“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 research determines whether or not medications, devices, or diagnostic methods are effective and safe for humans. This includes research being carried out by MacART members who are testing medications that can be part of a care and support plan for some Autistic persons’ needs.
Roles & Affiliations: Director, Child & Family Community Integrated Care at McMaster Children’s Hospital Membership Type: Associate Member Supervisorship Status: Not available for supervision. PubMedGoogle Scholar Bio Bio Karen Margallo is the Director for Child & Family Community Integrated Care at McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH) and Site Administrator for the Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre.
Roles & Affiliations: Research Associate and Assistant Professor (Part-Time), Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University Membership Type: Core Member Supervisorship Status: Available starting January 2026 for undergraduate students for full supervision, and graduate students for co-supervision. If interested, please connect with Dr. Elyse Rosa. PubMedMcMaster Experts Bio Bio Dr. Elyse Rosa is a Research
Roles & Affiliations: PhD Candidate, Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University Membership Type: Trainee Member Supervisorship Status: Not available for supervision. Google Scholar Bio Bio Karen Joseph is a MacART trainee and PhD student in Kinesiology at McMaster University, supervised by Dr. Jennifer Heisz. Her research examines how lifestyle factors, such as nutrition, sleep, and
Roles & Affiliations: Clinical Psychologist, Autism Program at McMaster Children’s Hospital Membership Type: Associate Member Supervisorship Status: Not available for supervision. Bio Bio Dr. Jeffrey Esteves is a psychologist in at the Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre in the Autism Program. His clinical and research interests include augmentative and alternative communication systems, neurodiversity affirming care,
Roles & Affiliations: Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct), Rehabilitation Science and PhD Candidate at McMaster University; Speech-Language Pathologist Membership Type: Trainee Member Supervisorship Status: Open availability, preferably for students with some prior research experience and at Master’s or undergraduate level: “I am open to connecting with students who share similar research interests to me. I do
Roles & Affiliations: Assistant Professor, Pediatrics at McMaster University; Developmental Pediatrician at McMaster Children’s Hospital Membership Type: Associate Member Supervisorship Status: Available starting September 2026 for graduate students. Must reach out by July 2026. If interested, please connect with Dr. Elisabetta Trinari. McMaster ExpertsPubMed Bio Bio Dr. Elisabetta Trinari is a Developmental Pediatrician and Assistant
Roles & Affiliations: Clinical Psychologist at McMaster Children’s Hospital;Assistant Clinical Professor, Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University Membership Type: Associate Member Supervisorship Status: Not available for supervision. McMaster Experts Bio Bio Dr. Rebecca Shine is a Clinical Psychologist at McMaster Children’s Hospital’s Autism Program. Her clinical and research interests include the mental health of
Roles & Affiliations: PhD Candidate, Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour at McMaster University; Psychometrist Membership Type: Trainee Member Supervisorship Status: Not available for supervision. PubMed Bio Bio Irene O’Connor is a MacART trainee. She worked for many years as a psychometrist for the genetics of autism studies at the Offord Centre for Child Studies. She is
Roles & Affiliations: Clinical Director, Developmental Pediatrics & Rehabilitation at McMaster Children’s Hospital;Associate Clinical Professor (Part-Time), Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University Membership Type: Associate Member Supervisorship Status: Not available for supervision. McMaster ExpertsPubMed Bio Bio Dr. Olivia Ng is the Clinical Director of the Developmental Pediatrics and Rehabilitation Program at McMaster Children’s Hospital/Hamilton
Roles & Affiliations: Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct), Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University Membership Type: Associate Member Supervisorship Status: Available any time: “We would love help with our research in admin and outreach and research students to help with the research itself. Also with making media connections and getting funding.” If interested, please connect
