faculty
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Dr. Karen Bird, Chair of the Department of Political Science, Professor
Dr. Bird specializes in comparative politics, with particular focus on gender and ethnic diversity and the political representation of women and ethnic minorities in countries around the world. Dr. Bird teaches courses in Comparative Politics, the Politics of Multiculturalism, Immigration, Gender and Politics, Research Design and Methods. She has been a visiting research fellow at several European research centres, including the Centre d’Informatisation des Données Socio-Politiques (CIDSP) in Grenoble, France, the Academy for Migration Studies in Aalborg (AMID), Denmark, and the Unité de Recherches Migrations et Société (URMIS) in Paris, France. She has also taught political science courses at the Instituts d’Etudes Politiques in Grenoble and Lille. Dr. Bird was awarded an SSHRC research grant (2009-2011) for her project “Comparing Ethnic Minority Representation Across Parliamentary Democracies.” She has recently published a book from that project (co-edited with Thomas Saalfeld and Andreas Wüst):The Political Representation of Immigrants and Minorities: Voters, Parties and Parliaments in Liberal Democracies (Routledge 2011). |
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Dr. Kalaichelvi (Kalai) Saravanamuttu, Associate Professor, Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Dr. Saravanamuttu holds the B.Sc.(Hons.) and PhD degrees from McGill University (Carl Winkler Award) and was a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Oxford (with a FCAR scholarship). She joined the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at McMaster with a University Faculty Award. Her research examines nonlinear phenomena when a system simultaneously undergoes optical and chemical changes. Patterns of clouds in the sky, wind-sculpted striations in the desert sand, spots and stripes of animal skin are examples of patterns that emerge spontaneously in nature. The physical laws that govern spontaneous pattern formation in these dissimilar systems are strikingly similar. Any system that is unstable (prone to change) will spontaneously transform in an attempt to reach its most stable state (equilibrium). Patterns emerge if during its evolution towards equilibrium, the system is subjected to two opposing forces. Because the optical and chemical properties of such systems can be precisely controlled, they provide convenient pathways to examine complex nonlinear processes. This research, while consistent with studies of nonlinear light propagation established by optical physicists and engineers, contribute new chemical perspectives to this forty-year old field and provides new routes to active photonics devices driven entirely by light. |
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Dr. Ayse Turak, Assistant Professor, Engineering Physics
Dr. Turak’s research is focused on interfacial engineering in organic optoelectronic devices to make cheap, long lasting, affordable solar energy using plastics. She has been a member of the NSERC CREATE Program in Photovoltaics and the Brockhouse Institute of Materials Research since 2012. She was a Marie Curie Fellow at the Max-Planck-Institute for Metals Research (2008-2010). She received her doctorate from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Toronto in 2006, where she was a Canada Graduate Scholar working on organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). She was recently awarded the Petro-Canada Young Innovators Award to engage undergraduates in research, and is actively involved as Engineering Advisor for WISE (Women in Science and Engineering), and the Faculty committee on Women in Engineering. Dr. Turak will be a mentor at the YES She Can program of the Venture Engineering and Science Mentorship camps during Aug 2015. She is currently a member of the Buddies in Bad Times Theatre Board of Directors, and has been a Board of Directors member at Pride Toronto (2001-2005, co-chair 2002-2004), the Dec 6th Fund (Toronto) (2005-2006), and OPIRG –Kingston (1996-2000). She has been actively involved in women in STEM issues for many years including as a member of the City of Toronto Human Rights Award Advisory Committee, UofT Faculty of Engineering Committee on Community Affairs and Gender Issues, and the Queen’s University Engineering Society Equality Issues committee. |
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Dr. Juliet Daniel, Professor, Biology
Dr. Daniel received her B.Sc. in Life Sciences from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario and her Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver. Upon completion of her Ph.D., Dr. Daniel spent six years as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis and Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. It was there that she honed her research skills and gained invaluable experience for the future establishment of her own independent research laboratory at McMaster University. Dr. Daniel’s research is focused on understanding the fundamentals of cell proliferation and cell adhesion, and elucidating how malfunction of these processes contributes to cancer. Dr. Daniel’s work in the cancer research field led to her discovery and naming of a new gene “Kaiso”, coined from the popular Caribbean music “calypso”. With this discovery Dr. Daniel introduced ‘calypso’ into science. Throughout her career, Dr. Daniel has been funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) and the US Army Dept. of Defense Breast Cancer IDEA Award Program. Dr. Daniel has also been the recipient of several awards including the Ontario Premier’s Research Excellence Award, the Hamilton Black History Month John C. Holland Professional Achievement Award, the Barbados American Cancer Association Scientific Achievement Award, the African Canadian Achievement Award of Excellence, and the Gold Grown of Merit for Cancer Research (Barbados National Honor). She has also been featured in “Millennium Minds: 100 Black Canadians” and “Who’s Who in Black Canada.” |
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Dr. Brenda Vrkljan, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Science
Dr. Vrkljan is an Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy in School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University, where her research focuses on aging, medical fitness-to-drive, and transportation mobility. She is a founding member of the newly established McMaster Institute for Research of Aging and is the current Chair of the Senate Committee on Appointments at the University. Dr. Vrkljan is the lead investigator of the McMaster-Candrive team, a Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR)-funded initiative, which has tracked over 1000 older drivers in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. At a national level, she is a member of the Advisory Board of the National Blueprint for Injury Prevention of Older Drivers supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada and locally, she sits on the board of The Thrive Group, a not-for-profit agency that oversees St. Peter's Long Term Care Facility and Able-Living that promotes independence for older adults living in Hamilton and the surrounding community. In 2016, Dr. Vrkljan was the recipient of the YWCA-Hamilton Women of Distinction Award for Business, Education & Mentorship. |
Students
Amylia Mesic
Amylia is a fourth year student in the Department of Political Science studying Political Science specializing in Public Law and Judicial Affairs. As an elected member of the McMaster Students Union and representative of the Social Science faculty, Amylia is committed to fostering an inclusive environment at McMaster. Amylia strongly believes in the importance of empowering all young women, an avid supporter of women's rights and enjoys helping others in any way she can.
Amylia is a fourth year student in the Department of Political Science studying Political Science specializing in Public Law and Judicial Affairs. As an elected member of the McMaster Students Union and representative of the Social Science faculty, Amylia is committed to fostering an inclusive environment at McMaster. Amylia strongly believes in the importance of empowering all young women, an avid supporter of women's rights and enjoys helping others in any way she can.
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Harsimran Kaur Sidhu
Harsimran is entering fourth year of Political Science here at McMaster University. Harsimran is actively involved on campus being a representative for the Social Science Faculty. Harsimran joined AWSM because it provided her with the opportunity to interact and work with strong and inspiring women from various fields. She believes AWSM is a great avenue to be inspired not only in the work field but in life. |
Alumni students
Amna Ansari
Amna is a Physician Assistant (PA). She graduated from McMaster University's PA program in 2019. Her areas of interest include neonatology and global health. Of note, she has been an active member of AWSM since its inception. Amna strongly believes in the importance of empowering all young women, especially those from minority groups, to reach their highest potential. She is an advocate for women's issues and gender balance.
Amna is a Physician Assistant (PA). She graduated from McMaster University's PA program in 2019. Her areas of interest include neonatology and global health. Of note, she has been an active member of AWSM since its inception. Amna strongly believes in the importance of empowering all young women, especially those from minority groups, to reach their highest potential. She is an advocate for women's issues and gender balance.
Zaynab Al-waadh
Zaynab has recently graduated from a B.A in Political Science combined with a Bachelor of Social Work. She is currently in law school at the University of Ottawa. Her interest lies in researching and exploring ways in which spaces can be modified and/or changed to accommodate the vital presence of women and visible minorities in professional and management positions. She enjoys hiking, shopping local and organic products, and being involved in a myriad of social justice initiatives.
Zaynab has recently graduated from a B.A in Political Science combined with a Bachelor of Social Work. She is currently in law school at the University of Ottawa. Her interest lies in researching and exploring ways in which spaces can be modified and/or changed to accommodate the vital presence of women and visible minorities in professional and management positions. She enjoys hiking, shopping local and organic products, and being involved in a myriad of social justice initiatives.
Christina Vietinghoff
Christina graduated from Arts and Science and Political Science from McMaster University in June 2015. She's driven to encourage more women and diverse people to gain leadership positions as evidence proves these demographics improve outcomes in many fields. Her work with AWSM ranging from travelling to Columbia University for the Womensphere Emerging Global Leaders Summit to hosting Olivia Chow on campus, has been the highlight of her undergraduate degree.
Christina graduated from Arts and Science and Political Science from McMaster University in June 2015. She's driven to encourage more women and diverse people to gain leadership positions as evidence proves these demographics improve outcomes in many fields. Her work with AWSM ranging from travelling to Columbia University for the Womensphere Emerging Global Leaders Summit to hosting Olivia Chow on campus, has been the highlight of her undergraduate degree.
Lindsay Robinson
Lindsay completed her undergraduate degree in Honours Political Science and Labour Studies at McMaster University. She is currently enrolled in her Master's programme at McMaster in International Relations. Lindsay's research interests include gender politics, feminist theory, international environmental politics and human rights' issues. Outside of the classroom, Lindsay enjoys piña coladas and getting caught in the rain.
Lindsay completed her undergraduate degree in Honours Political Science and Labour Studies at McMaster University. She is currently enrolled in her Master's programme at McMaster in International Relations. Lindsay's research interests include gender politics, feminist theory, international environmental politics and human rights' issues. Outside of the classroom, Lindsay enjoys piña coladas and getting caught in the rain.
