Southern Ontario Reproductive Biology Conference

The Southern Ontario Reproductive Biology (SORB) Conference is an annual gathering that brings together researchers, clinicians, and trainees to discuss the latest advancements in reproductive health and biology. SORB fosters knowledge exchange and innovation in areas such as fertility, embryology, and reproductive technologies. The conference provides a platform for emerging scientists to showcase their work and connect with experts in the field, strengthening the reproductive biology research community across Southern Ontario.

SORB 2025 Organizing Committee

SORB 2025 has been organized by a volunteer team of McMaster University students and faculty. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the SORB 2025 Conference, please reach out to our organizing committee at sorbmcmaster@gmail.com

Faculty

Dr. Sandeep Raha

Dr. Raha is an Associate Professor in the department of Pediatrics. His research focuses on understanding how maternal cannabis use during pregnancy can alter placental and mammary gland function and impact the post-natal health of the baby. He is also the founder and director of the McMaster Children’s and Youth University, a pan-university outreach and research program that takes a STEAM-based educational approach in engaging elementary school aged children in community citizenship. For these efforts, has been awarded the University’s highest teaching award, The President’s Award for Teaching and Learning as well as the King Charles III Coronation Medal for contributions to community and Canada.

Faculty

Dr. Derek Lobb

Dr. Lobb’s early work was on ovarian follicle maturation and growth factor involvement. For most of his time at McMaster he studied relaxin and the physiology of human cervical remodeling. In his later years he switched to Retention in Midwifery. He created and taught Human Reproductive Physiology for Midwifery & taught it for 30 years and at the same time Endocrinology, Renal and Repro for 1st year Meds….and later on 3rd Pharmacology too. He presented his M.Sc. work at SORB 1982 and has attended just about all meetings since then.

Faculty

Colleen Ballagh

Colleen joins us in an administrative capacity, providing support to the student steering committee and is the Operations Coordinator for the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at McMaster University. In addition to her professional experience, Colleen has been a long-time volunteer with a passion for community engagement. She has volunteered in numerous organizations, including oncology camps across Ontario for 7 years. Most recently, she joined the board for the Dundas Cactus Festival as the Family Fun Zone Coordinator.

Undergraduate Student

Rohita Dutt

Rohita Dutt is a third-year Honours Life Sciences student at McMaster University, with a passion for metabolic and reproductive biology. She is currently researching the effects of glyphosate-based herbicide exposure on liver lipid homeostasis under the supervision of Dr. Alison Holloway.

MSc Candidate

Caitlin Ennis

Caitlin Ennis is a 2nd year Master's student in the Medical Sciences program at McMaster University, under the supervision of Dr. Alison Holloway. Her research focuses on the effects of increased selenium exposure in placental trophoblast cells.

MSc Candidate

Keaton Smith

Keaton is a graduate student in the lab of Dr. Samantha Wilson. His research focuses on the intersection between bioinformatics and epigenetics to develop predictive tools for pregnancy complications and preterm birth.

MSc Candidate

Jenny Feeney

Jenny is an MSc candidate at the Raha lab in the department of health sciences. Her research focuses on exploring the effects of maternal stressors on placental and fetal health outcomes. Currently, her project focuses on developing a representative in vitro model of the placenta in pathological and healthy conditions, and in extrapolating the impacts of environmental stressors on placental function and offspring neurodevelopment.

PhD Candidate

Cristina Monaco

Cristina Monaco is a PhD candidate in the Medical Sciences program at McMaster University’s Faculty of Health Sciences, conducting research in Dr. Raha’s lab. She recently transitioned from her Master’s program, where she explored the effects of cannabis smoke and Δ9-THC on an in vitro model of placental stem cell differentiation. Now, her PhD research focuses on how cannabis smoking influences epigenetic patterns, particularly DNA methylation, in a murine placental model.