Faculty profile – Sanja Lukic

At Durham College, students learn from accomplished professors who bring their extensive, real-world experience to the classroom. In this series, we put the spotlight on our passionate faculty members who are committed to helping students lead the way.

Sanja Lukic’s journey in science and teaching has taken her all the way from Serbia to our Durham College (DC) campus. With a Master of Environmental Science from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Belgrade, she worked in both government and private laboratories before the desire to share her knowledge led her to a career in teaching.

To mark International Day for Women and Girls in Science on February 11, she spoke to us about her love for science, her passion for teaching, and more.

What is your role at DC?

I am a professor in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Information Technology, in the Environmental Technology and Chemical Laboratory Technician programs. I teach a number of courses, including Environmental Regulations, Quality Assurance and Quality Control for Chemical Lab Technician, Sample Management, General Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry labs.

When did you discover your love for science?

As a five-year old, I got to hold a snake when a family friend found it by the nearby river. This sparked my interest in biology and soon evolved into my passion for science.

Why is equality in science so important?

Equality in science is important because there are many young minds with a lot to offer to the field of science and they should all be given a fair opportunity to do so. It is in our best interest as scientists to welcome all people to provide their unique perspectives, opinions, and questions. The more we open the doors to this industry, the further it will advance and grow.

Why should young girls and women pursue a career in science?

The field of science is wide, with the nature of it being to explore and ask questions. When you open your mind to science, you are opening the door to many exciting and inspiring jobs in the fields of clean water, the chemistry of nutrition, food safety, sustainability, education, environmental and human health.

How is DC at the forefront of post-secondary science education?

Durham College is an excellent place for women and girls to study science. DC offers relevant science-based programs for in-demand areas of the industry. Our faculty is full of excellent educators who bring an abundance of industry knowledge and experience. Students get the opportunity to learn both in the classroom, and to gain hands-on skills in a laboratory setting. This combination is something that we are very proud to have at DC and I believe provides a unique learning experience. In addition, we offer a variety of events throughout the year to expose students to the real world, including: guest speaker classes, program-specific field trips, project collaboration with industry representatives, as well as volunteering opportunities in community events such as Empower Her, Science Rendezvous, and more.

Do you keep in touch with your students who have graduated?

I’ve actually created a LinkedIn group for my students, so I keep in touch with alumni as well as current students. It’s a platform that provides networking opportunities for them. I also invite alumni of the program to the classroom to share their stories about the successes they have achieved, and the current students get to hear about it all.

What do you enjoy most about teaching at DC?

I enjoy facilitating a learning environment that is accepting and that creates a sense of belonging. Being a lifelong learner, I strive to understand what it takes to create an environment conducive to student improvement in areas such as teamwork, ethics, and social commitment. In addition, my main goal as a teacher and an educator is to support students on their road to a successful career. As an educator, my proudest moments have been seeing my students learn and grow over the years. Seeing them have career-defining achievements and milestones brings me a great sense of pride.