Nia's on Team HB6!
Global Leadership & Underrepresented Genders in STEMM
Stephanie (Nia) Fernandez, PhD
They/Them
About Me
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I'm an academic, artist, advocate, and adventurer from Tio'tia:ke (Montréal), Canada. I majored in Biochemistry and Chemical Engineering and earned my doctorate in the Stem Cell Bioprocessing Laboratory & Leask Laboratory (McGill University), where I led multidisciplinary research to advance cell therapy for type 1 diabetes.
I'm passionate about the intersection between STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine) and social justice and am pursuing a career in Higher Education that allows me to build inclusive and sustainable policies, processes, and structures. Throughout my post-graduate career, I advocated for increased awareness and action toward mental health, accessibility, and intersectionality in academia. Notably, I founded GEEC, an award-winning organisation of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows dedicated to advancing social equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives in Engineering.
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Outside of research and education, I seek adventure and inspiration through travel, spending time in nature, and exploring a broad range of creative arts. In particular, I love engaging with the visual arts as a fun way to tap into my imagination, express my identity, and relieve stress.
Why did I apply to HB6?
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Admittedly, the first thing that thrilled me about Homeward Bound was the prospect of adventure and seeing penguins in their natural habitat. The second thing that thrilled me was the opportunity to join an international all-women team providing mutual support and collaborating on a shared vision. Homeward Bound's mission aligns strongly with my own values, action-oriented nature, and dedication to personal development, so it seemed like a natural fit.
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I was impressed not just by Homeward Bound's goals, but their application process, programming, and the specific messages conveyed. The Homeward Bound application is open to women in all STEMM disciplines and stages of their career, emphasising that global sustainability is everyone's responsibility. Whether you're a graduate student or a CEO with decades of experience under your belt, we each have a role to play in caring for our planet. As someone trained in biomedical research, and by no means an expert on climate change, this is an incredible chance for me to fill gaps in my knowledge, learn how to become a more responsible scientist, and share what I learn with others in my community.
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Furthermore, I'm excited to tackle the too-narrow perception of what "good" leadership looks like across many cultures. In my part of the world, we are oftentimes fed a leadership ideal that is hypermasculine, aggressive, and highly extroverted, which can feel discouraging and alienating for many of us. Especially for racialised women, who rarely see ourselves represented in leadership positions, it is unfortunately easy to internalise the harmful belief that we are "not enough". Rather than contorting ourselves to fit the mould, Homeward Bound creates space to explore and celebrate our own diverse brands of leadership rooted in our unique identities, personalities, and experiences.
I'm particularly eager to apply what I learn through HB6 to empower racialised, queer, and disabled folx in STEMM; to increase our visibility and to validate non-traditional leadership styles. My goal is to return with a stronger toolkit to effectively advocate for standards, policies, and practices that promote intersectionality and inclusion as key elements of global sustainability.
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You can follow my HB6 experience through my blog! Learn how you can support my journey here!