Eight McMaster researchers and community members are being recognized this year by the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) for their contributions to research and scholarship.

Three researchers have been elected to the RSC as Fellows, a distinction awarded to Canadians from all branches of learning who have made remarkable contributions to the arts, the humanities, the sciences or Canadian public life. In addition, McMaster alumnus and Engineer-In-Residence Barry Hill has been named a Specially Elected Fellow.

Four researchers have been named to the RSC’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. The College recognizes mid-career leaders who are helping Canada and the world address major challenges and seize new opportunities, including those identified in emerging fields.

The new appointments speak volumes to the quality and impact of McMaster researchers’ work on a national and global scale, says Andy Knights, vice-president, research (acting).

“Congratulations to our newest RSC Fellows and College members on this well-deserved achievement,” Knights says.

“This recognition from the Royal Society is indicative of the powerful contributions they have made to scholarship in their respective fields, and the meaningful impact of their discoveries in improving lives in Canada and around the world.”

The Class of 2024 Fellows and College members will be inducted into the Royal Society of Canada during its annual Celebration of Excellence and Engagement in Vancouver, Nov. 7 to 9.

RSC Fellows

Judah Denburg | Faculty of Health Sciences

Judah Denburg is a Professor in the department of Medicine. In collaboration with key academic and biopharmaceutical partners, Denburg has led pioneering investigations on the systemic nature of allergies and its implications for management of allergic disease and asthma, making a profound impact on clinical and basic scientific investigations in the field.

Hendrik Poinar | Faculty of Social Sciences & Faculty of Health Sciences

Hendrik Poinar is a Professor in the department of Anthropology and a joint member of the department of Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences. An evolutionary geneticist and leading expert in paleogenomics, he is known for his ground-breaking work in extracting and analyzing ancient DNA. Poinar has helped identify the causative agents of some of the most devastating pandemics of the past and shed light on their evolution and extinction.

Louis Schmidt | Faculty of Science

Louis Schmidt is a Professor in the department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour and an elected Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science. His research focuses on understanding behavioural and biological factors underlying individual differences in socioemotional processes and psychological outcomes. Schmidt received the Pickering Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Developmental Psychology in Canada in 2023.

Barry Hill | BEng ’66 and MEng ‘68

Barry Hill is an engineer, agriculturalist, entrepreneur, historical interpreter, teacher, organist and distinguished McMaster alumnus. Hill’s work in mechanical engineering and control systems led him to a 26-year-career with Ontario Hydro. In 1993, Barry changed careers to rebuild the family farm and became engaged with local planning and economic development initiatives. He also led several agricultural organizations and continues to contribute his expertise at two universities, including McMaster where he is a member of the Board of Governors. Hill is an Engineer-In-Residence and established the William Barry Hill Scholarship in 2022 to support upper-year level Indigenous engineering students at McMaster.

RSC College Members

Nathan Andrews | Faculty of Social Sciences

Nathan Andrews is an Associate Professor in the department of Political Science. His research focuses on the global political economy and ecology of natural resource extraction and development, as well as critical pedagogies, epistemic hegemony, racism and whiteness in knowledge production and dissemination. Andrews has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications, including 40 journal articles, nine books and 21 book chapters.

Michelle Kho | Faculty of Health Sciences

Michelle Kho is an Associate Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science. As a clinician-scientist, she also cares for patients in the St. Joseph’s Healthcare ICU in Hamilton. Kho holds a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Critical Care Rehabilitation and Knowledge Translation and is currently leading a clinical research program focused on studying the benefits of in-bed cycling for mechanically ventilated patients.

Matthew Miller | Faculty of Health Sciences

Matthew Miller is an Associate Professor in the department of Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences and Scientific Director of the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research. Miller is an immunology expert, specializing in viral pandemics, including those caused by influenza and SARS-CoV-2. Miller is a co-principal investigator behind McMaster’s two second-generation inhaled COVID-19 vaccines.

Hsien Seow | Faculty of Health Sciences

Hsien Seow is a Professor in the department of Oncology and holds the Canada Research Chair in Palliative Care and Health System Innovation. Seow’s research focuses on ways to improve palliative care delivery and the care experience, particularly in the home and community. His expertise is in health services and policy research, quality measurement, population-based analytics and program evaluation.