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Faculty of Science

Office of Undergraduate Research

Graduate Student Shadowing

Explore the world of graduate research firsthand by shadowing graduate students. Gain invaluable insights, witness the research process in action, and engage with faculty mentors and research teams. 

This immersive experience helps you make informed decisions about senior thesis opportunities, graduate studies, and opens doors to networking opportunities. Discover the path to your future in research by shadowing graduate students today.

Eligibility: Students in Level I Faculty of Science.

Apply to the Winter 2024 Program Here

In 2023, the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) piloted a graduate mentorship program in which first-year Science students shadowed graduate students from varied research fields including Environmental Science, Neuroscience, Clinical research.  

In 2025 the program is stronger with increased support from graduate students and the Office of the Associate Dean Research in the Faculty of Science. This post features one graduate mentor-Level 1 mentee team of Natassja Brien and Monica Badurani. Monica reflects on her experience in the program.   

In Monica’s words………. 

Before this experience, research lived in journal articles and lectures for me. It was interesting, but distant. The Graduate Student Shadowing Program turned it into something tangible, dynamic, and surprisingly personal. 

What surprised me most wasn’t the advanced technologies or complex methods, (though witnessing sequence analysis through cluster computing and ancient DNA preservation strategies was incredible). It was the life behind the science. The constant problem-solving. The trial-and-error. The unfiltered thinking that happens when a researcher is faced with a challenge that has no clear answer. I saw first-hand how research is less about having all the answers and more about being bold enough to ask the right questions, even when you don’t know where they’ll lead. 

This experience didn’t just teach me about methylation analysis or epigenetics. It gave me insight into the rhythm of a researcher’s thought flow. The balance between big-picture thinking and small, precise tasks. Watching my mentor, Natassja Brien, navigate this world with such focus and creativity was eye-opening. She didn’t just teach me about her work, she taught me how to think like a problem solver. 

The mentorship itself went beyond science. Our conversations touched on life, grad school, and carving your own path. That human connection, built around shared curiosity and respect, is something I’ll carry forward. It reminded me that behind every lab door is a person with a story and a passion that drives their work. 

I left every session feeling more inspired, not just academically, but personally. I started thinking differently in my classes, asking more questions in my clubs, and exploring new areas of science I hadn’t considered before. Research no longer feels like something far off in my future. It feels like something I’m already a part of. 

I’m grateful to the Office of Undergraduate Research for creating a space where undergraduates like me can feel seen, supported, and challenged. The shadowing program isn’t just about exposure to research, it’s about connection, empowerment, and seeing yourself as capable of contributing to something bigger. 

Personally, I believe programs like this are what make McMaster stand out. They show that it’s not too early to get involved, to learn deeply, to dream big. Because once you’ve seen what research really looks like (beyond the graphs and papers) you realize it’s not some far-off goal. It’s a mindset. A way of looking at the world. And thanks to this experience, I’ll never look at it the same way again.