The talk from the elder was a very enriching experience and one that I did not expect to have given the circumstances of COVID-19. It was really humbling. Ray is also a wealth of knowledge who I enjoyed learning a lot from. Having community members speaking to us directly regarding their experiences working with academia and the government was an important part that should be included every year.
During my summer with I-STEAM, I had the opportunity to research with Dr. Ran Zhao’s lab. This experience allowed me to pursue various research projects throughout the summer, and present my findings at a scientific conference at the end. Dr. Zhao has guided me to pursue a MSc in Forest Biology and Management focusing on Wildfire Management at the University of Alberta. The interdisciplinary nature of this internship allowed me to gain experience that will be useful throughout my academic career and professional life.