What is Girls in STEAM?
MPL is excited to introduce Girls in STEAM, a 8-week program crafted for Grade 9 girls to inspire their passion for the sciences and explore careers in STEAM fields. This dynamic program provides a fantastic chance for mentorship, collaboration, and hands-on experiences.
Why Should You Join?
Boost Your Confidence: Discover your potential and gain the confidence to excel in STEAM.
Hands-On Learning: Engage in STEAM-based training and develop practical skills
Mentorship Opportunities: Connect with experienced mentors who can guide and inspire you.
Supportive Community: Join a network of peers and professionals committed to your success.
Real-World Projects: Work on a STEAM project with real-world. applications, showcasing your talent and creativity.
Certificate of Completion: Get a letter/certificate of completion to be used towards higher education applications.
Volunteer Hours: Get volunteer hours for participating in the program.
About the Program
Step into the empowering world of the Girls in STEAM program! Over the course of 6 immersive lessons, students will be:
- Introduced to STEAM Careers/Gender-based Bias in STEAM
- Introduced to Basic Coding
- Learning to 3D Print Models
- Developing a Research Proposal
Join us in this one of a kind opportunity to unravel your passions, uncover your strengths, and discover where your unique skills intersect within the vibrant realm of STEAM!"
Registration Opens: Monday, June 9th.
Application Deadline: Aug 29
Other Key Dates:
- The Kickoff Event will be held on Sat. Sept. 20 Angus Glen Library 2nd Floor, Fireside Lounge 9:00am to 12noon
- Meetups on Thursdays at Angus Glen Library from Sept. 25 to Nov. 13 from 5:30-8:00 pm
- Closing event will be held on Nov. 20 (location and time TBC)
How to Apply?
This program is exclusively for girls enrolled in Grade 9 as of Fall 2025. We have a limited number of spots available. You must have a strong interest in STEAM and be a highly self-motivated and committed student. Please submit your online application form along with a reference. The most suitable candidates will be selected to be part of the program. Please see here, opens a new window [PDF] for reference requirement.
Deadline to Apply: August 29, 2025
Mentors
Abigail Laverick
Neuroscience BSc
York University
Abigail (but you can call her Abby) is going into her fourth year in the Neuroscience BSc program at York University. Specifically, she is in systems neuroscience and her chief focus is larger scale operations of the brain and nervous system ie. neural circuits and networks. This past summer she had the amazing opportunity to work part time as a research assistant in the School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, doing data collection surrounding DEDI policies and initiatives in the field of physiotherapy. Additionally she volunteers in the anatomy lab, hosting tours for visiting high school students to view the facilities and equipment. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, weight lifting and cooking for her friends and family. She use she/her pronouns.
Alice Lam
Director, Operations
City of Markham
Alice is a registered Professional Engineer with 20 years of diverse and progressive technical and leadership experience. She graduated from the University of Toronto Civil Engineering program, beginning her career right away with the private consulting specializing in traffic engineering and planning. Shortly after, Alice joined the Ministry of Transportation and rotated through different areas such as urban planning, structural, traffic, intelligent transportation system, highway engineering and construction to gain multi-disciplinary experience.
In 2014, Alice joined the City of Markham's Engineering Department as their Manager of Infrastructure and Capital works to oversee the City's infrastructure projects. Alice is currently the Director of Operations for the City of Markham overseeing Roads, Parks, Fleets, Corridor Management and other Operations to ensure the City is operating seamlessly. She has led many innovative initiatives to continue industry advancement. She is most proud of her team dynamic and inclusion, as she knows they have each other’s back no matter what challenges they face. In her spare time, Alice volunteered as a mentor with the WTS (Women in Transportation Seminar) Toronto Chapter and PEO (Professional Engineers of Ontario) to give back to the community by helping other emerging leaders.
Amy Au
ACC, FCPC, FCBC, BSc.
Innovate You
Amy Au is an Executive Leadership Coach, ICF Certified (ACC), and Fascinate® Certified Advisor who radiates inspiring transformation. As the Founder of Innovate You, Amy empowers Women in STEM leaders and their teams to lead with confidence, embrace their unique value, and create positive impact through bold, authentic leadership.
With 25+ years in the tech sector, including two decades at a Global Fortune 500 company. Amy brings expertise in business analytics, tech-driven innovation, and leading change. Her journey as an Asian woman immigrant in STEM fuels her mission to uplift women, underrepresented leaders and build inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive and cultivating the next generation of trailblazing women leaders.
Amy is a best-selling co-author of “Evolution of Leadership in STEM – Women Catalyzing Change”, a 2024 ICF Toronto Volunteer of the Year, and an enthusiastic voice for self-promotion and confidence as a certified #IAmRemarkable facilitator.
Known for her energizing connection, innovative thinking, and deep empathy, Amy speaks on topics including leadership visibility, confidence, resilience, inclusive team cultures, navigating career transitions, and building executive presence with authenticity.
Celeste Ramnarine
Customer Success Manager,
DistillerSR
Celeste Ramnarine (she/her) is a dedicated information specialist and librarian, previously serving as a medical librarian at Oak Valley Health and currently a Customer Success Manager for DistillerSR. With an Honours Bachelor of Science and a Master of Information, both from the University of Toronto, Celeste has a strong foundation in health sciences, clinical research, and information sciences. Her expertise spans information management, health literacy, and community outreach. She holds executive positions with the Ontario Health Library and Information Association (OHLIA) and the Toronto Health Libraries Association (THLA). She is passionate about enhancing community wellness through accessible education, resources, and programming. Celeste also enjoys reading, trying new foods and spending time with her loved ones.
Denisa Necula
Brownfield Environmental Technologist
City of Markham
Denisa Necula is a Brownfield Environmental Technologist at the City of Markham with more than 15 years of experience dealing with brownfields and environmental concerns. Specializing in soil and groundwater contamination issues, Denisa uses that experience to help facilitate development approvals for City’s Engineering Department and Real Estate Group. Denisa loves that this program will give the participants a chance to explore different possibilities, and find their passion in STEM, but also give her and other professionals the opportunity to give back to the community.
Doris Eng
Senior Director of Finance
Griffith Foods
Doris is the lead finance for Griffith Foods Canada, where she helps make smart financial decisions that support how we make and deliver food products. Over the years, She has worked in finance at companies like Nestlé, GE, and Kraft—She has the chance to learn from all kinds of industries and teams.
She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), and she started her career doing audit training at KPMG, which gave her a solid foundation in how businesses manage their finances and stay accountable. Her work involves planning budgets, using data to guide decisions, and applying technology to solve complex challenges, all of which tie directly into STEM skills.
Finance may not seem like a classic STEM path, but it relies heavily on math, analytics, and digital tools to help companies thrive. Whether it’s building predictive models, understanding supply chain dynamics, or leveraging software to track performance, STEM is the backbone of how she turns numbers into insights and strategy.
She believes that success comes from staying curious, working well with others, and always being willing to learn something new. Whether it’s solving tough problems or exploring different career paths, She is here to share what she has learned and support students as they think about their futures, especially those interested in how STEM opens doors across every industry.
Erin Westerman
Scientist in Schools
Erin Westman is the Director of National Outreach for Scientists in School, a charitable organization that has engaged over 11 million youth in Canada since 1989. Erin has always been fascinated by living things, from insects to elephants, and curious to learn more about how life works. After earning her PhD in Microbiology from the University of Guelph and a Postdoc at the Institute for Infectious Disease Research at McMaster University, Erin designed and instructed numerous biology courses at various Ontario Universities as a sessional lecturer, drawing on her enthusiasm for science and belief in the importance of communicating academic work accessibly. Erin was drawn to Scientists in School to unite developmentally appropriate science learning for youth with deep belief in the importance of basic research. Erin seeks to promote inclusivity in science, starting by increasing children’s interest and confidence in STEM disciplines.
Eunice Shin
Engineering Department,
City of Markham
Eunice recently graduated from the University of Waterloo where she studied Architectural Engineering. She currently work at the City of Markham as an Engineering Development Program Intern. The purpose of her position is to gain experience in different teams within the Engineering Department, including Capital Works, Transportation, Development, and Operations to work towards her professional Engineering License. She loves STEM because it gives her the tools and critical thinking to help solve real world problems and work alongside so many bright individuals who she learns from everyday!
Marina Riad
Manager, Infrastructure and Capital Projects
City of Markham
Marina Riad is a passionate civil engineer with over ten years of hands-on experience in infrastructure design and project management, primarily within the City of Markham. With both a Master’s and bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Toronto Metropolitan University, she consistently excelled academically, making the Dean's Honour List multiple times. Currently, as the Manager of Infrastructure and Capital Projects, Marina leads important municipal initiatives, ensuring they stay on budget and meet regulatory standards while promoting teamwork and open communication. Before joining Markham, she gained valuable experience at the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, where she tackled challenges on various highway projects and worked closely with engineering consultants. Marina is dedicated to finding innovative solutions that enhance the city’s infrastructure and improve the quality of life for its residents.
Dr. Melinda Chelva
Post Doctoral Research Fellow
SickKids
Dr. Melinda Chelva (she/her) has a BHSc in Life Sciences and a PhD in Translational Medicine from Queen's University. Currently, she is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at SickKids. She has worked with several international collaborators to improve the cervical cancer ‘screen-triage-treat’ approach in East Africa. Her research expertise is focused on improving the uptake of HPV self-collection using various recruitment
strategies and reducing loss to follow-up using mHealth supported patient navigation strategies. Through extensive field work, Melinda has had the opportunity to explore the levels of knowledge and awareness on HPV and cervical cancer among rural and urban women in Tanzania and has been able to understand the barriers and facilitators to enhance cervical cancer prevention services using an ‘implementation science-focused lens’. Currently, as a Postdoctoral Fellow at SickKids, Dr. Chelva is advancing several global pediatric oncology research initiatives, continuing her commitment to improving health equity through collaborative, impactful research. Dr Chelva loves that STEM fosters curiosity and empowers problem-solving. It is a field where creativity meets logic, allowing for innovative solutions to real- world challenges. STEM encourages exploration across disciplines, fueling discoveries that can improve lives, whether it is through medical breakthroughs, technological advancements, or sustainability efforts. The collaborative nature of STEM brings together diverse perspectives to positively impact communities across the globe.
Negar Mahmoudi, M.Eng, P.Eng.
Manager, Utility & Right of Way
City of Markham
Negar Mahmoudi is a registered professional engineer and holds a Master degree in Civil/Structural Engineering, with over 20 years of experience in the planning, design, and delivery of complex utility infrastructure, energy systems, and major public works projects across Canada in both the private and public sectors. She currently serves as Manager of Utility & Right-of-Way at the City of Markham, overseeing utility permitting reviews and compliance inspections, corridor management, engineering design reviews, and management of operations and maintenance programs. In this role, she leads a diverse, multidisciplinary team of professionals, directs engineering services and policy development, and represents the City in negotiations and stakeholder engagement with utilities and external agencies.
Previously, Negar held senior leadership positions with several leading private engineering firms, where she managed civil/structural teams delivering engineering design, owner’s engineering services, construction oversight, and compliance inspections for utility projects, including large-scale transit developments, transmission lines, substations, and other capital infrastructure projects.
A dedicated mentor and coach, Negar has guided engineering and technical teams throughout her career, fostering professional growth, collaboration, and innovation. She is committed to advancing diversity in STEM and inspiring the next generation of engineers by sharing her professional journey and demonstrating the critical role of engineering in building sustainable communities.
Nehal Azmy
Development Engineer,
City of Markham
Nehal Azmy is currently working for the Engineering department at the City of Markham as a Capital Engineer. Her job involves managing capital projects starting from the planning stage to the completion of construction. She graduated as a Civil Engineer from the University of Alexandria, Egypt and has been registered as a Professional Engineer in Ontario since 1996. She loves STEM as it is an opportunity for her to meet with young girls and provide them with guidance for their future endeavors especially in the field of women in engineering.
Rosalie Daffern
Scientists in
Schools & Markham Public Library
Rosalie has worked in various capacities at Markham Public Library since 2017. She currently holds the position of Full Time Borrower Services Clerk at the Angus Glen Branch. In this role she provides customer service and
manages library materials. Since 2009 Rosalie has also been a passionate presenter and mentor with the Scientists in School. A National charity which ignites scientific curiosity and provides science education thorough interactive workshops. As a life long learner, Rosalie has a passion and curiosity for learning and is dedicated to inspiring a love for learning to all ages. When not working, you’ll find Rosalie outside exploring nature or performing kitchen chemistry, creating delicious treats for family, friends and staff.
Teresa Yuen
Development Engineer,
City of Markham
Teresa Yuen attended Queen’s University, Civil Engineering, and is working as a Development Engineer in land development at the City of Markham. Her work experience has been a mix between private consulting and public services. Have you ever wondered: where the water goes after it rains? Why your house is not flooded? What happens after you flush? As a consultant, Teresa designed sewers and roads for residential subdivisions, as well as landmark site plans, such as various Pan Am Centers, hospitals, and institutions. As a Development Engineer, she reviews various land development applications and designs to help make Markham a safe and desirable City to live in. Teresa finds that the most exciting thing about working as a Development Engineer is being able to actively take part in building our community, and to actually see the results of the work. Careers in STEM can be very hands on and rewarding.
Zahra Parhizgari
City of Markham
Zahra Parhizgari is an Environmental Engineer with over 20 years of experience leading environmental and water resources projects. Her expertise spans water and sediment quality monitoring and modeling, lake and stormwater management, erosion control, and environmental risk assessment. Zahra has successfully managed multidisciplinary projects from planning through execution, collaborating with clients, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies, while mentoring teams and ensuring high-quality outcomes. With
a strong foundation in research and data analysis, she brings both scientific rigor and practical insight to her work. Zahra is passionate about STEM because it empowers her to solve complex environmental challenges and contribute to sustainable, science-driven solutions that protect our natural resources.