"The women of my broad African heritage serve as constant sources of inspiration to me. ...They’ve not settled for labels and barriers...but have defined what real-life, day-to-day heroes really look like. I am encouraged that if they can make it through, I can too."
— Dr. Laura Onyango, Assistant Professor of Biology
Dr. Laura A. Onyango is Assistant Professor of Biology at TWU. Born in Nairobi, Kenya, Dr. Onyango earned her Ph.D. in microbiology at the University of Newcastle, Australia. She is also a graduate of Redeemer University College in ON, Canada. In 2020, Dr. Onyango received an Internal Research Award from Trinity Western University. Her teaching interests include microbiology (clinical, environmental, industrial), human microbiome: health and disease, public health immunology, epidemiology, and virology. In addition to her passion for science, Dr. Onyango is keen on fostering the next generation of scientists. She currently teaches courses in biology and microbiology at Trinity Western.
Honouring International Women’s Day at TWU: Faculty Reflections
Every year on March 8, the global community celebrates International Women's Day. It is a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. At Trinity Western, we seek to honour the many women leaders and educators who help our University thrive and advance into the future.
In the following interview, we hear from Dr. Onyango on what has helped her along her path to leadership.
1. Hi Dr. Onyango, what has helped you in your journey of teaching and leadership, and what are a few tips you have?
Having a support system amongst other faculty and staff, particularly within the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences has been invaluable. I receive mentorship, sound advice, and encouragement along the way, all of which help to strengthen me, expand my perspectives and abilities, anchor my faith, and challenge me to forge ahead and grow in this role.
One useful advice I can share is that in life, identify and submit to mentorship. And at TWU, it is Godly mentorship. All around us are those who have gone before us and can help guide us through the paths we are on. Proverbs 13:20 advises, "He (and she) who walks with wise men (and women) will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed."
2. Who are some of the women who inspire you, and why?
The women of my broad African heritage serve as constant sources of inspiration to me. Among them are survivors, inventors, healers, wisdom-bearers, nurturers, warriors, problem-solvers, and even Nobel laureates! These women have overcome racial, gender, religious, and cultural biases in their journeys. They’ve not settled for labels and barriers that victimise them, but have defined what real-life, day-to-day heroes really look like. I am encouraged that if they can make it through, I can too. My mother in particular is a fortifying pillar in my life who exemplifies strong faith, resilience, boldness, wisdom, selflessness, and tremendous grace.
3. What has been a highlight of teaching at TWU in recent months?
There have been many highlights in the past year for me, but one I am grateful for is the TWU community that have come together in different ways, such as through the TOnE sessions, to share and help equip each other with teaching resources, so we can all flourish in the unprecedented climate that we are in. I have learnt a lot from these sessions that perhaps I wouldn’t have, were we not in this situation. I'm thankful for those who have shared their skills and challenged me to rise to the occasion.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has five campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, Ottawa, and Bellingham, WA. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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