Élyse Caron-Beaudoin
Teaching Assistant in Environmental Health
Université de Toronto
Learn About My Career
I was born/raised in : Québec, Québec
I now live in : Toronto, Ontario
I did my training or studies in : Cegep diploma in life sciences, from Garneau Cegep in Quebec City. Bachelor's degree in biology, problem-based learning program, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal. M.Sc. in biology, specialization in ecotoxicology, Université du Québec à Montréal. Ph.D. in biology, specialization in toxicology, INRS - Institut Armand-Frappier, Laval. Postdoctoral training in environmental and occupational health, Université de Montréal, Montréal.
My days are never the same, which makes my job very interesting! Most of my time is spent in research. Specifically, I develop research projects to answer health questions from communities affected by changes in their environment. For example, I might do research on the possible health effects of chemicals released into the air by a local industry.
These research projects involve reading the scientific literature on these topics and designing the research projects. There is fieldwork as well as doing laboratory analysis and experiments. The results of our research are presented to the community and to scientists. Of course, I don't do all this work alone! I work with colleagues at the University of Toronto and other institutions across the country. I also work with Masters and PhD students who devote their time to these projects.
I also teach courses in biology and environmental health to undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students. This is a very motivating part of my job. Teaching allows me to share knowledge and also learn a lot from my students! Specific skills for this job include science (e.g., chemistry, biology) and math.
In high school, I didn't really know what I wanted to do. The one thing I did know was that I really liked biology! My path became a little clearer towards the end of Cegep (grade 12). In high school and Cegep, I actually had a lot of trouble with math and physics. However, I persisted and with the help of tutors, I passed those courses. This was important because they were required to be admitted into the biology program in university.
In high school, I even had a teacher tell me that I wasn't smart enough to do a degree in science. Even though this hurt me a lot, it was a great motivator for me! I really enjoyed my biology program, and that's really where my path in toxicology started. I was fortunate to have great mentors. There were several inspiring women in STEM, who encouraged me and gave me great opportunities throughout my PhD and postdoc. I hope to be able to offer the same support to students who join my lab.
A great source of motivation for me is creating knowledge. I love being able to discover something new! I also enjoy working with communities. I love providing them with the necessary support to carry out research projects based on their needs. Finally, interacting with students, both in the classroom and in the lab, is always an enriching experience.
As a professor-researcher in environmental health, I hope that my work and that of my lab members and colleagues contribute to the advancement of knowledge about the impacts of the environment on human health. We hope that this knowledge is used to benefit the communities most affected by these environmental changes. Our research might be used to develop policies and regulations regarding environmental contaminants that are hazardous to health.
I love to cook! It's usually one of the activities I do on the weekends to unwind from my work. I also try to work out every week, either by running or spinning.
Do not to let academic failures in high school determine the rest of your life!
What I do at work
My days are never the same, which makes my job very interesting! Most of my time is spent in research. Specifically, I develop research projects to answer health questions from communities affected by changes in their environment. For example, I might do research on the possible health effects of chemicals released into the air by a local industry.
These research projects involve reading the scientific literature on these topics and designing the research projects. There is fieldwork as well as doing laboratory analysis and experiments. The results of our research are presented to the community and to scientists. Of course, I don't do all this work alone! I work with colleagues at the University of Toronto and other institutions across the country. I also work with Masters and PhD students who devote their time to these projects.
I also teach courses in biology and environmental health to undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students. This is a very motivating part of my job. Teaching allows me to share knowledge and also learn a lot from my students! Specific skills for this job include science (e.g., chemistry, biology) and math.
My career path is
In high school, I didn't really know what I wanted to do. The one thing I did know was that I really liked biology! My path became a little clearer towards the end of Cegep (grade 12). In high school and Cegep, I actually had a lot of trouble with math and physics. However, I persisted and with the help of tutors, I passed those courses. This was important because they were required to be admitted into the biology program in university.
In high school, I even had a teacher tell me that I wasn't smart enough to do a degree in science. Even though this hurt me a lot, it was a great motivator for me! I really enjoyed my biology program, and that's really where my path in toxicology started. I was fortunate to have great mentors. There were several inspiring women in STEM, who encouraged me and gave me great opportunities throughout my PhD and postdoc. I hope to be able to offer the same support to students who join my lab.
I am motivated by
A great source of motivation for me is creating knowledge. I love being able to discover something new! I also enjoy working with communities. I love providing them with the necessary support to carry out research projects based on their needs. Finally, interacting with students, both in the classroom and in the lab, is always an enriching experience.
How I affect peoples’ lives
As a professor-researcher in environmental health, I hope that my work and that of my lab members and colleagues contribute to the advancement of knowledge about the impacts of the environment on human health. We hope that this knowledge is used to benefit the communities most affected by these environmental changes. Our research might be used to develop policies and regulations regarding environmental contaminants that are hazardous to health.
Outside of work I
I love to cook! It's usually one of the activities I do on the weekends to unwind from my work. I also try to work out every week, either by running or spinning.
My advice to others
Do not to let academic failures in high school determine the rest of your life!
As a professor-researcher, my main mission is to carry out my research program on the effects of environmental changes on human health. I am also responsible for teaching a number of courses to students enrolled in various programs, including Health Studies and Public and Environmental Health.
When I was a student I enjoyed:
- Science
- Literature and Language Arts
When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:
- Enjoyed doing things on my own
- Liked helping people
- Was motivated by success
- Liked being given specific instructions
- Felt great satisfaction in getting good grades
- Wasn't sure what I wanted to do
- Learned Best by Doing
Related Topics
Explore More Career Profiles
-
Brianna Lummerding
Career Profiles
Agronomic Innovation Manager
I look after all things related to soil management for a group of retailers. -
Li Tan (he/him)
Career Profiles
Molecular Lead
I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab. -
Tyler Morhart (video)
Career Profiles
Scientist, Beamline Responsible - SyLMAND
I am responsible for the SyLMAND beamline at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron facility. -
Li Tan (Video)
Career Profiles
Molecular Lead
I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab. -
Rashell Featherstone (she/her)
Career Profiles
Senior Program Associate
I coordinate projects for the development of new products at STEMCELL. -
Kira Hoffman (she/her)
Career Profiles
Postdoctoral Researcher/Fire Ecologist
I am a researcher at both a university and a not-for profit organization where I am gaining experience to become a senior researcher. -
Zoë Ehlert (Video)
Career Profiles
Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding
I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for. -
Zoë Ehlert
Career Profiles
Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding
I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for. -
Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)
Career Profiles
Professor and Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change
I work at a university, teaching students and conducting research on the impact of climate change on forests in Canada and around the world. -
Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)
Career Profiles
Ph.D. Candidate
I am working towards my PhD and studying the forests in the Northwest Territories. -
Joann Whalen
Career Profiles
Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
I teach advanced courses on how to manage soils to produce healthy, nutritious food and maintain healthy ecosystem functions.