Walter G. Booth School Resource Centre for undergraduate studies in Automotive and Vehicle Technology and an incubator space for new Master’s graduates in the School’s Don Pether Centre within McMaster Innovation Park. Starting in fall 2016, a series of 400/600 level courses will be offered to allow B.Tech. students to gain advanced credit in graduate school later on. In addition, proposed changes to the M.Eng. Manufacturing Engineering program that would
broaden the scope of topics to more closely match B.Tech. fields of study are also under discussion. While the administrative structures of the departments have changed, and a new Director will be appointed, the programs themselves remain distinct. Students can still pursue undergraduate degrees in seven Bachelor of Technology disciplines and five Master’s degree programs.
New Director ON JULY 1, 2016, MO ELBESTAWI ASSUMED THE role of director of the newly-established Walter G. Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology. Elbestawi has had a storied career at McMaster University, including Dean of Engineering, Chair of Mechanical Engineering, Director of the McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute, Vice-President Research & International Relations and, most recently, director of MacAUTO. “I am both honoured and excited about being selected as the Director of the School for Engineering Practice and Technology (SEPT),” Elbestawi said. “A key focus for me will be to build on the top priorities of the Faculty and the work of my predecessors to ensure the highest possible standard of quality
teaching and learning experience for students and a strong emphasis on strategic partnerships with industry. I look forward to working with the SEPT team and students to help it evolve to the next level of excellence.” Elbestawi assumed the role from W Booth School Director Art Heidebrecht and Dan Centea, Acting Director of the School of Engineering Technology.
Kudos Young researcher award A rising McMaster University chemical engineering star has been recognized with an award for her research on renewable materials. Emily Cranston, an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, recently earned the inaugural KINGFA Young Investigator Award
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from the American Chemical Society’s Division of Cellulose and Renewable Materials. The award recognizes the outstanding contributions of promising young researchers in the field of science and chemical technology of cellulose and renewable materials. Cranston’s research work explores the use of trees and materials from nature and how to break them down into their smallest components, such as nanocellulose, and reuse them in a wide range of sustainable and renewable products ranging from cosmetics to food to energy applications.