Maya is a speech-language pathologist and 2nd year PhD student in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University under the supervision of Dr. Michelle Phoenix. Maya completed her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology at Queen’s University in 2019, and her MSc in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) at McMaster University in 2021. Maya practices as a speech-language pathologist across a wide variety of settings (e.g., paediatrics, adults, private practice, hospitals), and continues to practice clinically part-time while in her PhD. Maya also enjoys teaching students as an Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) in the SLP program at McMaster.

Maya’s research focuses on advancing strength-based SLP services for autistic people and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Maya’s PhD research applies co-design and qualitative methods to co-create improved social communication services for autistic youth. Her work is funded by a SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship Doctoral Award the Autism Alliance of Canada Data-to-Policy Fellowship.