Overview
Women in Science and Engineering proudly presented our 13th Annual National Conference on January 25-26, 2025! We have a lineup of incredible speakers, workshops, panelists, competitions, and company sponsors here to fuel your professional and personal development, widen the reach of your network, and ignite your drive to pursue your passions!
Conference Starts In:
Thank you to everyone who made WISE National Conference 2024 a huge success! We hope you enjoyed the conference and we look forward to seeing you next year! In the meantime, check out some recap photos below and/or visit our folder of photos.
What to Expect
- Company-sponsored workshops on personal growth and technological advancements to help you grow your technical and professional prowess
- Competitions ranging from healthcare cases to thesis pitches for you to test your skills
- Charismatic keynote speakers geared to inspire you through their exceptional stories, journeys, and achievements
- Comprehensive speaker panels on various STEM fields including robotics, smart tech, climate change, bioengineering, space, entrenpreneurship and more
- Career fairs of companies ready to network with you and share the various opportunities they offer
Discounts
Thank you to the following schools for supporting last year's WISE Conference!
Please check back regularly for updates on discounts, as we will be adding new ones on a rolling basis.
For questions about discounts, please contact conference.academics@wise.skule.ca.
All emails and student numbers associated with any discounted purchase will be sent to the respective school and faculty to confirm enrollment.
Thus, for any discounted tickets, please ensure your affiliated school email is being used for the purchase.
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Humber College
Humber College has generously offered to provide free tickets for 20 interested engineering students. In order to receive this benefit, please purchase the ticket with promo code "HUMBERENG_24!". For the initial purchase, students pay for half of the ticket cost, and after confirmation of attendance, the remaining amount will be reimbursed.
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McGill University
For students registered in the Faculty of Science at McGill University, the faculty is pleased to provide a partial subsidy for the WISE National Conference 2024 registration to a limited number of students. For more information, please email rebecca.maymon@mcgill.ca.
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Ontario Tech University
For students registered in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Ontario Tech University, the faculty is pleased to provide a partial subsidy for the WISE National Conference 2024 registration to a limited number of students. For more information, please email Sydney.Smith@ontariotechu.ca.
8/10 spots left -
Toronto Metropolitan University
Undergraduate - Faculty of Architecture and Engineering
Toronto Metropolitan University has generously offered to provide 70% off tickets for all interested architecture and engineering undergraduate students. In order to receive this benefit, please purchase the ticket with promo code "TMUUGENGARCH_24!".
Graduate - Faculty of Architecture and EngineeringToronto Metropolitan University has generously offered to provide 70% off tickets for 20 interested architecture and engineering graduate students. In order to receive this benefit, please purchase the ticket with promo code "TMUGRADENGARCH_24!".
7/20 spots left -
University of Guelph
The Doody Family Chair for the Women in Engineering at Guelph will support up to 15 attendees from the Guelph WiSE organization to attend National WiSE conference. UG plans to support registration, travel, and accommodations. Please reach out to Jean Hein or the UG WiSE organization!
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University of Toronto
Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering
The University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering has generously offered to provide 80% off tickets for all interested engineering students. In order to receive this benefit, please purchase the ticket with promo code "UOFT_ENG_24!".
Faculty of Arts and ScienceThe University of Toronto Faculty of Arts and Science has generously offered to provide 50% off tickets for 22 interested arts & science students. In order to receive this benefit, please purchase the ticket with promo code "UOFTARTSCI_24!".
Department of Cell and Systems Biology
0/22 spots leftThe University of Toronto Department of Cell and Systems Biology has generously offered to provide 50% off tickets for 6 interested cell and systems biology students. In order to receive this benefit, please purchase the ticket with promo code "UOFTCELLANDBIO_24!".
Department of Computer Science
0/6 spots leftThe University of Toronto Department of Computer Science has generously offered to provide 66% off tickets for 20 interested computer science undergraduate students. Interested students should contact cs.undergrad@utoronto.ca for more information about this subsidy.
Department of Earth SciencesThe University of Toronto Department of Earth Sciences has generously offered to provide free tickets for 6 interested earth sciences students. In order to receive this benefit, please purchase the ticket with promo code "UOFT_EARTHSCI_24!". For the initial purchase, students pay for half of the ticket cost, and after confirmation of attendance, the remaining amount will be reimbursed.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
5/6 spots leftThe University of Toronto Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology has generously offered to provide free tickets for 5 interested pharmacology and toxicology students. In order to receive this benefit, please purchase the ticket with promo code "UOFTPHARMA_24!". In order to receive this reimbursement, please contact pharmtox.dept@utoronto.ca.
Department of Chemistry
0/5 spots leftThe University of Toronto Department of Chemistry has generously offered to provide free tickets for 10 interested chemistry students. In order to receive this benefit, please purchase the ticket with promo code "UOFTCHEM_24!". For the initial purchase, students pay for half of the ticket cost, and after confirmation of attendance, the remaining amount will be reimbursed.
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University of Toronto Mississauga
Department of Biology
The University of Toronto Mississauga Department of Biology has generously offered to provide 50% off tickets for at least 4 interested biology students. Interested students should contact stephanie.dorego@utoronto.ca for the application link.
Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences
3/8 spots leftThe University of Toronto Mississauga Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences has generously offered to provide free tickets for select interested students. In order to receive this benefit, please submit a statement of interest (one paragraph) to cpsug.utm@utoronto.ca by Monday, December 11, 2023.
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University of Waterloo
Faculty of Engineering
The University of Waterloo Faculty of Engineering has generously offered to provide 80% off tickets for 10 interested engineering students. In order to receive this benefit, please follow the faculty's specific guidelines as they will be selecting the recipients of this subsidy.
1/10 spots left -
Western University
Western University has generously offered to provide free tickets for 40 interested students. In order to receive this benefit, please purchase the ticket with promo code "UWOSTUDENT_24!". For the initial purchase, students pay for half of the ticket cost, and after confirmation of attendance, the remaining amount will be reimbursed.
16/40 spots left
Speakers
Keynote
Dr. Nancy Olivieri
Professor of Pediatrics @ University of Toronto
Sarah Baldeo
CEO, Global Keynote & TEDx Speaker, 5x Founder, Neuroscientist, Technologist
Biotech Panel
Erin Bedford
Head of Bioprinting Innovation @ Aspect Biosystems
Leila Kheradpir
Program Director @ StarFish Medical
Daniella Lato
Data Scientist @ Recursion Pharmaceuticals
Sowmya Shivanna
Senior Manager Product Development @ RedRock Regeneration Inc.
Kristin Musselman
Assistant Professor @ University of Toronto
Robotics Panel
Chloë Ryan
CEO & Founder @ Acrylic Robotics
Melissa Greeff
Professor @ Queen's University
Onaizah Onaizah
Assistant Professor @ McMaster University
Christine Van Kirk
Software Development Engineer @ Amazon Robotics
Cybersecurity Panel
Megan Doherty
Cybersecurity Technical Specialist @ Microsoft Canada
Rekha Narang
Director of Technology @ Microsoft
Marissa Shiwdayal
Cybersecurity Transformation Lead @ CAE
Carol Fung
Associate Professor and Gina Cody Research Chair @ Concordia University
Pathways in Medicine Panel
Caroline Kramer
Associate Professor and Clinician-Scientist @ University of Toronto
Shiphra Ginsburg
Professor @ Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Tatyana Mollayeva
Scientist @ KITE Toronto Rehab University Health Network, Assistant Professor @ Dalla Lana School of Public Health
Susan Poutanen
Associate Professor @ University of Toronto Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology & Medicine
Space Panel
Nathalie Nguyen-Quoc Ouellette
Deputy Director @ Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (UdeM), Outreach Scientist @ James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
Emily Shepherdson
Member of Technical Staff in Mission Operations @ MDA
Bhairavi Shankar
CEO @ Indus Space Inc.
Marla Haring
Systems Design Engineer @ MDA
Health Policy and Tech Equity Panel
Dr. Nicole Kaniki
Director & Founder @ Senomi Solutions Inc.
Dr. Wendy J. Ungar
Senior Scientist @ SickKids
Tran Truong
Director of Data & Technology @ Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Recent Grads Panel
Amelia Mann
Associate @ CIBC Capital Markets
Andi He
Software Developer @ Intuit Canada
Zoha Khan
System Engineer @ OPG
Vicky Liu
Engineer @ Qualcomm
Women in Leadership Panel
Athiya Rastogi
CEO @ SnapWrite
Anitha Jeremiah
Planning Strategy Manager @ Labatt Breweries of Canada
Amy Wasik
Head @ Google Cloud Support Canada
Akanksha Shelat
Co-Founder and CTO @ Mind-Easy
Elham Taheri
Engineering Group Manager, ACP3 Software Quality, SDV integration @ GM Canada
Academia Panel
Yue Hu
Assistant Professor @ University of Waterloo
Magdalena Krol
Professor @ York University
Yu-Ru Liu
Professor @ University of Waterloo
Fireside Chat (Saturday)
Cassie Rosen
Planner @ IESO
Nandita Vijaykumar
Assistant Professor @ University of Toronto
Dimpho Radebe
PhD Candidate @ University of Toronto
Oana Voinicu
Senior Global Quality Director @ Cosma Group of Magna International
Fireside Chat (Sunday)
Jekaterina Novikova
Director of ML Research @ Cambridge Cognition, Science Lead @ ARVA
Alana Bailey
Co-Founder @ Sussed, Junior Engineer @ Jacobs
Lydia Cao
Postdoctoral Fellow
Competitions
The WISE National Conference (WISE NC) competitions provide an opportunity for participants from various fields to apply knowledge learned in class and solve real-world problems. We are pleased to present 3 competitions for the WISE NC 2024: 5 Minute Thesis, Qualcomm x Engineering Case Competition, and Magna x Sustainability Case Competition.
All conference attendees are eligible to participate! You must purchase a ticket for WISE NC 2024 before registering for our competitions. Please be advised that competitions registrations are accepted on a rolling, first-come-first-served basis for limited spaces.
5 Minute Thesis (5MT)
Sign Up Here!
Deadline: Abstract submissions are due on January 14th 2024, 11:59 PM EST.
An opportunity for students to showcase their research to a wider audience. In partnership with URNCST, all abstracts will get published in their journal (as long as they follow our guidelines).
- A slide deck of maximum 10 slides is permitted.
- No additional electronic media or props are allowed.
- Presentations are limited to 5 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 5 minutes are disqualified.
- Presentations will be assessed on communication, comprehension, engagement and quality of work.
Qualcomm x Engineering Case Competition
Registrations have been closed due to a high volume of sign ups.
If you would like to be placed on the waitlist, please email conference.relations@wise.skule.ca.
Participants work in teams to analyze and propose solutions to real-world engineering problems presented in the form of a case study. A detailed brief will be released 72 hours before the conference to all registered teams. The final design will be presented in front of a judging panel. People can either register with a team or ask to be put in a team.
- All teams must be made up of at least 2 and no more than 4 members.
- Students from different departments, faculties or institutions are welcome to participate on the same team.
- The final design will be assessed on problem comprehension, quality of design, and presentation skills.
Magna x Sustainability Case Competition
Registrations have been closed due to a high volume of sign ups.
If you would like to be placed on the waitlist, please email conference.relations@wise.skule.ca.
Participants will work in teams of 2-4 to analyze and propose solutions to a problem statement presented in the form of a case study. This year, the case is centered around sustainability! A detailed brief will be released 72 hours before the conference to all registered teams. The final solution will be presented in front of a judging panel. People can either register with a team or ask to be put in a team.
- All teams must be made up of at least 2 and no more than 4 members.
- Students from different departments, faculties or institutions are welcome to participate on the same team.
- The final solution will be assessed on problem comprehension, quality of design, and presentation skills.
Workshops
Workshops are a wonderful way for you to more actively take part in the Conference! Our demos, activities, and guided discussions are designed to allow you to get exposure to new concepts, develop useful skills, and engage with fellow attendees. With the focus being more on skill-building, we believe that everyone will be able to find something useful and inspiring from attending these workshops, no matter where their interests lie.
Presenting with Confidence
UofT Toastmasters
Saturday, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM EST | Pier 4
Many people find the idea of public speaking to be intimidating, but presenting and communicating ideas effectively is a crucial skill. Join us for this workshop, where we will explore strategies on how we can feel more confident when public speaking, and learn what confidence looks like and how to show it to help you succeed during your next presentation.
Negotiation Strategies
Workshop Slides
Dr. Gail Levitt, Negotiation Facilitator
Saturday, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM EST | Pier 5
Whether you negotiate for a new job, an apartment or house, a car or motorcycle, or an engineering or robotics contract with a client for an important project, it is important for you to be prepared. Having the strategic knowledge and confidence to influence others, with or without authority, has many benefits: it can enable personal growth, improved productivity, stronger relationships, better solutions, and career resiliency to adapt to change. This engaging workshop introduces you to the essential negotiating strategies you will need to achieve your goals most efficiently and effectively. It offers a proven framework for how to prepare for a negotiation most efficiently, and how to conduct a negotiation most proactively for optimal results.
How to be a Money Genius in an Age of Inflation, Rising Interest Rates and Easy Credit
Ellen Roseman, Writer/Journalist specializing in Personal Finance @ Toronto Star
Saturday, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM EST | Pier 5
Many people feel they're no good at managing money. They blame their parents or the school system for not giving them the tools they need to refrain from unnecessary spending and build wealth to achieve financial security and independence earlier in life. In this interactive workshop, we will share tips on how to live on less and put money away for the future. We'll start with an excellent list of 50 frugal living tips from the Savvy New Canadians blog. The next step is to figure out how much to save each month, depending on your key goals and your options for short-term savings. Please come with questions, as well as tactics that work for you and you want to share with others. Also bring a notebook to write down ideas for changing your financial life, so you can check on your progress in the upcoming year.
Celebrate Your Success: #IAmRemarkable
Amy Wasik, #IAmRemarkable Facilitator
Sunday, 10 AM - 11 AM EST | Pier 4
Challenge your perceptions around self-promotion and learn valuable skills to take control of your narrative during this workshop. Led by a trained #IAmRemarkable Facilitator, you'll be empowered to speak openly about your accomplishments in the workplace and beyond.
WISE x YNCN Resume Roast
Workshop Slidesunlocking the secrets to resume success
Asma Surti, Junior Software Engineer @ ENTEGRA
Olivia Tracey, Data Science Analyst @ Birch Hill Equity Partners
Sunday, 10 AM - 11 AM EST | Pier 5
In this workshop, you will hear from WISE and YNCN alumni as they share their tips on crafting a great resume and customizing it to fit the job description. Join us for an interactive workshop, where you will also get the chance to “roast” and refine a sample resume, and practice these key skills that are essential to perfecting your own resume.
Not Lost In Translation
how to communicate your science research effectively
Margaret Mroziewicz, MSc, Communications Manager @ York University, Science Communication Instructor @ Seneca Polytechnic
Sunday, 11 AM - 12 PM EST | Pier 5
The objective of this workshop is to provide students with a general understanding of how to strategically and effectively communicate science to non-expert audiences, which may include the public, media, funders, policy makers, scientists from different fields, and more. Together, we will walk through the key elements of effective science communication, including identifying and understanding your target audiences, tailoring your language and delivery, and identifying key messages. Attendees will leave the workshop having gained new skills in their toolbox to help them succeed as scientists and researchers.
AI For Everyone
how it's changing the world around us and a snapshot of the different industries using it
Michelle Kong, Senior Technical Program Manager, AI/ML Software @ Qualcomm
Sunday, 1 PM - 2 PM EST | Pier 4
We live in an era where AI is constantly evolving to attempt to improve the world around us. We've heard terms like machine learning, and model training, but what is it and how does it all come together? What's out there, and how are different industries using AI to create products to live our lives more efficient than ever?
Find out more about the basics of AI, learn some of the lingo, and discover the different industries that are using AI and have AI career opportunities, including Qualcomm.
Don't forget to bring your laptop with access to webcam for an interactive portion of the workshop where you'll train your own AI model!
UI/UX Design Thinking
innovation sprint: experience human-centered outcomes at speed and scale
Christina Park, UX designer @ IBM
Sunday, 1 PM - 2 PM EST | Pier 5
Join us for a design thinking workshop where you'll learn and practice innovative techniques to rapidly generate ideas for design challenges within a dynamic team setting. Elevate your skills as we guide you through interactive exercises fostering collaborative brainstorming and pushing the boundaries of creativity.
Rocketry 101: Introduction to OpenRocket
University of Toronto Aerospace Team (UTAT)
Sunday, 2 PM - 3 PM EST | Pier 5
Learn the basics of rocket design and simulation with OpenRocket. Explore its intuitive interface, design your own custom rocket from scratch and see your rocket come to life as you run simulations to predict its trajectory, altitude, and performance.
Sponsors
Want to become a sponsor? Get in touch with us at vp.finance@wise.skule.ca
Corporate Partners
Academic Partners
Event Venue
The WISE National Conference 2025 will be held at Toronto Westin Harbour Castle.
FAQ
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What is the dress code?
Dress code is business casual.
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What companies will be at the career fair?
Please take a look at the companies listed in the Sponsors section. All of our sponsors will be present at the Career Fair.
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Will there be vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free/dairy-free/halal food available?
Yes. We do our best to accommodate all dietary restrictions.
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Will there be a coat check available?
Yes. Coat check services will run on both Saturday and Sunday.
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When should I get to the Conference?
Registration opens at 8am on Saturday. The day officially starts at 9am on both days.
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Will there be parking available?
WISE is not providing any parking spots, but there are nearby lots where you can park your cars, or you can pay for valet parking with the Westin Harbour Castle.
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Do I have to stay for the entire duration of the Conference?
Whether you stay or leave for parts of the Conference is up to your discretion. We have events running all day both days, you can refer to the schedule for a breakdown of each day.
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Do I have to check in every time I leave and come back?
No. As long as you checked in during registration, you do not have to check in again. Just make sure you wear your nametag at all times, as that is how we'll identify you as a delegate/speaker/industry representative.
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Where is the Conference happening?
The Conference is held at the Westin Harbour Castle this year. Please see the Venue section for a map.
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Can I book rooms at the venue for a discounted rate?
WISE has reserved a room block at the Westin Harbour Castle for guests to book. Guests may make their reservation by using this link or by calling the toll free line at 1-888 627 8559 and stating that they are with the WISE National Conference or provide the code “WSE”. Bookings must be done before December 29th. Please note that there are a limited quantity of rooms available.
You don't see your question answered here? Please contact conference.internal@wise.skule.ca if you have any further inquiries. Please make sure your question is not addressed in the FAQ first.