Dr. André McDonald is currently a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Associate Vice President (Strategic Research Initiatives and Performance) at the University of Alberta. Dr. McDonald has nearly twenty years of experience in the fabrication, development, and performance assessment of thermal- and cold-sprayed coatings. His current research involves the development of multi-functional coatings that provide wear and erosion resistance, heating, and structural health monitoring to a variety of structures. Modelling work to predict and analyze the performance of coatings is a focal feature of his research program. Dr. McDonald also currently leads the Experiential Learning in Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (ELITE) Program for Black Youth – an externally funded university-government- industry-community collaboration to support hands-on learning and work-integrated training of Black Youth in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and in entrepreneurship.

Learn more about the ELITE program here and about Dr. McDonald’s additional research here.