Advancing Healthcare Research at SLC

Written by SLC Communications

For more than 20 years, Dr. Maha Othman has been a dedicated faculty member in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program at SLC. Alongside teaching, she has maintained an active research program in the field of bleeding and thrombosis, publishing over 140 peer-reviewed articles and coordinating collaborative projects nationally and internationally. Central to her work is the involvement of students—both undergraduate and postgraduate—as well as early-career professionals.  

Maha strongly believes that research training is essential across all health care professions, playing a crucial role in improving practice and patient care. Her commitment aligns with SLC’s long-standing advocacy for healthcare research. She attests to the College’s commitment over the past decade, establishing key infrastructure, including a Research Ethics Board (REB), Biosafety Committee, dedicated laboratory space, and offering protected research hours for faculty, as well as the SLC’s External PD Fund. Maha has played a leadership role in these efforts, serving as Chair of the REB for more than five years and currently chairing the Biosafety Committee. 

She manages the Kingston research lab (Room 11780), equipped for wet-lab experiments and supported by an annual operational budget. Through industry partnerships, the lab has acquired specialized analyzers, enhancing its capabilities. Maha also recruits nursing students for paid research assistant positions and in collaboration with the SLC’s Health Care Administration program, has also welcomed volunteers to offer Canadian experience to those international students. 

Her mentorship includes formal biohazard training and certification, guiding students through lab experiments, research participants’ consent, data analysis, manuscript writing, and conference presentations. Weekly research meetings foster collaboration and interdisciplinary communication, ensuring students gain comprehensive research experience. 

One standout success story is Jordan Harry, an SLC student whose work under Maha’s mentorship was accepted for presentation at the ISTH 2025 international conference. She also published a manuscript in Cancer Epidemiology, delivered an award-winning flash talk at the 2024 Sinclair Research Conference, and had her work featured on Clot Conversations—a testament to the impact of Maha’s mentorship and SLC’s research culture. 

Research at SLC is more than an academic pursuit—it’s a collaborative effort that shapes the future of healthcare.  Maha gratefully acknowledges the generous of SLC leadership and colleagues, including former and current associate deans and the Dean of the School of Health & Wellness. Through leadership, innovation, and mentorship, Maha continues to inspire students and strengthen the College’s commitment to research excellence.
 
Learn more about our BScN faculty and research initiatives.