CIC EDI Webinar – Tuesday, May 12 (11:00 am ET)
Indigenous Relationships and Pathways in Chemistry
Join us on Tuesday, May 12, to hear Genievieve Borg, and Dr. Dusty Cadwallader reflect on chemistry education and research through their experiences as Indigenous chemists at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels.
This session will explore pathways into chemistry, key supports and challenges encountered along the way, and ways the chemistry community can work toward creating more inclusive and equitable environments for Indigenous students and future chemists in both academia and industry. The discussion will also address ethical collaboration and the respectful incorporation of Indigenous Sciences and Knowledges into core curricula and contemporary research.
Co-chairs of the upcoming x2026 symposium, Relational Approaches to Indigenization in Chemistry Education, Jessica Allingham and Vincent Ziffle, will moderate and contribute to the discussion.
Speakers:
- Genievieve Borg (University of Guelph)
- Dr. Dusty Cadwallader (University of British Columbia)
- Dr. Jessica Allingham (Thompson Rivers University)
- Dr. Vincent Ziffle (First Nations University of Canada)
Dusty Cadwallader
Dr. Dusty Cadwallader is an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of British Columbia under Prof. Zachary Hudson. Currently, he is applying his training in synthetic chemistry to the design of photoluminescent materials. Dusty grew up on the northern tip of Vancouver Island and is of the Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation. Since starting at UBC he has had some opportunities to work with indigenous youth through science communication. In 2027, Dusty will begin an appointment as an assistant professor of organic chemistry at Mount Allison University. In this position, he hopes to continue efforts in teaching, research and engaging with indigenous communities.
Genievieve Borg
Genievieve Borg is an Anishinaabekwe of Wiikwemkoong First Nation who is passionate about Indigenizing STEM spaces and amplifying Indigenous voices, perspectives, and visibility in STEM. She earned her BSc. Chemistry from the University of Guelph (UoG) and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Chemistry at UoG. Her chemical research explores the technological applications and magnetic properties of molecule-based materials that utilize thiazyl radicals as molecular building blocks.
Vincent Ziffle
Dr. Vincent Ziffle (he/him) is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv), in Regina, Saskatchewan. His research interests include Traditional Knowledge and Indigenous Science, uses and chemistry of Medicinal Plants of the Boreal Shield and Central Plains, organic chemistry of plant secondary metabolites, Indigenous Fine Art technologies, and food chemistry. He works toward the elucidation of medicinal plant compounds with noteworthy medicinal properties, and the treatment of nefarious biofilm wound infections via Traditional methods. He is a promoter of all things STEM and is a proponent of STEAM – capital “A” for arts, design, and Indigenous Culture – via Let’s Talk Science and FNUniv’s Indigenous Outreach team of student mentors and educators.