Celebrating science co-op champions

Imagine having your performance review read aloud in front of room full of 70 people. For Ariya Shiwram, her review ended with a round of applause and an award certificate.

Shiwram, a fifth year Molecular Biology and Genetics student, spent eight months working alongside scientists at Repare Therapeutics, a clinical-stage precision oncology company based in Montreal. Isabel Soria Bretones and Dr. David Gallo sang Shiwram’s praises. Bretones said she was left with the impression that she will never have the honour of mentoring an undergraduate student as capable as her.

Bretones and Dr. Gallo weren’t alone in thinking Shiwram went above and beyond. Shiwram was runner up for both McMaster Co-op Student of the Year and Ontario Education Work-Integrated Learning Co-op Student of the Year.

During her work term, she designed, troubleshooted, and analyzed complex experiments as a member of the Repare Therapeutics Cancer Biology team. Her supervisors shared that her work contributed to the design of clinical trials that have the potential to positively impact the life of hundreds of cancer patients.

Working at Repare Therapeutics deepened her passion for the field and confirmed her post-graduate goals. Shiwram learned so much from her colleagues who she sees as lifelong mentors.

The Faculty of Science Co-op Student of the Year Awards recognize outstanding achievements by science students in the co-op program. This past year, 30 students were nominated by their co-op employer.

Co-op student of the year awards were also presented to Jasiya Janjua, Biology and Pharmacology student, for her work term with Norgen Biotek Corporation, and Jacob Novielli, Molecular Biology and Genetics student, for his work term with Princess Margaret Living Biobank – University Health Network.

Amish Gungah, Paul Grzegorczyk, Spencer Chapple, and Meghan Kostashuk were acknowledged with honourable mention for their excellent contributions during their work terms.

After students received acknowledgement and awards, it was their turn to recognize outstanding employers.

This year marked the inaugural McMaster Science Co-op Employer of the Year Awards. Students were given the opportunity to nominate their employers for Co-op Employer of the Year, recognizing those who go the extra mile to ensure their students excel in their co-op experiences. Awards for Employer of the Year were given to Propel Physiotherapy for the Emerging Employer Category, TRIUMF for the Small Employer Category, and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre for the Large Employer Category.

Best Employer for Science Co-op Students: Emerging Employer Category

Propel Physiotherapy

Alexander Georgiou highlighted Propel Physiotherapy as an exemplary employer committed to continuous improvement. Georgiou’s supervisor, Kyle Whaley, loves his job and made the effort to give Georgiou an unmatched co-op experience at Propel Physiotherapy. Under the supervision of clinicians, Georgiou was trusted with a diverse range of projects including the treatment of clients. Whaley is always looking for ways to improve the business for all who trust Propel Physiotherapy with their rehabilitation needs. Georgiou expressed gratitude for the mentorship he received that deepened his understanding of the physiotherapy profession.

Best Employer for Science Co-op Students: Small Employer Category

TRIUMF

Dr. Hua Yang supervised Meghan Kostashuk as the first co-op student to work in TRIUMF’s radiobiology laboratory. Kostashuk credits Yang’s guidance and support as essential to the success of her project and development as a researcher. Their work received awards at TRIUMF’s Science Week Poster Competition and TRIUMF’s Student Symposium. In her award speech, Kostashuk praised Yang’s supervision and personal qualities and announced that she will be continuing to work with Yang on her master’s project which involves a collaboration between TRIUMF and the Department of Chemical Engineering at McMaster University.

Best Employer for Science Co-op Students: Large Employer Category

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Dr. Robert Screaton welcomed Mithusha Peragerasingam as a co-op student in his lab at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Peragerasingam shared that Screaton was a supportive mentor, provided many opportunities for her to acquire new skills, and helped her expand her laboratory toolkit while fostering a supportive and positive work environment. Peragerasingam noted that while these reasons contribute to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre’s deservingness of the award, they represent only a portion of why they were a worthy recipient.

“We’re so grateful to our employer partners for the wonderful developmental opportunities they provide for our science co-op students,” said Alice O’Carroll, Director, Science, Career Development and Co-operative Education.

In 2023, co-op students in the Faculty of Science achieved a milestone, wrapping up 630 work terms, resulting in collective earnings exceeding $5 million. Science Career and Cooperative Education partnered with 184 unique employers and placed 341 students.