She Speaks STEM

Struggling to balance grad school and fitness? In this episode, Shana and Saanjali reflect on their own fitness journeys and the challenges of staying consistent while juggling academic life. They’re joined by special guest Laura-Ellen deVries, Lead Coach of Performance and Fitness at the University of Toronto, who offers evidence-based advice on getting started with a routine, building consistency, choosing training splits, navigating supplements, and more. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to optimize your routine, this episode offers practical insights to support your fitness goals, no matter where you’re starting from. Resources:IMPACT: https://kpe.utoronto.ca/sport-recreationrecreational-fitness-drop-sportsgroup-fitness-workouts/impact-trainingFitness Foundations: https://kpe.utoronto.ca/sport-recreationpersonal-training-services/fitness-foundationsGroup Fitness: https://kpe.utoronto.ca/sport-recreationrecreational-fitness-drop-sports/group-fitness-workoutsThis podcast is proudly supported by our club sponsor, Marisa Sterling, P.Eng, FEC, Assistant Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Professionalism at the University of Toronto. Learn more about her work at uofteng.ca/edi. We would also like to extend our gratitude to all of our funding sources, whose generous support makes this podcast possible. Visit us at https://gradswe.sa.utoronto.ca/ or @gradsweuoft on Instagram to learn more about our community and upcoming events!

In the first solo episode of She Speaks STEM, Shana sits down for a candid reflection on the past few weeks. She shares what she’s been reading and listening to over the Christmas break, what it’s really like to be a senior PhD student, and how her perspective has shifted as she steps into mentorship and starts thinking seriously about what it takes for a PhD defence. She also talks about why networking has become a bigger priority and how she’s using those conversations to explore career paths beyond the bench. Whether you’re in grad school, thinking about what’s next, or just figuring things out as you go, this episode is an honest look at growth, learning, and transition in STEM.This podcast is proudly supported by our club sponsor, Marisa Sterling, P.Eng, FEC, Assistant Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Professionalism at the University of Toronto. Learn more about her work at uofteng.ca/edi. We would also like to extend our gratitude to all of our funding sources, whose generous support makes this podcast possible. Visit us at https://gradswe.sa.utoronto.ca/ or @gradsweuoft on Instagram to learn more about our community and upcoming events!

In this episode of She Speaks STEM, hosts Clara and Rana sit down with two inspiring professors from the University of Toronto to explore the different paths to becoming a professor in academia. Joining us from the teaching stream is Professor Janet Lam (Mechanical & Industrial Engineering), whose career bridges impactful research in maintenance optimization with over a decade of excellence in engineering education. From industry collaborations to shaping the next generation of engineers, Janet has dedicated her work to making both teaching and applied research accessible, effective, and relevant.From the research stream, we welcome Professor Shoshanna Saxe (Civil & Mineral Engineering), Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Infrastructure. Shoshanna’s research investigates how the infrastructure we build shapes society and sustainability, asking critical questions about what and how we should build. Beyond her academic achievements, she contributes her expertise to advisory panels and public discourse, with her insights featured in outlets like The New York Times and Wired.Tune in to hear Janet and Shoshanna share their journeys through academia, their perspectives on teaching and research, and their advice for students considering a future in higher education. Stay until the end for a Q&A with our hosts!This podcast is proudly supported by our club sponsor, Marisa Sterling, P.Eng, FEC, Assistant Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Professionalism at the University of Toronto. Learn more about her work at uofteng.ca/edi. We would also like to extend our gratitude to all of our funding sources, whose generous support makes this podcast possible. Visit us at https://gradswe.sa.utoronto.ca/ or @gradsweuoft on Instagram to learn more about our community and upcoming events!

For our first episode exploring career paths after grad school, we invited Jeanette Southwood, P.Eng., FCAE, FEC, LL.D (honoris causa). A UofT Engineering alumna who currently serves as the Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Strategic Partnerships, at Engineers Canada, Jeanette has built an illustrious career in the climate resilience and sustainable cities sectors. Tune in to hear about her journey from chemical engineering student to award-winning engineer and leader, and keep listening to the end to hear some questions from Jeanette for our hosts!This podcast is proudly supported by our club sponsor, Marisa Sterling, P.Eng, FEC, Assistant Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Professionalism at the University of Toronto. Learn more about her work at uofteng.ca/edi. We would also like to extend our gratitude to all of our funding sources, whose generous support makes this podcast possible. Visit us at https://gradswe.sa.utoronto.ca/ or @gradsweuoft on Instagram to learn more about our community and upcoming events!

In this episode of She Speaks STEM, Shana sits down with Amir and Farshad, the President and VP Finance of the University of Toronto Graduate Students' Union (UTGSU). We discussed what the UTGSU is, how it advocates for graduate students, and where your student frees actually go. From financial transparency to underused campus resources, this conversation offers valuable insights into how the UTGSU supports graduate students—and how you can make the most of it. This podcast is proudly supported by our club sponsor, Marisa Sterling, P.Eng, FEC, Assistant Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Professionalism at the University of Toronto. Learn more about her work at uofteng.ca/edi. We would also like to extend our gratitude to all of our funding sources, whose generous support makes this podcast possible. Visit us at https://gradswe.sa.utoronto.ca/ or @gradsweuoft on Instagram to learn more about our community and upcoming events!

Celebrating IWD & Campus Initiatives with Marisa SterlingHow can we create more inclusive and supportive spaces in engineering? In this special International Women’s Day episode, we sit down with Marisa Sterling, Assistant Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Professionalism at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. We discuss the impact of IWD, the incredible initiatives happening across campus to support women in STEM, and Marisa’s inspiring journey—from bio-pharma engineering to leadership in professional engineering organizations.This podcast is proudly supported by our club sponsor, Marisa Sterling, P.Eng, FEC, Assistant Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Professionalism at the University of Toronto. Learn more about her work at uofteng.ca/edi. We would also like to extend our gratitude to all of our funding sources, whose generous support makes this podcast possible. Visit us at https://gradswe.sa.utoronto.ca/ or @gradsweuoft on Instagram to learn more about our community and upcoming events!

Ever wondered if grad school is the right path for you? In this episode, we dive into our personal journeys—why we chose to pursue graduate studies, the struggles we faced along the way, and the lessons we’ve learned. Whether you’re considering a direct transition from undergrad or thinking about returning after time in industry, this conversation offers candid insights to help you navigate your own decision-making process.Stayed till the end of the episode and interested in submitting an answer to the trivia question for a chance to win a gift card? Email us or message us on Instagram with your answers! ([email protected], @gradsweuoft)This podcast is proudly supported by our club sponsor, Marisa Sterling, P.Eng, FEC, Assistant Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Professionalism at the University of Toronto. Learn more about her work at uofteng.ca/edi. We would also like to extend our gratitude to all of our funding sources, whose generous support makes this podcast possible. Visit us at https://gradswe.sa.utoronto.ca/ or @gradsweuoft on Instagram to learn more about our community and upcoming events!

In our inaugural episode, we dive into what GradSWE is and a little bit about some of our members! Join us as we explore how we found  our place at GradSWE and our involvement in student clubs, featuring Shana Alexander, our President, Clara Phillips, our previous President, and Lindsay Stern, our VP Communications.This podcast is proudly supported by our club sponsor, Marisa Sterling, P.Eng, FEC, Assistant Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Professionalism at the University of Toronto. Learn more about her work at uofteng.ca/edi. We would also like to extend our gratitude to all of our funding sources, whose generous support makes this podcast possible. Visit us at https://gradswe.sa.utoronto.ca/ or @gradsweuoft on Instagram to learn more about our community and upcoming events!