Hidden Figures: March 19, 2024
In partnership with the UCalgary Alumni and the Calgary Public Library.
Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Where: Central Library, 800 3 St SE, Calgary, AB
Doors Open: 5:30 pm
Begins at: 6 pm
About the film:
Step into the extraordinary tale of Hidden Figures, starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe as a team of mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program.
Following the screening, join us for a thought-provoking panel featuring trailblazing women from various STEMM fields as they share insights, reflect on the film's impact, and explore the evolving landscape of opportunities for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine.
FREE admission and popcorn, seating is first-come, first-serve.
Meet the Panelists
Misgana Abraha
Misgana is a highly motivated fourth year concurrent natural science and education student at the University of Calgary where her academic journey is fueled by an unwavering passion for promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion. As one of the founders of the Black Science Student Network (BSSN), she works tirelessly to promote educational equity by connecting students to opportunities and to each other.
Her commitment to promoting equity and inclusion has also led her to pursue academic research alongside associate professor Dr. Jennifer Adams, PhD, a TIER 2 Canada Research Chair, Creativity & STEM at the University of Calgary. Together, they are working to reduce barriers for Black students pursuing careers in STEM-related fields.
Dr. Laleh Behjat, P.Eng, PhD
Dr. Behjat is a professor in the Department of Electrical and Software Engineering at the University of Calgary and NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering (Prairies). Her research focuses on developing mathematical techniques and software tools for automating the design of digital integrated circuits and sustainable systems and sustainable development.
She is also an advocate for underrepresented groups in science and engineering and works on removing systemic barriers that exist in their advancement. Currently, Dr. Behjat is leading WISE Planet, a change leadership program that strives to build a diverse, inclusive, equitable and just society by training women and other underrepresented groups in STEM to be change leaders equipped to address the major, shared challenges our societies face. Read More
Dr. Bukola Salami, RN, PhD (Moderator)
A professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Black and Racialized Peoples’ Health in the Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine (CSM), Dr. Salami's research focuses on policies and practices shaping migrant health and Black people’s health. In addition to having been involved in more than 85 funded studies, she founded the Black Youth Mentorship and Leadership Program in 2020. The program, the first university-based fully interdisciplinary mentorship program for Black youths in Canada, seeks to socially and economically empower Black high school youth to meaningfully contribute to Canadian society.
Her work on Black youth mental health informed the creation of the first mental health clinic for Black Canadians in western Canada. Dr. Salami is a member of the O’Brien Institute for Public Health and EDI director at the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, CSM.
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