Nuclear Operations & Facilities welcomes new Director, Nuclear Research and Education Support

Nuclear Operations & Facilities (NO&F) is pleased to announce that Karin Stephenson has joined NO&F as McMaster’s first Director, Nuclear Research and Education Support.

Stephenson will be a key member of McMaster’s nuclear leadership team, supporting and advancing the University’s world-class nuclear research and education programs, says assistant vice-president, nuclear, Dave Tucker.

“Karin’s expertise in radiopharmaceuticals and her extensive knowledge of McMaster’s nuclear portfolio make her the perfect person for this role. Her leadership experience, her knowledge of the University’s research enterprise and her impressive vision for the future of Nuclear at McMaster will ensure we continue to increase support for our growing nuclear research user community and develop new educational opportunities for the next generation of leaders in nuclear,” says Tucker. 

“This is a very important step for us in realizing our vision of strategic growth in McMaster’s nuclear research and education profile,” says Tucker, noting that Stephenson fills one of three leadership roles created as part of NO&F’s new organizational structure. 

Stephenson received her PhD in Chemistry from McMaster and completed post-doctoral fellowships at the University of Pennsylvania and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health at the University of Toronto.

She brings more than 20 years of experience in nuclear research and leadership to the role, with two previous roles at McMaster, including Director, Research Platforms at the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Manager, Commercial Operations at Nuclear Operations & Facilities. She was also the Director of Discovery at the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization – where she led the research and development of new radiopharmaceuticals for applications in oncology and neurology research – and is on the Board of Directors for Nuclear Innovation Institute and the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council.

“I am so excited to return to McMaster’s Nuclear Operations & Facilities and to my roots in nuclear science,” says Stephenson.

“I’m looking forward to working with members of McMaster’s incredible nuclear research community, as well as with our partners in Canada and abroad, to advance educational opportunities for students across the disciplines who are eager to play a part in Canada’s nuclear future – whether that be through developing and producing the next-generation of life-saving medical isotopes or researching clean energy technologies that will aid in our fight against climate change.” 

“A central focus of my role will be to promote inclusive excellence while supporting the current and next generation of researchers who are pioneering discoveries here at Canada’s Nuclear University,” she says.

Stephenson will support a number of projects that will expand McMaster’s nuclear and radiation-based research and education profile and increase access to facilities, equipment and experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, she’ll work to strengthen NO&F’s current partnerships and identify new partnerships with national and international industry and academic leaders in nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceuticals, small modular reactor research and deployment and materials science.

Stephenson can be reached at stepheka@mcmaster.ca