Black History Month is not just a time to look back at history. It is also a chance to celebrate the people making history right now. Across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), students, researchers, and professionals are doing meaningful work that is shaping the future in real and lasting ways. In this WiSER interview feature, four emerging STEM leaders at the University of Alberta share their journeys, the mentors who shaped them, the challenges they face, and the advice they offer to the next generation.
Meet the Voices
Favour
– BSc. Student in Civil Engineering
Allana
– M.Eng Student
– Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgy and 4 years working as a process engineer.
Anonymous
– Holds a Master’s degree
Aderonke
– PhD Student in Biology
– MSc in Ecology, Evolution and Environmental System Sciences, with over 10 years of experience in STEM.
Why did you choose to pursue a career in STEM? How have mentors influenced your career choice?
“I chose to pursue STEM because I was drawn to its structured problem solving approach and its tangible impact on society. Civil engineering, in particular, allows me to engage with real-world systems infrastructure, transportation, environmental design that shape how communities function. I appreciate that the field requires both analytical rigor and long-term thinking.
Mentorship has significantly influenced my trajectory. Being a part of structured programs such as the Elite Program, BYMLP, and the WIE Program has helped ignite my passion and demystify the field. Seeing individuals who successfully navigated similar academic and professional paths made the process feel more attainable. Mentors have provided both technical guidance and clarity about how to strategically build experience early in my career.”
-Favour, BSc. Student in Civil Engineering
“The new challenges, various chemical processes while also actually seeing the results of your work.”
-Allana, MSc. Student in Chemical Engineering
“As a born and raised African girl child and growing in a culture where society expects nothing much from women, I committed myself to be a part of the minority group in the engineering field. Diversity is a celebrated norm rather than an exception. Too often, the lived experiences of black women are overlooked leading to a disconnect of access and resources. All these stories and my own experiences fueled me to pursue my career in STEM in order to disentangle the tapestry of culture, motivate and be a role a model to my fellow blacks before me.”
-Anonymous
“I have always been fascinated by biology as a whole. The very existence of life, and the complex interactions between organisms and their environment fascinated me. As a neurodivergent person, I find it hard to do anything I am uninterested in so I naturally chose to stay in STEM. Summarily, I chose STEM because I liked it.
As for mentors, I have had people I found inspiring over the years, one of which is my current supervisor. She stood out to me as an example of a woman who could be a brilliant scientist and communicator while being a warm person.
Outside of my very new mentorship relationship with her, I haven’t received significant mentoring from women in my field.”
-Aderonke, PhD Student in Biology
How do you incorporate your unique perspective, creativity, or cultural background into your technical work?
“By combining my various experiences and perspectives in order to identify a solution as well as encouraging an inclusive environment.”
-Allana, MSc. Student in Chemical Engineering
“I come from a culture that encourages adaptability. I have found that this helps a lot in my research as there are a lot of situations where I have to pivot and readjust. This adaptability also translates well into creativity. I think there is this idea that being a scientist means depending only on logical thinking. However you frequently need to think creatively to interpret the data you collect. Being a good scientist is at its core becoming an adventurer, and adventuring is rarely ever predictable. This is where adaptability and creative thinking become really useful.”
-Aderonke, PhD Student in Biology
“I tend to approach engineering problems with both analytical precision and design awareness. My interests outside of engineering particularly in visual communication and creative projects influence how I think about structure and space. I often consider not only whether a design works technically, but how it integrates into its environment.
Additionally, my background encourages me to think about access, sustainability, and long-term community impact. I am intentional about understanding who benefits from engineering decisions and how technical solutions can be optimized to serve broader populations.”
-Favour, BSc. Student in Civil Engineering
“By combining my various experiences and perspectives in order to identify a solution as well as encouraging an inclusive environment”
-Anonymous
How do you incorporate your unique perspective, creativity, or cultural background into your technical work?
Responses ranged from 2-4, with most around 2 and 3.
If you could change one thing about the STEM environment to make it more inclusive for Black professionals, what would it be?
“I would prioritize structured pathways for mentorship and leadership development. Recruitment is important, but long-term inclusion requires sustained investment in retention and advancement. Increasing representation at senior technical and decision-making levels would normalize diversity within the field and provide clearer models of professional progression.”
-Favour, BSc. Student in Civil Engineering
“Fair and equal access to opportunity information”
-Anonymous
“Sensitivity training regarding the incorporation of Black professionals. This will result in workers being able to listen and not just hear the suggestions made by Black professionals.”
-Allana, MSc. student in Chemical Engineering
“I would improve visibility for senior black scientists. Imposter syndrome can be very draining when you don’t see any examples of people like you having succeeded. If black professionals were given more visibility, I think it would be helpful for early career professionals like me.”
-Aderonke, PhD Student in Biology
What advice would you give to other Black people interested in pursuing STEM related jobs?
“I would advise my fellow black professionals to stand out in confidence and take roles. As long as you can dream it, you can make it.”
-Anonymous
“Never let yourself start to believe that you don’t belong in STEM. Anyone can be a good scientist and everyone has something unique to offer. The idea that you should be twice as good to prove yourself as a black scientist will only wear you out. Deciding to start on this journey is already good enough, you will learn to be better as you go along.”
-Aderonke, PhD Student in Biology
“Focus on building competence and confidence simultaneously. Seek out mentors, research opportunities, internships, and projects early even before you feel fully prepared. Also, understand that perspective is valuable in technical fields. Diverse lived experiences contribute to more comprehensive problem-solving, which is essential in engineering and science.”
-Favour, BSc. Student in Civil Engineering
“Focus on your goal and never lose your voice. Focus on identifying how your knowledge and background is an asset and not a liability.”
-Allana, MSc. Student in Chemical Engineering
“Black professionals have contributed to STEM in meaningful ways across generations. Continued visibility, mentorship, and institutional support will be important in ensuring that talent is recognized and developed equitably.”
–Favour
These interviews were conducted and compiled by Laura Enekegho.
WiSER 