Faculty of Engineering

Shayna Earle is dedicated to fostering inclusive and supportive environments in engineering. She completed her Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at McMaster University. Shayna has served for three years as Co-President of McMaster Women in Engineering Society, where she has spearheaded initiatives to mentor and support women-identifying students in and outside of the McMaster Community. Her commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) extends to her work in EDI research, the I.D.E.A conference and as an MES EDI officer. Shayna is also an accomplished athlete, having competed with McMaster’s Varsity Synchronized Swimming team, where she is currently coaching. Her leadership and dedication to her academic and athletic pursuits have earned her numerous awards, including the 2023 YWCA Hamilton Women of Distinction Award and the Enbridge Ambassador Scholarship. Shayna’s passion for empowering others and fostering inclusion in engineering is something she looks forward to continuing throughout her career.

Dave Pawelko is a graduating part-time student from the Civil Engineering Infrastructure Bachelor of Technology program. He began the B.Tech program in 2019, while working full-time. Dave has worked for the Region of Waterloo for the past 7 years, most recently as a Project Manager, and is proud to have the opportunity to build affordable housing within the Region to support the growing community. 

Outside of school and work, Dave enjoys spending time outdoors and camping with his wife Bethany and their two dogs. Dave and Bethany are looking forward to welcoming a baby girl to their family in August 2024.   

Dave plans on pursuing his Professional Engineering designation and continuing his work with the Region of Waterloo.  

Thomas “Tommy” Sydor is a hardworking student and passionate lifelong learner. During his time at McMaster, he has been an active part of the Materials Science and Engineering program. As part of his degree, he completed two placements as a research assistant at the Centre for Automotive Materials and Corrosion, and a placement as a co-op lab technician at Burloak Technologies.   

Tommy values guiding his peers while developing his knowledge of the world around him, and looks forward to applying himself in his future career. 

He is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist with a background in classical guitar. He is also a dedicated athlete, and runs every day.  

Tommy completed his Bachelor of Engineering in Materials Engineering at McMaster and will be pursuing a Master’s degree in the same program this September. 

Dr. Suzanne Kresta – who holds a BSc from the University of New Brunswick, an MSc from the University of Leeds and a PhD in chemical engineering from McMaster University – is a professeure invitée at Polytechnique Montréal, professor emerita at both the University of Alberta and the University of Saskatchewan and, on September 1st, will begin her tenure as dean of the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). She was the first female dean of engineering in Saskatchewan and will soon blaze the same trail in PEI, becoming the first to do so in two different provinces.

Dr. Kresta is among the top 2% of researchers in industrial mixing, specializing in turbulent, multiphase mixing problems. Her research covers processes such as liquid‐liquid dispersions, liquid drop dissolution, crystallization, and air entrainment. She has collaborated with companies like Kodak and Syncrude on issues ranging from water treatment to mixing equipment design. Dr. Kresta received the Senior Moulton Medal from the Institute of Chemical Engineers (UK) and was cited twice on the list of 21 Most Significant Contributions to Mining Research (1950-2012). She has served on the executive council of the North American Mixing Forum and co‐edited the Handbook of Industrial Mixing.

Howard Shearer is a corporate leader and community builder who has been the chief executive of Hitachi Canada Ltd. since 2013. Previously, he served as chairman of Hitachi Power Systems Canada Ltd, president and chief executive officer of Hitachi Canada Ltd. and vice-president and general manager of Hitachi’s semiconductor division. Before joining Hitachi in 1985, he was sales engineering manager for Texas Instruments and a customer application engineering manager for Murata Erie, Ontario.

Mr. Shearer holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from McMaster and a Master of Laws degree from the University of Toronto. A dedicated community leader, he has served in various volunteer roles across his profession, cultural communities, local communities, and universities. His board appointments include Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, the Canada Nuclear Association, the Independent Electricity System Operator Ontario, and the Energy Council of Canada, which he chaired. He has volunteered with the Japan Society, Toronto Shoko-Kai, and the Jamaican Canadian Initiative for Disaster Resilience and Response, which he also chaired. Additionally, he has been a member of the North York Police Integrated Strategic Community Advisory Council, the Responsible Gambling Council of Canada, B’nai Brith Canada’s League for Human Rights, the Canadian Nurses Foundation board, the Metrolinx board, and the University of Toronto Governing Council.