SSP Steering Committee

As the Associate Chair of Undergraduate Education in McMaster’s Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Mullarkey is focused on providing undergraduates with a rigorous and cutting-edge scientific education. She received her doctorate from the University of Oxford, where she was a Rhodes Scholar, and, in 2020, she was the recipient of a McMaster Student Union Teaching Award.

As the Associate Chair of Undergraduate Education in McMaster’s Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Mullarkey is focused on providing undergraduates with a rigorous and cutting-edge scientific education. She received her doctorate from the University of Oxford, where she was a Rhodes Scholar, and, in 2020, she was the recipient of a McMaster Student Union Teaching Award.

Maya’s interests include antimicrobial research, health advocacy, science communication, and knowledge translation. Recently, Maya held an executive position with the Black Aspiring Physicians of McMaster, which seeks to increase the number of Black students in Canadian Medical schools by providing Black pre-med undergraduate students at McMaster with guidance and mentorship.

Maya’s interests include antimicrobial research, health advocacy, science communication, and knowledge translation. Recently, Maya held an executive position with the Black Aspiring Physicians of McMaster, which seeks to increase the number of Black students in Canadian Medical schools by providing Black pre-med undergraduate students at McMaster with guidance and mentorship.

Dr. Oliveria earned an H.B.Sc. in Biology and a Ph.D. in Medical Sciences from McMaster University, where he has since served as an Adjunct Faculty Member. He is also a Senior Biomarker Scientist at Genentech Inc. and a board member of ‘Future of Research.’ Dr. Oliveria is passionate about mentoring those interested in a career in STEM — especially those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+.

Dr. Oliveria earned an H.B.Sc. in Biology and a Ph.D. in Medical Sciences from McMaster University, where he has since served as an Adjunct Faculty Member. He is also a Senior Biomarker Scientist at Genentech Inc. and a board member of ‘Future of Research.’ Dr. Oliveria is passionate about mentoring those interested in a career in STEM — especially those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+.

Dr. Small received her B.Sc. Honours and M.Sc. from Brock University and her Ph.D in Medical Sciences specializing in Infection and Immunity from McMaster University. Over the past 20 years, Dr. Small has been a passionate advocate, mentor, and role model for students in Women in Science and Engineering and has volunteered for the national non-profit program Let’s Talk Science.

Dr. Small received her B.Sc. Honours and M.Sc. from Brock University and her Ph.D in Medical Sciences specializing in Infection and Immunity from McMaster University. Over the past 20 years, Dr. Small has been a passionate advocate, mentor, and role model for students in Women in Science and Engineering and has volunteered for the national non-profit program Let’s Talk Science.

Dr. Sloboda holds a Tier-2 Canada Research Chair in Perinatal Programming. Her lab investigates early-life impacts on maternal, fetal, and placental development and how this mediates the risk of non-communicable disease later in life. Her experimental studies investigate maternal nutrient manipulation on maternal pregnancy adaptations, including the microbiome, placental inflammation, and more.

Dr. Sloboda holds a Tier-2 Canada Research Chair in Perinatal Programming. Her lab investigates early-life impacts on maternal, fetal, and placental development and how this mediates the risk of non-communicable disease later in life. Her experimental studies investigate maternal nutrient manipulation on maternal pregnancy adaptations, including the microbiome, placental inflammation, and more.

Dr. Xavier completed her undergraduate degree in Anthropology at McMaster and earned both her MA and doctorate from the Royal Roads University, where she focused on Indigenous food systems. Today, she teaches in the areas of Contemporary Indigenous Issues, Indigenous Food Security and Food Systems, Indigenous Food Sovereignty, Indigenous Ways of Knowing, and Methodologies.

Dr. Xavier completed her undergraduate degree in Anthropology at McMaster and earned both her MA and doctorate from the Royal Roads University, where she focused on Indigenous food systems. Today, she teaches in the areas of Contemporary Indigenous Issues, Indigenous Food Security and Food Systems, Indigenous Food Sovereignty, Indigenous Ways of Knowing, and Methodologies.