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Faculty of Science

Science Career & Cooperative Education

Co-op Employer of the Year Award

2023 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.