Post by McMaster Faculty of Science

Convocation countdown with...Ava Dryden Program: Honours Life Sciences co-op Hometown: Victoria, BC Favourite course: Life 4W03: Advanced Concepts in Nutrition. Because it's a seminar, there are fewer students. Everyone shares a strong interest in nutrition so you have the opportunity to connect with many like-minded peers in your program. I also really enjoyed the final project, which involved designing a workshop for older adults. My group had the opportunity to visit a community centre to interact with members of our local community. We shared our knowledge on sarcopenia and lead activities with the older adults. Overall, it was a super fun course! Person you're most thankful to have met at Mac: Oof… there is a long list of people I am extremely thankful to have met at McMaster! That being said, I am especially grateful to have met Alice Payne, with whom I had the privilege of planning Welcome Week 2025 last summer. Having known her since first year, it felt like a full-circle moment to welcome incoming first-year students to Mac together, building one of many lifelong friendships. Next year, we will even be living together! Best Mac moment: My co-op at McMaster University is one of my most cherished experiences. During my 12-month placement at McMaster Children's Hospital in the Child Health & Exercise Medicine Program (CHEMP), I discovered how much I enjoy research. I had the opportunity to help spearhead a multi-centre study examining movement guidelines for children and youth with chronic medical conditions, and how sleep, sedentary time, and physical activity impact their day-to-day lives. After my co-op, I realized my desire to pursue a master’s degree and continue my research career! Person you'll be most proud to show your degree to: I cannot wait to show my degree to my family, who have supported me from afar over the past five years. No matter what obstacles I faced, my parents, sister, and grandparents were always there to pick up the phone and say exactly what I needed to hear to keep going. I am forever grateful to them for the opportunity to attend McMaster and for everything they have done to get me here! Best advice / insider tip for Mac students starting in September:: Go out and explore! Talk to the person next to you, approach your professors during office hours, attend sports games, explore Hamilton, and take advantage of everything Mac has to offer. There are so many opportunities at this school and within the community and getting involved is one of the best ways to meet people and make the most of your short undergraduate experience. It will go by in an instant!