Tobago

Hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, Charmaine B. Dean’s academic journey was shaped by her mother’s emphasis on getting an education, even though her mother was prevented from getting one herself. Dean’s affinity for mathematics, and particularly statistics, flourished during her undergraduate years and aligned with her desire to make a tangible impact. Currently, she provides strategic direction in research, innovation, and international collaboration at the University of Waterloo. She considers her engagement in interdisciplinary research one of her greatest achievements, particularly her research in fire science, which has allowed her to collaborate with scientists, government agencies, and fire crews.