ISSUE NO.4
Ft. Jeanette Adjoin
ISSUE NO.3
Ft. Dr. Kameron King
ISSUE NO.1
The Introduction
Available Issues
"Our world is diverse. The only way that we can better our world is if the people leading the sciences reflect the population we serve. More diversity equals more perspectives; more perspectives equal more ideas; more ideas equal more solutions; more solutions equal a brighter world. " - Allysia Chin
Academic Background
HBSc Chemical Biology, McMaster University
MD-PhD Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto
Research Focus
Chemically synthesizing 3-D mimics for cancer modelling
As a young girl, I was always fascinated by the sciences. I spent a lot of time playing outside and embracing nature: the sky, insects, trees. Eventually, as I was exposed to more advanced scientific concepts throughout high school and university--more specifically the interplay between medicine and scientific discovery--it became very apparent that a career in STEM was right for me.
I also noticed the significant underrepresentation of Black-identifying individuals in scientific research and medicine, and how this underrepresentation contributes to health disparities that we see in equity-deserving communities. Ultimately, these experiences motivated me to change the face of science and medicine.
ISSUE NO.2
Allysia Chin
STEM Magazine
A Q&A with
Allysia Chin
What has been the biggest challenge pursuing a career in STEM as a black woman?
The biggest challenge is the lack of empathy and overall support. Since I am the only one who looks like me or has walked the same path as me 99% of the time, it is hard to find individuals to provide guidance or emotional support.
Although we have seen recent pushes for increased awareness and equity-related initiatives, there remains a lot of work to be done.
A Q&A with
Allysia Chin
Who is your biggest inspiration (in STEM or otherwise)?
Scientifically, my biggest inspiration is my undergraduate thesis supervisor, Dr. Juliet Daniel. She is a professor of cancer biology (and the only Black-identifying professor in biology at McMaster U) who is largely interested in elucidating why Black women diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer have poorer outcomes compared to white women. She is a fantastic mentor (to me and likely all other Black science students at Mac) and has opened the doors for so many young, Black scientists.
In other aspects of life – my mom. She is my biggest supporter and has sacrificed so much in her life to help me succeed. I LOVE YOU MOM!
A Q&A with
Allysia Chin
What piece of advice or tip would you give to someone pursuing a career in your field currently
Biomedical and chemical engineering is heavily lacking in melanin. Thus, it can be daunting to consider embarking on the treacherous journey that is academia where you will be up against microaggressions, discrimination, doubt, and loneliness. However, it is for these reasons that we must put ourselves in these places - to show up and show out.
So, the piece of advice that I would give is to persevere. Also, surround yourself with likeminded people and mentors. It’s much easier said than done, but you can do it sis!
A Q&A with
Allysia Chin
If you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. As someone who experienced a heavy Caribbean-upbringing, being curious and asking “why” or better yet “why not” is something that was strongly discouraged. Sometimes, I believe that this upbringing has contributed to my reluctancy in being the Sherlock Homes of Science. To this end, if I could go back in time, I would encourage myself to be *slightly* more daring.