Leading USask researcher recognized for excellence with YWCA STEM award

The award, sponsored by the University of Saskatchewan (USask), honours women who have excelled in the pursuit of science, technology, engineering and math. Women nominated in the category must demonstrate excellence through achievements, including conducting groundbreaking original research, outstanding practical innovation or invention, and creating opportunities for women in their field through mentoring.

USask had two impressive nominees this year with researcher Dr. Tara Kahan (PhD), professor in the Department of Chemistry in the College of Arts and Science and Canada Research Chair in Environmental Analytical Chemistry, among the finalists in the STEM category.

Pickering is an accomplished environmental chemist, professor and a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Molecular Environmental Science at USask. Pickering was also the first woman to chair the board of directors of the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the major funder of research infrastructure at universities, colleges and other research institutions across Canada.

In 2018, Pickering received the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation Achievement Award and was elected as Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, one of the country’s highest academic honours.

Pickering’s groundbreaking synchrotron-based research examines heavy metals in the environment with a particular focus on the impact to human health. Her investigations into arsenic contaminated water and mercury toxicity in fish have informed new strategies and provided tangible solutions that can help improve health outcomes globally.

In 2024, Pickering was appointed for a five-year term as chief science officer of the CLS synchrotron, a national facility owned by USask. Prior to her appointment, as a USask user and champion of the CLS for over 20 years, Pickering co-led large-scale funding proposals for the CLS, chaired the CLS user advisory committee, and directed two federally funded graduate training programs focused on synchrotron science.

Pickering is a valuable mentor to students at USask. Throughout her 35-year career, she has inspired and empowered many women trainees who have gone on to establish themselves in academia, industry and government laboratories.

This award celebrates Pickering’s achievements in science and academia and showcases her commitment to helping women succeed in STEM and thrive in their careers.