Allison McDonald

Associate Professor of Biology Wilfrid Laurier University

  • Waterloo ON

Expert in plant and animal physiology with a focus on how organisms make energy. Advocate for women and persons with disabilities in STEM.

Contact

Media

Social

Biography

My research focuses on how organisms make energy in order to grow, repair, and reproduce. We study plants, animals, yeasts, and bacteria in my lab. We are most interested in the electron transport systems in mitochondria and chloroplasts. We are also doing work that will eventually contribute to the treatment of human mitochondrial diseases.
In addition to my research, I am a strong advocate for disabled scientists and women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Areas of Expertise

Plant and Animal Physiology and Biochemistry
Bioenergetics (Mitochondria and Chloroplasts)
Human Mitochondrial Diseases and Disorders
Origin of Life and Endosymbiosis
Women in STEM
Working as a Disabled Scientist

Accomplishments

Post-doctoral Fellow Research Grant, Canadian Society of Zoologists

I received $500 of funding to travel to do research at Stanford University in California.

NSERC Post-doctoral fellowship

I was awarded $40,000/year to conduct research at Western University from 2008-2010.

Education

University of Toronto

Ph.D.

Cell and Systems Biology

2007

Queen's University

M.Sc.

Biology

2000

Queen's University

B.Sc. (Honours)

Biology

1998

Affiliations

  • Adjunct Faculty, Dept. of Biology, University of Waterloo
  • Member of the Centre for Women in Science, Wilfrid Laurier University

Languages

  • English

Media Appearances

Research Highlight

Wilfrid Laurier University  online

2017-02-10

This interview highlights our paper published in the Journal of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes in Fall 2016. The work is related to advancing the treatment of mitochondrial diseases.

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Interview on the Distractingly Sexist Exhibit

CBC Kitchener  radio

2015-09-21

I was interviewed on the Morning Edition about my participation in Eden Hennessey's Distractingly Sexist photo exhibit and spoke about gender discrimination in STEM professions and how it affects the women working in them.

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Event Appearances

Equity in Science Panel (Moderator)

Biology Seminar Series  Wilfrid Laurier University

2016-09-23

The control of reactive oxygen species generation by terminal oxidases.

Canadian Oxidative Stress Consortium  University of Guelph

2016-06-01

Using blogging in a biology graduate course to evaluate learning.

Western Conference on Science Education  Western University

2015-07-09

Research Grants

Alternative oxidases of animals

NSERC

2016-04-01

Current work in my lab focuses on investigating the enzyme alternative oxidase in animals. We are using molecular biology, biochemistry, and physiology experiments to investigate how the enzyme works and is regulated. We suspect that it allows animals to deal effectively with environmental stresses.

Articles

Research Budgeting for Scientists

University Affairs

2016-02-23

University Affairs picked up one of my blog posts and republished it in their Career Advice column online.

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