You are now in the main content area

Meet our SciXchange Team

Emily headshot

Dr. Emily Agard - Director

Emily earned a B.Sc. (honours) in life sciences from Queen's University and a Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Toronto.  She taught biology at York University and the University of Toronto at Scarborough before joining Toronto Metropolitan University as an assistant professor, where she teaches immunology.  Currently, as the diirector of SciXchange, she is focused on making science accessible, engaging and inclusive of all groups and is mentor to many youth in the community. She is currently the chapter ambassador for Technovation Girls (external link)  Toronto. Emily regularly facilitates science enrichment activities and mentoring programs for elementary and secondary students. She embraces opportunities to speak about learning and applying science in everyday life and various career paths.  In her spare time, Emily also enjoys music, travel, sports and photography. She recently completed a certificate in photography studies through the Chang School at Toronto Metropolitan University.

 

  Follow her on Twitter @ProfAgard

  Connect with her on LinkedIn

Learn more at profagard.com (external link) 

Leigh Headshot

Leigh Paulseth - Enrichment & Outreach Coordinator

Leigh coordinates SciXchange’s science outreach programs and manages our network of volunteers within and outside of the Toronto Metropolitan Univeristy community. She has a B.Sc. in conservation biology and Master of Resource and Environmental Management which fuelled her passion to work with communities to protect biodiversity. Leigh worked in the environmental non-profit sector for 6 years where she developed environmental education and community engagement programs and gained skills in volunteer management and science communication.  She joined Toronto Metropolitan Univeristy's science outreach office in 2016 ready to build strong networks to promote STEM education and science literacy opportunities. In this capacity she works to support underrepresented voices in STEM sectors to strengthen the science community. She coordinated the first Soapbox Science (external link, opens in new window)  event in Canada in 2017. Leigh loves to share all kinds of science knowledge and is particularly passionate about supporting the ways in which society intersects with the science community. You can often find Leigh enjoying a Ken Ken puzzle, watching the latest sci fi series or spreading the word about protecting our planet.

Caleb Wesley

Caleb Wesley - Coordinator, Indigenous Knowledge & Science Outreach

Caleb is a member of the Moose Cree First Nation. He holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from York University where he completed the university’s Waaban Indigenous Teacher Education program and received his teaching degree in junior/intermediate general science education. Through his teacher training, he had the opportunity to work with Indigenous students and teachers in the TDSB. His journey in education began at York University’s Science Engagement Programs where he worked as a science engagement instructor. He was the program coordinator of the CanCode digital literacy outreach program and brought digital literacy programming to over 1500 students across the Toronto District School Board. Caleb has worked previously as the Indigenous Outreach Assistant at JUMP Math where he supported both Indigenous teacher candidates and on-reserve schools to build math literacy in their classrooms. Most recently, Caleb worked as the online learning coordinator for LGBT YouthLine. As online learning coordinator, he worked to build an engaging and comprehensive training program for LGBT YouthLine’s peer support program. Caleb brings his passion and experience in science enrichment and outreach programming to our work at SciXchange. He is especially excited to make space for Indigenous brilliance and academics at Toronto Metropolitan University!

Mikayla Li

Mikayla Li - Departmental Assistant

Mikayla graduated from OCAD University with a Bachelor of Design specializing in jewellery design and fabrication. She has a wide variety of experience in different companies and industries, including jewellery, banking and medicine. In recent years, Mikayla has become passionate about human-centred design and is on a journey to learn and apply her user research and design skills in digital design projects. She is eager to use her diverse skill sets to advocate STEM programs for youths and help them succeed in their future careers. Over the weekend, you can find her editing videos for THE UX Lounge Podcast (external link) , which aims to connect students with industry professionals to learn about their day-to-day roles and navigate their career trajectory in UX. In her free time, Mikayla is an avid foodie who loves exploring new cuisines in Toronto.

Headshot of Iffat
Iffat Pithia - Let's Talk Science Coordinator

Iffat, a project coordinator with over five years of diverse experience, is currently pursuing a Master's in Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Toronto Metropolitan University. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Daffodil International University, she actively contributed as a Campus Ambassador for the Google Developers Group of Bangla. In her prior role at Aspire to Innovate, UNDP Bangladesh, Iffat showcased adept project management skills, successfully steering initiatives with global partners, shaping the digital landscape, and the startup ecosystem for the Government of Bangladesh and UNDP across Yemen, Turkey, South Sudan, and Somalia. Fueled by a passion for positive change through innovation, currently Iffat has transitioned into the role of Let's Talk Science Coordinator. Here, she actively promotes STEM education and strives to amplify underrepresented voices within the field. Beyond her professional pursuits, Iffat is dedicated to building networks and fostering community strength within the dynamic realm of science. In her spare time, she truly enjoys spending time with family, reading, swimming, and traveling.

 Connect with her on LinkedIn (external link) .

Headshot of young man with dark hair, glasses, medium complexion, wearing blue top and blue sweater, with blurred greenery in the backgorund

Faheem Mosam - Let's Talk Science Digital Literacy Coordinator

Faheem earned an honours B.Sc. in medical physics (minors in mathematics and philosophy) from Toronto Metropolitan University and also holds a diploma in marketing from Sheridan College. He is currently in his third year of his PhD in Complex Systems Physics where he researches the emergence of structure in computational systems, specifically, brains. Faheem has been involved with science outreach from his days as an undergraduate doing everything from live demonstrations of decaying radioactive substances, to talks about the importance of radiation protection, on stage at the Ontario Science Centre. In his spare time he really enjoys rock climbing, playing music, spending time with family, and solving puzzles. Faheem is excited to help inspire future scientists understand the world around them!

Headshot of young woman with black hair draped over right shoulder, brown eyes, medium complexion, wearing black top, with blurred greenery in the background

Raveena Sureshkumar - Let's Talk Science Climate Coordinator

Raveena is in her 2nd year of the Environmental Applied Science and Management Master’s program at Toronto Metropolitan University. She completed her B.Sc in Biology in Toronto Metropolitan University. She is working as a climate change coordinator to help deliver climate change-specific programming, including events, workshops and activities to youth and the general public. Raveena is passionate about raising awareness about climate change and advocating for the actions we can take to combat it. Raveena’s favourite things to do in her free time include going on nature walks, playing tennis, and reading.

Sofia Verduga

Sofia Verduga - Student Outreach Lead

Sofia is a fourth-year student in the biomedical science program at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is passionate about getting youth involved in science conversations and providing them with the support and encouragement they need to succeed in their studies. By working as a science outreach and communication student lead, Sofia was responsible for planning and delivering science-related material to children for the Eureka summer camp and continues working with the team. Her role at SciXchange has allowed her to explore her passion for increasing science engagement by teaching content in fun and creative ways, such as contributing to the SciXchange Tik Tok page. In her spare time, Sofia also tutors students from elementary to high school in biology and chemistry. She also enjoys exploring new cities, going to the beach and spending time with friends and family.

Gurleen Kaur

Gurleen Kaur - Student Outreach Lead

Gurleen is a fourth-year student in the medical physics program at Toronto Metropolitan University, also working towards a minor in computer science. She is passionate about getting young children and youth involved in science by providing opportunities for them to develop observational, problem-solving and analytical skills while increasing their fundamental knowledge and creativity. Her goal working as a science outreach and communication student lead at SciXchange is to reach out to young children and youth through schools, social media, outreach activities, different programs and events. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, trying new recipes, reading  and spending time with family. 

Kid Naary headshot

Kid Naary Branco - Student Outreach Lead

Kid Naary is a third-year student at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is pursuing a minor in biology and a major in child and youth care as part of the faculty of community services. As a Toronto Metropolitan Student, Kid Naary is deeply passionate about healthcare, eager to contribute her knowledge and skills to improve the well-being of individuals and make a positive impact in the field. She is also passionate about increasing the accessibility and affordability of STEM educational opportunities and programs for youth in Toronto. Kid Naary creates and delivers a scientific-based curriculum for children at the Eureka summer camp as part of her responsibilities as the science outreach and communication student lead at SciXchange. In her spare time she enjoys playing the bass and spending time with her pets Jennifer and Lucky. 

Headshot of Abigail Willie - long brown hair, smiling, wire rim glasses, red blouse
Abigail Willie - Student Outreach Lead

Abigail is a second-year student in the financial mathematics program at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is passionate about increasing the accessibility of STEM-focused education, specifically in mathematics. She aims to support youth in building a positive relationship with mathematics. As a science outreach and communication lead for SciXchange, Abigail organizes outreach initiatives for students of all ages. Using her interest and passion for all things mathematics, Abigail is currently developing technology-integrated, mathematics-focused content to implement in a new outreach initiative. In her spare time, she enjoys drawing, painting, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family.

 Connect with her on LinkedIn (external link) .

Riley

Riley - Chief Morale Officer

Riley is an Australian bernedoodle born May 17, 2018 at Swissridge Kennels (external link, opens in new window)  in Schomberg, Ontario.  His mother Noelle (external link, opens in new window)  is a Bernese mountain dog and his father Levi (external link, opens in new window)  is an Australian labradoodle.  Before moving to his forever home with Emily Agard, Riley spent 2 months living with dog trainer Agnes Beau through the Swissridge imprinting program (external link, opens in new window) .  Once home with Emily, Riley took puppy conditioning level 2 classes with Deena Cooper (external link, opens in new window) . A smart, eager to please puppy, Riley continued working with Deena and his "pawrents" on training.  On April 2, 2019, Riley proudly passed his Canine Good Neighbour (external link, opens in new window)  evaluation tests approved by the Canadian Kennel Club (external link, opens in new window) . The exam consisted of 12 tests Riley and the other pups performed over a period of almost 1.5 hours!  When he was an adolescent, he continued training with Dan Josselyn (external link, opens in new window)  of Golden Rule Dog Training (external link, opens in new window) . Some of Riley's older siblings, like Myca (external link, opens in new window)  and Shep (external link) , are St. John Ambulance therapy dogs. Perhaps when Riley is old enough, he can be one of Toronto Metropolitan University's official therapy dogs.  Currently this sweet boy enjoys making new friends and learning new tricks.