Disability and STEM
In this presentation, Michelle will review evidence-based understandings of the barriers to STEM careers among aspiring youth and adults with disabilities along the STEM pathway. Drawing on the perspectives and lived experiences of medical students and physicians with disabilities, Michelle will highlight the importance of the inclusion of students with disabilities to equity, diversity, and inclusion conversations in the field of Medicine.
Michelle is Shad Canada’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Manager and her passion is to extend STEAM opportunities to youth across Canada with diverse lived experiences, perspectives, and strengths
Speaker:
Michelle McFarlane graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Health Science degree and from University of Toronto with a Master of Science degree within the Institute of Medical Sciences and collaborative program of Neurosciences. She has a background of medical (MD) training in the U.S. and equity, diversity, and inclusion advocacy experience within the field of Medicine with pre-medical students, medical trainees, and physicians, including physicians with disabilities. Michelle is a current board member with the Canadian Association of Physicians with Disabilities, Policy Co-Chair with the Canadian Black Scientists Network Beyond Borders program, advisor on the Black Excellence and Inclusion Steering Committee at Victoria University in the University of Toronto which culminated in the signing of the Scarborough Charter, and the current Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Manager for Shad Canada. She is the proud Academic Award recipient of the Black Business Professional Association Harry Jerome Awards. Michelle aspires to eliminate barriers to educational pathways and careers in STEAM, and to bring a sense of belonging among traditionally underrepresented students in STEAM