Our fearlessness, determination, analytical minds, and our ability to look beyond ourselves to improve our understanding of the world around us will propel us into a new era of science.
Fourth-year environmental science student, Valentina Ibarra Galvis has completed several co-op work terms with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, working primarily as an entomology student. She has also completed both an independent study and applied study. She was the first student to present the University of Lethbridge Campus Ecology project, which aims to to connect our community's knowledge to create a sustainable campus.
What is your area of study?
BSc Environmental Science
What excites you about science?
The thing that excites me the most about science is learning something new everyday. There is nothing boring about science.
What sparked your interest in science?
Our need for climate action and ecosystem conservation sparked my interest in science.
Tell us about the first time you felt really excited about what you were learning in science.
The first time I felt really excited about what I was learning in science was when I read the book Amazing Questions and Answers by Anita Ganeri. I used to spend most of my nights as a little girl reading about the different kinds of arachnids and insects that exist around the world.
The first time I felt excited about science in university was in the introductory course for environmental geography, where we learned about climate change and how it will affect specific regions of the world.
What do you hope to accomplish through your scientific research and/or work?
I hope to continue learning about the many disciplines within my field and how they are being applied in our communities to improve our quality of life. I would eventually like to complete a master's degree and possibly a PhD relating to improvements in conservation biology and human-ecosystem interactions.
What words of inspiration would you like to share with the next generation of women & girls in science?
While both men and women make fantastic scientists, I believe women in science are absolutely necessary for scientific innovation because we have a unique way of approaching challenges and seeing them through.
Our fearlessness, determination, analytical minds, and our ability to look beyond ourselves to improve our understanding of the world around us will propel us into a new era of science.