Chemistry grad bequeaths more than $1.7 million to enhance student research

A McMaster graduate who spent most of her life quietly analyzing, studying and distilling chemical research from scientists all over the world has bequeathed the Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology more than $1.7 million. 

The gift, from Audrey Cameron (Class of ’72), a PhD in organic chemistry, will be used to establish a fund that will have a direct impact on science students, providing new experiential learning opportunities in the lab. 

“Audrey believed in the importance of education,” says Harry Hershey, Cameron’s long-time partner who knew her for nearly 40 years.  “She had a great mind, was a philanthropist, and believed in lifelong learning.”

After completing her undergraduate degree alongside her twin sister at the University of Saskatchewan in 1966, Cameron arrived on campus at McMaster at a time when it was rare for women to study within the STEM disciplines. She would graduate with a PhD and as the only female in her class in 1972.

“As one of few women forging a career path in chemistry in the seventies Audrey Cameron was a pioneer in many ways,” says Maureen MacDonald, dean of the Faculty of Science. “We are grateful for her contributions to the field, her commitment to McMaster and for this gift, which will have a major impact on our undergraduate and graduate students, who will have new intensive research opportunities.”

Cameron spent her entire working life at the Chemical Abstracts Service in the United States, an organization which acts as a support for researchers all over the world, collecting and analyzing scientific literature. 

As a senior editor, she summarized research for the most prestigious journals of chemistry and had a vast knowledge of the complexities of organic chemistry.

“Audrey’s gift to us demonstrates that she found a community at McMaster whom she valued, and an education that opened doors to a successful career,” says Gillian Goward, chair of the Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology.

“We will honour her memory by providing impactful opportunities to connect students with the creative and open-ended areas of chemical discovery and to stimulate their interest in the broad scope of chemical research being pursued at McMaster and beyond,” she says.

The Dr. Audrey Cameron Academic Excellence and Discovery Fund will establish and fund a set of student research experiences in which students will have the chance to work on innovative projects in chemistry and chemical biology, which could include a vast array of research in areas such as the discovery and synthesis of molecules with therapeutic properties—anti-microbial   or anti-cancer agents, for example—the development of analytical tools for the detection of disease and the discovery and characterization of materials for green energy storage and conversion.