5 Minute Research Talks (5MRT)
This event challenges the most brilliant minds to share their research in an accessible way with the community. Knowledge translation can be one of the biggest challenges faced by academics when working in interdisciplinary groups or industry. This friendly competition gives researchers a chance to flex their communication and presentation skills in one of Ontario’s most unique venues, the LIVELab at McMaster University. Winners from the McCall MacBain talks will be featured in the “Appetizers for the Mind” event hosted in collaboration with the Office of Alumni Engagement at McMaster University. Winning participants will receive great prizes and be featured on the McCall MacBain Postdoctoral Fellows Teaching and Leadership Program website and associated social media outlets.
2025 Research Talks


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Dr. Amin Ahmadfard – Evaluating Thermal Performance of Helical Steel Piles as Ground Heat Exchangers
5MRT, February 12, 2025


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Dr. Bita Pourbahari – The Hidden World of Atoms: How Tiny Changes at the Atomic Level Transform Materials
5MRT, February 12, 2025

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Dr. Idowu Olawoye – Catch Me If You Can: Accurate and Sensitive Detection of Mycoplasma genitalium
5MRT, February 12, 2025

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Dr. Jen Holzer – Transformations for Sustainability: Learning from Successes to Overcome Inertia
5MRT, February 12, 2025



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Dr. Megan Zangara – Psychological Stress: A Wrecking Ball to Gut Barrier Integrity and Immune Defense
5MRT, February 12, 2025

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Dr. Myanca Rodrigues – Beyond Overdoses: Multimorbidity Amond People With Opioid Use Disorder
5MRT, February 12, 2025


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Dr. Nirvana Nursimulu – Assessing the Risk of Pre-Breast Cancer Recurrence Using Metabolic Network Modeling
5MRT, February 12, 2025

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Dr. Raphael Camargo Penteado – Beyond Profit: Transforming Entrepreneurship Education for Global Impact
5MRT, February 12, 2025

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Dr. Reza Daneshazarian – Invisible Network, Visible Impact: Transforming Building with WiFi Sensing
5MRT, February 12, 2025


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Dr. Sina Baleka – Decoding the Past: Insights from Ancient DNA of Extinct Species
5MRT, February 12, 2025

2024 Research Talks

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Dr. Alannah McEvoy – The Role of Genetics in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Options
10 Minute Research Talks, January 24, 2024

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Dr. Amir Foroozan – Out of Thick Air: Converting Smoke into Fuel
10 Minute Research Talks, January 24, 2024

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Dr. Andrea Johnson – What Does “Quality of Life” Mean for Adolescents Living with Advanced Cancer?
10 Minute Research Talks, January 24, 2024

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Dr. Ben Lee Taylor – Generative AI in Higher Education: The 4C Assessment Design Framework
10 Minute Research Talks, January 24, 2024

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Dr. Lindsay Santacroce – Emotional or “pop-out” blink?
10 Minute Research Talks, January 24, 2024

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Dr. Marycolette Ezediokpu – Economic tradeoff of studying microbes as simpletons
10 Minute Research Talks, January 24, 2024

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Dr. Sonia Kong – Breaking the Silence: Shyness and Bullying Unveiled
10 Minute Research Talks, January 24, 2024

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Dr. Sophia Melanson Ricciardone – Toxic Masculinity on TikTok
10 Minute Research Talks, January 24, 2024

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Dr. Timothy Lo – From Digital Thermometers to Fighting Climate Change
10 Minute Research Talks, January 24, 2024

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Dr. Zhenyu (Charlus) Zhang – LiFi: WiFi Connection Through Light
10 Minute Research Talks, January 24, 2024

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Dr. Zilong Zhong – 2023 Wildfire Impact: Burn Areas and Biomass Loss in Canadian Forests
10 Minute Research Talks, January 24, 2024