Rachel McQueen, PhD

Professor, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sci - Human Ecology Dept

Contact

Professor, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sci - Human Ecology Dept
Email
rhmcquee@ualberta.ca
Address
322 Human Ecology Building
8905 - 116 St NW
Edmonton AB
T6G 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

  • Jennifer Beaudette (PhD)
  • Chloe Simmons (MA)
  • Deidre Hackman (MSc)
  • Mansi Sharma (MSc)
  • Michelle Closs (MSc)
  • Utkarsh Sharma (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 units.


HECOL 673 - Topics in Textiles and Clothing

Topics of current interest in Textiles and Clothing. May be taken for credit more than once. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.


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.


HECOL 900 - Directed Research Project

Comprises the capping exercise for the course-based Masters programs. Requirements include conducting an applied research project, and both a written project report and an oral presentation to the Department, and where appropriate, to relevant practising professionals.


Browse more courses taught by Rachel McQueen

Featured Publications

McQueen, R. H., Moran, L. J., Cunningham, C., & Hooper, P. M.

The Journal of the Textile Institute. 2021 June; 112 (11):1859-1866


Degenstein, L., McQueen, R. H., Krogman, N. T.

Journal of Cleaner Production. 2021 February; 260 (126516)


Degenstein, L., McQueen, R. H., McNeill, L., Hamlin, R., Wakes, S., & Dunn, L

International Journal of Consumer Studies. 2020 April; 44 (6):586-596


L S McNeill, R P Hamlin, R H McQueen, L Degenstein, S Wakes, T C Garrett, L Dunn

Journal of Cleaner Production. 2020 January; 260


M M Abdul-Bari, R H McQueen, A P de la Mata, J J Harynuk, J C Batcheller

Textile Research Journal. 2020 January; 90 (19-20):2212-2222


L S McNeill, R P Hamlin, R H McQueen, L Degenstein, T C Garrett, L Dunn, S Wakes

International Journal of Consumer Studies. 2020 January; 44 (4):361-368


R H McQueen, S Vaezafshar

Textile Research Journal. 2020 January; 90 (9-10):1157-1173


Abdul-Bari, M. M., McQueen, R. H., Nguyen, H., Wismer, W. V., de la Mata, A. P., Harynuk, J. J.

Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 2018 January; 36 (4):251-266


Devarajan, S., McQueen, R. H., & Wen, S.

Fashion and Textiles. 2017 January; 4 (19)


Furtak, N. T., McQueen, R. H., Nychka, J. A., Furtak, T. M.

The Journal of the Textile Institute. 2016 January;


McQueen, R. H., Batcheller, J. C., Moran, L. J., Zhang, H., & Hooper, P. M.

International Journal of Consumer Studies. 2016 January; 0


Saini, A., Thaysen, C., Jantunen, L., McQueen, R. H., & Diamond, M. L.

Environmental Science & Technology. 2016 January; 50 (17):9289-9297


Zhang, H., McQueen, R. H., Batcheller, J. C., Ehnes, B., & Paskaluk, S.

Annals of Occupational Hygiene. 2015 January; 59 (8):1058-1073


Zhang, H., McQueen, R. H., Batcheller, J. C., Paskaluk, S. & Murtaza, G.

Textile Research Journal 85. 2015 January; 20


Walter, N., McQueen, R. H., & Keelan, M.

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology,. 2014 January; 26 (4):330-342


McQueen, R. H., Harynuk, J. J., Wismer, W. V., Keelan, M., Xu, Y., & de la Mata, P.

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology. 2014 January; 26 (4):274-290


McQueen, R. H., Batcheller, J. C., Mah, T., & Hooper, P. M.

Journal of the Textile Institute. 2013 January; 104 (8):900-905


Xu, Y., McQueen, R.H., & Wismer, W.V.

Journal of Textile and Apparel Technology and Management,. 2013 January; 8 (3):1-13


McQueen, R. H., Keelan, M., Xu, Y., & Mah, T.

Journal of the Textile Institute. 2013 January; 104 (1):108-117


Xu, Y., McQueen, R. H., Strickfaden, M., Aslund, A., Batcheller, J. C.

Journal of the Textile Institute. 2012 January; 103 (7):698-705


McQueen, R. H., Batcheller, J.C., Olsen, S. E., Hooper, P. M.

AATCC Review. 2012 January; 12 (1):71-79


McQueen, R. H.

Handbook of Medical Textiles. 2011 January;


McQueen, R. H., Keelan, M., & Kannayiram, S

AATCC Review. 2010 January; 10 (4):58-63


McQueen, R.H., Laing, R.M., Delahunty, C.M., Brooks, H.J.L., Niven, B.E.

The Journal of the Textile Institute. 2008 January; 99 (6):515-523


McQueen, R.H., Laing, R.M., Brooks, H.J.L., Niven, B.E.

Textile Research Journal. 2007 January; 77 (7):449-456


McQueen, R.H., Laing, R.M., Niven, B.E., Delahunty, C.M., Wilson, C. A.

Textile Research Journal. 2007 January; 77 (9):645-652


McQueen, R.H., Laing, R.M., Niven, B.E., Webster, J

Performance of Protective Clothing Issues and Priorities for the 21st century. 2000 January; 7 (ASTM STP 1386):102-116


R H McQueen, L J Moran, C Cunningham, P M Hooper, K A-M Wakefield

International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education. 13 (1):20-30


Saini, A., Okeme, J. O., Parnis, J. M., McQueen, R. H., & Diamond, M. L.

Indoor Air. 27 (3):631-641