Researchers at McGill University, in collaboration with Polytechnique Montréal, pioneered a new way to create hydrogels using ultrasound, eliminating the need for toxic chemical initiators. This breakthrough offers a faster, cleaner and more sustainable approach to hydrogel fabrication, and produces hydrogels that are stronger, more flexible and highly resistant to freezing and dehydration. The new method also promises to facilitate advances in tissue engineering, bioadhesives and 3D bioprinting. 

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Please note that due to the extended University year end period, the month of April will not be closing according to the usual month end schedule. April 2025 is scheduled to be closed on June 2nd. This means that financial statements for April are still not available. An email notification will be sent when the financial statements are ready to be picked up in Minerva.

On April 11, 2025, over 60 people gathered at the annual John Abbott Sustainability Through Science Symposium to hear how the research of three Macdonald Campus graduate students contributes to a more sustainable future. Honours and science students from John Abbott College, as well as members of McGill University's Macdonald Campus community, were inspired by short talks followed by a panel discussion on the students' university experience and their chosen career paths.

Earlier today India launched a series of military strikes on Pakistan and the Pakistan-administered part of Kashmir that have killed at least 20 people. The strikes come after gunmen last month opened fire in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir, killing 26 people, mostly Indian tourists. India blamed Pakistan for that attack. Kashmir has long been a source of dispute between the two countries; both claim it as their own.

This McGill expert can share his insights into the situation:

McGill University will award an honorary degree to Donald William Lewtas (BCom’75), a McGill alumnus and former chief financial officer of Brookfield Asset Management, at the McGill Desautels Faculty of Management convocation this spring.

Lewtas will receive a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa (LL.D.), in recognition of his leadership in global finance and his support for hands-on education at the faculty.

March 30, 2025 | Norman Hillmer, a Slater Family Visiting Scholar along with Robert Bothwell, and Diane Francis spoke about the US-Canada relationship since the Trump Administration on Rear Vision podcast. 

March 11, 2025 | Norman Hillmer, a Slater Family Visiting Scholar interviewed by Toronto Life, spoke on Trump’s 51st-state threats. "As a historian of the Canadian–American relationship, I have spent decades studying a dynamic that has been not perfect but largely dependable: two countries, deeply interconnected, running in parallel," said Norman. He further spoke about Trump's administration, defense spending, and "the 51st State."

March 10, 2025 | Norman Hillmer, a Slater Family Visiting Scholar spoke on “Canada as the 51st State? A History and a Reckoning,” at the Laurier Centre for the Study of Canadian History, Wilfrid Laurier University. President Donald Trump wants Canada to be his 51st State. This isn’t the first time that an American leader thought this way.

Being a caregiver means dealing with multiple challenges on a daily basis. L'Appui offers training programs free of charge to support you on your journey.

In a study that is the first of its kind, a research team led by a McGill professor has developed a more objective way to identify ice hockey players’ game intelligence, or “hockey IQ.” And the method, which pairs objective test results with scouting insights, is likely to yield the most accurate results, the researchers suggest.

McGill University, through the Office of the Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic), has conferred important internal recognition awards to three Faculty of Education professors in celebration of their outstanding scholarship and research excellence.

Daniel Fortin-Guichard, Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, was invited to the Temps d'Arrêt podcast hosted by Coach Frank (François Rodrigue), an Assistant Professor at the Université du Québec en Outaouais, discussing cognitive biases that selectors may have when identifying and selecting athletes (e.g., at the NHL draft). 

With the arrival of boating season, biologists are raising alarms about the rapid spread of invasive aquatic plants in Quebec’s lakes and rivers. Species like water chestnut and Eurasian watermilfoil are threatening biodiversity around the Montreal archipelago by choking out native flora and fauna, blocking light and depleting oxygen. These aggressive plants are expanding beyond their usual habitats in the Ottawa River and could have an impact on ecosystems throughout southern Quebec. 

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Washington D.C. to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump today.

These McGill experts can share their insights into some of the subjects that are likely to be discussed during that meeting:

McGill University researchers, in collaboration with colleagues in Israel and Ireland, have developed AI technology that can detect patterns in gut bacteria to identify complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) with remarkable accuracy, potentially transforming how CRPS is diagnosed and treated.

Update - Monday, May 5, 2025 - 10:49 am:

myProgress Hub service has been restored.

Original announcement - Monday, May 5, 2025 - Morning:

We regret to inform you that the myProgress Hub is experiencing some technical issues affecting Grad students and GPS staff. IT Services is working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.

We understand the impact this may have on your work and appreciate your patience and understanding. We will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available.

There is currently a problem with the transmission of Purchase Orders to the McGill MarketPlace (MMP), McGill’s e-procurement system powered by Jaggaer.

As a result, Purchase Orders are not being issued to suppliers at this time. The creation of Purchase Orders is not affected, but they are not being transmitted back to MMP.

IT Services is working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

A McGill University-led research collaboration has achieved a breakthrough in understanding how cancer spreads.

A clinical study of ovarian and colorectal cancer patients found cancer cells move in the bloodstream in clusters more commonly than was previously thought. The discovery could help doctors more quickly identify which cancer patients are at high risk of having their cancer spread to other organs, knowledge that could guide treatment decisions. The findings also potentially open new avenues for treatment.

The new Course Catalogu

Dr. Tina Montreuil, a researcher at the Educational and Counselling Psychology Department (Associate Member of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences), has been awarded the prestigious FRQS Chercheur Boursier Junior 2 award this past April 2025.