2025 Leadership in Teaching and Learning Fellowships 

The MacPherson Institute has announced Jenny Garkaby (Faculty of Health Sciences), Josh Nederveen (Faculty of Science), Lee van Brussel (Faculty of Science) and Mike Welland (Faculty of Engineering) as the recipients of the 2025-2027 Leadership in Teaching and Learning (LTL) Fellowship. The recipients will receive $15,000 in funding to support a teaching and learning research project over the next two years.  

“Each year when we review proposals for these fellowships we are inspired by innovation and thoughtful consideration our McMaster instructors are committing to the student learning experience,” said Lori Goff, director of the Paul R. MacPherson Institute for Leadership, Innovation and Excellence in Teaching. “Not only do these projects offer opportunities to for student involvement in shaping the learning experiences in the classroom, but they also support instructors in their growth as leaders of teaching innovation.”  

2025-2026 Leadership in Teaching and Learning Fellows 

Jenny Garkaby – Pediatrics (Faculty of Health Sciences) 

Project Title: FEED Study: Feedback in EPAs and Education Development 

This study will explore the development of a sustainable feedback tool in Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) to enhance residents learning, support reflection and guide performance improvement.  

Joshua Nederveen – Kinesiology (Faculty of Science) 

Project Title: PULSE Study – Physiological Understanding of Lifestyle Stressors in Education 

This study will leverage wearable technology to monitor student stress responses, sleep patterns, and daily activity and will compare the tracked data with test scores to identify when students are most at risk for academic struggles and to identify opportunities for early support interventions.  

Lee van Brussel – Mathematics & Statistics (Faculty of Science) 

Project Title: Manipulatives for Calculus Education 

This study will expand on work to design and test active learning and inquiry-based modules for second-year multivariable calculus by using custom-designed 3D objects to enhance the student learning experience and student engagement.  

Mike Welland – Engineering Physics (Faculty of Engineering) 

Co-applicants: Meena Andiappan, John Fink, Sam Scott 

Project Title: A structured use of GenAI in STEM following management principles 

This study will design and assess structured student-AI interactions using proven management principles to enhance engagement, improve academic performance and cultivate critical thinking skills needed for an AI-integrated workforce.   

Read more about the Fellows and their projects on the Leadership in Teaching and Learning Fellowship page.