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Emily earned a B.Sc. (honours) in life sciences from Queen's University and a Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Toronto.  She taught biology at York University and the University of Toronto at Scarborough before joining Toronoto Metropolitan University as an assistant professor, where she teaches immunology.  Currently, as the diirector of SciXchange, she is focused on making science accessible, engaging and inclusive of all groups and is mentor to many youth in the community. She is currently the chapter ambassador for Toronto. Emily regularly facilitates science enrichment activities and mentoring programs for elementary and secondary students. She embraces opportunities to speak about learning and applying science in everyday life and various career paths.  In her spare time, Emily also enjoys music, travel, sports and photography. She holds a certificate in photography studies through the Chang School at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½.

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Leigh coordinates SciXchange’s science outreach programs and manages our network of volunteers within and outside of the Toronto Metropolitan Univeristy community. She has a B.Sc. in conservation biology and Master of Resource and Environmental Management which fuelled her passion to work with communities to protect biodiversity. Leigh worked in the environmental non-profit sector for 6 years where she developed environmental education and community engagement programs and gained skills in volunteer management and science communication.  She joined ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½'s science outreach office in 2016 ready to build strong networks to promote STEM education and science literacy opportunities. In this capacity she works to support underrepresented voices in STEM sectors to strengthen the science community. She coordinated the first event in Canada in 2017. Leigh loves to share all kinds of science knowledge and is particularly passionate about supporting the ways in which society intersects with the science community. You can often find Leigh enjoying a Ken Ken puzzle, watching the latest sci fi series or spreading the word about protecting our planet.

Kayla is from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and has spent the last 10 years at Queen’s University, both as a student and professional in Indigenous student programming. She holds a Bachelor of Science in biology with a certificate in entrepreneurship, innovation & creativity. During her time at Queen’s, she served as Program Coordinator for STEM Indigenous Academics (STEMInA), where she developed and led programming to support Indigenous students in STEM, including orientation initiatives, mentorship programs, and academic workshops. A strong advocate for student success, she has worked to create a sense of belonging and community for Indigenous students through academic support, cultural initiatives, and personal mentorship. She is excited to bring her knowledge, experience, and passion for Indigenous student support to SciXchange, where she will continue to foster meaningful connections, collaborative partnerships, and enriching science outreach initiatives.

Aaron is a PhD student in environmental science and management studying contaminants of emerging arctic concern (CEACs) in water and seabirds under Dr. Roxana Suehring. In September, he joined a month-long research expedition aboard the Amundsen in the Arctic. Currently pursuing a certificate in Indigenous knowledges and experiences, Aaron strives for understanding and knowledge for all communities to create culturally safe spaces for all. He has collaborated with Indigenous communities and educators to co-develop culturally relevant science programming and outreach. Passionate about teaching and mentorship, he supports high school students and university volunteers in gaining meaningful, hands-on scientific experience, and is deeply committed to fostering curiosity, confidence, and inclusivity in every learning environment.

Vivek Dev is a third year biomedical sciences student at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ with a strong passion for science communication, event coordination, and community engagement. As conference planner for Re:SciComm 2026, he supports the planning committee in organizing key aspects of the conference, including logistics, delegate registration, promotions, and venue coordination. With hands-on experience in inclusive outreach through SciXchange and the Faculty of Science, Vivek is dedicated to creating an engaging and accessible conference experience for all participants. He loves exploring deeper scientific knowledge and is eager to expand his understanding of medical science and its real-world impact.

Jordan is a fifth-year biomedical science student with a passion for medicine, research, and sports. She was a member of the women’s varsity soccer team and is particularly interested in how biology relates to athletic performance and health. Jordan currently works at the Mars Discovery District, researching human kidney cells, and is involved in science outreach through Stoodis Science. She also mentors first-year student-athletes, helping them navigate the challenges of balancing academics and athletics. In her spare time, Jordan enjoys exploring Toronto and spending time with friends and family. Through her work with SciXchange, she is committed to inspiring curiosity and providing meaningful hands-on science experiences for the next generation of young scientists.

Lucas is a second-year biomedical sciences student at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ with a passion for health, exercise, and longevity. A former kinesiology student at Wilfrid Laurier University and certified personal trainer at GoodLife Fitness, he strives to motivate others to lead active, healthy lives. Currently, Lucas works with seniors in long-term care, fostering physical activity and social connection through recreational programming. He is passionate about his work with SciXchange, leading events and initiatives that encourage youth to explore science and discovery. Lucas hopes to combine his scientific background with his enthusiasm for fitness to promote long-term health and well-being. Outside of academics, he enjoys going to the gym, playing sports, and spending time with friends and family.

Mays is a business management  student at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ with a passion for storytelling, community engagement, and making science feel exciting and accessible. At SciXchange, she supports social media, event coverage, outreach programming, and creative communications that help connect students, youth, and community members with STEM opportunities.

With experience in photography, content creation, and student leadership, Mays enjoys finding creative ways to highlight people, programs, and meaningful moments. She is especially interested in using social media to make science outreach more inclusive, engaging, and relatable for young audiences.

Outside of SciXchange, Mays enjoys photography, reading, exploring new creative projects, and finding cute cafés around Toronto.

Safia is entering her fourth year in the biology program at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½. She’s passionate about creating inclusive spaces for people of diverse backgrounds and making science feel approachable and accessible. She joined the SciXchange team because of her passion for increasing representation in science and making STEM education more inclusive for diverse communities. In her role, she develops outreach initiatives and collaborates with community organizations to create accessible and engaging STEM learning opportunities.

Through her studies and outreach work, Safia has developed a strong interest in making science more understandable and relevant to everyday life. Outside of science, she is passionate about fashion and sustainability, particularly through knitwear. She enjoys creating and repurposing garments, combining creativity with sustainable practices to give materials a second life.

Riley is an Australian bernedoodle from . His mother is a Bernese mountain dog and his father is an Australian labradoodle.  Before moving to his forever home with Emily Agard, Riley spent 2 months living with dog trainer Agnes Beau through the Swissridge .  Once home with Emily, Riley took puppy conditioning level 2 classes with . A smart, eager to please puppy, Riley continued working with Deena and his "pawrents" on training.  On April 2, 2019, Riley proudly passed his evaluation tests approved by the . When he was an adolescent, he continued training with  of . As an adult, he is a great big brother to his bernedoodle sister Lucy. They both love agility work and completed a year of agility classes with Emily at . This sweet boy enjoys making new friends and learning new tricks.