Cynthia Goh: From Science to Society

Cynthia Goh will share a short lecture and engage participants in a workshop.

In protecting our world as scientists, we are faced with complex problems that require collaboration, innovation and community-building.

Join us for an interactive presentation and workshop with professor Cynthia Goh from the University of Toronto where she is also a founding director of the Impact Centre.

Learn how we can solve real-world problems through research, why having a culture of innovation matters and how we can create one.

Throughout the Goh Lab history, creative problem-solving has been a catalyst for innovation that drives real-world impact. In this exciting presentation, learn how Dr. Cynthia Goh uses her research to help solve real-world problems, and how she has helped to build a culture of innovation at the University of Toronto. This presentation will be followed by an informal chat with Janine Carmichael, entrepreneurship specialist for The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning at UM.

Following the presentation, stick around for a one-hour, hands-on workshop that will show you how you can apply your own skills and expertise to issues that you care about. This interactive experience will provide a sample of Dr. Goh’s flagship innovation workshops which have been reached thousands of participants.

Dr. Cynthia Goh is an NSERC Scholar - Entrepreneur in Residence. She is a professor at the University of Toronto Department of Chemistry, cross-appointed to the Departments of Materials Science & Engineering and Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, the Institute for Management and Innovation, and the Institute of Medical Science, and the founding director of University of Toronto Entrepreneurship and the Impact Centre. Her research focus is on complex systems, biomaterials and nanoscience, investigating interactions, properties, the role of surfaces/interfaces, including the development of instruments for these studies. She has expertise in the translation of scientific discovery to technology/products that benefit society, and in the training of scientist-entrepreneurs. Her research has led to 100+ publications, 70+ patents and 8+ science-based companies – from medical diagnostics to nanotechnology – that she co-founded with her students. She has created successful training programs for scientist-entrepreneurs, including Entrepreneurship101@MaRS (which expanded to thousands registered annually) and Techno (which nucleated and nurtured 140+ student-led, science-based startups). She also works on building community-based innovation systems in Canada and in the Philippines, which includes leading a project on lighting up remote villages and developing a virtual library system for remote communities. She is a recipient of the 2022 NSERC Synergy Award for Innovation.

Goh's workshops have have driven innovative solutions to tackle “light poverty,” improve medical diagnostics, and advance STEM education in under-resourced settings.

February 11 is International Day of Women and Girls in Science. We are thrilled to host multiple events that recognize the amazing accomplishments of women, girls, and gender-diverse people in science. We also recognize that there is still a significant gender gap when it comes to equity in science. We strive to empower people of all genders to participate in science, and remove barriers to gender equity. We encourage you to register for our other events this week:

• February 11 - screening of "Picture a Scientist"
• February 12 - Academic lecture by Cynthia Goh: "Surfaces in biosensors: From fundamental issues to launching a medical diagnostics company"

Notice Regarding Collection, Use, and Disclosure of Personal Information by the University

Your personal information is being collected under the authority of The University of Manitoba Act. The information you provide will be used by the university for the purpose of processing your registration for the event, determining catering needs, improving future Faculty of Science events, and for further communication regarding the event. Your personal information will not be used or disclosed for other purposes, unless permitted by The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). If you have any questions about the collection of your personal information, contact the Access and Privacy Office (tel. 204-474-9462), 233 Elizabeth Dafoe Library, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2.

Info: Cynthia Goh will present a talk titled "Things won't move if we don't." Following her talk, Goh will engage in a casual conversation with Janine Carmichael to share some highlights of her work. The audience will have an opportunity to ask Goh questions during this time.

Info: Stick around for a one-hour, hands-on workshop that will get you to see how you can apply your own skills and expertise to issues that you care about. All are welcome.

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Host or Publisher University of Manitoba, Faculty of Science