Meet Kathy Jacyniak
Kathy Jacyniak has earned her Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology from the University of Toronto, and her Master of Science in Biomedical Science from the University of Guelph. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Biomedical Science from the University of Guelph. She currently works as a Teaching Assistant for Comparative Mammalian Anatomy and is a guest lecturer for Vascular Biology at the University of Guelph. In her spare time, she likes to spend time outdoors which includes going for long hikes, herping (finding and identifying local species of reptile and amphibians throughout Ontario), kayaking, and camping.
When did your love of STEM begin?
My love of STEM began when I was in elementary school, back when I was learning about the different systems of the body. My mom was helping me study for a test and I remember repeatedly telling her how fascinating the human body was, and how each organ system relied on and depended on one another. My curiosity in understanding how the body worked motivated me to pursue courses in biology both in high school and during my undergraduate degree. It has also been my main motivation for pursuing graduate studies, with my project that investigates the biology of heart repair in reptiles.
What is the best part about working in the field of STEM?
The best part about working in the field of STEM is being able to uncover why and how something happens in the world and sharing it with those around me. I find that STEM fields are often perceived as being complex and confusing. When people talk about science, it almost seems like someone is speaking another language that can only be understood by other scientists, but this isn’t true at all! Science is for everyone. One of the roles and responsibilities of being a scientist is to be able to communicate science in a way that is accessible to everyone. When sharing science is done in a fun and interesting way, I can see the curiosity being sparked in others. Seeing this excitement for science in those around me is the same feeling I get when I conduct my own research. It is so rewarding to be able to share that feeling with others!
What advice would you give young women interested in a career in STEM?
I would tell young women to follow their passion! As long as you are curious and passionate about a topic, you are the perfect candidate for becoming a scientist. Scientists are faced with a lot of setbacks when collecting results. Having this curiosity and passion will allow you to overcome these setbacks and motivate you to keep moving forward. I would also like to tell young women interested in STEM to forget about the nay-sayers and those that do not agree with your interests, especially if they are in STEM. I know it can be challenging to face those that disagree and discourage your pursuit in STEM, but my advice would be to never let those individuals stop you from pursuing what you love! As Laurel Ulrich once said “Well behaved women seldom make history”. So be courageous and pursue that something you are passionate about!