About Me

Samantha is a woman wearing large glasses with wavy hair. She is smiling over her shoulder at a bouquet of dried flowers in a professional headshot.

I am a disabled and neurodivergent science communications specialist with a drive to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion within STEM fields. I graduated Valedictorian from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Science Psychology in 2019, and from Laurentian University with a Master’s in Science Communication in 2020. I am currently a part-time PhD student in the Department of English Language and Literature at the University of Waterloo, with research interests in science communication and rhetoric of disabled role models in STEM.

I combine my passions for psychology, my expertise in science communication, and my lived experience with disability and mental illness to advance equity in postsecondary and STEM environments. I want to learn new things, geek out, and share my passions with anyone who will listen. Ask me about anxiety, particle accelerators, and exploding seed pods.

Current Work

  • As Disability Inclusion Coordinator at the University of Waterloo, I work with a team advancing institutional accessibility for all and inclusion initiatives for the disability community. I am responsible for leading the strategic planning of community networks, as well as designing consultation and compensation frameworks.

  • I am currently a first year PhD Student in the department of English Language and Literature at the University of Waterloo. My research interests include science communication and the rhetoric of disabled role models in STEM.

  • I co-lead a visibility project for people in STEM with disabilities. The project hosted the first Ontario Summit for Students with Disabilities in February 2024.

    STEM With Disabilities website

  • I’m excited to be judging for the 2023 Science Writers and Communicators of Canada Science Writing award!

    Science Book Awards

Past Work

  • Science Slam Canada websiteScience Slam Canada engages science experts and enthusiasts from across Canada to share their passion for STEM as creatively as possible to a panel of judges and an enthusiastic audience!

    Science Slam Canada website

  • TGC conducts research and develops innovative programs to support women in STEM across Canada achieve economic equity. TGC shares their findings in beautiful, compelling, accessible ways. As a Canada Centre of Excellence for Immigrant Women in STEM, programs integrate feminist values to ensure equitability.

    Working on a small team as the Knowledge Mobilization and Communications Coordinator, I led TGC’s website, social media, partner and stakeholder outreach, and content development.

    2023

    Learn more at TGC.

  • At Western Engineering Outreach, we ensured all youth had equitable access to engineering and coding. I led initiatives including Queering Engineering, Western Engineering Beginnings for Black Youth, Just for Girls summer camps, and InSTEM programs to support Indigenous communities in finding STEM connections with their Land-Based Learning.

    Outreach Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Coordinator

    2021 - 2023

  • The ACHWM was designed with Two Eyed Seeing to support Indigenous communities in measuring their children’s wellness using both Traditional Knowledge and western scientific practices. I led the health education content development for Valuing Indigenous Emotional Wellness.

    ACHWM Coordinator

    2020 - 2021

  • Spinning an internship into a part-time contract, I developed and implemented the first organizational communications strategy for the Canadian Society of Soil Science. Emphasizing public outreach and member engagement, I shared the wonders of soil through social media, the Grounded in Soils blog, and a Science Rendezvous outreach project.

    Social Media and Blog Manager

    2020 - 2021

  • After four years volunteering with University of Waterloo Campus Wellness, I used my experience and creativity to re-imagine the Peer Health Education program for better efficiency and campus impact. I managed four volunteer teams in spreading harms reduction, evidence-based education about mental, physical, and sexual health.

    Peer Health Education Coordinator

    2015 - 2019

  • TRIUMF is Canada’s particle accelerator centre and emphasizes innovation in its research and communications. As part of a dynamic, creative team, I spent one co-op semester learning about science communications techniques to collaborate with topic experts to engage science enthusiasts, funders, and government regulators.

    Communications Assistant

    2017

  • It all began here, above a dinosaur museum, where I first fell in love with science communications as a Let’s Talk Science volunteer. I completed two co-op placements with Science Outreach, managing volunteers and fellow co-op students and leading science outreach development and delivery.

    Outreach Associate and Volunteer

    2015 - 2019