Atqiya Fariha, a Master of Public Health student at Brock University, is breaking down barriers by building up opportunities for young girls from marginalized communities to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers.

Fariha’s impactful work with FeminSTEM recently earned her a Women in STEM Graduate Leadership Award, which recognizes Brock graduate students for exceptional advocacy and efforts to advance women and underrepresented groups in STEM fields.

This year the award is divided among three outstanding student leaders, with Fariha receiving the top amount of $5,000 and Applied Health Sciences PhD student Briana Hockey (BKin ’20, MSc ’22) and Computer Science master’s student Israt Jabin each receiving $2,500.

“Fariha’s leadership is a shining example of the impact one individual can have in shaping the future of STEM,” says Acting Vice-President, Research Michelle McGinn. “Her commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of belonging in the STEM community aligns perfectly with our values of inclusivity and diversity in research at Brock.”

Fariha’s own passion for STEM grew as she progressed through her academic career and discovered her love for math and science. However, she often encountered a lack of women STEM mentors, particularly women of colour, to look up to in the field.

This gap inspired Fariha to co-found FeminSTEM, a program designed to break down the social, financial and cultural barriers that prevent young girls, especially from marginalized communities, from pursuing STEM careers.

“I wanted to create a space where these girls could see themselves in STEM, not just as an abstract possibility, but as a real future they could actively pursue,” she says. “Mentorship and representation can truly change the trajectory of a young person’s future.”

FeminSTEM initially focused on girls in Grades 1 through 8 and later expanded to include high school students. A shift to virtual programming during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed the program to reach across the country.

Fariha’s work goes beyond education in cultivating a culture of belonging. Mentors are trained to uplift and empower participants, creating an environment far from the traditional academic setting.

“It’s essential for the girls in our program to not just learn about STEM, but to embody and feel they belong in the careers they’re exploring,” she says. “We don’t want it to feel like a traditional school setting. We want it to be an engaging and exciting space where they feel supported.”

Fariha says she is honoured to be recognized with the Women in STEM Graduate Leadership Award.

“FeminSTEM started as a passion project to make STEM more accessible and welcoming for girls, especially those from underrepresented communities. Seeing its impact recognized in this way is truly meaningful to me,” she says.

Looking to the future, Fariha plans to continue her studies in science and health care. She says she hopes to continue working at the intersection of health care, policy and community engagement – whether through research, policy work or community initiatives – to address systematic barriers that impact marginalized populations.

“It’s important to understand the social barriers around us, regardless of the field you work in, as these issues affect us all.”