Kaylee Biggart is a third-year PhD student in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Waterloo and she is not your typical graduate student! Balancing innovative research in experimental condensed matter physics, leadership as the Chair of the Graduate Student Association’s Board of Directors (GSA), and a deep commitment to reclaiming her Indigenous heritage, Kaylee has crafted a life that reflects her unique blend of passions and identities. Her dedication to science, equity, and personal creativity offers an inspiring example of how diverse experiences can enrich academia and beyond.
Unlocking the Mysteries of Quantum Materials
Kaylee’s research focuses on the transport properties of quantum materials, a field that holds immense potential for advancements in technology, including quantum computing. Under the supervision of Dr. Rob Hill, she investigates how heat and magnetic fields interact with exotic materials to reveal their underlying properties.
“Essentially, I study how readily heat moves through a material and how magnetic fields influence this process,” Kaylee explains. Her work involves designing intricate experiments where she applies heat to one end of a material, creating a temperature gradient. Measuring this gradient helps to quantify thermal conductivity, which then sheds light on the material's unique properties. Additionally, by applying a magnetic field, Kaylee can examine perpendicular temperature changes, revealing insights into the magnetic behaviour of the material. “Our group is a part of the global cycle of discovery, measurement, and application,” Kaylee says, emphasizing that her findings serve as critical building blocks for other researchers exploring practical applications.
This work builds on her MSc research, where she developed a thermal Hall experiment to study similar properties. As a PhD student, she’s taking her research to the next level. In addition to performing experiments here in Waterloo, she’s had the opportunity to utilize facilities at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee, Florida.
Advocacy for Graduate Students
Beyond her lab work, Kaylee serves as the Chair of the GSA’s Board of Directors. In this role, she oversees the management and governance of the GSA, ensuring it remains a robust advocate for graduate students at the University of Waterloo.
Her leadership style is deeply rooted in her commitment to equity and community. “Graduate school can be isolating, but organizations like the GSA provide a sense of connection and support,” she says. Kaylee is proud of the fact that under her leadership, the Board completed a full review of the GSA by-laws to become compliant with the new Ontario Not-For-Profit Act, approved the new espresso program at the Grad House (and the espresso is delicious), and approved funding to support grad students experiencing food insecurity.
She is mixed-race nêhiyawak (Plains Cree), and while she is proud of her heritage and culture, she struggles with the ongoing impacts of colonization. Her kôhkom (grandmother) is a survivor of the Sixties Scoop, which refers to the large scale removal of Indigenous children from their homes to be placed in primarily white foster families starting in the 1960’s, with the goal of eradicating Indigenous cultures across Canada. Kaylee refuses to let anyone take her culture from her and her family, and works to ensure knowledge is preserved and passed onto the next generation. To learn more about her story as an Indigenous physicist, please take a look at this article.
Kaylee’s passion for advocacy stems from her own experiences as a queer, Indigenous woman in STEM—a perspective she brings to every decision she makes as Board Chair and in her personal and professional career.
A Healthy Work-Life Balance & Focus on Self-Care
Kaylee’s path to graduate school wasn’t as straightforward as one would expect. After completing her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Alberta, she took a four-year break from academia. “My last term of undergrad was absolute hell,” she recalls. During this time, she worked in data entry, which allowed her to develop essential life skills, including self-care and social skills, that she now applies to her academic life.
This hiatus gave her the clarity to return to academia on her terms. “It’s difficult to step back from the system, but it’s worth it to understand what truly makes you happy,” she advises. Today, Kaylee is a shining example of a graduate student who makes progress in research while maintaining a healthy work-life balance – a rarity in the high-stress world of academia.
Amid her rigorous academic and leadership responsibilities, Kaylee finds joy and solace in her daily bullet journal. An artistic blend of planner and diary, her journal is a testament to her creativity and meticulous organization. Each week, she designs custom layouts filled with vibrant colors, hand-drawn illustrations, and carefully curated to-do lists.
“Bullet journaling is more than just a way to stay organized; it’s a creative outlet that helps me manage my time while indulging my artistic side,” she shares. From tracking her experiments to scheduling meetings and even planning her weekly bread-baking sessions, her journal is a central part of her life. In fact, she has a question for our alumni - "what sort of art do you do in your spare time?"
Her love for arts and crafts extends beyond journaling. She spends her free time crocheting, baking sourdough bread, and preserving fruit into homemade jams. These activities, she says, help her recharge and maintain the balance needed to thrive in her demanding academic environment.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Kaylee’s passion for physics was ignited during high school when she participated in the Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science, and Technology (WISEST) program at the University of Alberta. This initiative, which places underrepresented students in research labs, gave her the opportunity to work on a physics project, solidifying her interest in the field.
Today, she strives to pay it forward by mentoring undergraduate students and connecting with early career physicists at events like the Canadian Undergraduate Physics Conference. As a queer, Indigenous woman, she is deeply committed to diversifying STEM and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups. Recently, she attended a speed mentoring event as a lead mentor, hosted by FemPhys. Kaylee is set to volunteer at a NSERC application writing workshop in November due to her success in receiving an NSERC award that started this term.
“I want others to see that there’s a place for them in physics,” she says. Kaylee’s journey – from a small town in Alberta to a PhD program at one of Canada’s leading universities – is a powerful example of what’s possible with determination and support.
