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Soapbox Science Toronto - 2025

Soapbox Science (external link)  is a global public outreach platform for promoting women and non-binary scientists and the science that they do. Our next event will be at the Word on the Street (WOTS) (external link)  festival on Saturday, September 27, and Sunday September 28 at David Pecault Square, 215 King St. W., Toronto. 

Saturday Soapbox Speakers

Sept. 27, 12:00 - 3:00 pm

Our speakers are experts in their fields and will be available to answer your burning questions about things like: Are all parasites bad? Can I eat a purple cookie? How does an electromagnetic field affect my health? From the mysteries of the universe to plastics in our environment, these amazing scientists will be sure to ignite your curiosity and the inner scientist in everyone!

Headshot of Ericka De Oliveira - Woman with shoulder length curly hair, wearing black jacket, smiling with teeth showing

Ericka De Oliveira

Toronto Metropolitan University

Analytical Chemistry

Headshot of Sarah Machado-Marques - Woman with shoulder length brown hair, wearing black and white off-shoulder blouse, smiling showing teeth

Sarah Machado-Marques

York University

Applied Mathematics

Paria Mohammadzadeh headshot - Woman with dark hair, wearing denim shirt, smiling showing teeth

Paria Mohammadzadeh

York University

Wireless Communication

Hina Tabassum headshot - Woman with black hijab, glasses, red shirt, smiling with mouth closed

Dr. Hina Tabassum

York University

Telecommunication Engineering

Encieh Erfani headshot - Woman with brown hair, green glasses, red earrings, smiling with mouth closed

Dr. Encieh Erfani

Perimeter Institute

Cosmology

Destina Mattrasingh headshot - woman with shoulder length brown curly hair, wearing blouse with floral print, smiling showing teeth

Destina Mattrasingh

University of Guelph

Microbiology and Bioinformatics

Headshot of Alexx Riemenshcneider - woman with long brown hair, wearing black and grey sweater, smiling with teeth showing

Alexx Riemenschneider

University of Toronto

Oncology/Cell Biology

Ishrat Zahan headshot - Woman with dark hair, wearing stud earrings, navy blazer with white shirt, smiling showing teeth

Ishrat Zahan

University of Guelph

Plant Agriculture

Rachel Goldberg headshot - Woman with long brown hair, wearing dark red turtle neck and black jacket, smiling with teeth showing

Rachel Goldberg

Toronto Metropolitan University

Disease Ecology

Jolie Miller headshot - Woman with red curly hair, wearing floral sleevless top, necklace, smiling with mouth closed

Jolie Miller

University of Toronto

Environmental Chemistry

Headshot of Sinthuja Sugathas - woman with long black wavy hair, wearing drop earrings and red-orange blouse, smiling showing teeth

Sinthuja Sugathas

University of Guelph

Food Science

Time Soapbox A Soapbox B Soapbox C Soapbox D
12-1 Alexx Riemenschneider   Sinthuja Sugathas Paria Mohammadzadeh
1-2 Ericka De Oliveira Ishrat Zahan Dr. Hina Tabassum Destina Mattrasingh
2-3 Sarah Machado-Marques Rachel Goldberg Jolie Miller  Dr. Encieh Erfani

Sunday Soapbox Speakers

Sept. 28, 12:00 - 2:00 pm

This is your chance to ask those burning questions about how our wild and wonderful world works! Our Soapbox Speakers will bring their expertise in science, medicine and the environment in a fun, ask-me-anything format. Don’t have a question? Don’t worry - we’ll have a few to get you started.

Time Name Title Role Institution
12-1 Dr. Sila Appak Baskoy Ask me about how cancer spreads Senior Research Scientist Toronto Metropolitan University
12-1 Reema Kumar Ask me about the stuff in your green bin PhD Candidate York University
1-2 Dr. Sarah McColman Ask me about tiny medicine Post Doc University of Toronto
1-2 Dr. Imogen Coe Ask me about how science works Professor Toronto Metropolitan University