Vesna Milosevic-Zdjelar

Vesna Milosevic-Zdjelar is a tireless promoter of science education in Winnipeg’s inner-city.

A former astrophysicist with the National Observatory in Belgrade, Serbia, Milosevic-Zdjelar joined The University of Winnipeg’s Physics Department in 2000. She is an enthusiastic faculty member with a knack for explaining high-level astronomy concepts to students from every discipline.

Her passion for science education has led Milosevic-Zdjelar to volunteer with several organizations, including UWinnipeg’s Let’s Talk Science Outreach program. As the program’s faculty advisor, she oversees student and faculty visits to inner-city schools and hosts field trips to UWinnipeg to teach science in a hands-on, engaging manner.

Milosevic-Zdjelar also helps organize the Homework Club at the Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre, presents at science education conferences, judges science fairs, and serves as a mentor to numerous teachers and students.

Through her commitment to volunteerism and education, Milosevic-Zdjelar has inspired countless young students — many of whom live in extreme poverty — to expand their goals for the future and consider a career in science.

“These are the kids you could never expect to know about those possibilities when you consider the circumstances they live in,” Milosevic-Zdjelar said about her outreach experience in an article by Let’s Talk Science.

In 2008, she received UWinnipeg’s Marsha Hanen Award for Creating Community Awareness in recognition of her exceptional service, achievement, and distinction.