Dr. Angela Ma

Clinical Microbiologist
Microbiology and Laboratory Science

ON WHY PUBLIC HEALTH ONTARIO IS IMPORTANT

PHO unites robust laboratory medicine expertise with innovative science and technology to deliver impactful public health initiatives and knowledge products.
My work as a clinical microbiologist is supported by scientific evidence and collaborative research to improve the health of individuals and communities across Ontario. At PHO, I work with multidisciplinary partners and stakeholders to provide technical advice on microbiological diagnostic testing and surveillance of communicable diseases across the province.

Areas of Expertise

Molecular microbiology
Mycobacteriology
Molecular epidemiology
Antimicrobial resistance

Appointments

Assistant professor, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto

Academic Degrees and Accreditations

Fellow, Canadian College of Microbiologists (CCM)
Diplomate, American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM)
Doctor of Philosophy (Molecular Pathology), University of Alberta
Bachelor of Science (Medical Laboratory Science), University of Alberta

PHO Research Interests

Utilization of clinical microbiology testing data to support outbreak investigation and surveillance of communicable diseases
Laboratory development of molecular diagnostics and next generation sequencing methods for direct from specimen applications and clinical isolates
Molecular epidemiology and population-level characterization studies for antimicrobial resistance trends and pathogens of public health significance

PHO Research Activities

Implementing whole genome sequencing for antimicrobial resistance prediction and improved genetic resolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis for cluster identification and outbreak investigation
Collaborating on the longitudinal assessment of clinical pulmonary Mycobacterium avium isolates in treated patients using whole genome sequencing
Evaluating the diagnostic performance of nucleic acid amplification tests for detection of M. tuberculosis complex and resistance markers to rifampin and isoniazid from patient specimens and culture
Collaborating on the development of next generation targeted amplicon-based sequencing for Mycobacterial antimicrobial resistance markers directly from specimens