Undergraduate, graduate and postdoc trainees in our program who have contributed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are encouraged to apply for to the 2024 Astell Award.
The Astell Award is to recognize trainees at all levels in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UBC for outstanding commitment to activities related to promoting EDI. To apply, send a two page CV that includes a 100-150 word statement describing your EDI related activities to Doris Metcalf doris.metcalf@ubc.ca by March 15, 2024.
Top candidates will be invited to share their experiences in person with the selection committee and awards will be made directly to the trainee (up to 2 awards of $500) at the May 13th BMB departmental seminar series. More information is available on the attached document.
The Award: Dr. Caroline Astell
The Astell Award is to recognize trainees at all levels in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UBC for outstanding commitment to activities related to promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
Dr. Astell completed her undergraduate degree in Math/Zoology, Masters in Genetics and PhD in Biochemistry/Nucleic Acids all at UBC. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Rockefeller University in the USA, she worked at the University of Toronto as a Research Associate and then as an Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary. She then returned to UBC as a Research Associate and advanced through the ranks to Assistant, Associate and full Professor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Dr. Astell’s research focused on understating the molecular biology of animal viruses and the structure and replication of eukaryotic chromosomes. She had both an impressive funding and publication track record, leading to over 62 published papers, numerous book chapters and patents and a co-authored book on Nobel Laureate Michael Smith. Dr. Astell was also a dedicated member of the department, leading many committees and the BC Genome Sciences Center. She was also an avid instructor in Biochemistry and directly mentored 11 graduate students and served on over 40 student supervisory committees during her career. Dr. Astell retired from UBC in 2004 and continues to serve her local community through volunteer and outreach activities.
2023 Recipients
Will Stewart
Will is a second-year graduate student in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) department. He is a proponent for research excellence and an advocate for Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) principles. Will promotes EDI principles through his involvement with initiatives within the Michael Smith Labs (MSL), BMB department, and Kirkness Scholar’s program. Will is heavily involved with promoting EDI principles in the MSL as a founding member of the MSL EDI board game committee. This committee is tasked with designing a board game to introduces EDI topics in an approachable and easily digestible manner for use in onboarding and outreach programs. Additionally, Will is a Graduate student representative on the MSL EDI committee where he advocates for EDI at the MSL. Through these initiatives, Will got involved with the MSL EDI workshop program where he is involved with organizing and facilitating the MSL EDI workshop series which include topics such as: EDI Basics, and Building Queer and Trans Inclusive Spaces. Will has been involved with peer mentorship throughout his undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph and continued this work during his Master’s Degree at UBC. Through the BMB peer mentor program, Will has provided both technical and career advice to younger peers. Will also participated in the 2023 Kirkness scholar program with the Brumer Lab. The lab supported and mentored two indigenous students that earned scholarships to come to UBC and participate in a weeklong project to inspire interest in STEM. Will hopes to continue to expand support and awareness of EDI principles within all communities that he is involved with.
Maya Nue-Lee
Maya is an undergraduate biochemistry student with a great desire to help others. Maya’s passion for working with children led her to volunteer in the classroom setting to help students with diverse special needs. She helped adapt lessons for STEM subjects and helped support students with behavioural challenges. Maya was inspired to seek more experience working with children at BC Children’s Hospital. She has volunteered in the Emergency Department supporting parents, siblings, and patients in challenging circumstances. At the Sunny Hill Health Centre at BC Children’s Hospital, Maya interacts with children of diverse needs and is able to show extra support with her knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL). Maya is an advocate for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community to promote inclusivity in the health care setting. Maya has also been committed to making a difference in the lives of the unhoused people of her community. Her desire to work from problem to solution moved her to lead wellness workshops in the Downtown East Side to empower people to see hope and possibility. She believes every person deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. Maya recognizes the importance of learning about Indigenous cultures and wants to help with efforts to decolonize science. Maya is determined to see the science community be one that is equitable, diverse, and inclusive.
2022 Recipients
Catalina Ionescu
Catalina Ionescu is a proud ally of underrepresented groups and is pleased to offer equitable and inclusive opportunities through her many outreach efforts. Catalina’s work at UBC with the First Aid Student Team helps to provide resources to students struggling with mental health and substance use disorder. As the president of the Biochemistry Student Association, Catalina has promoted an inclusive environment and equal representation of all students in STEM. In addition, Cataline’s work with Free Periods Canada and the UBC Peer Health Educators has promoted increased knowledge and destigmatization of menstrual and sexual health. Overall, Catalina is passionate about increasing inclusivity and diversity both within the Biochemistry community at UBC and in her greater community.
Morgan Towriss
Morgan is a proud Ts’msyen woman, scientist, and EDI advocate. As an indigenous woman in science, Morgan overcame many barriers to being an academic and is now a passionate advocate for increasing inclusivity and diversity in STEM. She loves working with younger indigenous students through tutoring and mentorship to help them navigate the barriers of academia while combining indigeneity and traditional cultural beliefs with scientific beliefs and research. Morgan is also a passionate advocate for mental health and disability inclusivity due to her own struggles with bipolar disorder. Through her work with the BMB EDI committee, she has promoted increased inclusivity and resources for people with mental or physical disabilities at UBC. Morgan hopes to continue working to increase active inclusion of diverse groups both within academia and general society.
2021 Recipients
Heather Baker
Heather is a third year PhD student in our graduate program and has championed a better representation and diversity in STEM for many years. When she was a Biochemistry undergraduate student at the University of Alberta, she mentored numerous students from equity deserving groups at elementary, high school, and university levels and organized several events, notably to celebrate women in STEM. At UBC, Heather continued to mentor inner city high school students and numerous undergraduate students, especially women coming from different backgrounds. Additionally, she designed and taught a new lecture on EDI in our BIOC551 course, worked on a new code of conduct at the Michael Smith Laboratories and joined the BMB EDI Committee to help shape our new action plan. As this was not enough, she also co-organized our first BMB-EDI event with a panel discussion on the Silent Genome Project. We would like to thank Heather for her hard work and contributions and congratulate her for receiving the 2021 Astell Award.
Saiqah Ghafoor
Saiqah is a fourth year undergraduate student in our Biochemistry program and has done ground breaking work for our community. Together with several other students she created during the pandemic the Biochemistry Student Association or BSA in which she is currently the co-President. Under her leadership, the BSA organized several events including the EDI in Biochemistry event last March. Together with other students, Saiqah joined our EDI departmental committee where she made sure that undergraduate students and their point of views were well represented. Notably, she help organized a focus group to help prepare our action plan. Saiqah is also active with the UBC Muslim Association that helps destigmatize islam. Outside UBC, Saiqah also volunteers in her community to promote women rights and participate to sporting events with handicapped athletes. We thank Saiqah for her engagement and efforts and congratulate her for the 2021 Astell Award.
2020 Recipients
Katie Gyre
Katie is an undergraduate in BMB and her main contribution to EDI is in promoting gender equality through her role as VP Events in the Women in Science club at UBC. As a team, the organization runs numerous events and a successful mentorship program with the aim of giving undergraduate women in science opportunities to connect with professionals in their field of interest, develop a strong community, and advance their career in STEM while they are completing their undergraduate degree. As a young woman in science, Katie identifies with this cause personally and is driven to create more opportunities for personal and professional growth for her fellow women. EDI as a whole is very important to her as she values equal opportunities for everyone and wants to promote a world without discrimination.
Laura Meleady
Laura was an undergraduate in BMB and is now continuing as an MSc in the department. Laura works to promote Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion through volunteering with local youth empowerment organizations such as Big Sisters and Girl Guides of Canada where she dedicates her time to mentoring youth, planning community service partnerships, and facilitating STEM workshops. Over the past 5 years Laura has dedicated hundreds of hours to visiting patients in local hospitals where she is trained specifically to work with patients suffering from mental illness and dementia. This work has taught Laura about disparities facing people with disabilities both visible and invisible that she hopes to continue advocating for both inside and outside of academia.
