Jennifer (Jenn) is a Professor in Health and Exercise Sciences at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan. She is committed to generating a collaborative network to support the growth and retention of girls/women and underrepresented persons in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

Jenn will undertake this by knowledge discovery of the positive factors that contribute to pursuing, remaining, and thriving in STEM arenas and apply this to strategies that are grounded in three themes of inclusion, Collaboration, and innovation to create a meaningful impact for girls/women and underrepresented persons across British Columbia and Yukon.

She was the Associate Chair Westcoast Women in Engineering Science and Technology (WWEST; 2018-2020), and founding director of the integrative STEM Team Advancing networks of Diversity (iSTAND) Program. Through these programs she worked towards increasing diversity across STEM fields through engaging, mentoring and supporting youth and women in STEM activities that facilitate self-awareness, and professional understanding to empower organizational change through independent contributions.

Dr. Jakobi is a Killam Laureate, has ~100 publications and has acquired ~3 million dollars in funding to support her research in exercise neuroscience, where she has had the privilege of mentoring ~80 trainees over the last 18years of academia. In particular, she applies various surface and indwelling electromyography and imaging techniques to understand sex-specific age-related decline that contributes to greater loss of functional abilities in women compared to men with increasing age. Her research activities have been funded through the 3 tri-council agencies, as well as provincial and industry partners.

Dr. Jakobi has been a member of the UBCO community since 2008 and integral in the growth and development of the undergraduate and graduate programs in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences. She has served as undergraduate and graduate coordinators within the School, as well as Associate Dean for the Faculty, and Dean Pro Tem for the College of Graduate Studies. She was named as a change-builder in an elite group of Women Leaders (2017) by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, and was recently recognized with a Volunteer Appreciation Award (2019) by said organization.

Rebecca holds a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership, as well as two undergraduate degrees in Education and Kinesiology. As the Project Manager for WWEST and iSTAND (integrative STEM Team Advancing Networks of Diversity) , she is committed to making meaningful connections between STEM and underrepresented populations throughout BC and the Yukon.

Rebecca works on bridging BC education curriculum and STEM outreach/mentorship activities, and advocating for equity, diversity and inclusion through WWEST and iSTAND events and opportunities.

Rebecca participates in learning, travel, and fitness related challenges, to stay grounded.

Contact: rebecca.mccullough@ubc.ca 

Bob has a BSc and BEd and many years of experience in the science classroom. He is eager to engage and facilitate learning with underrepresented populations through hands-on activities, to increase awareness, engagement, and understanding of STEM. Bob is excited to explore and develop additional mentorship opportunities for educators to increase engagement for girls, women, and underrepresented populations in STEM fields.

Contact: wwest.ok@ubc.ca

 

Contact: wwest.ok@ubc.ca

Ashishvangh has a master’s in journalism and a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary performance from the University of British Columbia. Through her role as a producer and host of the podcast, Ashishvangh aims to connect with women and gender-diverse trailblazers in STEM, hear about their lives and careers, as well as open the floor to conversations surrounding the challenges of underrepresentation in the industry.

Contact: ashishvanghvc@gmail.com