philosophy of science. Siddharth currently serves on the Scientific Committee of the Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) Network, and spends his time contributing to mentorship, capacity-building & social justice efforts. He is also an avid enthusiast of theatre, art, culture, reading and all things gastronomical, and can be reached on social media at @SiddhrthKnkaria.
SESSION Bridging Languages and Cultures: Toward Inclusive Science Communication in Canada
Ki-Youn Kim
(she/her)
Science Communication Specialist / Sessional Lecturer in Science Communication | Independent / Laurentian University
Ki-Youn is an independent Science Communication Specialist and 2019 alumna of the Science Communication Graduate Program at Laurentian University. She works with clients in academia, non-profit, and government to translate their technical information into creative stories and messages through digital mediums. In addition, she has developed and delivered workshops on science communication, misinformation management, and presentation design for universities, non-profits, and conferences. In 2023, Ki-Youn returned to the Science Communication program as a Sessional Lecturer, where she teaches Communicating Research and Communicating Science Through New Media.
SESSION Making Cents of SciComm Careers
Dany Ko
(siya/伊 or they/them)
Founder & Environmental Educator | SCI AIDE
Dany is a queer, deaf, disabled, Chinese/Filipino environmental educator currently bouncing around between various marine, environmental, and community engagements, working with groups such as Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS) and Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF). They are a founder of SCI AIDE and hope to make science of all sorts more accessible to historically marginalized folks! If you can't find them out on an adventure in the real world, you can certainly find them lost in yet another TTRPG or video game endeavour.
SESSION RE:Creating Accessible Spaces for Science Identities (and Finding Our Own)
Krista Lamb
(she/her)
Science Communicator | Krista Lamb Communications
Krista Lamb is a science communicator who specializes in translating complex topics into interesting and understandable stories for diverse audiences. Her first book, Beyond Banting, was released in 2021 and went on to win the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada Book Award. In addition, Krista has been the producer and host of multiple podcasts, including the award-winning Diabetes Canada Podcast and How to Talk About Health. In 2025, she received a King Charles III Coronation Medal from the Royal Canadian Institute for Science in recognition of her commitment to fostering science culture in Canada.
SESSION How To Talk About Health
Terry Lavender
Member, Ethics Committee and former president | Science Writers and Communicators of Canada
Terry Lavender has been a communicator for more than 40 years, beginning his career at a Vancouver tabloid as sports editor, municipal politics reporter, and food critic. Much of his career was spent in higher education, including seven years managing communications for the president of the University of British Columbia. His involvement with the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada (SWCC) began when it was the Canadian Science Writers Association. He later served on the SWCC Board as a member at large, president, and immediate past president. Terry lives in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, and remains active in science communication.
SESSION Navigating Generative AI
Conan Lee
(he/him)
MA Graduate | The University of British Columbia
Conan Lee is a STEM educator and communicator passionate about leveraging pop culture to make science more inclusive and accessible. He holds a BSc in Physics and an MA in Psychology, and later earned an MA in Science Education from the University of British Columbia, where he received the UBC Pop Pedagogies Award. His graduate research, published in a National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) journal, explored the use of fictional films to teach complex scientific concepts on YouTube. He has shared his work with researchers and educators internationally, including at Science Talk by the Association of Science Communicators.
SESSION Popcorn Pedagogy: Cinematic Roleplay for Scientific Discourse
Priscilla Leftakis
(she/her)
Co-founder | The Food Truth Project
Priscilla Leftakis is a food scientist and advocate for evidence-based food and nutrition information. She holds a B.Sc. in Food Science & Agricultural Chemistry from McGill University and has experience in R&D and quality control. She is also the co-founder of The Food Truth Project, an initiative focused on combating food and nutrition misinformation through education and community engagement. She currently is a research project officer at the RITA Consortium in order to bridge technology transfer between academia and industry.
SESSION How to Talk about Health
Shane McCracken
(he/him)
Director | Mangorolla CIC
Shane McCracken is the director of Mangorolla CIC, the social enterprise behind the “I’m a…” programmes, which connect school students with scientists, engineers and other experts through fast-paced, online, text-based engagement. Running for 18 years, the programme has operated in nine countries: the UK, Ireland, the US, Germany, Spain, Australia, Kenya, Malaysia and Vietnam. Shane specialises in designing initiatives that are scalable, inclusive and easy for busy professionals to join, with clear, auditable reporting for partners and funders. He previously lived in Toronto in the 1980s, and is delighted to be returning to the city to speak.
SESSION Text is best
Anthony Morgan
(he/him)
Host | CBC's The Nature of Things
Anthony Morgan is an award-winning Science communicator, PhD researcher, game designer, entrepreneur and host of The Nature of Things on CBC Television. He's obsessed with changing how people see, think, talk about and use science in their everyday lives. To that end, he's worked closely with numerous public-facing institutions including the Canadian Association of Science Centres, Universities, media influencers, municipalities and the federal government to build public-facing tools for engaging the new science and technology of our times.
KEYNOTE Disagree Better: How to Laugh Instead of Losing Faith in Humanity
Julie Moskalyk
(she/her/elle)
Director-Content Partnerships | Supply + Demand Studio
Global leader in science engagement and experience design, creating high-impact experiences for audiences of all ages. In her 30+ year career as Science Director at Science North, Julie Moskalyk led award-winning exhibitions, strategic expansions, and interdisciplinary teams that reached millions of visitors across generations. A biologist by training, Julie blends rigorous science communication with bold creativity, immersive storytelling, and deep audience insight. As Principal of Moskalyk Consulting and Director of Content Partnerships at Supply + Demand Studio, she collaborates internationally with cultural attractions, scientists, and designers to create future-ready, socially connected, and meaningful experiences that inspire curiosity and relevance in STEM.
SESSION Reframing Science: Storytelling Through Experience Design
Sandhya Mylabathula
(she/her/elle)
Science Communicator, Educator, Researcher, and Co-founder | The STEAM Sisters; University of Toronto
Drs. Sandhya Mylabathula, PhD and Swapna Mylabathula, PhD, MD(in-progress), are The STEAM Sisters, an award-winning science communication duo! When they’re not on fun STEAM adventures, these twin scientists are award-winning educators and researchers. They developed a national concussion strategy which launched National Concussion Awareness Week, consulted on Canada’s first provincial concussion legislation, and delivered a TEDxTalk on youth engagement/health policy. They are honoured to be in the top 50 Most Influential Torontonians (GridTO Magazine) and Urban Heroes (Toronto Community News) for their contributions! They were recognized with an award for Best Program for a youth science series exploring careers of women in STEAM that they co-created and co-hosted – and are working on new series!
SESSION From Data to Decision: Communicating Health Policy for Change
Swapna Mylabathula
(she/her/elle)
Science Communicator, Educator, Knowledge Translator, Co-Founder, Researcher | The STEAM Sisters, University of Toronto
Drs. Sandhya Mylabathula, PhD and Swapna Mylabathula, PhD, MD(in-progress), are The STEAM Sisters, an award-winning science communication duo! When they’re not on fun STEAM adventures, these twin scientists are award-winning educators and researchers. They developed a national concussion strategy which launched National Concussion Awareness Week, consulted on Canada’s first provincial concussion legislation, and delivered a TEDxTalk on youth engagement/health policy. They are honoured to be in the top 50 Most Influential Torontonians (GridTO Magazine) and Urban Heroes (Toronto Community News) for their contributions! They were recognized with an award for Best Program for a youth science series exploring careers of women in STEAM that they co-created and co-hosted – and are working on new series!
SESSION From Data to Decision: Communicating Health Policy for Change
Angelico Obille (aka Kwaga Musselle)
he/they (out of drag); she/her (in drag)
Project Management Lead | Science is a Drag
Angelico (a.k.a. ScientistAnjo) is completing their PhD in biomedical engineering at the University of Toronto, where they study mollusks found in the Great Lakes to help develop improved medical adhesives. Inspired by the quagga mussel they research, Angelico performs in drag as Kwaga Musselle. A talented singer and pianist, as well as a Filipino non-binary scientist, Angelico aims to show current and future generations that anyone can be a successful scientist — all you need is curiosity.
SESSION Science is a Drag: Live in Translation
Neil Ever Osborne
(he/him)
President / Assistant Professor | Evermaven Inc. / Trent University
Neil Ever Osborne is a Canadian photographer, filmmaker, speaker, and public scholar. His interdisciplinary projects examine the converging social and environmental issues that narrate our times in a changing and warming world. In this pursuit, he focuses on humanity’s enduring spirit and nature’s resiliency. Osborne is an Explorer with the National Geographic Society, a Contributing Photographer with Smithsonian Magazine, and an Assistant Professor at Trent University. He also holds long-standing Fellowships with the International League of Conservation Photographers, The Explorer’s Club, and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. He is the Founder of the environmental communications agency Evermaven.
SESSION The Transmedia Emotional Engagement Storytelling (TREES) Model: An Instrumental Workshop on Science Communication
Alexia Ostrolenk
(she/her)
Postdoctoral Fellow | Assistant Professor | Evermaven Inc. / Trent University
Alexia Ostrolenk, PhD (she/her) is a postdoctoral fellow at the Autism Alliance of Canada, in partnership with Unity Health Toronto. Her research focuses on reading and language development in autistic children, bridging scientific inquiry and real-world practice. An engaged science communicator, she works to advance inclusive science communication in French and English, with a strong focus on reaching francophone communities in Canada. She is the co-founder of ComSciCon-QC, which has provided free science communication training to over 300 francophone graduate students in Quebec since 2020. Alexia regularly appears in French- and English-language media to share research findings with broad audiences.
SESSION Bridging Languages and Cultures: Toward Inclusive Science Communication in Canada
Parshati Patel
(she/her)
Founder | Stellar Dreams Art
Dr. Parshati Patel is an astrophysicist turned science communicator, space sector professional, artist, and founder of Stellar Dreams Art, based in London, Ontario. Drawing inspiration from the universe and the world around us, her work explores the beauty, motion and evolving nature of the cosmos. Using fluid art, resin, and mixed media techniques, she creates pieces that echo the dynamic processes shaping the universe. Through her art practice and science communication, Parshati seeks to bridge science and art, inviting viewers to connect with astronomy through curiosity, emotion, and wonder.
SESSION Bridging Languages and Cultures: Toward Inclusive Science Communication in Canada
Khibshan Pathmanathan
(he/him)
Research Silo Member | Science for Everyone
Khibshan is a member of the Research Silo at Science for Everyone (SFE), where he works to identify gaps in science literacy and helps focus SFE's efforts towards addressing them through a variety of projects. He completed his Bachelor's in Biomedical Engineering at TMU, and now works as an Applied Research Consultant for Niagara Health.
SESSION Implementing a Science Literacy Test in Local Educational Institutions
Melissa Perreault
(she/her)
Professor | Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph
Dr. Melissa Perreault is a Professor of Neuroscience in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and a Research Leadership Chair at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Her primary translational research focus is to understand the sex-specific cellular mechanisms underlying specific neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders and to identify novel biomarkers. Taking a wholistic research approach, she also studies the neurobiological impacts of whole plants and mushrooms such as cannabis, kratom, and psychedelic mushrooms in health and brain disorders. As a citizen of the Métis Nation, Dr. Perreault spends much of her time on Indigenous national and global neuroethics initiatives, advocating for appropriate research approaches with Indigenous communities and clinical care, and the integration of Indigenous knowledge and ways of doing into Euro-Western neuroscience. She is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, a member of the Royal Society of Canada, a YMCA Woman of Distinction and she presently serves as Lead of the Crosscultural Working Group for the International Brain Initiative.
SESSION Changing the way we communicate: Integrating alternate perspectives in SciComm
Maria Piacente
Chief of Exhibitions | Royal Ontario Museum
Maria Piacente is the Chief of Exhibitions at the Royal Ontario Museum responsible for overseeing the museum's exhibitions and permanent galleries. With 30 years international experience in the sector, Maria is a leader in storytelling and experience design.
SESSION Reframing Science: Storytelling Through Experience Design
Michelle Reid
(she/her)
Master Lecturer | Laurentian University
Michelle Reid (MSc, MSCom) is a Master Lecturer in the Science Communication Program at Laurentian University, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses related on science in society, strategic science communication, designing communication materials and experiences for non-specialist audiences, and creating multimedia products for communication campaigns. She has developed science communication training modules for government researchers, science centres, and research centres through grants and contracts with NSERC and CIHR. She is currently working on a PhD project exploring the employment contexts, workplace responsibilities, and professional roles of science communicators in Canada.
SESSION Making Cents of SciComm Careers
SCICOMM FIELD NOTES A 20-year Perspective on Transitions in the Canadian Science Communication Landscape
Olivia-Autumn Rennie
(she/her)
MD-PhD Student; Filmmaker | University of Toronto; Exuvium Productions Inc.
Olivia (Autumn) Rennie is a filmmaker, MD-PhD student at the University of Toronto, and Executive Director of her Toronto-based production company, Exuvium Productions Inc. She blends medicine, research, and storytelling in her work, with a particular interest in the horror and science-fiction genres. Her work uses film to spark conversations about disability, health, and society. Through collaborative, patient-centred filmmaking, she aims to highlight real lived experiences - especially those shaped by neurological or psychological conditions.
SESSION Night of the Living Facts: Reanimating Science Communication Through the Horror Film
Andrés Salazar
Producer, Showrunner | Animalogic, Underknown
(he/him)
Andrés Salazar is a nature documentary director, writer, and producer. He has worked on wildlife documentaries for digital, network, and theatrical distribution. Some of his credits include the feature film Sharkwater: Extinction, network docs such as Strange Creatures of the Arctic and Animal Senses, and the digital series Animalogic, of which he's the showrunner. Through his career, he has specialized in telling stories about wildlife conservation and communicating ideas of evolutionary biology and ecology. Thanks to the success of Animalogic, he published a book called Strange Creatures, which explains the evolutionary adaptations of some of the world’s most unique animals.
SESSION Science Communication in The Digital Era: How To Make Effective Digital Documentaries
Krishana Sankar
(she/her)
Science Advisor & Community Impact Manager | Canadian Association of Science Centers (ScienceUpFirst)
Dr. Krishana Sankar is a science advisor, public health communicator, and community engagement leader with a PhD from the University of Toronto. She specializes in countering health misinformation through evidence-based communication, trust-building, and partnership with equity-deserving communities. Dr. Sankar has led national initiatives at organizations including Canadian Association of Science Centres, ScienceUpFirst initiative and COVID-19 Resources Canada. Her work focuses on culturally responsive approaches to science communication, co-creation with community leaders, and translating complex evidence into accessible, actionable insights that support informed decision-making and health equity.
SESSION From Posts to People: SciComm in the Misinformation Age
Kyne Santos
Math communicator | Toronto Metropolitan University
(he/him/she/her)
Kyne Santos is a math communicator, author, keynote speaker, mathematics graduate student, and world renowned drag queen. Known as the math queen, Kyne makes popular educational videos on social media about math, science, history, and drag, which have been viewed more than 350 million times. She shows viewers that math is fun, artistic, and inclusive.
SESSION Math In Drag
James Shelley
Knowledge Mobilization Specialist | Western University
James Shelley is a Knowledge Mobilization Specialist at Western University (Ontario, Canada). He is a process strategist and in-house software developer, focussed on leveraging advancements in automation and analytics to support strategic, institutional initiatives.
ASYNCHRONOUS Storyhouse: Reframing Research as Narrative for Impact
SESSION Science Communication as a 'Last Mile Problem' in Research: Can Automation and AI Help?
Mark Smithyes
President | Janus Life Sciences Consulting
Mark’s 30+ year career in Life Sciences includes various senior leadership positions in pharmaceutical and medical device multinationals like Novartis and Alcon as well as founding, running, and exiting a successful life sciences start-up venture. In 2017, Mark founded Janus Life Sciences Consulting to help other entrepreneurs drive their business success, focusing on Seed and Series A fundraising, strategy, and commercialization. His consulting firm has also guided the entry of a number of international companies into the Canadian market. Mark’s 30+ year career in Life Sciences includes various senior leadership positions in pharmaceutical and medical device multinationals. Currently, Mark leads the Life Sciences Practice at Delphic Research and is President of Janus Life Sciences Consulting. He serves as an advisor for several funds and incubators and is on faculty at the University of Toronto’s Master of Biotechnology and McMaster University’s Master of Biomedical Innovation programs. Mark is on the Board of Directors and is former Chair of Life Sciences Ontario. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and the Schulich School of Business.
SESSION Power of the Pitch
Donna Strickland
Professor | University of Waterloo
Donna Strickland is a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Waterloo and is one of the recipients of the Nobel Prize in Physics 2018 for developing chirped pulse amplification with Gérard Mourou, her PhD supervisor at the time. They published this Nobel-winning research in 1985 when Strickland was a PhD student at the University of Rochester in New York state. Together they paved the way toward the most intense laser pulses ever created.
KEYNOTE Trust in Science
Zarah Suficiencia
(she/her)
Senior Manager, Community Partnerships & Programming | Visions of Science
Zarah Suficiencia (OCT) is a Senior Manager, Community Partnerships & Programming at Visions of Science, where she works alongside her team to design and deliver equitable, hands-on, and culturally relevant STEM programs for Black and racialized low-income youth across the GTA. Through collaboration with aligned community partners, her team expands access to STEM learning in communities and aims to spark youth interest in STEM.
SESSION Hair & Hustle: Reframing Youth Engagement in Science Communication
Dream Tuitt-Barnes
(she/her)
Research Trainee | Moonshot Lab
Dream Tuitt-Barnes is a second-year medical student at Queen’s University and a health equity researcher focused on race-based data, community-engaged research, and knowledge translation. She is the lead researcher behind the Black Equity Archive for Community Outcomes and Needs (BEACON) Project, a scoping and mapping initiative that consolidates over two decades of Black health data in Peel Region. Her work bridges academic research and community advocacy, emphasizing how evidence can be mobilized to inform policy, improve access to care, and support Black-led health initiatives. Dream has presented her work nationally and is passionate about making research accessible, accountable, and action-oriented.
SESSION Let the Data Live: From Static Reports to Living Archives
Alacea Yerxa
Indigenous Outreach Specialist | Toronto Metropolitan University
(she/her)
Alacea Yerxa is a Master’s candidate in the Molecular Science program at Toronto Metropolitan University. She also serves as the Indigenous Outreach Specialist within the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, where her work centers on braiding Western STEM frameworks with Indigenous Ways of Knowing. Alacea develops culturally relevant, hands-on programming that prioritizes relationship-building, accessibility, and community engagement. Through this work, Alacea is committed to increasing Indigenous representation in STEM and fostering a strong sense of belonging for Indigenous students by meaningfully integrating Indigenous knowledge within academic spaces.
SESSION Re-Storying Science through Indigenous Relationship
Carly Ziniuk
(she/her)
Mathematics/Statistics/Research teacher | The Bishop Strachan School
Carly Ziniuk, 2016 Descartes Medalist, is a mathematics teacher. Part of the inaugural NASA Space Apps Collective, she demonstrated widely how to use astronomy resources in K-12 math classrooms and was selected by the NASA Space Apps YouTube Channel for “Data in Action” and “6 Steps to Design and Build.” Winner of the 2024 OAME/AOEM Award for Exceptional and Creative Teaching in Mathematics, Forbes magazine featured her 2024 total solar eclipse work. Extensive writing and speaking experiences include the National Gallery of Canada, NCTM, TVOntario/ILC along with Science Communication certifications from RCIScience, Let’s Talk Science, and Seneca Polytechnic.