Dr. Lovaye Kajiura’s connection to McMaster University’s Biology Department is deep and enduring. She first became interested in Biology as a high school student when she worked as a laboratory technician, research assistant, and teaching mentor. She chose to do her undergraduate studies at McMaster University because of its excellent academic and research reputation. In order to fulfill her dream of getting a Ph.D. and teaching at the University level, Dr. Kajiura pursued her Masters and Ph.D. studies. Working with Dr. David Rollo’s research team, she examined organismal ecology, resource allocation, the impact of biotechnology on physiology, endocrinology, nutrition, and behaviour using the transgenic rat growth hormone mouse model. Since becoming a faculty member, Dr. Kajiura has focused her energy towards coordinating and teaching 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year undergraduate courses. She is strongly devoted to the scholarship of teaching and learning. She has published integrated case-based studies, examined the linkages between technology and learning, peer mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaborations. Dr. Kajiura is one of the co-leaders of the McMaster IMPACT (Interdisciplinary, Mentorship, Practical, Applied, Community, Transformative) Initiative. Dr. Kajiura (Biology) along with Dr. Robert Fleisig (Engineering), Dr. Brenda Vrkljan (Occupational Therapy), Dr. Liz Hassan (Engineering), and Dr. Shelir Ebrahimi (Engineering) lead innovative interdisciplinary collaborative projects. The IMPACT Initiative engages Science undergraduate/graduate students, Engineering undergraduate/graduate students, Occupational Therapy graduate students, McMaster Alumni, Medical students, Community Healthcare Partners, and real volunteer clients. Students from diverse academic disciplines collaborate to understand, appreciate, and address challenges experienced by our aging population and people living with disabilities. The IMPACT Initiative creates devices to improve the quality of life of clients living with arthritis, dementia, cerebral palsy, aphasia (strokes), multiple sclerosis, dystonia, and other conditions. This interdisciplinary exchange of ideas and application of knowledge successfully creates meaningful learning experiences that lead to positive community change Dr. Kajiura is also a founding member and steward of the Open (formerly Ontario) Consortium of Undergraduate Biology Educators (oCUBE) and leads the McMaster Mentorship Outreach Student Team (MMOST). She attributes academic and professional success to a commitment to life-long learning and being a resilient change agent. She believes that perseverance, leadership, strong work ethic, and having a positive attitude are keys to success in every area of life. Dr. Kajiura will always be “your mentor for life”.Interdisciplinary, Mentorship, Practice, Applied, Community, Transformative (IMPACT)
The IMPACT Initiative is an interdisciplinary collaboration that engages undergraduate and graduate students from Engineering, Biology/Science, Occupational Therapy, and Medicine, McMaster Alumni, Community Healthcare Partners, and volunteer clients. The IMPACT Initiative involves a learning process whereby students from different academic disciplines come together to understand, appreciate, and address challenges experienced by our aging population and people living with disabilities. IMPACT co-leaders Dr. Robert Fleisig (Engineering), Dr. Lovaye Kajiura (Biology/Science), Dr. Brenda Vrkljan (Occupational Therapy), and Dr. Liz Hassan (Engineering) teach students how to improve the lives of our aging population and that of people with disabilities. The IMPACT project drives student creativity, innovation, and community engagement. The interdisciplinary exchange of ideas successfully creates meaningful learning experiences that lead to positive community change.
The McMaster Mentorship Outreach Student Team (MMOST) is a collaborative outreach assemblage dedicated to providing opportunities for both student mentors and mentees to develop leadership and professional skills by participating in diverse outreach projects conducted both on campus, in the community, and globally abroad. MMOST aims to empower students with transformative experiences via collaborations with other McMaster students, faculty, alumni, and community partners. With the acquisition of these important transferable skills, students will better be able to navigate their academic, career, life journeys, and will be inspired to make transformative changes in their lives and most importantly the lives of others, while striving to “Be the MMOST 