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New Associate Dean of Graduate Studies Appointed for Engineering
July 17, 2009
Professor Heather Sheardown has been appointed Associate Dean of Graduate Studies for Engineering. Her appointment is for a five-year term beginning July 1, 2009.
Sheardown is a professor of chemical engineering at McMaster. She earned her B.Eng. in chemical engineering from McMaster in 1989 and PhD from the University of Toronto in 1995. She is currently supervising a group of 10 graduate students working in all areas of ophthalmic materials research.
"Heather brings a tremendous combination of experience in and understanding of the graduate environment to the position," said Allison Sekuler, Associate Vice President and Dean of Graduate Studies. "She is highly respected for her research, and fosters a supportive and innovative approach to mentoring graduate students. She is a terrific role model for students and supervisors alike, and I'm really looking forward to working with Heather to advance graduate studies in Engineering and across the University."
As an Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Sheardown is a member of Graduate Council, which works to further graduate education and research training at McMaster, and provide leadership and coordination of all activities related to those goals. This includes the development and improvement of graduate programs, admissions planning, recruitment and retention, and the enhancement of quality of life for graduate students.
“Heather is able and willing to look at things from a students’ perspective, which is critical to attracting and retaining strong students to the University,” said David Wilkinson, Dean, Faculty of Engineering. “At the same time, she is committed to ensuring that the quality and standards required for great research are maintained allowing for advancing knowledge and expertise to future generations.
Sheardown has sat on and chaired numerous NSERC, CIHR, and NSF grant review panels. She is past-president of the Canadian Biomaterials Society, where she helped to secure Canada as a host of the quadrennial World Biomaterials Congress in 2016. She has been Chair of the Women in Engineering Committee at McMaster for nine years and was actively involved in developing the popular province-wide Go Eng Girl event for girls in grades seven to 10.
“Graduate study is evolving and taking on an expanded role in our society and in our economy,” said Sheardown. “Communicating this to students and helping them understand the graduate experience is essential. Creating the environment and support structure for them to succeed in their programs and careers is equally important.”
