Dr. Allison McDonald

Associate Professor of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University

Expert in plant and animal physiology with a focus on how organisms make energy. Advocate for women and persons with disabilities in STEM.

Media

CBC Kitchener, September 21, 2015Radio/Podcast

URL: http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2675873441

I was interviewed on the Morning Edition about my participation in Eden Hennessey's Distractingly Sexist photo exhibit and spoke about gender discrimination in STEM professions and how it affects the women working in them.

The Force of biology is strong in Star Wars

A blueprint for aliens looking to hack a human host

Research Highlight

Wilfrid Laurier University, February 10, 2017Online

URL: https://wlu.ca/news/spotlights/2017/feb/laurier-research-steps-toward-treating-mitochondrial-diseases.html

This interview highlights our paper published in the Journal of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes in Fall 2016. The work is related to advancing the treatment of mitochondrial diseases.

Research Budgeting for Scientists

Published by University Affairs

February 23, 2016

University Affairs picked up one of my blog posts and republished it in their Career Advice column online.

URL: http://www.universityaffairs.ca/career-advice/career-advice-article/research-budgeting-scientists/

Biography

Allison McDonald's research focuses on how organisms make energy to grow, repair, and reproduce. She studies plants, animals, yeasts, and bacteria in her lab, most interested in the electron transport systems in mitochondria and chloroplasts. McDonald's lab is doing work that will eventually contribute to the treatment of human mitochondrial diseases. In addition to her research, McDonald is a strong advocate for disabled scientists and women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Recognition/Reconnaissance

Post-doctoral Fellow Research Grant, Canadian Society of Zoologists | Professional

I received $500 of funding to travel to do research at Stanford University in California.

NSERC Post-doctoral fellowship | Professional

I was awarded $40,000/year to conduct research at Western University from 2008-2010.

Additional Titles and Affiliations

Member of the Centre for Women in Science, Wilfrid Laurier University

Adjunct Faculty, Dept. of Biology, University of Waterloo

Past Talks

Using blogging in a biology graduate course to evaluate learning.

Western Conference on Science Education

Western University, July 9, 2015

The control of reactive oxygen species generation by terminal oxidases.

Canadian Oxidative Stress Consortium

University of Guelph, June 1, 2016

Equity in Science Panel (Moderator)

Biology Seminar Series

Wilfrid Laurier University, September 23, 2016

Research Grants

Alternative oxidases of animals

Organization: NSERC
Date: April 1, 2016
Grant amount: $25,000/year

Details:

Current work in my lab focuses on investigating the enzyme alternative oxidase in animals. We are using molecular biology, biochemistry, and physiology experiments to investigate how the enzyme works and is regulated. We suspect that it allows animals to deal effectively with environmental stresses.

Expertise

  • technology
  • engineering
  • Working as a Disabled Scientist
  • Women in STEM
  • Plant and Animal Physiology and Biochemistry
  • Origin of Life and Endosymbiosis
  • Human Mitochondrial Diseases and Disorders
  • Bioenergetics (Mitochondria and Chloroplasts)

Education/Éducation

  • University of Toronto
    Cell and Systems Biology
    Ph.D., 2007
  • Queen's University
    Biology
    M.Sc., 2000
  • Queen's University
    Biology
    B.Sc. (Honours), 1998