STEAM Partners

Sandhya Mylabathula and Swapna Mylabathula (IG: @steam.sisters) are the STEAM Sisters! When they’re not on exciting STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) adventures, they research concussions as PhD and MD/PhD students respectively at the University of Toronto (but let’s face it, that’s still a STEAM adventure!). Swapna is a McLaughlin Scholar, and her research includes work on concussion policy and concussion in hockey. Sandhya is a returning CIHR Fellow in Public Health Policy, and has investigated concussion risk factors, policy, education, sex/gender, and management. Sandhya and Swapna co-developed a national concussion strategy and consulted on provincial concussion policy, and co-delivered a TEDx Talk on the topic. They are honoured to have been recognized as two of the top 50 Most Influential Torontonians (GridTO Magazine) and as Urban Heroes (Toronto Community News) for their contributions. They love working with youth as Outreach Coordinators for Let’s Talk Science, and are keen about sharing their passion for all things STEAM through their work in children's television (Science Max, Finding Stuff Out, STEAM Stars, Boredom Busters), and recently launched their own initiative, active on social media as @steam.sisters on Instagram and @steam_sisters on Twitter, as well as in person at events, talks, and conferences. Sandhya has also created and contributed to interactive STEAM exhibits, including at the University of Toronto and the Ontario Science Centre. Swapna and Sandhya are also founding members of Medicine in Motion Podcast, and Swapna has been a show host and content creator for Raw Talk Podcast for the last three seasons. Sport (particularly hockey!) is one of their many hobbies, and is what originally sparked their interest in concussions. They also enjoy playing the violin and sitar, learning new languages, as well as learning to cook new dishes from different places! :)