Rachel McQueen, PhD
Contact
Associate Professor, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sci - Human Ecology Dept
- rhmcquee@ualberta.ca
- Address
-
322 Human Ecology Building
8905 - 116 St NWEdmonton ABT6G 2N1
Overview
Area of Study / Keywords
Textile odour Sustainability Clothing comfort
About
Job/Research Area
Textile Science
Dr. McQueen in the News
Can a pair of jeans kill the coronavirus? - Vox.com
Research reveals why it’s hard to get the smell out of polyester - University of Alberta
Clothing you don’t have to wash, explained - Vox.com
Choosing the environment over your laundry - CBC News
Here’s why gym clothes smell so rank – and how to freshen them up - Popular Science
Reduce your carbon footprint by washing your jeans less often: U of A researcher - Edmonton Journal
My Sweaty Valentine - Scientific American
Polyester shirts bad summer choice... - Edmonton Journal
Jeans Remain Surprising Clean After a Year of Wear - University of Alberta News
Anti-Odor Workout Clothes May Not Actually Work - Cosmopolitan
Research
Major Responsibilities/Research Interests
Rachel McQueen’s primary research focus relates to the development and retention of odour in textiles. This involves the development of methods to examine the growth of skin microflora within textiles, interaction of odorous molecules with textile fibres and sensory detection of body odour emanating from fabrics. Her research takes a holistic approach involving human wear trials to collect body odour on fabrics, in addition to investigating the development of laboratory-based test methods in order to reliably assess proposed odour-control technologies in the textile industry. Other research interests include moisture transport through textiles and assessment of user needs toward improving clothing comfort and protection in the workplace. Previously, her research included the investigation of decontamination of pesticides from clothing and the degradation of chemical protective clothing due to decontamination practices.
Teaching
Graduate Students
- René Arredondo Campos (MSc)
- Skylar Brown (MSc)
- Sabrina Marsha (MSc)
- Jennifer Beaudette (PhD)
- Anil Kumar (MSc)
Courses
HECOL 170 - Introduction to Textiles
An introductory exploration of the origin, creation and use of textiles in our world. Chemical and physical properties of fibres and fabrics are introduced and an understanding of how these properties influence various clothing and textile end uses is developed.
HECOL 372 - Environmental Sustainability in Textiles
Examination of the clothing and textiles industry and the environmental impact of textile production and consumption. Topics may include but are not limited to, circular economy, life-cycle thinking, environmental labelling, sustainable fibres, sustainable fabric and finishing technologies, consumption patterns and post-consumer use. Prerequisite: HECOL 170 and *60.
HECOL 691 - Professional Seminar 1
This professional development seminar is one in a series that provides an introduction to graduate study in the Department of Human Ecology, and to career development and professional issues in human ecology. Includes topics such as the field of human ecology, what it means to be a graduate student, and student-supervisor relationship. Typically taken in the first year of the graduate program.
HECOL 692 - Professional Seminar 2
This professional development seminar is one in a series that focuses on career development and professional issues in human ecology. Includes topics such as writing for academic and non-academic audiences and research ethics. Typically taken in the first year of the graduate program.
HECOL 693 - Professional Seminar 3
This professional development seminar is one in a series that focuses on career development and professional issues in human ecology. Includes topics such as the process of the doctoral program and comprehensive and candidacy exams. Typically taken in the second year of the doctoral program.
HECOL 694 - Professional Seminar 4
This professional development seminar is one in a series that focuses on career development and professional issues in human ecology. Includes topics such as funding agencies and preparing grant proposals, non-academic careers for PhDs, and post-doctoral fellowships. Typically taken in the second year of the doctoral program.