Spotlight Videos—an initiative of the CSC’s Working for Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity (WIDE) Committee—shines a light on chemists from diverse backgrounds and creates opportunities for increased representation of diverse researchers and scientists. Each month, CIC News highlights one researcher from the Spotlight Videos library.
Dr. Blaine Fiss is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Western Ontario working with Prof. Paul Ragogna and Prof. Johanna Blacquiere. Dr. Fiss’s research focuses on the use of materials to help clean metal contaminants out of wastewater streams.
In his WIDE Spotlight Video, Dr. Fiss, a chemist with cerebral palsy, highlights the challenges faced in traditional lab spaces, such as when using NMRs. For navigating these challenges, he emphasizes the importance of accommodations and mentorship, and underscores the importance of prioritizing accessibility in all chemistry spaces (e.g. laboratories, conferences).
You can learn more about WIDE, including how to get involved with initiatives like Spotlight Videos, here.