Dr. Melanie Ratnam, first Tamil Canadian woman to be recognized for Canada’s Women’s History Month 2023

Woman and Gender Equality (WAGE) Canada recently recognized Dr. Melanie Ratnam as part of Women’s History Month, an annual celebration highlighting the outstanding achievements of Canadian women and girls. Dr. Ratnam is the first Tamil Canadian women to receive this honour. This year’s WAGE theme, “Through Her Lens: Celebrating the Diversity of Women,” acknowledges the contributions of eleven remarkable Canadian women from various backgrounds who are actively shaping the future and fostering inclusivity. Dr. Ratnam’s journey is deeply rooted in Scarborough, where she was raised, continues to reside, and passionately dedicates her work. A proud graduate of the University of Toronto with a Ph.D. in neurobiology, her research focused on the regulation of inflammation by resident immune cells in the brain, known as microglia, following cerebral ischemia.

Dr. Ratnam serves as the President of the UTSC Alumni Association, committing her time to support activities that strengthen the alumni community and deepen their connections with the institution. Her dedication to volunteerism was acknowledged in 2022 when she received the Arbor Award, the University of Toronto’s highest honor for individuals exhibiting exceptional and sustained dedication to the institution.

Dr. Ratnam’s advocacy extends from local schools in Toronto to national organizations. She has mentored over a thousand students, spanning elementary, high school, and university levels, empowering them to tackle contemporary challenges through innovation in science and technology. Her mission to foster change and gender equity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is evident through her role as the President of The Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST), a national non-profit organization dedicated to advancing gender equality and breaking down systemic barriers in STEM for equity groups across Canada.

In the spring of the previous year, Dr. Ratnam actively participated in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women session. She built on the work of SCWIST’s Policy and Advocacy team and incorporated insights from diverse communities across Canada. These insights were instrumental in shaping gender-responsive policy recommendations. Dr. Ratnam underlines the importance of these conversations, stating, “SCWIST has spoken with women in STEM throughout Canada about the barriers they face, and these conversations have been very influential when outlining gender-responsive policy suggestions.” Her commitment to addressing systemic barriers within STEM is ingrained in SCWIST’s national strategy, encompassing early education through career advancement. This strategy serves aims to improve address known barriers in STEM fields.