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Nadia O. Laschuk
Research Assistant,
Ontario Tech University
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I have never had to settle in a place I did not want to be.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
I am a materials chemist. That means I develop responsive materials using chemistry that can be applied for real devices (such as in cars, windows, lenses, etc.)!
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS FIELD?
In high school, I was very independent in my chemistry studies. Reading the textbook nightly, I realized I loved the content and this major was perfect for me!
WHAT DO YOU LOOK AT & THINK, "I WISH YOUNGER ME WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS POSSIBLE?"
I wish I believed in high school that I was capable of doing anything I wanted. Everyone tells you that university is tough. No one was there telling me that if you're a good student, university is just fine! I think I made a lot of poor choices because I didn't believe in myself.
WHY DO YOU LOVE WORKING IN STEM?
I love math! The best part of my job is applying numbers to determine real parameters about my materials. I spend weeks making devices, and then calculations are performed to justify their efficiency. It's the highlight of each material for me.
BEST ADVICE FOR NEXT GENERATION?
I have had an easy time finding good work with good pay because I am a woman in STEM. I have never had to settle in a place I did not want to be because I pursued a degree in STEM.
INSPO / FUN FACT
"Newton, forgive me." - Einstein reflecting on how his work would change what was believed by scientists to be whole and true (Newtonian mechanics).