McMaster University

A transformational $50-million gift is paving the way for McMaster University to become a global leader in Kinesiology and healthspan research.

The investment fuels a vision of helping people increase their healthspan — the years of life lived in good health free from illness and disease.

It will establish the McCall MacBain Kinesiology and Healthspan Institute, a global research hub. There, researchers will advance real-world solutions, evidence‑informed policy and develop future leaders of health.

The gift, from alumna Dr. Marcy McCall MacBain and John McCall MacBain, with the McCall MacBain Foundation, is the largest philanthropic investment in kinesiology in Canadian university history.

$50M McCall MacBain Foundation gift propels McMaster’s leadership in helping people live longer in good health The largest philanthropic gift to kinesiology in Canadian university history supports global healthspan research, education, policy and impact.

McMaster is celebrating the generosity of alumnus Walter Schroeder and his wife Maria. Their new $2-million gift through The Schroeder Foundation will enhance the student experience in the McMaster University School of Nursing and the Physician Assistant Education Program.

$2M gift from Walter and Maria Schroeder boosts nursing and physician assistant programs This latest gift creates support and opportunities to enhance the student experience for a new generation of outstanding clinical care staff.

Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a new antibiotic that kills some of the world’s most dangerous and drug-resistant bacteria — and does so by targeting a previously unknown vulnerability, opening the door to an entirely new class of treatments.

The new compound, called manikomycin, was identified by a team led by McMaster Professor Gerry Wright and has shown early effectiveness against priority pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli and Klebsiella.

“Not a single antibiotic prescribed in clinics today does what manikomycin does,” says Wright, a member of the Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease Research. “Not azithromycin, not tetracycline — none of them.”

McMaster researcher’s latest antibiotic discovery offers new way to kill drug-resistant bacteria Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a new antibiotic that kills some of the world’s most dangerous and drug-resistant bacteria — and does so by targeting a previously unknown vulnerability, opening the door to an entirely new class of treatments. The new compound, called manikomyc...

June is both National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month, and campus groups representing the diverse Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities have together made a plan that ensures both are appropriately represented.

Learn about the flags that will fly above University Hall in June: https://ow.ly/xAsn50Z683H

The Pride flag will be flying at McMaster this month as a visible reminder: Whether you are 2SLGBTQIA+, gender questioning or unsure, you belong here, and the university community celebrates you year-round.

Learn more about the events and resources related to Pride Month at McMaster: https://ow.ly/CHSt50Z683I

Seven inspiring and accomplished individuals will receive honorary degrees at Spring convocation ceremonies this year. We're proud to recognize the extraordinary contributions of the following community champions, innovators and scholars:
🔸 Mary Heersink, philanthropist and food safety advocate
🔸 Jean Augustine, former MP and trailblazing leader
🔸 Valerie Davidson, engineer and ONWiE founding chair
🔸 Arthur Fogel, live music visionary
🔸 Paul Hoffman, geology scholar and Kyoto Prize winner
🔸 Adam Felesky, FinTech innovator
🔸 Mary Lou Maher, business leader and diversity champion

Their contributions to their respective fields and commitment to making the world better will be celebrated at convocation ceremonies in May and June.

Learn more: https://news.mcmaster.ca/mcmaster-honorary-degree-recipients-spring-2026/

The future of nuclear continues to be built here at McMaster University.

We are proud to launch the 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐮𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 — another way we are developing the next generation of nuclear leaders.

We’re proud to be Canada’s Nuclear University, home to the country’s most powerful research reactor. Our one-of-a-kind learning environment gives students opportunities for hands-on learning and connections to industry.

Learn more: https://news.mcmaster.ca/new-major-announced-in-nuclear-engineering/

We’re pleased to welcome Dr. Nancy Baxter as McMaster's next Vice-President and Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences.

An internationally respected leader in academic medicine, she brings global experience from the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne, along with a distinguished career in Canada spanning clinical care, research and health system leadership.

Dr. Baxter is widely recognized for advancing cancer screening and health system improvement, with more than 500 publications, $60M+ in research funding, and a sustained commitment to mentorship and high-performing interdisciplinary teams. She has also championed and supported Indigenous health initiatives, climate and health research, and equitable access to care and training.

We look forward to the leadership and perspective she brings to our community.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/POpz50YSpJn

Do politicians really keep their promises? An online tool called Polimeter has the answer — and it may surprise you.

Researchers at McMaster’s Digital Society Lab rebuilt and expanded the impartial online tool that tracks whether elected officials keep or break the promises they made while campaigning.

🔗 Learn more: https://ow.ly/9aWf50YQJf7

Call it Paradise Restored 🌱 As part of a campus environmental restoration project, McMaster staff and students have revived a long-dead marsh, transforming it into a living lab for teaching and research.

It will trap sediment and break down pollutants that were draining into the creeks that flow into Cootes Paradise, the nature sanctuary next door to our campus.

More: https://ow.ly/jJVy50YO2ut

On Earth Day and every day, McMaster community members are working to build a more sustainable future.

We are proud to be ranked 14th in the world for global impact, according to the Times Higher Education 2025 Impact Ranking. This is a recognition of our community’s hard work in addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 🌏

From turning food waste into energy to marshland restoration projects here on campus, learn more about the ways our community members are building a greener, healthier world

🔗 https://ow.ly/jllL50YNyne