Dr. Deborah Sloboda: Perinatal Programming and the Science of Early Life

Bill Nguyen
Feb 15
3 min read

Reproductive health accounts for a wide range of research aspects, including metabolic disorders, neonatal gut microbiome transfer, placental diseases, or even paternal reproductive health. These conditions are directly related to anyone’s life as it affects the most vulnerable and vital period of human lives. Furthermore, as the fundamental purpose of sciences is to improve the quality of life, it is especially significant to convey complex scientific research to society.

Dr. Deborah Sloboda is one of the leading scientists at McMaster University in the field of the early origins of health and diseases, where her research focuses on how periconceptional environmental factors impact maternal-fetal-placental signalling pathways, and how changes to development influence the risk of chronic disease later in life. Not only that, her lab actively promotes the research-to-society connection via multiple projects like: The Art of Creation, Mothers to Babies (M2B), and Can Tec-19. Today, Dr. Sloboda will have “Office Hours” with us to feature her research, community works, and the lab environment that she is proud of!

Dr. Deborah Sloboda

AFFILIATION

Currently, Dr. Deborah Sloboda is a Professor and Principal Investigator of the Sloboda Lab in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University. She is also a member of the Centre for Metabolism, Obesity, and Diabetes Research (MODR), and is currently holding a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Early Origins of Health and Disease.

ACADEMIC & TEACHING BACKGROUND

Undergraduate study:

Dr. Sloboda started her undergraduate studies with a Bachelor of Arts in French at Guelph University with an initial intention of becoming a French teacher. However, she found her passion when studying human biology. Therefore, she decided to transfer and later graduated with a Bachelor of Science at Guelph University.

Graduate study:

After undergraduate study, Dr. Sloboda took a year off, then started her Master’s in Sciences with the Department of Kinesiology at Western University, where she studied the impact of exercise on glucose metabolism in pregnant women.

Following the completion of her MSc, Dr. Sloboda continued her Ph.D. with the Department of Physiology at the University of Toronto, focusing on the effect of stress hormones during pregnancy on fetal development.

Post-doctoral training:

In 2001, Dr. Sloboda started her post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Western Australia with the Women’s and Infant’s Research Foundation. Here, she spent 5 years studying the fetal endocrine development, and established a new research interest investigating the prenatal origins of reproductive function and the onset of puberty in adolescent girls.

Teaching and Research career:

In 2006, Dr. Sloboda joined the Liggins Research institute at the University of Auckland, where she investigated the effects of early life nutrition on reproductive and metabolic health.

In 2012, Dr. Sloboda joined the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University as an Associate Professor, where she eventually became a full Professor.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

The Sloboda Lab studies the early life origins of health and disease, where they focus on how periconceptional environmental factors impact maternal-fetal-placental signalling pathways, and how changes to development influence the risk of chronic disease later in life. Some ongoing projects in the lab include investigating the relationship between the pregnant gut microbiome and maternal adaptations to pregnancy, as well as the parental factors on placental development and function.

AWARDS & LEADERSHIP

Early Career Research Award from the University of Auckland (2009)
Deputy Director of the National Research Centre for Growth and Development at the University of Auckland (2008-2011)
Acting Director of the National Research Centre for Growth and Development at the University of Auckland (2009)
Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Perinatal Programming (2012-2022)
Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Early Origins of Health and Disease (2023-now)
International Society of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Nick Hales Award (2015)
Hamilton YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in Science, Trade, and Technology (2017)
FHS McMaster University Graduate Supervision Award (2019)
McMaster University Faculty Association Award for Outstanding Service (2022)
McMaster President's Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Supervision (2024)
Shortlisted for the City of Hamilton Art Creator Award (2025)
Founding co-Presidents of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Society of Canada
Secretary of the International Society for the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease for 10 years

EPISODE OVERVIEW

In this episode, Dr. Sloboda reflects on her academic journey — from initially aspiring to become a French teacher to earning a Ph.D. in Physiology at one of Canada’s leading universities. She also shares insights into her research and community-driven initiatives, along with the behind-the-scenes moments that shaped her path along the way.