Let's Talk Science Coordinator Turnover

As an undergraduate student at Ryerson University, Dana Wegierak showed a strong dedication to science outreach and building partnerships among scientific communities. In addition to serving on the Medical Physics Course Union and conducting research into new acoustic interactions with commercialized ultrasound contrast agents during her undergraduate career, she also volunteered with Let’s Talk Science at the Let’s Talk Cancer event and classroom activities. 

While pursuing her Master’s Degree, Dana began as a Let’s Talk Science Site Coordinator at Ryerson University in January 2018. As a Coordinator, she developed a new bubble physics workshop for high school and elementary students, based on her research in microbubbles with Dr. Michael Kolios. Under her leadership our volunteer base diversified and with it came new roles for volunteers, a monthly recognition initiative and mentorship opportunities for high school students. Dana was excellent at forging new partnerships across the University and with external supporters. In her final months with Let’s Talk Science, she was responsible for organizing the 2019 Let’s Talk Cancer Symposium and developing a partnership with a local high school to provide mentorship opportunities with graduate students in Biomedical Physics.

Dana finished her role with Let’s Talk Science in May 2019. We wish her luck as she embarks on a 3-month research placement in Cleveland and look forward to seeing her in the office when she returns to Ryerson University to complete her degree.

Adisa Julien will be taking over as a Site Coordinator for Let’s Talk Science. He is currently a graduate student in Dr. Stephanie Melles’ lab at Ryerson University, focusing on spatial ecology. As a curious child with a love for science, Adisa grew up to pursue an undergraduate degree from South Carolina State University where he served as a Board Member on MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences). This experience and others led him to identify a disconnect between individuals in the STEM field and the general public which has fueled a passion for science outreach and communication. Over the course of his academic career Adisa has shifted focus from pure environmental science to a more interdisciplinary and public facing study of science. 

Having seen the benefits of science education programs that are both fun and accessible to everyone, Adisa has intentionally developed his skills as an educator through his role as a tutor for high school students and a teaching assistant over the past two years. He is excited to create a positive and lasting influence on the next generation of scientists through his work with Let’s Talk Science.

Adisa will join Leigh Paulseth as a Let’s Talk Science Site Coordinator at Ryerson University. Let’s Talk Science programs are run out of the Faculty of Science’s outreach office, called SciXchange. Adisa and Leigh share a background in environmental science and look forward to strengthening SciXchange’s green policies, offering more environmental science programming through Let’s Talk Science, and partnering with internal and external organizations to make all kinds of science accessible and fun for youth and the general public.