Dr. Ma is a white Australian veterinarian of settler colonial descent. She graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Hons) from the University of Sydney in 2010, and has since worked in shelter medicine and companion animal general practice. Dr Ma graduated with a PhD from the University of Sydney in 2021. Her thesis explored the role of companion animals in human and environmental health and the epidemiology of communicable diseases. Her current research interests include human–animal interactions, animal welfare, companion animal population management, and shelter medicine.