Women in Science - Online Interviews

Dr. Mary Ann White

1. Give a brief description of your job telling what you do, (a day in your life) but also what you do specifically in your position.

Mary Anne White is Killam Research Professor in Materials Science, and also Professor of Chemistry and Physics, at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Her main appointment is in Chemistry (this is also what she teaches), and her research involves measurement of physical properties of materials, especially as they change with temperature.
Mary Anne received her BSc (Honors Chemistry), from the University of Western Ontario in 1975, and her PhD (Chemistry) from McMaster University in 1980. From 1979-81, she was a postdoctoral researcher at Oxford University, England. Following two years as an assistant professor at the University of Waterloo, Mary Anne moved to Dalhousie University in 1983; she was promoted to full professor in 1992.
Mary Anne has published more than 70 papers in her research field. In addition, she is active in bringing science to the general public (lectures, interactions with the local science museum, and national radio and television contributions). Mary Anne lives in Halifax with her husband (and fellow chemist) Rob, and their children, David and Alice.

2. How did you decide upon your career? When did you know you wanted to do it and how did you prepare for it?

Ever since I went to school, I knew that I wanted to teach. After my first year of university, I was offered a summer position in a research lab, and that's when I discovered how exciting and stimulating research is. The wonderful thing about working at a university is that I can combine teaching and research. Believe it or not, the two activities help each other - I get new research ideas from teaching, and vice versa.

3. What is the best thing about your job?

The best part about my job is that no two days are alike. Some days are spent with students, some in the lab, some travelling around the world to meet with other scientists.

4. What do you like the least?

I feel sorry for people who have chosen professions where the work itself is not that exciting.

5. As a kid, what kinds of things did you do to prepare for this job? What books did you read or what things did you do that let you know you would like this field?

As a kid, I lived in an environment where asking questions was considered to be a good thing. Although neither of my parents was a scientist (my father was a dentist and my mother was a nurse), they both respected curiosity and education, and they explained a lot of things to us. Also, I was allowed to build things myself, and I think that was good preparation for lab work. I also learned a lot from my older brothers, and from teaching my younger sister.

6. Was there any person (parent, teacher, mentor, professor) you felt influenced you to pursue this field?

I had encouragement from a lot of different people, and I think that graduating in 1975 (International Women's Year) allowed me to ride the crest of a wave that favored women in science. It also made me "the first woman ----" on several occasions, which opened a few doors.

7. What is your favorite quote?

This would be Louis Pasteur's quote (he said it in French):
"Chance favors the prepared mind".
In science, a lot of things go unnoticed, and it is the person who finally notices and makes connections who has made the true advancement. A good scientist makes use of all senses, and tries to think and learn and understand broadly. Then, as Pasteur indicated, the mind is prepared for new ideas that come "by chance".

8. What advice do you have for young women who might be interested in the field of science?

Work hard, and pick an area that appeals to your interests, so that you will enjoy immersing yourself in it. For most scientists, their work is enjoyed so much that it is also their hobby (or one of their hobbies, in any case).

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1.	Give a brief description of your job telling what you do, (a day in your life) but also what you do specifically in your position.
	Mary Anne White is Killam Research Professor in Materials Science, and also Professor of Chemistry and Physics, at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Her main appointment is in Chemistry (this is also what she teaches), and her research involves measurement of physical properties of materials, especially as they change with temperature. Mary Anne received her BSc (Honors Chemistry), from the University of Western Ontario in 1975, and her PhD (Chemistry) from McMaster University in 1980. From 1979-81, she was a postdoctoral researcher at Oxford University, England. Following two years as an assistant professor at the University of Waterloo, Mary Anne moved to Dalhousie University in 1983; she was promoted to full professor in 1992. Mary Anne has published more than 70 papers in her research field. In addition, she is active in bringing science to the general public (lectures, interactions with the local science museum, and national radio and television contributions). Mary Anne lives in Halifax with her husband (and fellow chemist) Rob, and their children, David and Alice.
2.	How did you decide upon your career? When did you know you wanted to do it and how did you prepare for it?
	Ever since I went to school, I knew that I wanted to teach. After my first year of university, I was offered a summer position in a research lab, and that's when I discovered how exciting and stimulating research is. The wonderful thing about working at a university is that I can combine teaching and research. Believe it or not, the two activities help each other - I get new research ideas from teaching, and vice versa.
3.	What is the best thing about your job?
	The best part about my job is that no two days are alike. Some days are spent with students, some in the lab, some travelling around the world to meet with other scientists.
4.	What do you like the least?
	I feel sorry for people who have chosen professions where the work itself is not that exciting.
5.	As a kid, what kinds of things did you do to prepare for this job? What books did you read or what things did you do that let you know you would like this field?
	As a kid, I lived in an environment where asking questions was considered to be a good thing. Although neither of my parents was a scientist (my father was a dentist and my mother was a nurse), they both respected curiosity and education, and they explained a lot of things to us. Also, I was allowed to build things myself, and I think that was good preparation for lab work. I also learned a lot from my older brothers, and from teaching my younger sister.
6.	Was there any person (parent, teacher, mentor, professor) you felt influenced you to pursue this field?
	I had encouragement from a lot of different people, and I think that graduating in 1975 (International Women's Year) allowed me to ride the crest of a wave that favored women in science. It also made me "the first woman ----" on several occasions, which opened a few doors.
7.	What is your favorite quote?
	This would be Louis Pasteur's quote (he said it in French): "Chance favors the prepared mind". In science, a lot of things go unnoticed, and it is the person who finally notices and makes connections who has made the true advancement. A good scientist makes use of all senses, and tries to think and learn and understand broadly. Then, as Pasteur indicated, the mind is prepared for new ideas that come "by chance".
8.	What advice do you have for young women who might be interested in the field of science?
	Work hard, and pick an area that appeals to your interests, so that you will enjoy immersing yourself in it. For most scientists, their work is enjoyed so much that it is also their hobby (or one of their hobbies, in any case).