Science Café welcomes women on the frontlines of discovery, rescue, and resilience

Dr. Jelena Brcic

From outer space to flood zones and frozen frontiers, four women who thrive where most would turn back are coming together to talk about what it takes to work — and lead — in extreme environments.

The first Science Café of the 2025–26 academic year takes place at the University of the Fraser Valley Chilliwack campus library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26.

The lineup features UFV’s Dr. Jelena Brcic, joined by Kelsi Paul from Central Fraser Valley Search & Rescue Society, Sandra Riches from BC AdventureSmart, and Krista Minar, Chilliwack assistant fire chief of prevention. Together, they’ll share the challenges they face — and the joy they find — in the world’s harshest settings.

Science Cafés are open to everyone, offering a casual, engaging space where audiences and scientists connect through conversation.

Kelsi Paul

Jelena, an associate professor in UFV’s School of Business, studies how teams function in remote or extreme environments — from astronauts aboard the International Space Station to search and rescue volunteers and Arctic researchers.

She recently received $1.14 million from NASA to lead a national research team investigating how astronauts handle stress and find meaning during long-term missions in space. At the same time, she’s leading another project focused on the experiences of women in search and rescue, identifying ways to improve equity, inclusivity, and diversity within Canadian search and rescue (SAR) teams.

Kelsi is one of those volunteers with Central Fraser Valley Search & Rescue.

“People often ask why I joined search and rescue, and honestly, it’s a mix of things,” she said. “At first, I wanted to challenge myself by learning new skills and pushing my limits in ways I hadn’t imagined. SAR constantly forces you out of your comfort zone, and I’ve always embraced that because it’s where real growth happens.

“I also wanted to give back to the community — offering education to help prevent backcountry emergencies or minimize their impact, and providing aid when people need it most. It’s about showing up when it counts, and let’s be real, it’s also an awesome way to collect some wild stories along the way.”

Krista, a proud Ojibway woman from Sandy Bay First Nation, began her firefighting journey as a volunteer in Jasper, Alberta. When her family later moved to Merritt, B.C., she found herself on the front lines of the 2021 Coldwater floods, helping to lead her community through one of the most significant disasters in its history. Those experiences deepened her understanding of leadership, teamwork, and community resilience.

Krista Minar

In her current role as Chilliwack’s assistant fire chief, Krista works closely with BC Ambulance Service, RCMP, and Emergency Support Services teams — guiding people through their hardest days and helping them navigate toward a new normal.

Sandra has been a driving force behind the success of the BC AdventureSmart program, which combines online and on-site education with targeted outreach to reduce the number and severity of search and rescue incidents.

From humble beginnings, and guided by Sandra’s leadership, BC AdventureSmart now boasts more than 500 volunteers, most of whom she has trained personally. She’s also spearheaded the development of the BC AdventureSmart Trip Plan app, the redesigned BCAdventureSmart.ca, and a new online e-learning program — earning recognition for her work across North America.

Everyone is welcome at the Science Café. Light refreshments will be served, and attendees will be eligible for door prizes.

Previous talks have explored topics ranging from chronic pain and food sustainability to drought, diabetes, and coping with wildfire smoke.

The UFV Chilliwack campus is located at 45190 Caen Avenue. The library is on the main floor in A building. Arrive early to find and pay for parking. If UFV lots are full, additional parking is available near the Vedder dog park, nature playground, and pump track by the Vedder River Rotary Trail.

For more information, call the UFV Chilliwack library at 604-795-2824.