About Student Open Circles

Sonika Kainth is a family physician at a community health centre serving marginalized individuals. When she was at McMaster as a student, she attended Student Open Circle’s reflection and mindfulness groups, as well as volunteered with the heterogeneous groups of marginalized populations in Hamilton. Volunteering with Student Open Circles ignited her passion and brought her to where she is working today.

Stephanie has worked on a diverse array of projects; computer science pedagogy, agricultural hardware, electric aviation and vaccine development to name a few. She loves helping passionate people leverage tech to make a positive social impact.

Julia works at McMaster as a Transition Coordinator for students with disabilities. In her role she meets with high school students, educators, and families to share about what is possible and help students see their own potential as a university learner! She also the leads the design and implementation of MacStart, a summer program which equips students with disabilities with the skills and supports they need to help them thrive on their journey of post-secondary education.

Rodrigo Narro Pérez (he/him/él) is an Assistant Professor in the School of Earth, Environment and Society (SEES) in the Faculty of Science at McMaster University. Rodrigo was born in Lima Perú and is interdisciplinary scholar whose teaching and research spans the fields of Environmental Science, Climate Change Science, Latin American Geography, Latinx Geographies, Community-Engaged Education, Latin American Studies and Latinx Studies. Rodrigo did his PhD work in the Cordillera Blanca, Perú where he investigated the environments of glacial lakes to look at the risk of glacial lake outburst floods due to rapid deglaciation and climate change. He then did a Postdoctoral Fellowship at McMaster where he developed the Interdisciplinary Minor in Latin American and Latinx Studies at McMaster as well as anti-racist and inclusive pedagogies in the Faculty of Science. He currently teaches a variety of courses in Earth and Environmental Sciences as well as in the Latin American/Latinx Studies program where he is deeply committed to inspiring a commitment to climate change knowledge and action in students and also empowering the Latin American/Latinx community at McMaster.

Emilie attended McMaster University as an undergraduate student and participated in SOC student groups throughout the entirety of her degree. Following her undergrad, she interned with SOC before pursuing her Masters’ of Teaching at the University of Toronto. Emilie currently works for a non-profit and is driven to find ways that allow youth to understand issues in their communities and empower them to take action.

Becca Tanouye is the Outreach and Enrichment Specialist for the University of Waterloo where she works with communities who historically have not accessed postsecondary education, primarily due to systemic barriers, and creates curated programming and opportunities that encourage youth to see themselves in PSE. She is a certified teacher and mindfulness and meditation leader. Becca hopes that through her work, she supports youth in dreaming a little bigger and taking the necessary steps to sustainable happiness.

I am a professor of materials engineering at McMaster. I previously served as dean of engineering and as university provost. My research and teaching are in the area of the strength and ductility of materials, with a particular focus on the development of lightweight automotive structures for improved fuel efficiency.