Inspiring Discovery

People

	Name: Samantha Benton, Executive Coordinator Where I’m from: Dunrobin, Ontario (near Ottawa) I'm researching: I’m a PhD candidate in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. I study biomarkers of pre-eclampsia, a disorder that affects pregnant women. I'm located off-campus at BC Women's Hospital and the Child and Family Research Institute. Responsibilities: I oversee the Let’s Talk Science program, managing logistics, initiatives and growth. Volunteer recognition and appreciation is also high on my list of priorities! Email: samantha@ubclts.com. My favourite part about Let’s Talk Science: The fantastic volunteers who make time in their busy schedules to share their love of science with kids in our community!
	Name: Jennifer Choo, Community Events Coordinator Where I’m from: Victoria, British Columbia I’m researching: I am currently working on my PhD in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Responsibilities: From classroom visits to science fairs, I coordinate participation of Let’s Talk Science volunteers in various activities happening in the community throughout the year. Email: jennifer@ubclts.com My favourite part about Let’s Talk Science: Getting kids excited about science! With science as a topic typically misconstrued as boring, there truly isn't anything much more satisfying than shattering that stereotype.
	Name: Véronique Lecault, Executive Assistant Where I’m from: Mirabel, Québec I'm researching: I'm a PhD Candidate in the department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. I develop high-throughput microfluidic cell culture platforms for the study of blood stem cells. Responsibilities: I am responsible for overseeing the program's finances, including budgeting, fundraising and processing expense claims. I also support our team of coordinators in all administrative aspects of the program and take care of office hours. Email: veronique@ubclts.com My favourite part about Let’s Talk Science: The awesome group of dedicated volunteers I have met along the way and the spark in children's eyes when they learn something new about science.
	Name: Alina Chan, Partnership Program and InFOCUS Coordinator Where I'm from: Singapore I'm studying: Chromosomal instability using yeast as a model organism Responsibilities: Assisting UBC students and high school teachers in organizing and delivering curriculum-based hands-on workshops. Email: partnership@ubclts.com My favourite part about Let’s Talk Science: Working with teachers and volunteers to achieve our science outreach goals!
	Name: Heather McFarlane, Mentorship Coordinator Where I’m from: Kingston, Ontario I’m studying: Plant cell biology in the Samuels Lab. Specifically, I study how lipids move around inside of cells and how plants make and export their protective lipid coating. Responsibilities: I coordinate the Science Fair Mentorship program. We partner LTS volunteers with high school students from Vancouver's East Side who want extra guidance and resources for their science fair projects. Email: heather@ubclts.com My favourite part about Let’s Talk Science: The amazing science projects!
	Name: Sherie Duncan, Rural Trip Outreach Coordinator I'm from: Burnaby, BC I'm studying: How white blood cells like macrophages and neutrophils are activated by gram negative bacteria such as E. coli. I'm interested in what surface receptors are required for early responses in these white blood cells (during the first 5 minutes to 24 hours following initial bacterial contact). Responsibilities: In partnership with Genome BC, I organize UBC LTS trips to classrooms and communities in areas of British Columbia outside of the Lower Mainland. Email: trips@ubclts.com My favourite part about Let’s Talk Science: Visiting kids in remote areas of B.C.
	Name: Rebecca Ko, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator Where I'm from: Vancouver, British Columbia I'm researching: I'm a graduate student in Neuroscience. Responsibilities: I recruit and motivate volunteers, respond to volunteer inquiries, and follow up with volunteers throughout their involvement in the LTS program. Email: volunteer@ubclts.com My favourite part about Let's Talk Science: Building and maintaining relationships between LTS and graduate students who are passionate about science outreach!
	Name: Aqsa Malik, SMaRT Coordinator Where I'm from: Brampton, Ontario (near Toronto) I'm studying: I am a doctoral student studying neuroscience in the MacVicar Lab. Responsibilities: I coordinate the SMaRT program. I liaise between the UBC Community Learning Initiative (UBC-CLI) and LTS to ensure that UBC grads and undergrads deliver exciting, hands-on activities to elementary school students in the Downtown Eastside. Email: smart@ubclts.com My favourite part about Let's Talk Science: The tri-mentorship structure of the SMaRT program. I think it's valuable to engage UBC students at the graduate level so they can provide guidance and mentorship to undergrads. Undergrads learn from this experience and pay it forward as they mentor elementary school students.

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