(Missed the boat on this one.) I received (via email) a January 18, 2025 notice about an upcoming Society of Italian Researchers and Professionals in Western Canada (ARPICO) event, Note 1: Tickets are free, Note 2: the Eventbrite registration page for the event includes a map showing where the venue is located,
ARPICO is excited to invite you to our first event of 2025, “ARPICO Celebrates Women in STEM [science, technology, engineering, and mathematics]: Voices of Innovation” which will be held on Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 at 7:00 PM at the Museum of Vancouver, History Room, 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, BC.
February 11th marks the celebration of Women and Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), established by the United Nations in 2015 to honor the achievements of women and girls in these fields.
Women’s access to STEM education and careers became a reality in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with milestones like, for example, Marie Curie breaking barriers in science and Ada Lovelace becoming the first computer programmer. While progress has been made, women are still underrepresented in STEM. Currently, In Canada, women represent approximately 23% of STEM professionals (about 28% in the United States).
At ARPICO, we are proud to celebrate the progress of women in STEM, acknowledging both their contributions and the challenges they continue to face by hosting a special event you won’t want to miss!
This event aims to inspire and empower the next generation of women, as well as people from all walks of life, to take their place at the forefront of innovation, ensuring STEM is an inclusive space for all. Through its initiatives, ARPICO aims to foster an environment where everyone can thrive, share their experiences, and inspire others.
ARPICO is therefore excited to host an event featuring five distinguished women in STEM. These panelists will engage in a dynamic discussion, sharing their journeys, successes, challenges, and sources of inspiration. The event will include a lively Q&A session, encouraging audience participation, reflection on the importance of supporting women in STEM and exploring how diverse talent strengthens STEM fields and society as a whole.
Whether you’re already involved in STEM, want to guide family and friends into these fields, or simply wish to be inspired by the panelists’ stories, this event will be informative, uplifting, and empowering. Reserve your spot!
To read more and to register for FREE admission, please visit EventBrite at https://womenstem.eventbrite.ca
Evening Program
- 6:30 PM – Doors open for registration
- 7:00 PM – Event begins. Welcome & Introductions by Nicola Fameli
- 7:05 PM – Message from Italian Consul General Paolo Miraglia Del Giudice
- 7:10 PM – ARPICO President’s Address & Moderated Panel Discussion
- Presentation by Valentina Marchetti, President of ARPICO
- Panel Discussion: “ARPICO Celebrates Women in STEM: Voices of Innovation”
- 8:00 PM – Q & A Period
- 8:15 PM – Refreshments, networking and socializing
We look forward to seeing everyone there.
RSVP: Tickets for this event are required, but FREE; all wishing to attend are requested to obtain “free-admission” tickets on EventBrite
Further details are also available at arpico.ca, arpico facebook, and EventBrite.
If participants wish to donate to ARPICO, this can be done within EventBrite or in person at the event; this would be greatly appreciated in order to help us continue our public lecture program and to build upon our scholarship fund.
Main Event Details
ARPICO Celebrates Women in STEM: Voices of Innovation
February 11th marks the celebration of Women and Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), established by the United Nations in 2015 to honor the achievements of women and girls in these fields.
Women’s access to STEM education and careers became a reality in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with milestones like, for example, Marie Curie breaking barriers in science and Ada Lovelace becoming the first computer programmer.
At ARPICO, we are proud to celebrate the progress of women in STEM, acknowledging both their contributions and the challenges they continue to face, by hosting this special event featuring five distinguished women in STEM. These panelists will engage in a dynamic discussion, sharing their journeys, successes, challenges, and sources of inspiration.
Their messages hope to inspire and empower the next generation of women to take their place at the forefront of innovation, ensuring STEM is an inclusive space for all.
The event will include a lively Q&A session, encouraging audience participation, reflection on the importance of supporting women in STEM and exploring how diverse talent strengthens STEM fields and society as a whole.
Whether you’re already involved in STEM, want to guide family and friends into these fields, or simply wish to be inspired by the panelists’ stories, this event will be informative, uplifting, and empowering.
ATTRACTING & CELEBRATING THE BEST MINDS
It is essential for nations, universities, and employers to recruit and nurture top talent in STEM fields to ensure continued innovation and progress. However, women remain underrepresented in STEM careers, making up only 23% of STEM professionals in Canada and 28% in the United States.
Promoting gender equity in STEM is about more than fairness—it’s about unlocking a broader talent pool and fostering richer, more innovative solutions. Research shows that when women and men contribute equally, STEM outcomes are more effective and transformative. Empowering women in STEM benefits not only individuals but also entire industries and societies.
THE IMPORTANCE OF STEM FOR THE WORLD, NATIONS & INDIVIDUALS
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) drive the innovations that shape every aspect of modern life. Careers in STEM offer opportunities to collaborate internationally, solve global challenges like climate change and health crises, and make groundbreaking contributions to society.
Nations that invest in STEM not only foster critical research and innovation but also position themselves as global leaders, driving sustained economic growth and securing a competitive edge.
For individuals, STEM careers are highly sought after, often well-compensated, and provide unparalleled flexibility. Beyond technical expertise, STEM education cultivates critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills—qualities essential for navigating and excelling in today’s interdisciplinary and ever-evolving job market. With these skills, STEM professionals can pivot and thrive in diverse career paths, creating limitless opportunities for personal and professional growth.
About The Panelists and Moderators
Dr. Lori Brotto is a leading expert in women’s sexual health, serving as a Professor in UBC’s [University of British Columbia] Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and holding a Canada Research Chair. Her research focuses on developing accessible treatments for common sexual concerns in women, with a strong emphasis on equity and digital health technologies. As Executive Director of the Women’s Health Research Institute, she leads nearly 600 members in advancing women’s health research across BCDr. Brotto is a frequent media presence, appearing in documentaries like Netflix’s The Principles of Pleasure and CBC Gem’s The Big Sex Talk. She authored Better Sex Through Mindfulness (2018) and The Better Sex Through Mindfulness Workbook (2022), and her work earned her a UBC Public Education Through Media award in 2023. As a Registered Psychologist in BC, Dr. Brotto works directly with individuals to improve sexual well-being and encourages young women to pursue STEM careers. She engages with the public through social media, empowering women and advancing research in sexual health.
Dr. Cristina Conati is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. She received an M.Sc. in Computer Science at the University of Milan, as well as a Ph.D. in Intelligent Systems at the University of Pittsburgh. She has been a Faculty Member at UBC since November 1999. Cristina’s research is at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Human-Computer Interaction and Cognitive Science, focusing on Human-Centred AI with contributions in the areas of Intelligent Tutoring Systems, User Modeling, Affective Computing, Information Visualization, and Explainable AI. Cristina’s research has received 10 Best Paper Awards from a variety of venues and in 2022 she received a UBC Killam Research Price. She is a Fellow of AAAI (Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence) and of AAIA (Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association). She is the co-Editor in Chief of the Journal of AI in Education. She served as President of AAAC (Association for the Advancement of Affective Computing), as well as Program or Conference Chair for several international conferences.
Dr. Jaraquemada, Lupe, is a Radiochemist at Alpha9 Oncology in Vancouver, where she develops new radiopharmaceuticals to enhance cancer diagnosis and treatment. She studied in Canada in 2015 during her PhD and later returned to UBC Chemistry for postdoctoral and research associate work with Dr. Chris Orvig. Before joining Alpha9, Lupe worked as a Staff Scientist at BC Cancer’s Molecular Oncology department under Dr. François Bénard. She holds a PhD in Chemical Sciences and Technologies from the University of Cagliari, Italy, and a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Extremadura, Spain. In her free time, Lupe enjoys skiing with family and friends, watching Whitecaps games, and cheering on her two boys at soccer matches at the Italian Cultural Centre.
Camilla Moioli is a Ph.D. candidate at UBC’s ERDE (Energy Resources, Development, and Environment) and Forest Action Labs, focusing on the intersection of land use policy, energy transitions, and climate justice. With a background in Economics and Social Sciences, she uses both micro and macroeconomic methods to explore sustainable development. Camilla has worked with grassroots organizations in Ecuador on local restoration policies and collaborated with research centers in Europe, including EIEE in Milan, IIASA in Vienna, and SDSN in Paris, to incorporate global perspectives. She also teaches Forest and Conservation Economics at UBC and contributes to courses in carbon and energy economics. Camilla holds a BSc in Business from the University of Milano-Bicocca and an MSc in Economics from the Catholic University of Milan.
Dr. Adele Ruosi‘s journey in physics began in Italy, where she earned her Ph.D. and delved into experimental superconductivity while teaching at the University of Naples. Her curiosity then led her to the US, where she conducted research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also taught physics at Temple University and served as the Scientific Administrator of an Energy Frontier Research Center. Since 2019, Adele has been a Science Education Specialist in Physics and Astronomy at the University of British Columbia. When she’s not advancing science education, Adele enjoys exploring the great outdoors of British Columbia
Desiree Fiaccabrino is a BSc Chemistry graduate with First Class Honours from King’s College London, is pursuing a PhD in Chemistry at UBC under Dr. Chris Orvig and Dr. Paul Schaffer at TRIUMF. Her research focuses on developing novel molecules to bind radioactive metals for cancer therapeutics and diagnostics. As President of UBC’s Chemistry Graduate Student Society, Desiree organized professional development initiatives, including career panels with industry and academic leaders. She has mentored undergraduate and MSc students in research and scientific communication. Desiree is passionate about creating tools to bridge scientific discovery with practical applications in nuclear medicine to improve patient care.
Dr. Valentina Marchetti is an expert in endothelial cell dysfunction and progenitor cells in cardiovascular diseases. After completing her PhD at the University of Rome, Italy, she worked as a postdoctoral fellow at The Scripps Research Institute, focusing on stem cells for treating diabetic retinopathies and eye diseases. In 2013, she joined STEMCELL Technologies in Vancouver, where she led the endothelial and eye group and developed products for stem cell research. Currently an Adjunct Professor at Simon Fraser University, Valentina collaborates with the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. As President of ARPICO, she advances collaboration and public awareness of key research, while promoting Italian-Canadian scientific and cultural exchanges.
FAQ
- Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?
- info@arpico.ca
- Can I update my registration information?
- Yes. If you have any questions, contact us at info@arpico.ca
- I am having trouble using EventBrite and cannot reserve my ticket(s). Can someone at ARPICO help me with my ticket reservation?
- Of course, simply send your ticket request to us at info@arpico.ca so we can help you.
As always, the organizers have been thoughtful about including detailed information.
