In welcoming the students, Maureen talked about Nicole’s experience in communicating her research to journalists. Nicole, a research coordinator in the Child Health & Exercise Medicine program and part-time doctoral student in the Department of Kinesiology, was the lead author of a study published in the journal Pediatrics. The study, which followed the activity levels and cardiovascular health of hundreds of children, generated extensive national media attention. It was the first time Nicole had worked with reporters.

“Like Nicole, you represent our next generation of leaders in STEM,” Maureen told the students at the conference. “Now more than ever, we need leaders who will serve as science communicators, champions, advocates and ambassadors.”

The conference was supported by the Faculties of Science and Health Sciences and The Socrates Project. Katie Moisse, Thanassis Psaltis, Sydney Valentino and Oliver Wearing joined colleagues from McGill and the University of Toronto in helping organize ComSciConCAN 2019.