Kimberley Dej

Kimberley Dej serves as an Associate Professor in Interdisciplinary Science at McMaster University, with primary affiliation in the Life Sciences department. Her teaching portfolio spans foundational community engagement courses (CMTYENGA 2A03), multidisciplinary experiential learning (INSPIRE 1A03), and specialized laboratory instruction including the innovative Living Systems Laboratory (LIFESCI 2L03), which integrates world-class aging research into undergraduate education through immersive, hands-on aging simulations.

Her research program bridges molecular genetics and science education scholarship. Scientific work focuses on chromosome dynamics in Drosophila, investigating meiosis, ribosomopathies, and structural abnormalities, while educational research explores peer review methodologies and community service learning to enhance student self-efficacy. This dual trajectory reflects her commitment to both advancing biological knowledge and transforming pedagogical practices in STEM education.

Publication analysis reveals sustained investigation into genetic and cellular mechanisms from 1998-2016, with a notable pivot toward clinical applications in her 2016 ribosomopathy study. The interdisciplinary arc—from fundamental Drosophila genetics to human case studies—demonstrates consistent methodological rigor while expanding translational relevance. Educational publications similarly progress from technical writing pedagogy to community-engaged learning frameworks.

She actively contributes to McMaster's research ecosystem through course development, particularly the award-highlighted Living Systems Laboratory that exposes students to cutting-edge aging research methodologies. Her scholarly impact is evidenced by citations across Wikipedia pages, patents, and significant Mendeley readership (58+), indicating broad disciplinary resonance beyond traditional academic channels.