“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: Assistant Professor; Pediatrics at McMaster University;Developmental Pediatrician at McMaster Children’s Hospital Membership Type: Associate Member Supervisorship Status: Is available for student supervision starting September 2026 for fourth year thesis students or graduate students. “This is a student supervision opportunity focused on developing data analysis protocols for longitudinal cohort studies in autism 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
Roles & Affiliations: Research Consultant (Freelance) Membership Type: Associate Member Supervisorship Status: Not available for supervision. ORCiDPubMedGoogle Scholar Bio Bio Dr. Stephen Gentles is a research consultant and methodologist who has contributed to research and knowledge translation initiatives with MacART faculty at the Offord Centre for Child Studies. He holds a PhD from McMaster in
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,
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: 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: Professor, Pediatrics at McMaster University;Developmental Pediatrician at McMaster Children’s Hospital Membership Type: Associate Member Supervisorship Status: Not available for supervision. ORCiDMcMaster ExpertsPubMedGoogle Scholar Bio Bio Dr. Olaf Kraus de Camargo is a developmental pediatrician and professor of pediatrics, recognized for advancing interprofessional education and knowledge transfer. As co-director of CanChild – Centre
Roles & Affiliations: Professor, Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University;Psychiatrist at McMaster Children’s Hospital Membership Type: Associate Member Supervisorship Status: Not available for supervision. ORCiDMcMaster ExpertsPubMed Bio Bio Dr. Nick Kates’ major interests are in social and community psychiatry, quality improvement and redesigning systems of care, global mental health, person- and family-centred care, and
Roles & Affiliations: Associate Professor, Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University Membership Type: Core Member Supervisorship Status: Not currently accepting students or volunteers. ORCiDMcMaster ExpertsPubMed Bio Bio Dr. Briano Di Rezze is an Associate Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science and Scientist at the CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research. His research focuses on measurement
Roles & Affiliations: Associate Professor, Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University;Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at McMaster Children’s Hospital Membership Type: Core Member Supervisorship Status: Available starting February 2026; looking for undergraduate thesis students (in the Faculty of Health Sciences only). Depending on availability; typically recruit in February for undergrad thesis or practicum opportunities, as
