This story is published in YFile’s New Faces feature issue 2026. Every September, YFile introduces and welcomes those joining the 91ÑÇÉ« community.
91ÑÇÉ«'s Faculty of Science welcomes one new full-time, permanent member this fall.Â
“We’re delighted to welcome Professor Tanya Da Sylva to the Faculty of Science," says Dean Maydianne Andrade. "Her expertise in genetics, immunobiology and physiology, combined with her passion for teaching, will enrich our community, expanding opportunities for collaboration, research and student learning. The Department of Biology, and the entire Faculty of Science community, look forward to her contributions.â€Â
Tanya Da Sylva
Da Sylva joins the Department of Biology as an assistant professor. She earned her PhD from 91ÑÇÉ« in 2008, investigating mutations associated with autoimmune disease. She subsequently completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children in developmental and stem cell biology.
An award-winning educator, Da Sylva uses student-centred, evidence-based approaches to create equitable and inclusive learning environments while developing students’ critical thinking, information literacy and communication skills. Her curriculum contributions include co-leading a major redesign of the department’s second-year genetics course. She supervises undergraduate researchers, and her scholarship of teaching and learning focuses on reducing genetic determinism in undergraduate education and addressing barriers to student learning. She is also a member of the Open Consortium of Undergraduate Biology Educators, where she is Chair of the Membership Committee. Â