Dr. Paulin Coulibaly

Accurate forecasting tools are needed for effective flood risk management - and that is the focus of research being conducted by Dr. Paulin Coulibaly, an associate professor in both the Civil Engineering Department and the School of Geography and Earth Sciences at McMaster University. Dr. Coulibaly is investigating emerging information processing technologies to develop a novel flood forecasting system that will provide accurate, real-time flood forecasts at specific locations of concern in Ontario. The benefits of such a system include saving lives and reducing property damage.

Dr. P.J. Devereaux

People are living longer than ever before and are developing conditions that require a wide variety of surgeries, for instance, hip and knee replacements. The question is: how many of them survive to enjoy the benefits of their surgery and how many of them are felled by a heart attack or stroke? Dr. P.J. Devereaux, an assistant professor in the Departments of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Medicine at McMaster University, is discovering how many major heart problems occur after surgery with the goal of finding ways to predict, detect, prevent, and manage these major complications around the time of surgery.

Dr. David Emslie

In molecular inorganic chemistry, metals are surrounded by organic groups called “ligands”. The properties of metals are determined by both the nature and arrangement of these ligands. Dr. David Emslie, an assistant professor of chemistry at McMaster University, is focusing on creating a new and unique type of ligand that will result in new metal-based reactivity. His research will provide new directions in the preparation of new chemicals and make existing processes more economical, energy effective and environmentally friendly - all of which will have a beneficial impact on Ontario’s chemical sector

Dr. Qiyin Fang

Early detection and accurate diagnosis have proven to be effective and economical in the treatment of many diseases, including cancer. Biopsy, the removal of cells or tissues for examination, is currently the best form of diagnosis for cancer. Dr. Qiyin Fang, an assistant professor in the Department of Engineering Physics at McMaster University, is developing new technologies for non-invasive screening and early detection of cancer. Based on photonics, the use of light for transmission of information, Dr. Fang’s research will not only lead to improved survival rates, it will result in the production of new devices - and keep Ontario at the forefront of photonics research.

Dr. Yurij Mozharivskyj

There is a need to improve existing technologies and make them more environmentally friendly. Dr. Yurij Mozharivskyj, an assistant professor of chemistry at McMaster University, is focusing on one such technology: magnetic cooling, a novel technique for room-temperature refrigeration which reduces energy consumption. Dr. Mozharivskyj will develop high-performance magnetocaloric materials, which possess a unique ability to heat up and cool down in response to changes in a magnetic field. If successful, these materials would revolutionize refrigeration and air-conditioning, increase energy efficiency and benefit the environment.

Dr. Nikolas Provatas

In an effort to reduce emissions and fuel consumption, automakers are looking to develop new lightweight materials. One promising class of materials is magnesium alloys, which are significantly lighter than traditional aluminum and steel alloys. However, manufacturing them so that they are dependably strong, as well as light, is a challenge. Dr. Nikolas Provatas, an associate professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at McMaster University, is developing predictive tools for alloy design, which will give auto manufacturers a cost effective way to test these new materials - and provide them with a competitive edge.

Dr. Stephen Veldhuis

In recent years Ontario’s manufacturing industry has looked to increase productivity and quality while reducing costs. With many manufacturing processes controlled by surface to surface interactions, enhancing these interactions is key to increasing production rates and quality. Dr. Stephen Veldhuis, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at McMaster University, is developing new surface treatments that will improve manufacturing process such as machining and metal forming - which could have an enormous impact on keeping the manufacturing industry competitive. 

Dr. James Wadsley

In order to create model planets and stars using supercomputers, thousands of computers linked together to work on the same calculations, Dr. James Wadsley, an assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at McMaster University, is producing new methods for high performance computing applications that can be used in information technology/supercomputing, engineering, materials science and environmental prediction. In addition, by modeling the formation of stars and giant planets down to asteroids, his team plans to determine when and how life-supporting solar systems can form in the universe and where to look for them - questions that are of great interest to scientists and the public.

Dr. Peidong Wu

Laminated metal sheets made by cladding, a metal bonding to another metal to provide a protective coat, are increasingly being applied in the aerospace and automotive industries. Conventional cladding processes result in weak bonds that undermine the strength of the product. Dr. Peidong Wu, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at McMaster University, is focusing on developing cladding systems that optimize new alloy combinations, producing improved products cost-effectively. His research has positive implications for Ontario’s manufacturing industry.