STEM, Impacts, and Sisterhood: A Conversation with Dr. Vera Onana Adebona
- SWIS Africa
- Jul 26
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 28
Dr. Vera Onana Adebona is a woman of many passions and talents, with a journey that beautifully blends science, advocacy, and community. As a Scientist and Consultant at Environmental Resources Management, she focuses on aquatic microbial ecology and genomics. With a PhD in Biology from Concordia University in Montreal, she played a major role in the Pan-Canadian Lake Study, where she explored the hidden microbial life in over 600 lakes across 12 ecozones in Canada. Her work helped build one of the country’s most detailed metagenomic lake databases through the Canadian LakePulse Network. But science is just one part of her story. Dr. Vera is also the founder of SheThrivesPhD, a community that supports and uplifts international women pursuing doctoral degrees.
In this interview with SWIS Africa, Dr. Vera opens up about her journey, the power of community, and why making space for others is just as important as making discoveries in the lab.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your background and current role in STEM?
My name is Vera Onana Adebona, and I am a scientist with a PhD in Aquatic Microbial Ecology and Genomics. I currently work as a Consultant Scientist at ERM, where I help improve water quality and ecosystem health by integrating genomic tools with environmental management strategies.
In addition to my professional work, I am the founder/Director of SheThrivesPhD, a women-oriented support community created to guide and empower women pursuing doctoral degrees, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Through this initiative, we provide mentorship, career development resources, wellness check-ins, and a safe, affirming space for women to thrive both academically and personally. Our growing network spans across Canada and beyond, fostering sisterhood, resilience, and leadership among women in academia.
What initially sparked your interest in STEM, and how did you decide to pursue a career in this field?
Growing up as an indigene of a coastal, riverine area in a third-world country ravaged by oil spills and environmental degradation, I was constantly surrounded by the devastating impacts of pollution on both ecosystems and human lives. From a young age, I was deeply moved to be part of the solution; to contribute to bioremediation, cleanups, and ecosystem restoration. It was a cause that always tugged at my heart.
Although I was always passionate about water and environmental protection, it took a long and winding journey to find my niche as a freshwater scientist. My PhD research became a full-circle moment: I was part of the first-ever Pan-Canadian Lake study, investigating over 600 lakes across the continent. For the little girl from a tiny coastal village with big dreams, it was both humbling and empowering to be generating data and insights that could help protect aquatic ecosystems at a continental scale.
This personal connection to environmental justice, paired with a love for science and a belief in its power to drive change, is what ultimately led me to pursue a career in STEM.
As an African woman in STEM, what challenges did you encounter when starting your career in STEM, and how did you overcome them to remain successful in the field?
One of the first challenges I faced, though I didn’t even recognize it as a challenge at the time, was the lack of proper laboratory infrastructure and research funding in some West African universities. We often had to improvise basic lab equipment; for instance, using syringes in place of pipette pumps because such tools were simply unavailable. These limitations, while difficult, fostered my innovative thinking and built a resilience that has become one of my greatest assets. When I eventually moved into environments with stronger research structures, that early adaptability helped me thrive and make the most of the resources around me.
Another major challenge was the feeling of isolation and underrepresentation. Throughout the six-plus years of my PhD journey, I was the only Black female scientist in my research network. Walking into conferences or academic gatherings often felt like being a fish out of water. I overcame this by intentionally creating spaces that didn’t exist before, such as founding a support community for women in academia and seeking out global networks that prioritize inclusion. Mentorship, self-belief, and a deep commitment to my purpose helped me remain grounded and successful in a field where people like me are still too few and far between.
Could you share an experience where your STEM skills were instrumental in making a difference or solving a significant problem?
Honestly, I’ve applied my STEM skills in my everyday life for as long as I can remember. From data collection and analysis to interpreting patterns and executing detailed plans, STEM has shaped the way I think and operate. I’m known for making PowerPoint decks for almost everything, including personal matters because that’s how deeply embedded the scientific method is in my life. I run a kids’ event planning business in Alberta, and the attention to detail, project management, and visualization skills I developed using tools like Illustrator during my PhD now help me create intricate balloon mock-ups and themed party designs.
Beyond everyday life, one of my most impactful contributions came through my PhD research. I led a novel study using metagenomic approaches to analyze how land use and water quality affect microbial communities in over 600 Canadian lakes.
This was one of the first studies to conduct both regional and intercontinental comparisons across 12 core ecozones. It was published in January this year. The patterns we uncovered are now helping shape our understanding of lake health and freshwater stock preservation in Canada, a country often called the “land of lakes.” At the time I started, such a metagenomic database for Canadian lakes simply didn’t exist, but I was fortunate to be part of the pioneering team that helped build this rare and nationally relevant dataset.
Whether it’s preserving ecosystems or creating joy at a children’s party, STEM continues to be my greatest toolkit for solving problems and making a difference.
Can you describe a mentor or role model who has played a significant role in shaping your STEM career, and how did they inspire you?
Hmm… I never quite had a science role model in the traditional sense during my early university days. However, I’ve always admired professional women who were doing meaningful work regardless of their field. That being said, in hindsight, I realise my B.Sc. project supervisor actually played a significant role in shaping my foundational experiences in science, even if neither of us realized it at the time.
She taught me most of the wet lab techniques I know; how to sterilize glassware, prepare agar, perform inoculations, and streak plates in the microbiology lab. We often stayed late in the lab, and I found myself genuinely inspired by her dedication and how she traveled to conferences to share her work. I admired her quiet excellence and the way she owned her space in STEM.
After my B.Sc., I made what many might consider a detour. I pursued a different passion and entered the field of journalism. I became a senior reporter at a national media house, the youngest female to write a weekly column that ran for four years, and I published numerous feature stories.
Interestingly, even while trying to distance myself from my science background, I was often assigned the health and science beats. That thread of science never really left me, and eventually, it led me back, stronger, more curious, and more committed than ever. So, while my journey hasn’t been linear, every step; guided or accidental, helped shape the scientist I am today.
Have you encountered any misconceptions or stereotypes about women in STEM, and how do you think we can challenge and change them?
Absolutely. It’s one thing to be a woman in STEM, it’s a whole different ball game to be a visible minority woman in STEM. The challenges often go beyond what’s visible on the surface: the long glances, the subtle overlook, the continuous battle to assert one’s expertise. I’ve had instances where, after presenting complex scientific research, people would come up to me and say, “Oh wow, your English is so good!”—comments that may sound benign but are deeply rooted in bias and low expectations.
It doesn’t stop there. There’s often an extra layer of scrutiny placed on your work, a quiet questioning of your authority. In collaborative settings, I’ve seen how quickly a non-coloured male colleague gets undivided attention during joint presentations, while I have to fight to be heard, even if I’m leading the work.
But I don’t let it stop me. I’ve learned to walk into any room, own my voice, and earn my seat at the table. We challenge these stereotypes by continuing to show up, by excelling unapologetically, and by building communities like SheThrivesPhD, where women like us can thrive, support each other, and rise together.
What are some of the goals you desire to achieve in the nearest future as a woman in STEM?
I used to think I had to have everything perfectly aligned before pursuing certain goals, so I held back for a long time. But something shifted right before my thesis defense. While writing my PhD thesis, I realized perfection wasn’t the goal, completion and impact were. That mindset led me to finally start SheThrivesPhD (STP), a support community for women in PhD programs. Since launching, we've hosted two webinars, and it’s been incredible to see how women are already plugging into the system, finding community, and growing through shared experiences. Honestly, I often think; imagine if I had started earlier.
Looking ahead, I want to take on more leadership roles, whether through appointments or volunteer positions that allow me to shape the next generation of Black female scientists. These women need to see and hear from those of us who have been through the trenches, gotten our hands dirty, and come out triumphant on the other side. I want to be part of the solution, creating space, building bridges, and amplifying voices that have long been silenced or ignored.
What are your thoughts on encouraging and retaining more females in STEM fields, from early education to professional development stages?
As an African girl who grew up in the most populous country in West Africa, I’ve seen firsthand the stark underrepresentation of women in science. I still remember my secondary school days, by the time we reached our valedictory service, there were only five girls left in the science class. The narrative back then was that science, especially subjects like Physics and Further Maths, was “too hard” for girls. That was decades ago, yet unfortunately, the story hasn't shifted as much as it should have.
Now, more than ever, especially as many conventional professions begin to lose relevance, we must reposition STEM as not just viable, but exciting. STEM should be as engaging and appealing as TikTok content creation if we want to draw girls in early. That’s the age group where inspiration sticks.
I’ve volunteered with Let’s Talk Science and mentored through STEM Fellowship Canada. Programs like these are fantastic examples of the kind of intervention we need targeted, intentional STEM engagement that starts from daycare and continues all the way up to professional development. We need more platforms, more visible role models, and stronger institutional support to ensure that girls not only enter STEM fields but thrive in them.
What advice would you give to young women who are considering studying or pursuing a career in STEM?
Is a thriving career in STEM possible? Absolutely. Will it be easy? Not at all. But here’s the truth - no one becomes relevant in science by throwing in the towel too early. Just like every ground-breaking innovation took trial after trial to perfect, your job is to keep showing up.
And when you show up, show up twice prepared, because often, you’ll have to work twice as hard to get half the recognition that a white male counterpart might receive. But don’t let that discourage you. Let it sharpen you.
Speak your truth clearly, don’t mumble. When it’s time to advocate for yourself, do it boldly and scientifically. Data doesn’t lie. Hard evidence speaks volumes, and in science, it’s your greatest ally. When you lead with facts, you will shatter glass ceilings and leave a mark that is indelible. You’ve got this.
Thank you for reading. At SWIS Africa, our goal is to:
- Train and mentor young women in STEM on important skills and resources they need to excel in their chosen career.
- Celebrate and promote women that are breaking barriers in STEM through our interviews, programs, and publications.
- Engage and shape young women with contents and resources that will educate, enlighten and empower them in STEM.
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