Meet Zhala Taghi-Zada

Zhala Taghi-Zada graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from University of Toronto. She currently works as a Science tutor at The Math Guru, as well as a Research Assistant with McMaster University. In her spare time, Zhala likes to hike, read, and explore museums.

When did your love of STEM begin?

My love of STEM began in highschool, when my math and biology teachers began to really push me and challenge me to think outside of my comfort zone. I began to understand how different natural phenomena are present in everyday life. I loved the hands-on experiments we could do in my science classes, and I developed an appreciation for investigating and problem-solving.

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

The two best things about working in STEM are the opportunities to work with other brilliant people, and the continuous challenges that we must examine and propose solutions for, which is incredibly rewarding.

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

Never compare yourself to others; understand you are a unique individual with your own interests and methods of learning. Invest a great deal of patience and hard work into your goals, and remember that moments of failure are an excellent learning opportunity!