Explore Your Career

In Dr. Fang’s group I am studying ways of implementing optical technologies such as digital holography into optofluidic devices that can be used for point of care applications, such as urinalysis. We aim to be able to image biomarkers such as bacteria and blood cells with a resolution of 1-10 microns using holographic techniques.

Devan worked with Dr. Luxat on a simulation package to address the electricity needs of Canada, and how the nuclear industry can meet the growing demand. This program allows the user to input nearly every variable describing different types of nuclear reactors and their associated fuel cycles. The program determines things such as the best type, and the number of reactors to deploy in any given year in order to minimize costs or wasted supply. Meanwhile, the entire fuel cycle is tracked, which allows us to examine areas for further improvement with fuel reprocessing and recycling. Lastly, he modelled the nuclear reactions occurring in the reactor and after discharge so we can get an accurate picture of the waste and address the issue of long term storage. This project has allowed Devan to use both Engineering Physics and Engineering Management knowledge to address problems in the areas of reactor physics, software development, as well as economics.

In Dr. Fang's group, I am currently working alongside Nehad Hermiz, a PhD candidate in the biomedical engineering department. I am using the Lifetime Fluorescence Microscopy and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to study protein interactions.

Summer research with Dr. LaPierre was fantastic. I had the ability to learn and test new techniques such as using the scanning electron microscope; which was quite exciting as you are able to image samples and patterns that are on the scale of nanometers, yet the images are very clear and distinct. These techniques can be applied to many forms of research and industry techniques. Working on my research project was extremely fun as I encountered many different variables affecting the results and figuring out to solve those obstacles is what made the project interesting.

Dr. Nagasaki is currently researching how Selenium (an element commonly found in spent nuclear fuel), interacts with different minerals found in the Canadian Shield. My duties during the summer included setting up experiments to measure the adsorption and absorption of Selenium on these minerals, as well as running computer simulations to compare with our experimental results. The end goal of this research is to enable the safe, long-term storage of spent fuel in the deep geological repository being built in Ontario.

Research Assistance with Dr. Turak

My project focused on the synthesis of tin oxide nanoparticles through reverse micelles and the strategies for controlling their planar arrangements. Our goal was to achieve a highly ordered array (as close to a hexagonal lattice as possible), in order to leave the least amount of gaps and maximizing the density of the deposited nanoparticles. My job was to perform a series of experiments, supported by methods discussed in the literature, to modify the spatial arrangement of the micelles. Working over the summer was a fantastic experience and allowed me to learn many lessons that cannot be taught in the classroom.

Research Assistance with Dr. Fang

The engineering physics group I am working with is developing a multiplexed confocal high content imaging system, designed to surpass spinning disc confocal microscopy and provide new methods to image biological systems. My work on the project is to assist in the development of this system, primarily through programming hardware control, user interfaces, and also troubleshooting unexpected behaviours in optical systems. Throughout the summer and into the year I have met amazing coworkers who have helped me develop my understanding of photonics and programming. These coworkers helped me break down many optics focused papers, and kept the direction of the project well defined when issues arose. I find this work extremely fulfilling as it gives me a chance to develop my understanding of optics, explore new aspects of biophotonics, and develop my skills in programming. I am learning very useful skills that encompass the complete design and construction of a system and would recommend anybody who’s given the opportunity to make the most out of it because it can be a life-changing experience.

Placement: Wescam's Electro-Optical Engineering Department

"The work I focused on during my Co-op in Wescam's Electro-Optical Engineering department varied anywhere from software modelling and implementation in Matlab, to in-lab testing, validation, and design of the Electro-Optical equipment and algorithms used within Wescam systems. While in this fast paced, advanced, and challenging environment, I had exposure to Image Processing, Laser Physics, and everything in between! A fantastic Co-op."

Placement: Wescam's Electro-Optical Engineering Department

"At wescam I work on the various aspect of Electro-Optics engineering including hardware testing and analysis of results as well as software modelling of various algorithms using matlab and other software programs. Working at L3 WESCAM has provided me with the ability to get hands on experience on technologies that are not taught in class and get great outside the classroom learning experience which Wescam encourages during my co-op experience!"

Placement: Apple Inc. Headquarters in Cupertino, CA

"I will be working as a Hardware Engineering Intern, part of the Panel Process & Optics team, for four months at the Apple Inc. headquarters located in Cupertino, CA. My main goal is creating flexible scientific computing scripts to model and analyze thin films used for optical interference coatings and to experimentally verify these models."

Placement: Amec Foster Wheeler

Kai Groves will be doing an internship with Amec Foster Wheeler from September 10th to December 21st.

Placement: Ranovus Inc.

Matt Vukovic is doing an internship at Ranovus Inc. – a leading Canadian technology company in the field of optical communications technology based out of Ottawa. The focus of the internship will be on characterizing semiconductor materials and devices for use in optical systems. Matt is doing the  internship for 1 term.

Placement: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories (LBNL), in Berkeley California.

I was able to secure a visiting researcher position at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories (LBNL), in Berkeley California this summer with the Energy Geosciences Division. This was an exciting opportunity for me as I was able to learn Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulation from some of the leading researchers in this field, Drs. Benjamin Gilbert and Piotr Zarzycki. Working as a graduate student under Dr. Shinya Nagasaki, he and I have started a collaboration with LBNL to explore the diffusion of radionuclides, Neptunium for example, in bentonite clay. This research will be beneficial to accurately show that through sorption experiments, the physical process of radionuclide migration is being properly handled. I spent the majority of my summer learning the principles and pitfalls associated with MD simulation. I am now able to successfully model the behaviour of NpO­₂⁺ in water. I will continue to build this model to incorporate a wide range of conditions that will be expected at the Deep Geologic Repository in Canada, including other various radionuclides. I completed an undergraduate degree with Engineering Physics in the nuclear field, and then having the ability to learn a new field of research is exciting. The ability to learn this in California was incredible. I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to research in one of the most beautiful areas in the world, while I was still able to be a tourist to San Francisco and the Bay area. I look forward to returning and continuing my research in a gorgeous part of the world. 

- Noor Toeama, Grade 12 Student at Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School; Supervisor: Dr. Leyla Soleymani

“My experience in the lab has been absolutely unforgettable! From learning all new skills to assist Dr. Kitai in constructing a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), to asking him my never ending questions on all topics to do with engineering and physics, to getting a true understanding on how this career path is perfect for me, I don’t regret the decision to do my co op placement here one bit! I would gladly do this for another semester in a heart beat!”

- Dante Pereira, Grade 11 Student at Bishop Tonnos; Supervisor: Dr. Adrian Kitai

"Applying to my current co-op position within McMaster’s Engineering Physics department was one of the best decisions I have made for my education and my own personal enjoyment. Many high school students tend to lack hands-on learning experiences, deeming us unable to fully understand our studies and disconnecting its real-world applications. When I was interviewed for a potential position as a co-op intern for Dr. Turak’s Research Group, I had little knowledge regarding what Engineering Physics was, how it contributes to today’s society, and how I would be able to contribute as a grade twelve student with my level of education. As school started back up in September, I settled into my co-op and found that there was a substantial learning curve to be conquered with the help of Dr. Turak and her research students. Within the first few weeks, I completed multiple safety trainings and quickly learned how to use lab equipment and materials such as the glovebox, spin coater, vacuum sealed containers, and various acids, bases, and solutions. One of the bigger challenges was adapting to our weekly meetings, which require all research group members to present their weekly tasks and findings. The group was extremely kind and helpful as I worked to improve my presentations and confidence. My five-month experience was quickly speeding by, filled with an assortment of experiments and tasks for the purpose of different projects and reports. As I near the end of my co-op term, I am reflecting on all the various skills and experiences I have been able to acquire in Engineering Physics, many which I would not otherwise have until my late university career. High school students aren’t typically entrusted with using a 3D printer, analyzing Atomic Force Microscope images, performing chemical experiments, or re-building a portable glovebox. We also typically don’t become friends with hard-working Master and PhD students, let alone work alongside them. McMaster has always been and will continue to be my dream university to attend in post-secondary for Engineering. Through my high school experience in Engineering Physics, I am even more excited for the future, and hope to consider the stream as a possible destination of study in the future.
McMaster Engineering Physics has proven to be an enjoyable, interesting, and education-filled area of study with a friendly, hard-working faculty. They have inspired me to continue with my goal to become an engineer and to keep working hard through determination, grit, and motivation.
All there is left to say is, from the bottom of my heart, thank you."

- Angela Tollis, Grade 12 Student at Saint Mary CSS; Supervisor: Dr. Ayse Turak

This past Fall, Anna Hirlehey worked alongside Dr. Turak as a High School Co-Op Student! Here’s what she said about her experience:

"My time as a high school co-op student at McMaster in the Engineering Physics department was amazing, and was an experience unique to my high school education.

With this co-op I was able to work among Grad Students and truly see what it is like to be a student at McMaster University. I worked on making a new substrate holder for the dip coater in the lab. I utilized the work of a previous summer student and expanded upon it trying new ways to solve the problem. In this process I expanded on my knowledge of CAD and 3D printing, things I knew little about before and probably wouldn’t learn in an average high school class.

Additionally, every member of the McMaster faculty was welcoming and kind and they made my experience here highly positive!

My time here has made me hopeful for the future, as studying Engineering at McMaster is my goal. My time here has proven to be an enjoyable, educational and inspiring experience working in Dr. Turak’s research group among incredible individuals.

I am thankful for the amazing opportunity that this placement gave me and the people I was able to meet and work alongside."

- Anna Hirlehey, SHSM Energy Co-op Student at St. Mary Secondary School; September 2019-January 2020; Supervisor: Dr. Ayse Turak

Read about her experience in full on this page: https://mary.hwcdsb.ca/learn/shsm/

"Over the course of my 2019 summer break, I completed five weeks of Summer School co-op for my Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Red Seal Designation in Energy.
I was placed at McMaster University in the Department of Engineering Physics. I was mentored by Dr. Ray LaPierre, Professor, and Chair of the Department of Engineering Physics, as well as Undergraduate student, Pedro, and Graduate student, Ara.

While I was on placement, I had the opportunity to adventure around campus and see what university life is like. I was able to visit many different buildings on campus, for example, the many libraries, the student center, and also different labs. This reach ahead experience will give me an advantage if I were to attend McMaster University next year. Also, while completing co-op, I was able to ask the students I was placed with about some of the programs and opportunities I would be able to pursue in my first year at Mac and some of the different things I would be learning in the first-year Engineering.

The project that I was working on under the supervision of Dr. LaPierre was an application in solar cells. In the division I was working with, we monitored the thermal conductivity of silicon wafers. In Dr. LaPierre’s lab, we used devices that would monitor the thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity of the silicon. We would change the heat of the silicon and change the current that was flowing through it. My main task was to code different programs to make it more simple for the team to run different tests on the silicon.

While I was in my placement, I was able to learn many different skills. One of the main skills was to learn coding in the coding language “Python”. I spent the first few weeks learning how to code, which in the future will assist me in my studies or in a job. I also had the opportunity to learn how to work in a lab environment which can be extremely useful when it comes to post-secondary studies. Finally, and most importantly, I learned to ask questions when I didn’t understand something. When it came to what our team was working on, at first I had a difficult time understanding how things worked but after countless questions and time in the lab, I finally understood the concepts of what was being achieved.

Overall, I had a great experience working at McMaster University under the supervision of Dr. LaPierre. I was able to learn a great deal in a short period of time. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that I was given by SHSM Counsellor Mrs. Castura and the other Summer School co-op teachers, and most importantly the staff and students at my placement at McMaster University. I would do it all again if I had the chance, and I highly recommend seeking a co-op placement at McMaster University, if given the opportunity."

- Justin Dennehy, SHSM Energy Red Seal Designate Co-op Student at St. Mary Secondary School; Summer 2019; Supervisor: Dr. Ray LaPierre

"Despite the brevity of my summer co-op project with McMaster’s Department of Engineering Physics, it has been an unforgettable experience that has developed my research skills more in one month than my entire four years in high school. Under the invaluable guidance of my supervising professor Dr. Turak, I worked on writing a report reviewing the academic literature for applications of nanomaterials in antiviral surface coatings and polymers. My project’s goal was to provide a background on established findings to inform a new initiative that Dr. Turak’s research group is pursuing. The initiative aims to develop a solution for the potent transmission of COVID-19 through contact surfaces by utilizing nanoparticles to target the oligosaccharide shield on SARS-CoV-2’s spike glycoprotein. With this mechanism in mind, I was tasked with looking into candidate materials that might inhibit viruses by damaging components such as glycoproteins and the viral envelope. At first, I found reading and evaluating published papers to be a daunting task, but Dr. Turak and the university students in her research group were always friendly and willing to help advise my work. With their help, I was able to get up to speed and quickly became intrigued by the many experiments that researchers worldwide have conducted using nanomaterials to inactivate viruses. From the diverse mechanisms by which nanoparticles target viral receptors to the varied equipment and methodologies used to quantify antiviral activity, I found the subject fascinating. I was driven by my interest to take notes on over 100 papers, which were then incorporated into a literature review report covering virucidal materials from titanium dioxide to silver to zinc tetra(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphine. It’s my hope that this report can be a resource for Dr. Turak and her team to guide their promising future research. I am truly grateful for my co-op placement this summer and for the chance to learn research skills that I will carry forward long into my university career. Thank you to Dr. Turak and the Department of Engineering Physics for the opportunity to contribute to an incredible initiative that is both on the cutting edge of science and relevant to my future studies at McMaster’s Bachelor of Health Sciences program. Now, I’m even more excited to start school at Mac in September!"

- Neil Lin, Grade 12 Co-op Student at Westmount SS; Virtual Summer 2020 Project; Supervisor: Dr. Ayse Turak

"My name is Rory Gao, and I did my summer research co-op with the Engineering Physics department under the supervision of Dr. Turak. With help from the Turak Research Group, I developed a program to extract nanoparticle coordinates from images in bulk, which I nicknamed SPyAD (Streamlined Python Automatic Detection). This tool would help reduce the workload for image analysis in the overarching goal of Spatial Statistical Nanoparticle Analysis. Coding the program was a challenging task - it required me to learn about our existing statistical analysis tools, study theories of image analysis, and lots and lots of troubleshooting and debugging. I did run into problems, but the Grad Students were there for me. They shared their experience with nanoparticle analysis and gave lots of advice and feedback. Thanks to them, I was able to steer my project in the direction I wanted it to go. Though my term was completely online due to COVID-19, I still learned a lot! Our work environment was made possible with tools like Slack, Webex, and Dropbox, and nothing kept us from doing what needed to be done.
A highlight of my co-op would definitely be our weekly Webex meetings - it was neat to see tangible progress over the weeks, both from the Grad students, and us interns! It truly was a wonderful time with the Engineering Physics Department and this experience will stay with me for many years to come."

- Rory Gao, Grade 12 Co-op Student at Bayview SS; Virtual Summer 2020 Project; Supervisor: Dr. Ayse Turak

"I've had an amazing time this summer while researching about perovskite nanoparticle lasers. I've been working in a small team to look at recent advances in the field with a focus on lasers that can emit in the infrared region. We've worked together to make a repository of papers and write a literature review of our findings. I've been able to extend my understanding of real life scientific applications beyond the highschool curriculum and learn new concepts with the guidance of the graduate students and Dr. Turak."

- Padena Rasouli-Baghban, Grade 12 Co-op Student at Bayview SS; Virtual Summer 2020 Project; Supervisor: Dr. Ayse Turak

"I had an amazing five weeks working on condensing a multitude of research papers into a literature review report on the antiviral properties of various types of nanoparticles. Throughout this time, interacting with other high school students and some graduate students through weekly meetings was a pleasant addition to the learning experience as I was able to learn about the broad spectrum of projects the Engineering Physics department works with."

- Daksh Verma, Grade 12 Co-op Student at Alexander Mackenzie Highschool; Virtual Summer 2020 Project; Supervisor: Dr. Ayse Turak

"My experience in Dr. Turak's research group was unforgettable and very engaging. I got to work on a literature review paper about perovskites for lasing applications. I came in knowing nothing about perovskites or literature review papers, but with the help of Dr. Turak and her grad students, my partner and I learned the basics and throughout our co-op term, learned a lot about scientific research. I had to present our findings in weekly meetings, which did start off with a bit of a learning curve, but eventually with the guidance of the group I adapted to this role with ease. This research experience has opened my eyes to what engineering physics is and has made me consider research as a career choice for myself. Without a doubt, this is one of the best decisions I have made in my high-school career and I would do it again without hesitation!"

- Geoffrey Fang, Grade 12 Co-op Student at Bayview SS; Virtual Summer 2020 Project; Supervisor: Dr. Ayse Turak

"For the past month, I have worked on plotting a graph. A task I never thought could be this difficult (and at the same time extremely engaging), even though I knew the steps of what had to be done. Having to use Mathematica for the very first time in my life, I was met with tons of support from everyone working on the project (grad student or not). Looking back at the last few weeks, I have no doubt that this was probably one of the best and most interesting possible research experiences a student going into grade 12 could possibly have (especially one, that taught you to catch and fix errors you never thought were possible)."

- Ivan Ovchinnikov, Grade 12 Co-op Student at Bayview SS; Virtual Summer 2020 Project; Supervisor: Dr. Ayse Turak

"I have had a great experience participating in a high school co-op with McMaster University’s Department of Engineering Physics. Being able to work with Dr. Nagasaki’s research group, and learn from him and other grad students, was a learning opportunity very unique to the in-school environment to which I am accustomed. I gained much perspective and knowledge, both in regards to nuclear energy and engineering as a whole, which I would not have otherwise attained, and was able to do so in a very supportive and fun environment. Under the direction of my supervisor, Josh Racette, I have gained many new skills - from learning how to run molecular dynamic simulations, to composing effective reports and presentations - all of which have better prepared me for a future in academia. I found this co-op to be very enriching, and truly appreciate all of the new knowledge I have acquired, people I have met, and abilities I have developed.”

- Becca Barbera, Grade 11 Co-op Student at Cathedral High School; Virtual Fall 2020 Project; Supervisor: Dr. Shinya Nagasaki

"I have been extremely fortunate to pursue a co-op placement with McMaster University’s Engineering Physics Department under the supervision of Dr. Turak. 

Although my 9-week co-op placement was completely online due to COVID-19, I still managed to learn countless concepts and applications that I would not have experienced by taking classes in a traditional high school setting. More specifically, I learned the significance of time management and was able to be a productive member of a dynamic research team. During my time with the Turak Research Group, I received valuable guidance and mentorship from Dr. Turak and her dedicated students. Moreover, I learned how to analyze spatial statistics of nanoparticle dispersions by comparing and testing various image processing programs. Everyone on the team was very welcoming, collaborative, and helped me understand all applications and protocols necessary to successfully complete my tasks.

My main project was to compare the process and results of X Y coordinate extraction between the main Image processing software ImageJ to two different autodetection programs. I created many templates to help me compare the data in an organized fashion. As a result, I improved several critical skills such as presentation delivery, time management, critical thinking, and problem-solving tactics. 

As my co-op placement progressed, my aspirations of becoming an engineer were further solidified. I would sincerely welcome the opportunity to do it all over again with 100% certainty.

I could not have asked for a better co-op placement!”

- Jana Febbraro, Grade 11 SHSM Student at Bishop Tonnos CSS; Virtual Fall 2020 Project; Supervisor: Dr. Ayse Turak

"This quadmester, my learning has been much different than the traditional classroom style. I have been so grateful to work with Dr. Turak and her team in putting together a literature review, tables of data and a bibliography about the phenomenon of Faraday Rotation. This co-op has been very helpful because I am developing the skills to read and assess scientific papers, gather data from a variety of sources, understand complex concepts, set goals, and work independently with the support of a team, all real-world skills that I would not have developed this early otherwise. If you're thinking about working in a lab setting or conducting scientific research as a career, I strongly recommend getting a taste of what it will be like through this amazing co-op opportunity!”

- Eli Smith, Grade 12 Student at Abbey Park High School; Virtual Winter 2021 Project; Supervisor: Dr. Ayse Turak

Paul Kuyanov is an alumnus of Engineering Physics at McMaster University (B.Eng. in Engineering Physics and Management, 2011; Ph.D. in Engineering Physics, 2017). Since 2017, Paul has been an optical systems engineer at North (formerly Thalmic Labs) in Kitchener/Waterloo.

He participated in the development of North’s pair of smart glasses, which utilize a hologram to project a user interface directly on the retina.

B.Eng. '90, Engineering Physics

Engineering Human Solutions

Ash Beigi has a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Physics & Management (2010) from McMaster University. Ash's career has been focused on the business development of high-tech platform solutions for high-performance instrumentation, real-time control, and industrial IoT. He has deployed solutions into a wide range of industries including oil & gas, energy, agriculture, aerospace, consumer electronics, and mining. Ash has served as a Product Marketing Engineer, Account Manager, Field Sales Engineer, Technical Sales Representative, and Operations Engineering Intern. He has held positions at National Instruments and Northern Light Technologies. Ash is currently an MBA candidate at the Schulich School of Business.

B.Eng.Mgt. '03, Engineering Physics

Professional Problem Solver at Work

B.Eng.Mgt. '84, Engineering Physics

Making Light Work for Canada

Geordie graduated from McMaster with a B. Eng. from Engineering Physics in 1994 with a solid state devices focus.  He then earned a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the University of British Columbia with Philip Stamp, studying the effects of nuclear spins on decoherence in molecular magnets. 

B.Eng. '94, Engineering Physics

The Optics of Engineering a New Life

Parsian Mohseni completed his B.Eng. in Engineering Physics in 2005. He continued this work from 2011-2015 as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign under the supervision of Dr. Xiuling Li. 

Avery Yuen,  B.Eng.Mgt, Engineering Physics & Management, 2005, Ph.D, Engineering Physics, 2011.

Chris graduated with a B.Eng. in Engineering Physics in 2007. Finding research in the Department of Engineering Physics a very positive and engaging experience, Chris decided to pursue a Ph.D. under Prof. LaPierre’s supervision.

Engineering Physics Alumni, Joel Hilchey, was featured as the keynote speaker in the 2014 Student Leadership Conference.

Paul Kempf received a Master’s in Engineering Physics, specializing in opto-electronics, from McMaster University in 1984.

Lauren D’Amico graduated from the Engineering Physics and Management program in 2005.

Zachary recently completed his sixth year of Engineering Physics & Management at McMaster University, where he is a well-known student leader. 

Ian Hill earned his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics (B.Eng. 04’) and was the first M.A.Sc. McMaster graduate from the University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (UNENE) program (’06).

Following Dr. Walker's M.Eng in Engineering Physics and PhD in Electrical Engineering, Robert was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree from McMaster University in 2013 and honorary Doctorate of Engineering degree from the Royal Military College of Canada in 2015.