The Test Your Dirt Project aspires to engage the Hamilton community through citizen science, and better understand the issue of lead contamination in urban gardens. As an industrialized city with very old structures, lead contamination is a potential concern all over Hamilton. It is our hope that we can identify major areas of concern, and identify areas that will benefit from rehabilitation. This project has been funded by a McMaster University Forward with Integrity Grant, and is a collaborative effort with the Hamilton Community Garden Network and Industrial Test Systems. The lead collaborators on this project from McMaster University are:
Dr. Chad Harvey is a professor at McMaster University in the Department of Biology and in the Honours Integrated Science Program. He is interested in engaging students with sustainability research and initiatives in Hamilton. Email: harvech@mcmaster.ca
Dr. Jason Brodeur is the Manager of the McMaster Library's Maps, Data, GIS Department and an Instructor in the Honours Integrated Science Program. Dr. Brodeur has been instrumental in getting this website up and running, and in the spatial analyses of the results. Email: brodeujj@mcmaster.ca
Dr. Constance O' Connor is an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow at McMaster University in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour. She is interested in conservation, sustainability, and engaging the public with research. Email: coconn@mcmaster.ca
Ajay Thakar is a third year Biology undergraduate student who is interested in sustainability and citizen science, and has been helping with website design and content, as well as distributing the soil test kits. Email: thakarak@mcmaster.ca
Dr. Altaf Arain is a professor at McMaster University in the School of Geography and Earth Sciences. He is also the Director of the McMaster Centre for Climate Change. He is interested in citizen science, and has been helping Test Your Dirt with the interactive website to display the results.
Ian Blechta is an Energy Management and Sustainability Engineer Assistant at McMaster Facility Services. He is involved with the McMaster Community Garden, and interested in community engagement.
