On April 6, Skyline College welcomed SNOLAB Research Scientist Dr. Erica Caden for an inspiring in-person presentation titled “Smashing Barriers in a Scientific Career.” Her visit marked a meaningful milestone for our STEM community, by bringing to life a relationship built through international scientific collaboration, shared commitment to equity, and a dedication to uplifting the next generation of scientists.
Skyline College’s connection with Dr. Caden grew through the nEXO collaboration, a large-scale international physics experiment searching for a rare nuclear process. Within that collaboration, the Skyline nEXO group had the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Caden as fellow members of the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) committee, where they found a shared passion not just for cutting-edge physics, but for making the scientific community more welcoming and accessible to everyone.
Dr. Caden is based at SNOLAB, a world-class underground physics laboratory located in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, one of the deepest clean laboratories in the world. Some audience members had already encountered Dr. Caden’s story: last summer, she delivered a virtual version of her presentation to students in the SIREN program via Zoom. It was a special treat to have her join us in person in the STEM Center this time! In her talk, Dr. Caden drew on her own journey as a physicist to speak candidly about the structural and personal barriers that many people, particularly those from underrepresented groups encounter in scientific careers. She discussed her experience and what it takes to persist, thrive, and find community within it. Her message was both honest and deeply encouraging: the barriers are real, but they can be smashed.
Her talk resonated with Skyline College students, many of whom are navigating their own paths into STEM fields. Dr. Caden’s willingness to speak openly about her challenges as well as her successes gave students a rare and authentic window into what a life in science can look like. In addition, the audience got to learn about what it takes to work in an underground lab in an active nickel mine, only accessible via a 1.2-mile elevator.
We are deeply grateful to Dr. Erica Caden for traveling to be with us and for her continued partnership and friendship. Her visit is a reminder of the power of community, across institutions, borders, and disciplines. We look forward to continuing this collaboration to inspire more students to explore STEM careers.
This visit was sponsored by the MESA Center, STEM Center, and Women in Science and Engineering Represent (WiSER) Club.
MESA – Math, Engineering, Science Achievement – is an academic enrichment program that helps educationally underrepresented students excel in math and science and graduate from college with degrees in calculus-based fields. Founded in 1970, the MESA program serves pre-college, community college, and university students at over 100 sites throughout California. Skyline College’s MESA Program is part of the MESA California Community College Programs (MCCP). To learn more about MESA, please visit www.skylinecollege.edu/mesa or email skymesa@smccd.edu.
