Cheryl Chan

About

Cheryl Chan is originally from Hong Kong, but was raised in Toronto, Ontario. She studied biology and education concurrently at Queen’s University, completing a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in 2009, and a Bachelor of Education in 2010. The idea of working abroad piqued Cheryl’s interest during her undergraduate years, leading her to focus on international education in Teachers College. Upon graduation, she moved to Nanjing, China, where she taught at a Canadian international secondary school for three years. Cheryl’s experience in education allowed her to recognize the importance of interdisciplinary thinking, and she frequently employed these ideas to promote effective and meaningful discussion amongst her students. Through travel and everyday life in Asia, Cheryl was exposed to a variety cultural and social experiences – many of which were both enlightening and sobering. As a diver, she also developed a passion for the ocean and for marine conservation. Since returning to Canada, she has gained experience in restoration ecology by engaging in fieldwork, and working with stakeholders on a variety of restoration projects. These opportunities have allowed her to better understand how communities interact with ecosystems, and how these types of relationships might be articulated or represented. Currently, she is studying a Masters of Environmental Science at the University of Waterloo, where she is exploring some of the connections between ecosystem services and social well-being in coastal communities.