Speakers for Indigenization and Reconciliation in Chemistry Education:
Dr. Vincent Ziffle, First Nations University of Canada
Bio: 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.
Dr. Jess Allingham, Thompson Rivers University
Bio: Jess Allingham (she/her) is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Chemistry at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops, British Columbia. She teaches first-year and organic chemistry with a deep-rooted passion for medicinal chemistry, where she integrates Indigenous Knowledge and the chemistry of medicinal plants. Her interests span the intersection of Traditional Knowledge and molecular science, with a focus on community-based learning, culturally grounded outreach, and the celebration of diverse scientific voices. She is a champion of inclusive science education and a dedicated leader with Let’s Talk Science and Soapbox Science, working to bring STEM into communities and classrooms across the region.
Noah Depner, University of British Columbia
Bio: Noah Depner grew up in Edmonton in a family of German-settler origin, completing his BSc in Chemistry and Biology at the University of Alberta and MSc in Chemistry at UBC. He worked in the department of chemistry as a curriculum designer, focusing on bringing Indigenous ways of knowing into 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year courses. He roots his work in reflection, reciprocity, and learning beyond the cognitive domain. Currently, he works as a research manager for the “Transforming Chemical Risk Management with Indigenous Expertise” project, designing teaching materials for chemical risk professionals and analyzing chemicals policy in the Arctic.”
Dr. W. Stephen McNeil, University of British Columbia, Okanagan
Bio: Dr. W. Stephen McNeil (he/him) is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at the Okanagan campus of the University of British Columbia in Kelowna, British Columbia. He is a recipient of the Chemical Institute of Canada Chemistry Education Award and a 3M National Teaching Fellow. His chemistry education research interests include the development and assessment of active- and collaborative-learning methods and innovative student-engagement strategies in introductory chemistry, and the impacts of active learning and context-embedded science curricula on affective learning constructs, including student senses of identity and belonging.