Research Projects
endocrine-disrupting chemicals & disparaties in endocrine disorders
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are natural or synthetic compounds that can either replicate or attenuate the effects of endogenous hormones. EDCs are found everywhere, including toys, clothing, cosmetics, and pesticides. Chemical hair relaxers are also a source of EDCs.
Eurocentric beauty standards have influenced many Black women to chemically straighten their hair, thereby increasing their exposure to EDCs and risk of endocrine disorders. This project further explores the connection between EDC exposure and endocrine disorders in Black women.
An opportunity for a LIFESCI 4A03 research project student may be available for W2026. Please also read FAQ "Are you accepting undergraduate thesis students?" before applying
Image credit: Grindler, N., et al (2015). Persistent organic pollutants and early menopause in U.S. women. PLOS ONE, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0116057
Undergraduate Research Experiences on post-graduate endeavours
Many STEM students seek undergraduate thesis and research opportunities, allowing them to connect classroom theory to real-life practice. This systematic review aims to explore the motivations for pursuing these experiences (e.g., medical school, graduate school, personal interest), and the impact they have on post-graduate endeavours.
NOT accepting additional thesis students for the 2025/2026 academic year.
Peer Mentoring in Life Sciences
For my peer mentoring course, students provide near-peer mentorship to more junior students in a partnering sister course. Integral to this course is a peer-mentorship survey that is administered to student mentors and mentees alike.
We now have data from this course spanning several offerings, which differ in terms of enrolment size, curriculum design, and online vs in-person mentorship. As such, this project seeks to explore how each iteration of this course has impacted the quality of the mentoring relationship.
Our survey also collects self-reported identity information that allows us to identify whether there are unique mentoring needs required of students belonging to different demographic groups.
NOT accepting additional thesis students for the 2025/2026 academic year.
STEM Experiences & Attitudes Among Black High School Students
The power of representation cannot be overstated. The McMaster Black Youth IMHOTEP STEM Enrichment Program (MacISTEP) provides Black high school students in the Hamilton and Halton District School Boards with hands-on experiences in STEM at McMaster University. The program also allows these students to be mentored by other Black undergrads, graduate students and faculty!
This study seeks to explore STEM motivations, challenges, and attitudes, among participants in our afterschool STEM club.
The MacISTEP program and study are co-led with Dr. Juliet Daniel, and are part of a larger national initiative led by Dr. Carl James, the Jean Augustine Chair at York University.
NOT accepting additional thesis students for the 2025/2026 academic year.
Meet the Team
Sambiro Kitawi: Undergraduate Thesis Student (LIFSCI 4C12)
Program: Honours Life Science Program, Level V
Project: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals & disparaties in endocrine disorders (transcriptomics)
Career goals/aspirations: I am hoping to become a physician
What I do for fun: I enjoy exploring different cities by cafe hopping. Trying different cafes, going on hikes on trails, and spending time with friends
Salma Elshafei: Undergraduate Research Student (LIFESCI 4A03)
Program: Honours Life Science Program, Level IV
Project: The impact of undergraduate research engagement on graduate education pursuit in life science disciplines (systematic review using the PEO framework)
Career goals/aspirations: Pursue graduate education, become a healthcare professional, further explore pedagogical research, and teach at McMaster!
What I do for fun: Cooking, crocheting, playing tennis, and bothering my cats :)
Haewon Jung: Research Assistant
Project: Impact of class size on peer mentoring experiences in LIFESCI 3XX3 (Qualitative coding and thematic analysis using NVivo)
Akshaya Vigneswaran: Research Assistant
Akshaya Vigneswaran: Research Assistant
Project: Impact of class size on peer mentoring experiences in LIFESCI 3XX3 (Qualitative coding and thematic analysis using NVivo)
Ahmed Abdalla: Research Assistant
Akshaya Vigneswaran: Research Assistant
Project: FLSEs, Student Workload and MSAF use (Qualitative coding on QDA Miner, statistical analyses on R studio)
ALUMNI
Undergraduate Thesis Students
Akshaya Vigneswaran (2025):
Lauren Beck (2023-2024): Assessed the combined impact of frequent low-stake evaluations and student workload in the Life Science Program at McMaster University during the COVID-19 pandemic (LIFESCI 4B09)
Currently an MSc Global Health candidate (McMaster University)
Research Assistants
Pierce Razzaque (2023-2024): Explored the impact of FLSEs on student workload and strategic use of absence relief forms. Also assisted with LIFESCI 3XX3 curriculum redesign.
Currently a B. Ed. student at Brock University
Volunteers
Abdullah Al Azzawi: Explored the impact of FLSEs on student workload and strategic use of absence relief forms. Also assisted with LIFESCI 3XX3 curriculum redesign.
Currently a Level IV Hons. Life Science student
Mohammad Shaikh (2024-2025): Explored the impact of FLSEs on student workload and strategic use of absence relief forms. Also assisted with LIFESCI 3XX3 curriculum redesign.
Currently an M.D. student at McMaster University
Amr Abdelazim (2024-2025): Explored the impact of FLSEs on student workload and strategic use of absence relief forms. Also assisted with LIFESCI 3XX3 curriculum redesign.