Growing up in India, my academic journey primarily revolved around traditional education. During my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, the focus was entirely on lectures, laboratory work, coursework, and assessments. Science advocacy and policy work were terms I had never even heard of. When I pursued my PhD in the United Kingdom, followed by postdoctoral research in Canada, my focus remained on conducting studies, collecting and analyzing data, and disseminating research results. It wasn’t until I began my career as an assistant professor at the University of Lethbridge that I was exposed to the importance of science advocacy and policy.

Through my engagement with scientific societies, I began to understand the critical need to communicate science to diverse groups, advocate for research investment, and influence policy decisions. These became vital topics of conversation and sparked my interest in becoming involved.

A Turning Point: Canada Research Chair & Science Meets Parliament

When I was awarded the Canada Research Chair in November 2017, a few things changed for the better. In May 2018, the Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) launched a unique initiative called Science Meets Parliament (SMP), designed to foster lasting relationships between the scientific community and parliamentarians. I was fortunate to be selected as a member of the inaugural SMP cohort. Spending two days in Ottawa in November 2018, I learned about science advocacy, communication, and policy, and connected with senior leaders who were actively involved in these areas. Returning to Lethbridge, I felt a newfound sense of excitement and passion for science advocacy. I began collaborating with fellow Canada Research Chairs who had also participated in SMP, and together, we published an article in the Science and Public Policy journal in 2020. After this transformative experience, I reached out to SMP organizers, including Mehrdad Hariri and Matt McTaggart, to inquire if I could help with future events. I was thrilled when they accepted, and I soon became actively involved in organizing SMP events and CSPC annual conferences.

Volunteering for CSPC and SMP

Since 2021, I have had the privilege of volunteering as a program committee member for the annual CSPC conferences (2021, 2023-2025) and organizing SMP events during the same years. I am committed to continuing my involvement with SMP for as long as possible. One of the most rewarding aspects of my volunteer work has been reviewing proposals for panel discussions at CSPC conferences and reviewing CRC applicant proposals for SMP events. This task exposed me to the breadth and depth of advocacy, communication, and scientific activities taking place across Canada.

Volunteering has also provided invaluable networking opportunities, enabling me to initiate new collaborations, actively engage in science advocacy, and apply transferable skills to my work at the University of Lethbridge. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I used my communication skills to explain viral infections, vaccine development, and immunity to non-expert community members. Additionally, the experience I gained from engaging with policymakers in Ottawa helped me in my laboratory projects and with my role as Associate Dean. Through my volunteer efforts, I have also contributed to societies I am actively involved with, including the Biophysical Society, Biophysical Society of Canada, Canadian Society of Molecular Biosciences, and RNA Canada ARN.