Month: February 2026

Thursday, March 5
5:00 PM
Room 7-146, MacEwan University
We invite you to join Strategies for Resistance Through Queer and Trans Joy and Solidarity on Thursday, March 5, at MacEwan University.

The theme for Pride Week 2026 is Queer Realities. Exploring the duality of joy and rage in the modern queer experience by asking, “What does it mean to be queer in the here and now?” The answer is as varied as those who inhabit 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and the potential is endless. Bringing together members of the trans community, the panel discussion will explore how to resist, thrive, honour joy, and build meaningful community in the present moment

Moderators:
Taymy Caso (they/she) Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at the University of Alberta and Director of the Intersectional Research, Empowerment, Advocacy, and Community Health Promotion (IREACH) Lab.
Alessio Ponzio (he/him) Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity at MacEwan University.

Presenters:
Florence Ashley (they/them) is a transfeminine jurist and bioethicist working as an Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law and John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre.
Alex Marshall (she/her) is the Strategic Initiatives Officer for the College of Health Sciences at the University of Alberta.
Cheyenne Mihko Kihêw (they/them) is a Two-Spirit Indigi-queer artist and cultural worker from amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton). They are a drag performer and former Director of E2S.
Danielle Peers (they/them) researchers and teaches about intersectional disability justice in sport, recreation and social movements in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at the University of Alberta. They also serve as the Academic Lead for Disability, Cultures and Access at the UofA.
Mickey Wilson (he/him) is a queer and trans activist, ecumenically ordained minister, and municipal councillor. He serves on the ministry team at Garneau-MacDougall United Church and chairs the Northern Spirit Regional Affirm Committee.

Secure your spot by visiting: showpass.com/strategiesforresistance

We are proud to celebrate Dr. Vivian Mushahwar on receiving the J. Gordin Kaplan Award for Excellence in Research, the most prestigious research award at the University of Alberta.

As Director of iSMART and ST Innovations, Dr. Mushahwar leads a large team of researchers, trainees, and collaborators working to develop innovative technologies that support mobility, recovery, and independence. Her research includes the development of advanced “smartwear” systems – integrated clothing technologies designed to assist with joint injury repair, posture, balance, arm movement, and even standing and walking.

The award caps an exceptional year of recognition for Dr. Mushahwar and her team. In 2025, she secured a $24-million federal grant to advance smartwear research and was named among the top 10 most productive authors in neuromodulation by the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. The same analysis also ranked the University of Alberta among the top 10 institutions globally in neuromodulation and spinal cord injury research.

The J. Gordin Kaplan Award for Excellence in Research recognizes faculty members whose work demonstrates significant academic and societal impact while embodying the University of Alberta’s values of access, community, and belonging. Two awards are presented annually across disciplines to honour outstanding researchers who set a standard of excellence for others.

Online & In-Person

Join us at 12:00 PM on February 13th online via Zoom or in-person at FAB 2-20 (Fine Arts Building) on the U of A campus. Registration is required for both virtual and in-person attendance. Zoom link available through registration.

For accessibility information, click here.

Free Lunch

If you are attending in-person and would like to enjoy our complimentary lunch, please fill out our lunch form. To keep our iSMART Talks green, we request that you please bring your own water bottle.

Please note that, unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate allergy-specific requests for this event. Selection and quantities are limited, and availability may vary throughout the event.

Meet your keynote speakers

Dr. Anastasia Elias
Dr. Anastasia Elias is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta, where she also serves as Associate Dean of Research, Programs and Development. Since joining the Faculty of Engineering in 2008, her research has focused on engineering functional polymers, nanomaterials, and responsive composites, and on developing methods for patterning these materials on the micro- and nanoscale. She applies these materials and methods in applications ranging from wearable biosensors to food-safety monitoring. With a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alberta and a postdoctoral fellowship at Canada’s National Institute for Nanotechnology, Anastasia is the recipient of awards including the APEGA Early Accomplishment Award, a McCalla Professorship, and a Humboldt Fellowship for Experienced Researchers, which she held at the Institute for Polymer Processing in Dresden, Germany. Anastasia is a founding member of the iSMART and leads the Sensors Team on the NFRF-T Smartwear Revolution Project.

Amir Mohamadi
Amir Mohamadi is a materials engineer and researcher in wearable and flexible electronics. He earned his undergraduate degree in Materials Engineering from the University of Tehran, where he worked on NMC 532 cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. He spent two years as a research assistant at Iran’s Condensed Matter National Laboratory, where he led a project on fiber-based supercapacitors and the development of conductive polymer-based strain sensors. In 2023, he joined the University of Alberta for his Master’s studies under the supervision of Dr. Elias, focusing on nanocomposite ink formulation and 3D printing for wearable, flexible sensing applications. After defending his Master’s in Fall 2025, he joined the NFRF research team as a research assistant, working on integrating printed wearable sensors into fabrics for body-motion tracking.

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