Women and girls quite literally make up half the world’s population — in a 2022 list from the World Bank, we represent 49.7% of people on Earth. And yet, women continue to be underrepresented and undervalued in STEM fields. That’s why, this February 11, we’re celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
Now in its ninth year, the UN day of observance serves as a reminder of the important role that women and girls hold in STEM and the essential contributions they make.
To help celebrate, we’re highlighting just a few of the incredible Vancouver Island women in STEM whose innovations are helping lift communities up and build a better future.
Name: Sahar Sam
Role: Co-founder and CSO, Solaires Entreprises
What you need to know: A University of Victoria graduate and former sessional instructor, Sam is an intrapreneur, entrepreneur, and academic. At Solaires Enterprises, she is focused on developing the next generation of solar cells. A true innovator, she holds three patents and has developed a novel technology in the nanofabrication process and assembly. Sam was recognized as Emerging Leader of the Year at the 2023 VIATEC Community Awards.
Name: Georgia Powell
Role: Co-founder and CEO of NURA Medical
What you need to know: Born and raised in North Saanich, the University of Victoria graduate was motivated by her time as a pediatric emergency medicine team member at Montreal Children’s Hospital. Recognizing the challenges of emergency care, Powell and the NURA Medical team developed the NurEx system, which facilitates medication preparation, ensuring children receive the correct dosage every time.
Name: Susan Rae Blanchet
Role: Founder and CEO, Origen Air
What you need to know: Founded in 2019, Blanchet’s air purification technology was partially inspired by the health challenges of her father, whose work as a civil engineer may have exposed him to toxins. Origen Air develops air purification systems that combine filtration, sensors, and a nature-inspired design with bioengineered plant technology. Blanchet was recently named a Business Thought Leader of the Year at the Stevie Awards.
Victoria’s tech community is full of inspiring female leaders and innovators. Stay tuned to learn more about them and join the team at Women on the Rise to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8.
