Office Hours with Peter Helli

Peter Helli has always been interested in how things work.

From taking toys apart as a kid, tinkering with tools in the garage with his dad, to learning about computers and how electrical circuits function – his curiosity led him on a journey to not only learning how the human body works, but sharing that knowledge with others.

“We should all strive to learn something new every day,” says Helli. It’s a motto he lives by and one that manifests in his career.

As an assistant professor at McMaster University’s School of Nursing (SoN), he teaches others about the topics he’s found the most interesting, has shattered his own perception of being an introvert, and built a reputation for being a favourite among students.

Introverted, but inquisitive

Helli grew up in Brantford, Ontario, with his parents who immigrated to Canada from Hungary.

With English not being his first language, there were barriers that made it challenging to socialize in the early years of school. “Elementary school was kind of rough. We didn’t quite dress like all the other kids because we were from a European background, and I didn’t have the same type of meals and things like that. So, I think it put me in my shell,” he says.

Despite that, or perhaps because of it, Helli focused on his studies — his mother instilled enthusiasm in him for learning and reading at an early age, while he was still learning English.

Helli’s love for the sciences was solidified in high school, where he says he was inspired by supportive teachers who nurtured his curiosity. Initially after graduating, he aspired to become a veterinarian, driven by his love for animals and a positive co-op experience at an animal clinic in Lynden, Ontario. He accepted an offer from the University of Guelph, where he enrolled in the Animal Biology program. However, after a couple semesters he realized that his interests were in human biology and medical sciences, opposed to subjects such as poultry science and animal husbandry.

With a change of heart, he switched his focus and transferred to a new program called Biomedical Sciences. “I was really interested in that because I love science,” he says. “I love to know how the body works. With my mother being a registered nurse herself, I learned a lot about the human body whenever she worked. So, I got into that program, and it was a really good fit.”

Discovering a passion for teaching

After completing his Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences, Helli faced the harsh reality of limited job prospects.

He spent a year working manual labour, laying bricks with his father. This period of reflection on his future and discussion with his wife led him to pursue graduate studies at McMaster in Health Sciences Physiology and Pharmacology, initially as a master’s and then as a PhD.

During his PhD, Helli discovered his passion for teaching while working as a teaching assistant (TA) for an anatomy and physiology course.

“That was the turning point. In my PhD having the TA position, I realized, you know what? I’m not antisocial! I love teaching. I actually like presenting in front of people. It doesn’t bother me at all. This is where I want to be. Teaching instead of conducting research.”

A serendipitous opportunity

Upon completion of his PhD, there was an opening for a teaching position at McMaster’s SoN. With this newly discovered fondness for teaching, he applied to the position. However, just in case he did not get the job, he also had a post-doctoral fellowship lined up at the University of Toronto.

After completing the interviewing process and being shortlisted to the final two candidates, he was not offered the teaching position at the SoN. Helli pursued his post-doctoral fellowship for the next three years.

As he neared the end of his post-doctoral research, a serendipitous call from McMaster’s SoN changed his life. He was offered the same teaching position he had applied to three years prior.

“I count myself very fortunate that I did land a job as an assistant professor at McMaster University in the School of Nursing. It felt like coming back home.”

While the path to success is rarely straightforward, with passion and perseverance, it can lead to fulfilling and impactful careers.

Becoming a student favourite

Helli’s teaching philosophy is rooted in making complex subjects accessible and engaging. He emphasizes the importance of enthusiasm, real-life examples, and interactive learning. His innovative approach includes using props, humour, and peer-to-peer teaching to create a dynamic classroom environment. One example is his self-knitted model of the gastrointestinal tract, which he uses to illustrate anatomy in a memorable way.

“It’s wonderful because it just grabs the students’ attention. I actually leave it for them in the lab, so that they can pass the ping pong ball through it. From gums to bums, as I like to say.”

His enthusiasm and sense of humour does not go unnoticed — he is considered a student favourite in the SoN. Students describe him as the “greatest of all time,” praising his intelligence, humour, and teaching style. Even former students return years later to express their gratitude and share how his teaching inspired their careers.

“It’s really those students that come back and say thanks and express the impact that I’ve made in their life. That tells me I’m doing something right.”