When Bachelor of Science student Layal Zidan was getting ready to head out to her chemistry internship, she admits to feeling a little nervous.

“STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – fields are often described as being male-dominated, and I wondered if I would feel safe and comfortable,” says the Chemistry major. “Luckily, the company I interned with had a lot of women across different roles, including engineers, chemists and managers, and it turned out to be a great experience.” 

But Zidan knew that wasn’t the case for everyone. “The reality is that women and gender-diverse students are still at higher risk of harassment or exclusion in STEM settings, even though we all deserve to study, work and thrive in our careers without worrying about those things.”

When Zidan heard about At the Root, a project of the Courage to Act Foundation created to improve safety and equity for women and gender-diverse individuals in STEM fields, she connected with it immediately. 

“It really clicked for me how meaningful, empowering and eye-opening this work is,” says Zidan, one of the inaugural members of the Courage to Act Foundation’s National Student Advisory Council. “Sitting at the table with other students who share that same drive showed me how necessary it is to create safe, supportive environments in co-ops, internships and labs.”

In her role with At the Root, Zidan is helping the organization provide resources for educators and institutions to address and prevent sexual harassment, and to build more inclusive spaces through protocol guidelines and policy recommendations. 

“When students leave their studies or future careers because of unsafe environments, it’s not just a loss for them, but also for employers and even the broader economy; innovation, productivity and growth all suffer,” she says. “If At the Root’s contributions help even a little to prevent that, I’ll feel proud.”

Zidan’s own undergraduate research has involved studying microplastics with Dr. Matthew Ross, as well as an internship with Exciton Technologies Inc., a Canadian company focused on developing silver-based infection prevention and wound-care technologies.  

“I’d love to stay involved in both research and the medical field,” she says. “At the same time, I want to keep using my governance background to push for better opportunities and safer environments in STEM. Long-term, I hope I can leave behind a positive legacy that encourages young girls – and anyone else who hesitates – to pursue whatever they want without fear of not belonging.”