Four McMaster professors have been named 2026 University Scholars, in recognition of their research leadership, teaching, mentorship and the impact of their work.
University Scholars are mid-career researchers who have distinguished themselves as international scholars and have demonstrated a commitment to the discovery, communication and preservation of knowledge, excellence in education and pedagogy, and to serving local and global communities.
Each University Scholar will receive $15,000 each year of the award (up to $60,000), provided by the provost and the recipient’s dean.
Here are this year’s University Scholars
Gajendran Raveendranathan | Faculty of Social Sciences
Gajendran Raveendranathan is quantitative macroeconomist whose research has advanced understanding of household debt, the credit card industry, student loans, financial aid and health insurance systems. Using state-of-the-art computational methods and large datasets, he develops sophisticated macroeconomic models that capture differences in individual wealth, age, education and health status.
His innovative research has enabled Raveendranathan to generate important policy insights, including demonstrating the value of increased competition in credit card markets, the risks associated with financial access for young adults, and the benefits of universal health insurance reform. His work has been presented at more than 30 leading academic and policy institutions, reflecting its influence and relevance.
Since joining McMaster in 2017, Raveendranathan has produced 10 publications (including accepted papers), substantially exceeding departmental benchmarks for recently tenured faculty. Most notably, he has published in the Review of Economic Studies, a rare achievement for an assistant professor.
Raveendranathan’s research excellence has been recognized through external funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), including an Insight Grant and an Insight Development Grant.
Raveendranathan has supervised or served on the supervisory committees of numerous graduate students who went on to successful careers in academia, government and industry. He supervises three doctoral students, including a recipient of a SSHRC doctoral scholarship.
He created a graduate course in computational macroeconomics that equips students with advanced quantitative skills and has enabled a new generation of researchers to tackle complex policy questions using cutting-edge economic models.
Raveendranathan has served on the graduate admissions committee, acted as an editorial advisor for the Canadian Journal of Economics, hosted numerous visiting scholars, and organized conferences and workshops.
Drew Higgins | Faculty of Engineering
Drew Higgins is a recognized expert on the use of electrochemical technologies for clean energy. Since 2019, he has published 48 papers in leading journals, secured more than $7.8 million in external funding, filed three patents, and delivered 54 invited, keynote, and plenary lectures. Over his career, he has published 147 peer-reviewed articles and accumulated more than 20,700 citations.
His work is advancing low-cost solutions for energy storage and emissions reduction while contributing directly to the development of clean-energy technologies.
Beyond academia, Higgins collaborated extensively with industry, government and academic partners. He has played leadership roles in major national research initiatives, including a $24-million New Frontiers in Research Fund project involving more than 20 researchers across Canada.
Higgins’ research group comprises postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and undergraduate researchers. His trainees have earned numerous prestigious awards, including a Vanier Scholarship, NSERC fellowships and scholarships, and Ontario Graduate Scholarships. His mentorship is reflected in his alumni’s consistent successes.
Higgins consistently receives outstanding student evaluations that reflect the mentorship, experiential learning opportunities and professional development he offers his students in addition to classroom instruction.
Beyond research and teaching, Higgins is a respected academic leader and advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion. He has served in senior leadership roles within major research facilities and implemented innovative EDI practices within his research group.
Ryan Wylie | Faculty of Science
Ryan Wylie, from the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, is at the international forefront of studying biomaterial use for immune modulation, positioning McMaster as a leader in this rapidly emerging field. His lab explores the use of biomaterials in controlled delivery of therapeutics for applications in cancer immunotherapy, biosensors, blood filtration and 3D bioprinting.
Wylie’s work bridges the gap between fundamental chemistry and clinical application, translating innovative research into tangible technologies.
As the only immunotherapeutic-focused controlled delivery lab in Canada, the Wylie Lab’s innovative program is a challenging and rewarding environment for trainees. Students acquire the skills, knowledge, growth opportunities, context and mentorship they need to become leaders in biomaterial science — in academia or industry.
With student well-being in mind, Wylie co-directed a Mentorship Circle committee focused on the mental health and wellness of undergraduate students from 2016 to 2020.
Wylie also ensures his lab and classes offer a safe and inclusive environment for trainees with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. Wylie is known to be an advocate for students and for his work with student-led EDI organizations to promote discussions on intersectionality of poverty and race.
François Neville | DeGroote School of Business
François Neville is an internationally recognized scholar whose research examines the evolving role of business in society, with particular emphasis on ethics, stakeholder management, diversity and entrepreneurship. He has examined how organizations respond to social and stakeholder pressures, how corporate governance influences misconduct, and how barriers to financing affect women and racialized entrepreneurs.
His research directly supports equity, inclusion and social impact, while advancing management scholarship in meaningful and practical ways.
Nine of Neville’s 12 peer-reviewed publications have appeared in Financial Times Top 50 journals. His research has been recognized through prestigious awards, he serves on the editorial boards of the Academy of Management Review and the Journal of Management, and has earned multiple awards for reviewing and mentoring contributions.
Neville also has a strong commitment to student learning and mentorship. He consistently receives outstanding student evaluations and has served as faculty advisor to several student organizations, including Jeux du Commerce Central (JDCC) DeGroote, where his mentorship helped transform the program into one of the strongest in Canada, contributing to School of the Year titles in 2021 and 2023.
He has also played an important role in launching DeGroote’s PhD program in Strategy, helping develop the curriculum, recruit students, and co-supervise one of the program’s inaugural doctoral candidates.
Neville regularly presents at leading international conferences, organizes scholarly events, mentors emerging researchers, and provides expert commentary to major media outlets on topics such as entrepreneurship, tariffs and the Buy Canadian movement.