“Future research needs to focus not only on the biological markers of autism but also include data about functioning, participation, and environmental barriers and facilitators.”
Dr. Olaf Kraus de Camargo // Developmental Pediatrician
MacART is laying the foundation for creating a systematic way of linking scientific research on autism at McMaster University to clinical practice at McMaster Children’s Hospital.
The physical proximity of McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences, and McMaster University has a number of characteristics that provides the rare opportunity for collaborative research. Taking advantage of existing university and clinical infrastructure and cross-appointments for clinicians at the university, autism experts from these organizations are coming together to integrate autism research into clinical practice.
The focus of MacART members’ research is in the areas of basic science, clinical practice, clinical research, epidemiology and statistical modelling, knowledge translation and exchange, and social science research. By promoting the collaboration of stakeholders across disciplines, MacART is reducing barriers to implementing research in clinical practice, with the goal of advancing autism policy and practice through meaningful research.
Learn more about our research HERE.
MacART members are now supervising more than 50 research trainees at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels, and are engaged in the mentoring of junior and intermediate faculty members.
In the future, we intend to establish research and clinical training programs for students in McMaster’s undergraduate medical, health sciences, and psychology programs, and for residents and fellows in Pediatrics and Psychiatry.
By training and mentoring emerging researchers and practitioners, we will help to solidify their understanding of and commitment to using basic science to inform their clinical practice, and to use their clinical experience to help formulate research questions. It is our belief that involving these learners in MacART educational activities will promote their use of practices that advance autism policy and practice through meaningful research.
“Our scientists are working collaboratively with local clinicians to generate the evidence needed to improve autism services. This symposium is a great example of McMaster’s community engagement efforts.”
Dr. Patrick Deane // Former President & Vice-Chancellor // McMaster University
The community engagement component of MacART endeavours to work with Autistic and community collaborators and involve them in the research process. By doing so, the questions that drive research begin to change. They become more meaningful because they address the real day-to-day challenges faced by children and their families, and the clinicians supporting them.
MacART aims to increase participation and involvement of members of the McMaster and Hamilton communities in the research process. With community members driving the research, new and relevant knowledge can be produced to bridge the research-to-practice gap in autism and advance autism policy and practice through meaningful research.
“People whose lives are connected to the challenge of autism can share knowledge – from clinicians to educators to parents – and what an amazing opportunity that is. We have a real opportunity to translate challenges into research, and research into practice that will help families living with autism.”
Rob MacIsaac // Former President & CEO // Hamilton Health Sciences
Policies should be created using the best available evidence that make positive impacts on the lives of Autistic individuals, along with their families.
MacART’s founder, Dr. Stelios Georgiades, serves on both federal and provincial advisory committees about Autism supports/service funding. Along with the wide-ranging expertise of its many autism experts, MacART is set to act as a highly credible source of evidence-based information to influence and inform public policy about the provision and funding of autism diagnosis, services, and family supports.
MacART will continue to find ways to collaborate with policymakers to both learn more about the policymaking process, and to contribute our expertise and knowledge to inform policymaking, in order to advance autism policy and practice through meaningful research.
“Future research needs to focus not only on the biological markers of autism but also include data about functioning, participation, and environmental barriers and facilitators.”
Dr. Olaf Kraus de Camargo // Developmental Pediatrician
MacART is laying the foundation for creating a systematic way of linking scientific research on autism at McMaster University to clinical practice at McMaster Children’s Hospital.
The physical proximity of McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences, and McMaster University has a number of characteristics that provides the rare opportunity for collaborative research. Taking advantage of existing university and clinical infrastructure and cross-appointments for clinicians at the university, autism experts from these organizations are coming together to integrate autism research into clinical practice.
The focus of MacART members’ research is in the areas of basic science, clinical practice, clinical research, epidemiology and statistical modelling, knowledge translation and exchange, and social science research. By promoting the collaboration of stakeholders across disciplines, MacART is reducing barriers to implementing research in clinical practice, with the goal of advancing autism policy and practice through meaningful research.
Learn more about our research HERE.
MacART members are now supervising more than 50 research trainees at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels, and are engaged in the mentoring of junior and intermediate faculty members.
In the future, we intend to establish research and clinical training programs for students in McMaster’s undergraduate medical, health sciences, and psychology programs, and for residents and fellows in Pediatrics and Psychiatry.
By training and mentoring emerging researchers and practitioners, we will help to solidify their understanding of and commitment to using basic science to inform their clinical practice, and to use their clinical experience to help formulate research questions. It is our belief that involving these learners in MacART educational activities will promote their use of practices that advance autism policy and practice through meaningful research.
“Our scientists are working collaboratively with local clinicians to generate the evidence needed to improve autism services. This symposium is a great example of McMaster’s community engagement efforts.”
Dr. Patrick Deane // Former President & Vice-Chancellor // McMaster University
The community engagement component of MacART endeavours to work with Autistic and community collaborators and involve them in the research process. By doing so, the questions that drive research begin to change. They become more meaningful because they address the real day-to-day challenges faced by children and their families, and the clinicians supporting them.
MacART aims to increase participation and involvement of members of the McMaster and Hamilton communities in the research process. With community members driving the research, new and relevant knowledge can be produced to bridge the research-to-practice gap in autism and advance autism policy and practice through meaningful research.
“People whose lives are connected to the challenge of autism can share knowledge – from clinicians to educators to parents – and what an amazing opportunity that is. We have a real opportunity to translate challenges into research, and research into practice that will help families living with autism.”
Rob MacIsaac // Former President & CEO // Hamilton Health Sciences
Policies should be created using the best available evidence that make positive impacts on the lives of Autistic individuals, along with their families.
MacART’s founder, Dr. Stelios Georgiades, serves on both federal and provincial advisory committees about Autism supports/service funding. Along with the wide-ranging expertise of its many autism experts, MacART is set to act as a highly credible source of evidence-based information to influence and inform public policy about the provision and funding of autism diagnosis, services, and family supports.
MacART will continue to find ways to collaborate with policymakers to both learn more about the policymaking process, and to contribute our expertise and knowledge to inform policymaking, in order to advance autism policy and practice through meaningful research.
Clinical practice refers to the activities carried out in a medical setting with practitioners’ patients. Some of these are based on guidelines that specify how diagnosis and treatment should be carried out in a particular condition. Clear and strict guidelines around Autism diagnosis ensures that the proper support and care needs of Autistic individuals are provided.
Roles & Affiliations: Associate Professor, Pediatrics at McMaster University;Developmental Pediatrician at McMaster Children’s Hospital Membership Type: Associate Member Supervisorship Status: Not available for supervision. PubMedGoogle ScholarMcMaster Experts Bio Bio Dr. Mohammad Zubairi is a Developmental Pediatrician & Associate Professor at McMaster University in the Department of Pediatrics. He is currently Director for Equity, Diversity and
Roles & Affiliations: Clinical Director, MiCare Extensive Needs and Psychologist at McMaster Children’s Hospital Membership Type: Associate Member Supervisorship Status: Not available for supervision. PubMed Bio Bio Dr. Irene Drmic is a Psychologist at the Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre in the Autism Program and Child and Youth Mental Health Program. Her clinical and research
Dr. Ronit Mesterman is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at McMaster University and the Division Head of Developmental Pediatrics. She is certified in pediatric neurology and developmental pediatrics. Besides her active clinical and educational contributions, Dr. Mesterman is the Medical Director of Developmental Pediatric Rehabilitation and Autism Spectrum Disorders Services.
Roles & Affiliations: Assistant Professor (Part-Time), Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University Membership Type: Associate Member Supervisorship Status: Available starting September 2026: Volunteers could be involved in work related to community outreach and co-ordinating professional speaker series. Psychology practicum students and psychologists on supervised practice are also considered for clinical work. For clinical work,
Colleen Fotheringham-Anderson is Director of Child and Youth Ambulatory Services for McMaster Children’s Hospital and Site Administrator for Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre. She is interested in diagnostic and support/care systems in autism.
Roles & Affiliations: Co-Director, MacART;Clinical Director, Autism Program at McMaster Children’s Hospital Membership Type: Co-Director, Core Member Supervisorship Status: Not available for supervision. PubMedResearchGate Bio Bio Dr. Caroline Roncadin is the Co-Director of the McMaster Autism Research Team. She is the Clinical Director of Autism Services at McMaster Children’s Hospital. Her interests are in early detection
Roles & Affiliations: Senior Scientist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON;Professor Emeritus, Psychiatry, University of Toronto Membership Type: Associate Member Supervisorship Status: Not available for supervision. McMaster ExpertsPubMed Bio Bio Dr. Peter Szatmari is a clinician-scientist and an international autism expert. He has made significant contributions to the field in many areas including
Roles & Affiliations: Professor, Pediatrics at McMaster University Membership Type: Associate Member Supervisorship Status: Not available for supervision. ORCiDMcMaster ExpertsPubMed Bio Bio Dr. Peter Rosenbaum is a developmental pediatrician and health services researcher with a career-long interest and involvement in ‘childhood disability’. His focus has expanded over the years from a (relatively) narrow preoccupation with
Roles & Affiliations: Assistant Professor, Psychology at Redeemer University; Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct), Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University Membership Type: Associate Member Supervisorship Status: Available starting May 2026 for preferably graduate students, but undergraduate students will also be considered. If interested, please connect with Dr. Diana Parvinchi. ORCiDMcMaster ExpertsGoogle Scholar Bio Bio Dr. Diana Parvinchi
Dr. William Mahoney is a Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics with the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. In 1988, he joined the Pervasive Developmental Disorders team and was the co-director of the group. He is currently the medical leader of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Services. Clinically, Dr. Mahoney works with children with developmental
