Meet Katherine Dunnell

Katherine earned her Bachelor of Science in Geology. She is currently a Technician of Rocks, Minerals and Gems in the Natural History Department at the Royal Ontario Museum. In her free time she can be found watching Sci-Fi movies with her husband, riding her bike, knitting, drinking really good coffee and petting my cats.

When did your love of STEM begin?

Driving up to the cottage from a very flat part of Ontario (Windsor) and having an understanding as we started to drive past outcrops, we were getting close to the cottage (Muskoka). Wanting to know why there were these differences in Topography, the rocks and why the water was vastly different (alkaline in the Great Lakes, acidic up North) is what got me curious about geology and physical geography.

What is the best part about working in the field of STEM?

I am a life-long learner, and loved going to school. Working at a museum allows me to learn and be exposed to new things every day. It is something I am grateful for every day when I come to work.

What advice would you give young women interested in a career in STEM?

Always ask questions and be curious. I believe this is where the interest in Science, and how the world works launches people into science careers. I also urge young kids to embrace the idea that they won't be good at everything they encounter within a Science curriculum and some of it will be horrible and that it shouldn't deter them from the end game. Challenges and adversity are the moment just before personal breakthroughs happen.