Aimee Gunther is a Scientific Advisor for Quantum within the Science Policy Integration directorate at the Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC). She is a co-author of the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Quantum S&T Strategy and is currently working on the team operationalizing this policy. Beyond the theoretical, Aimee also acts in implementing and enabling quantum activities at the DRDC in both the national and international quantum ecosystems. Aimee has over a decade of experience communicating quantum and optical science whether it be to kids, families, or policymakers. Aimee has a Ph.D. (Quantum Information) in experimental quantum optics from the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo. Her research encompassed: quantum photonics, nonlinear optics, biological imaging, and ultrafast laser science.

Dr Amita Kuttner is co-founder of moonlight Institute, a non-profit organization that seeks to create frameworks for an equitable and just future, taking into account the realities of the climate emergency, as well as technology, and decolonization. Amita holds a Ph.D. in astronomy and astrophysics from the University of California, Santa Cruz; their research focused on black holes, wormholes, quantum effects, and the early universe. Amita ran for the Canadian Parliament in 2019 and served as Critic for Science and Innovation for the Green Party of Canada from September 2018 to February 2020, bringing forward policy on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Amita ran for the leadership of the Green Party of Canada in 2020 on a platform of justice, science, and resilience.

Sophie McGibbon is a biophysics Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on using physics approaches to better understand population dynamics in cell systems such as cancer growth. She has held several elected positions with strong policy implementation mandates at the University of Toronto such as on the Council on Student Services. She served as the Internal Affairs Director for the Toronto Science Policy Network and looks forward to continuing to explore the intersections of science and policy after graduation.

Madison Rilling Following a Joint Honours in Mathematics and Physics at McGill University, Madison completed a Master’s in Medical Physics at Université Laval then fast-tracked to a Ph.D. in Physics. Her research focused on developing imaging-based 3D scintillation dosimetry tools for cancer radiotherapy treatments. Parallel to her research, Madison was a student advisor to Québec’s Chief Scientist for nearly four years and was the sole student board member of the Fonds de recherche du Québec-Nature et technologies. Madison is now a member of Canada’s Chief Science Advisor’s inaugural Youth Council as well as a board member for the student-led, non-profit organization Science & Policy Exchange. Madison currently works as a project manager for Optonique, Québec’s industrial photonics cluster, where she collaborates with actors in the industry, academia, and government to establish local & international strategic partnerships.