Xiru Wang exemplifies the synergy of engineering, leadership and creativity. The graduating Master of Engineering System and Technology student who started at McMaster as a Bachelor of Technology – Automation Engineering student has been selected to represent her graduating class as valedictorian.
Driven by a dedication to the practice of engineering, she strives to make a tangible difference in the world. During her master’s research at McMaster University, Wang focused on analyzing EEG biomarkers for chronic pain, developing machine learning algorithms to predict treatment outcomes.
Beyond her accomplishments in the lab, Wang served as Vice President of the W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology Society, fostering an engaged community by organizing key events such as town halls, industry nights and mock interviews for her fellow Master of Engineering System and Technology students.
Wang found a creative outlet as a soprano with the McMaster Absolute Pitch club. She pursued her love of music and performed some memorable performances during her time at McMaster.
As Wang stands ready to take the stage as valedictorian at McMaster’s 2024 Fall Convocation, she reflects on the culmination of her experiences and years of hard work, memories, growth and resilience that brought her to this moment.
“I’ve spent six memorable years at Mac for an undergrad and master’s, and it’s been filled with experiences that shaped who I am,” says Wang.
Wang credits her involvement in analyzing EEG biomarkers as a defining experience during her university experience. “It was my first time working on patient-centered research, where we carefully tailored the experiment to meet patients’ needs. It was not only a stepping stone for my future in scientific research, but it also brought warmth and fulfillment to the process, making it both meaningful and enjoyable.”
With any incredible journey there comes obstacles to conquer along the way, and Wang has had her fair share of them. Fortunately, she enjoys a challenge. She opened up about her experience as an international student and being one of the few women in her program.
“I often struggled with programming, electrical concepts and math, and asking for help was not always easy in a male-dominated environment. To overcome this, I rehearsed questions before asking and engaged in various activities that helped me build social confidence. This gradually made it easier to connect with my peers and seek the support I needed.”
Wang reflects on those who have supported her in her journey at McMaster, and she credits W Booth School professors Hoda Kamel, Dr. Zhen Gao and Dr. Kostas with having a significant impact on her growth.
“I could not have become valedictorian without the support of Hoda Kamel, who recommended me and provided invaluable guidance on presentation skills, helping me secure this role,” she says.
“I believe my research experience also helped my CV stand out in the selection process. I am especially thankful to Dr. Zhen Gao for the opportunity to work on EEG research, which sparked my interest in the field. Meeting them at McMaster has been, in many ways, a turning point in my career.”
“I initially believed that professors were highly knowledgeable and serious, which made me hesitant to ask them questions. However, witnessing Dr. Kostas make a small mistake in his solution and warmly apologize to us was a heartwarming moment. In this male-dominated environment, finding support and recognizing that my professor is also a relatable human being was truly encouraging.”
When asked what being selected as valedictorian means to her, Wang said, “Being chosen as valedictorian is a meaningful acknowledgment from McMaster of the challenging work I have done. Most importantly, it gives me the opportunity to express my gratitude to McMaster and the Engineering department. I hope that sharing my journey will inspire my fellow graduates.”
Wang had not really thought about how she would be remembered by her peers, but she hopes it would be for her passion.
“I hope my peers would say that Xiru or “Jessica” was deeply passionate about her work, embraced challenges and is now pushing the boundaries of technology.”
When reflecting on how she hopes her graduating class will impact the world, Wang explains, “I hope they all find genuine passion in their careers; this is what drives real impact.”
She is also hopeful that her peers will contribute to technological progress and remain thoughtful about the broader implications of their innovations, considering both the benefits and potential challenges.
“Thinking ahead, with an eye on responsible innovation, is how I hope our class will shape the world,” she says.
Wang has learned many lessons in the classroom, but when asked about lessons she has learned outside the classroom she spoke about her first co-op at Magna International Inc. and the invaluable experience she had conducting research in an industrial setting.
“Every day brought new challenges in Automation Engineering, and I was responsible for finding solutions to complex problems. This experience taught me how rewarding it is to provide solutions to problems that once seemed impossible.”
With her time at McMaster ending, Wang is eager to push the boundaries of technology. Her next step will be to continue her journey in education in a PhD program that focuses on the intersection of neuroscience and artificial intelligence or potentially move in the direction of biomedical engineering and AI.
“My hope is to contribute meaningfully to medical science, whether by enhancing treatment effectiveness, as I explored in my EEG research, or by gaining new insights that change how we view both humanity and the world.”
Xiru Wang