About

Dalhousie Working for Inclusivity in Chemical Sciences
(Dal WIC)

• 

Dal WIC is a chapter of the “Canadians Working for Inclusivity in Chemical Sciences, Engineering, and Technology” (CWIC) network. We are a student-led initiative focused on promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in chemical sciences. Our three main objectives are to:

1. Share educational resources and spread awareness of EDI issues
2. Provide advocacy for students, particularly minorities
3. Harbour a supportive environment for graduate students via community events and outreach

Current Team

Reem Karaballi
Co-President

Reem is currently pursuing her PhD in Chemistry at Dalhousie and obtained her BSc (Hons) and MSc from Saint Mary’s University. She has held many positions in Dal’s chemistry department such as a senior teaching assistant, part-time instructor, lab demonstrator, and outreach program coordinator.  Outside of her research exploring new plasmonic materials, Reem enjoys hiking, skating, playing sports, and cooking. 

• Pronouns: She/Her/Hers 
• How I Identify:  Arab-Canadian, Women in STEM, chemist, wife, daughter, sister, ally, cisgender female, able-bodied 
• Hobbies: Playing sports, hiking, biking, shopping cooking and baking 
• Favorite Quote: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela  
• Fun Fact:  The name “Reem” means “baby dear” in Arabic  

Adrienne Allison
Co-President

Adrienne is currently a PhD candidate in Chemistry at Dalhousie and previously completed her BSc (Hons) in the same department. Outside of her research in electrochemistry, Adrienne enjoys baking, reading, playing video games, and catching local bands around Halifax.

• Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
• How I Identify: Daughter, sister, friend, small-town Nova Scotian, cisgender female, woman in STEM, ally
• Hobbies: Baking, reading, video games, and finding treasures at thrift stores
• Favourite Quote: “My mom said to me, ‘You know sweetheart, one day you should settle down and marry a rich man.’ And I said, ‘Mom, I am a rich man.'” – Cher
• Fun Fact: Adrienne and Cher were both born on May 20th.

Sarah Martell
Treasurer

Sarah completed a BSc in chemistry from Mount Allison University and is currently a PhD candidate at Dalhousie University. Her research involves trapping and removing persistent pollutants called PFASs from water as well as stoichiometric reactions with silicon nanoparticles.  When she’s not in the lab she enjoys hiking, playing guitar, climbing, watching baking shows and playing with her cats.  

• Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
• How I Identify: Daughter, sister, cisgender female, LGBTQ+, woman in STEM, able-bodied 
• Hobbies: Climbing, hiking, camping, playing guitar, reading, overwatering plants 
• Favorite Quote: “You never know when someone may catch a dream from you.” – anonymous 
• Fun Fact: Sarah owns a unicycle! 

Emily Traver
Internal Communications Coordinator

Emily is a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Dalhousie chemistry department. Her research has focused on silica and plasmonic nitride syntheses and she will be starting her honours research project in the fall! Emily aims to continue her studies after graduation, focusing on analytical techniques in order to pursue a career as an instrument specialist. Emily’s hobbies include reading horror and sci-fi fantasy, as well as knitting and skateboarding, however she can only manage an ollie…so far.

• Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
• How I Identify: Friend, helper, supporter, woman in STEM, ally, cis-gendered female
• Hobbies: Reading, knitting, skateboarding, watching Hell’s Kitchen and Ink Master
• Fun Fact: I can do a multitude of accent impersonations however am currently struggling with Australian.

Dreenan Shea
External Communications Coordinator

Dreenan is in her first year of her PhD at Dalhousie. She obtained her BSc and MSc at St.FX (Yes, two X rings!). She previously studied photocatalytic water decontamination, but her current project is on the stability of plasmonic materials. Her favorite thing about Halifax is exploring new and underrated cafes. (Any place that serves burritos. And coffee.) She is a huge animal lover, and has a sweet little bunny named Ollie who loves naps and watching Brooklyn 99. 

• Pronouns:  She/Her/Hers  
• How I Identify:   Canadian, Women in STEM, chemist, daughter, ally, cisgender female, able-bodied  
• Hobbies:  Hanging out with her fur baby, exercise, shopping and hanging out with 10 or less friends (pandemic humor) 
• Favorite Quote:  “A bad day is still a luxury” – Libby Christensen  
• Fun Fact:   I’m from Tignish, PEI and our town has its own slang, called “Tignisher”