David Smith is a doctor and internist with a rich history in the field, ranging from biomimetics technology to traumatic brain injury. But it was far from a straight line to get to where he is today.

Helen is committed to building a strong community and active in several local organizations and boards. She also serves as a mentor and life coach to youth and new immigrants.

Over the past decade, Professor Pilon has been in demand as a speaker and media commentator on many aspects of politics and political reform in Canada. He has appeared in hundreds of stories in print, radio and television.

Chana Davis, PhD is a scientist and mother of three who who loves helping others to discover and enjoy a healthy diet, rich in delicious, nutritious plants. Chana is equally passionate about empowering others to make food choices from a place of knowledge rather than rooted in fear or hype.

Leslie is an author who, in her book Feminist City: A Field Guid, provides a detailed guide to feminist city-building. She points out that cities were designed with men in mind; women were an afterthought. As such, urban environments frequently put women’s well-being and safety at risk.

In the world of postgraduate education, someone has to develop the classes and programs that lead to degrees. The challenge, however, is who? Who has the experience and insight into the topic and at the same time can design a structured education?

Dialogue is a tricky thing. It’s not just the exchanging of words: it is the sharing of ideas. On the surface, that sounds straightforward – until you realize it is a complex interplay of thoughts, agendas, emotions and competing interests, to name but a few.

The mapping of the human genome was a fearless plunge into groundbreaking science. Dr Fraser says, as a scientist, she had to take risks that allowed her to answer the questions she was asking in molecular biology – at the time a nascent field. She dared to fail at a time when that was still an option.

Dr Zharkova’s work in examining the sun as it moves into a solar minimum in the late stages of solar cycle 24 and into solar cycle 25 has captured the interest of an international audience. Her work suggests the long range forecast for the sun in the next two or possible three solar cycles will lead to a dramatic decrease in the volume and intensity of solar radiation in our solar system.

In this edition of Careers That Matter, we meet volcanologist Glyn Williams-Jones, whose enthusiasm for his job makes you want to say, "Where do I sign up?" He says volcanoes are just like people: they each have their own personality. Each one is unique, each one shifts, expands and, at times, explodes.