Tamara Franz-Odendaal
Professor, Faculty of Biology, NSERC Chair Women in Science and Engineering- Atlantic Canada; Principal Investigator - Bone Development Laboratory | Mount Saint Vincent University
Halifax, NS, CANADA
Developmental biologist / Anatomist; Advocate for the Advancement of Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Media
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Biography
Dr. Tamara Franz-Odendaal graduated from the University of Cape Town, South Africa with a PhD in Zoology and completed her post-doctoral studies at Dalhousie University in Evolutionary-Developmental Biology. Dr. Franz-Odendaal joined the Mount in 2006 as a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) University Faculty award recipient (2006-2011) and has since launched an active and productive research program as a morphologist and developmental biologist in the field of skeletal biology.
In 2011, Dr. Franz-Odendaal was awarded the NSERC Atlantic Chair for Women in Science and Engineering for the Atlantic Region (WISEatlantic). She is one of five chair holders across Canada that are working to increase the participation of women in science and engineering and to provide role models for women considering careers in these fields. The aim of the WISEatlantic program is to provide girls in junior and senior high school with access to role models active in the sciences and engineering fields through mentorships, webinars, Girls Get WISE Science events and Science Summer Camps. Through WISEatlantic, she also supports women in STEM careers through professional development opportunities, such as the WinSETT Leadership Program workshops and academic advancement workshops. By 2016, her program reached over 13,000 students, teachers, academics, professionals etc., and had directly engaged 3000 youth with almost 200 female role models in STEM.
Industry Expertise (4)
Biotechnology
Education/Learning
Research
Laboratory Services
Areas of Expertise (18)
Morphology
Embryology
Molecular Biology
Anatomy
Genetics
Teaching
Science
Science Outreach to the Public
Girl's and Women's Empowerment
Science technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) undergraduate education
Bone biology and regeneration
bone development
skeleton
evo-devo
Evolution and Development
Developmental Biology
Girls in STEM
Stem Careers
Accomplishments (5)
Chair for Women in Science and Engineering (NSERC) (professional)
2011-10-01
Dr. Franz-Odendaal is the current Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Chair for Women in Science and Engineering for Atlantic Canada.
Research Excellence Award (professional)
2013-05-23
Dr Franz-Odendaal was awarded Mount Saint Vincent University's Research Excellence Award
Young Investigator Award in Morphological Sciences (professional)
2013-04-25
Dr Franz-Odendaal was awarded the American Association of Anatomists Young Investigator's Award in Morphological Sciences for her contribution to biomedical research
Dove's Unstoppable Moms for Unstoppable Girls (professional)
2013-05-30
Dr Franz-Odendaal was awarded the Dove's Unstoppable Moms for Unstoppable Girls for her work engaging girls in science.
Science Champion (professional)
2013-05-17
Dr Franz-Odendaal was awarded a Science Champion award by the Discovery Centre in Nova Scotia, Canada, for her contribution to STEM outreach
Education (4)
Dalhousie University: Post Doctorate, Biology 2006
University of Cape Town: Ph.D., Biology 2002
University of Cape Town: M.Sc., Medicine 1997
University of Cape Town: B.Sc., Zoology 1994
Affiliations (1)
- Vice President Nova Scotia Institute of Science
Links (3)
Languages (1)
- English
Media Appearances (12)
Women in science
Saint Mary's University radio
2016-02-20
Dr. Franz-Odendaal was a guest panelist on Science Files, a program of news radio 95.7 fm, to discuss women in science.
Start-Up Funding
CBC Information Morning, Cape Breton radio
2016-01-06
Dr. Franz-Odendaal was interviewed for CBC radio's Information Morning - Cape Breton regarding her thoughts about a local competition that provides funding for start-up companies, and how very few of the contest winners were start-ups run by women.
Trendsetter: Tamara Franz-Odendaal
Halifax Magazine online
2014-04-01
Dr. Tamara Franz-Odendaal was interviewed for Halifax Magazine's Trendsetter piece. The article details Tamara's accomplishments as a biologist and as the Chair for Women in Science and Engineering.
Want to help women in science? Provide decent child care for starters
The Chronicle Herald online
2015-06-19
Dr. Franz-Odendaal wrote an op-ed for The Chronicle Herald that discussed how providing decent child care is one way to help keep women working in the sciences.
Women in science retreat comes to Halifax
Global News tv
2015-04-10
Dr. Tamara Franz-Odendaal chats about the Girls Get WISE Science Retreat taking place in Halifax. The event is all about encouraging girls to consider careers in fields like science, engineering, technology and math.
It's time to change the STEM stereotype
STEM Magazine
2015-01-01
In this article for STEM Magazine, Dr. Franz-Odendaal writes about STEM stereotypes, why we need to be aware of them, and also how we can help change the stereotypes.
Challenge — like riding a bomb —brings joy, astronaut tells girls
The Chronicle Herald online
2014-05-17
Dr. Tamara Franz-Odendaal provides a quote for a story about one of WISEatlantic's Girls Get WISE Science Retreats for girls that featured a female astronaut as a guest speaker.
STEM and the female student
The Chronicle Herald online
2014-01-23
Lead researcher Dr. Tamara Franz-Odendaal discusses results from the WISEatlantic research study 'Career Choices and Influencers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math'.
Early engagement key to getting girls into science careers, Canadian study says
The Globe and Mail online
2014-01-22
Lead researcher Dr. Tamara Franz-Odendaal discusses results from the WISEatlantic research study 'Career Choices and Influencers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math'.
Empowering Women in STEM
International Innovation
2013-01-01
Three of the five NSERC Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering, including Dr. Tamara Franz-Odendaal, explain that while of course initiatives to bolster the amount of women in STEM careers are needed, real change requires greater support in the workplace and a shift in the way society and cultures view women who choose to work in STEM fields.
NSERC Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering (CWSE) Program Part II
International Innovation
2013-01-01
In the second of a two-part series, International Innovation rejoins three of the five NSERC Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering, The chairs discuss their work to support the increased participation of women in the STEM fields.
NSERC Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering (CWSE) Program Part I
International Innovation
2012-01-01
In the first of a two-part series, International Innovation interviews three of the five NSERC Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering, The chairs discuss their work to support the increased participation of women in the STEM fields.
Event Appearances (10)
Leadership Starts Early: The Impact of Role Models
Gender Summit Three Washington, DC
2013-11-13
Strategies to enable girls to interact with role models and to expand their understanding of STEM careers
Gender Summit Three Washington, DC
2013-11-13
All About Bones: Insights from fossils and embryo's
WISE NL Statoil Seminar Series St. John's, Newfoundland
2014-04-16
Call to Action: NSERC Chairs
Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology Conference Regina, Saskatchewan
2014-05-21
Promoting Women in Academia Through Career Development
Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology Conference Ottawa, Ontario
2016-05-04
Engaging Young Girls in STEM Throughout Canada
Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology Conference Ottawa, Ontario
2016-05-04
Supporting Women in Chemistry
Chemical Institute of Canada Conference Halifax, Nova Scotia
2016-06-07
Career intentions, influencers, and STEM career awareness amongst grade 7s.
Canadian Coalition for Women in Engineering Science Trades and Technology Ottawa
2016-05-10
Promoting women in academia through career development workshops.
Canadian Coalition for Women in Engineering Science Trades and Technology Ottawa
2016-05-11
GIRLS and Science: why it’s important and how you can support them
Nova Scotia Institute of Science Halifax, NS
2012-10-08
Research Grants (3)
Chair for Women in Science and Engineering
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Funding to support programming aimed at bridging the gender gap in STEM fields
Discovery Grant
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Funding to support research in the biological sciences, in particular the evolution and development of the skeleton
Skeletal development in zebrafish
Nova Scotia Health Research Grant
2016-11-18
This study explored the use of zebrafish to study skull defects in humans.
Articles (5)
Experiences and Perceptions of STEM. Subjects and Careers and Engagement in STEM Activities Among Middle School Students.
Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education2016-06-03
Study surveying youth in Atlantic Canada on their attitudes towards science and math, what/who influencers their future, and their likelihood of choosing a STEM career.
It is time to change the STEM stereotype
STEM Magazine2015-07-08
Article about STEM stereotypes and the impact they have on girls decisions to pursue STEM careers
Strategies for advancing women in chemistry
Hayden-McNeil Publishers, USA2016-06-08
This article discusses the strategies women can use to advance their careers in STEM fields
Gender Equality in Science
International Innovation- North America, Research Media2013-06-12
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Over 40 publications in the biological sciences
Various2016-10-31
You can view my biological research publications on the database "Pubmed" or on "google scholar"
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