Who we are
Science Expo Youth Empowerment Group is a non-profit, entirely youth-run organization which aims to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) opportunities to Canadian youth. Science Expo was founded by five individuals who met at the 2009 Canada Wide Science Fair and wanted to encourage more students to get involved. To date, the group has successfully held three annual conferences, and has expanded to include several other outreach programs. Science Expo aims to inspire students to become more engaged in extracurricular STEM activities, and to provide them with the resources to do so.
Meet the team
BerBer Xue | Conference Director
BerBer's love for science started when she checked out a university biology textbook from the library in grade 4. Not comprehending a single word, she vowed to study hard until she did. This year, BerBer is working with researchers at the Rotman Research Centre on further understanding cogenital prosopagnosia, that is, the inability to recognize faces. BerBer volunteers at Trillium Health Centre and St. Michael's Hospital. She is a proud Shad Valley Laval alumnus. Besides science, BerBer loves creative writing, art appreciation, and font-collecting. BerBer is in her last year of high school at Martingrove CI in Toronto.
Brian Krug | Director of Outreach
Brian began science fair projects in grade seven, and has since continued with many years in laboratories at the University of Guelph focusing on cancer research. He represented Canada at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and Sanofi-Aventis BioGENEius Challenge. Aside from science, he is a cross-country skier and clarinetist.
Daniel Zhang | Director of Social Media
Daniel is avidly engaged in a broad spectrum of STEM opportunities. He has placed regionally, nationally, and internationally in various competitions ranging from the Sanofi Aventis BioTalent Challenge to Canadian Open Mathematics Competition. Inspired by many experiences with scientific research projects, he actively seeks to bring new ideas to life through opportunities such as Science Fair. Daniel is currently in his final year at Northern Secondary School and aims to pursue a University major in the field of molecular genetics.
Edward Kim | Director of IT & Communications
Eddie first became seriously interested in science when he entered his first regional science fair. Though his first attempt at scientific research was a little rough around the edges, he was inspired by the high quality of research presented by other students at the fair. His motivation renewed, Eddie went back to the fair the following year, and made it to his first national-level science fair in grade eight. Since then, Eddie has participated in a number of regional, national and international science events. Currently, he is studying Nanoscience and Physics at the University of Guelph as a Chancellor's Scholar.
Hillary Dawkins | Co-President
Hillary has been involved with many STEM opportunities throughout high school including ISSYP, Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge, and Science Fair which allowed her to travel to places like Texas and Africa. She is now studying Theoretical Physics at the University of Guelph, and hopes to pursue a career related to research in physics.
Honghu Wang | Director of Finance
Honghu is in his last year of high school. His past STEM enrichment opportunities have included Shad Valley—Université Laval, 2011; the DEEP Summer Academy by the University of Toronto; Waterloo Unlimited, run by the University of Waterloo, and numerous CEMC Math Contests. Current involvements of his include scientific publication as part of the Canadian Young Scientist Journal. Honghu hopes to pursure academics in political science and cognitive sciences concurrently. He is also an avid user of semi-colons; just ask him yourself.
Kevin Lau | Conference Director
Kevin is a grade 12 student at St. Augustine CHS. He has participated in a variety of STEM opportunities including the Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge, science fairs and numerous mathematics competitions. As one of thirty students from across Ontario selected to study at the Ontario Science Centre, Kevin is passionate about youth empowerment and the potential of STEM to change the world. He is a Shad Valley Memorial alumnus and is also active as a volunteer in his local and school community. If you have any questions, comments, concerns or just want to get in touch, don't hesitate to email him at kevin@science-expo.org!
Megan Schlorff | Director of Logistics
Megan is from Hanover, Ontario and has always had a passion for science. She is fortunate enough to have participated in amazing science opportunities including several CWSFs, the Intel ISEF, science fair events in France, Texas, and Slovakia, and an expedition to the Canadian Arctic. It is because of these experiences that Megan would like to help others find STEM opportunities through Science Expo that will open them to a world of possibilities. She enjoys scrapbooking, step dancing, and participating in extracurricular activities at McMaster University where she is currently in her first year in the Bachelor of Health Sciences Program.
Merette Shinouda | Conference Director
Merette is a grade 11 student at Centennial CVI. She has been involved in numerous STEM opportunities including WWSEF, Sanofi-Aventis BioGENEious Challenge, various Science Olympics, and is the secretary of her school’s Chemistry Club. She is also a Shad Valley at McMaster University Alumna. Merette is a percussionist in her school’s Concert Band, and is a member of the Mock Trial team. She is a passionate leader in her school through her executive positions in Music Council and Z-Club, and being a mentor for grade 9 students. Outside of school, Merette referees both basketball and soccer, and enjoys volunteering in her community.
Stephanie Chan | Director of Sponsorship & Marketing
Stephanie is an enthusiastic participant in many STEM opportunities. She attended Shad Valley in July 2010 at the University of British Columbia, and her passion for science has taken her to science fairs at both the regional and national levels. This year, she represented the Waterloo-Wellington region in the Canada Wide Science Fair in Toronto, where she was awarded a silver medal. In addition to science, she is an accomplished pianist and is very enthusiastic about art, literature and mathematics. She is currently studying Biochemistry at Queen's University as a Chancellor's Scholar, and hopes to pursue a career in medicine.
Susie Pan | Co-President
Susie is currently in her second year as a Queen's Commerce Student. Susie was extremely involved in science fair in high school. Along with her partner, she has participated in regional, national, and international science fairs and started Science Expo to give students the same amazing opportunities she had. Although pursuing Commerce as a degree, Susie is still a passionate researcher, never forgetting her science background, and continues to make a difference in her Queen's community through her extra curricular involvements.
Tina Tang | Promotions Coordinator
Tina is a student who has always had a passion for STEM. She participates in different science olympics, has attended both Science Expo conferences since its start in 2009, is involved in science clubs and activities around her school, and is a Shad Valley UNB 2011 alumni. Tina hopes to pursue a career in medicine in the future. Other than science, Tina is also a participant of DECA and school music ensembles.
Venissa Xiao | Teacher Outreach Coordinator
Venissa has had the opportunity to participate in many different types of STEM opportunities. She entered her first science fair project when she was in grade 7 and since then, became deeply interested in biochemistry research. In the summer of 2011, she participated in Shad Valley International at University of British Columbia which prompted her to develop a passion for entrepreneurship. Currently, she is finishing her last year in secondary school and is very excited to pursue post secondary education.
Our Sponsors (2012)
