More about Shira

Academic positions
2023 — present: Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta
2020 — 2022: Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Chemistry, York University with Prof. Cora Young

Education
2014 — 2020: PhD Environmental Chemistry, University of Toronto with Prof. Scott Mabury
Dissertation: Environmental Reactions of Novel and Legacy Fluorosurfactants
2009 — 2013: BSc Chemistry, Carleton University

How to pronounce my name: She-rah Jo-Dan. If unsure, please ask before introducing me!

Quick links: Full CV, Google Scholar

Select awards
2022: Best Review Paper 2021, Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts, doi:10.1039/D2EA90011D
2020: Contract Instructor Teaching Excellence Award, shortlisted, U. Toronto
2018: Visiting Researcher Fellowship ($1500 USD), National Center for Atmospheric Research, USA
2017-19: NSERC Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship D ($70,000)
2018: Michael Smith Foreign Supplement ($6000)
2017: ACS Summer School on Green Chemistry & Sustainable Energy Participant
2016: SETAC/ACS Environmental Student Exchange Award
2016: Chemistry Teaching Fellowship (twice – total $4000), Department of Chemistry, U. Toronto
2015-16: NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship M ($17,500)
2015-16: Ministry of the Environment Graduate Scholarship ($5000), Ontario MOE & U. Toronto
2011-12: Motoshi Asano Memorial Scholarship in Chemistry ($1540), Department of Chemistry, Carleton U.
2011: NSERC Undergraduate Research Award ($4500)

Select service
Chemistry Interest Group, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC ChemIG): Chair, 2023, member 2018-present
Environment Division, Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC En): Member-at-large, 2022-present
Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry Editorial Board Member, 2023-present


Other writing

I write a column for the Thesis section in Nature Chemistry about my career progression. You can find them here:


Below is a map of place I've travelled to or lived in. I've been lucky to have opportunities to travel through work or with my family, and have also travelled on my own. Keeping this map is a bit of a hobby for me. Hopefully I can make it to Asia, Africa and Australia soon.