Humans of LMP, Programs: Postgraduate, Inclusive community
Each month we speak to a member of the Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology community and find out more about them as part of an initiative from our Wellness, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee (WIDE).
This month, we feature faculty member Dr. Althea C. G. Neblett who has recently joined the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service. Althea previously completed a G. Raymond Chang Forensic Pathology Fellowship in LMP.
How long have you been in LMP and what does your role involve?
I am a Forensic Pathologist and completed my Clinical Fellowship at the University of Toronto in 2016. I am currently based at the Provincial Forensic Pathology Unit in Toronto, since January 2024. Prior to this, I have practiced in Australia and Jamaica, and intermittently in Barbados.
My primary clinical duties are to conduct medicolegal autopsies and provide expert testimony in court as needed. I recently joined the staff (February 2025) of the LMP as a Lecturer and I am excited to be a part of this wonderful department. My educational duties involve supervising and teaching all levels of trainees, including undergraduates, medical students, residents, and fellows, which I truly enjoy.
As the first G. Raymond Chang Fellow, I am passionate about teaching and educating beyond the geographical borders of Canada, and empowering fellow Pathologists, (particularly those from developing countries) and providing them with the necessary tools to be successful in the field of Forensic Pathology, be it in Canada or in their country of origin. I currently provide administrative support to the Chang Forensic Pathology Fellows admission panel.
Tell us about your research
I have an interest in elder abuse/neglect and the intersection with Forensic Pathology. The published forensic pathology literature on this topic is not as vast as other areas, as the postmortem examination diagnosis of elder abuse/neglect is not very straightforward in most cases. There are many variables and contributory issues, one must consider before “labelling” an elderly person as abused /neglected, including their social determinants and their level of mental capacity/cognition. It is a challenging area of research, but a necessary one.
What led you to pursue your current career path?
I go crazy for mysteries. I remember growing up reading Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys and Famous Seven novels as a kid, and as I got older, I was fascinated by the non-fictional series, “Cold Case Files”. I knew that I wanted to be a part of the Forensic world after that. This led me to enrolling in medical school, which I truly enjoyed. It was a 5-year degree, and I completed my first three years at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus in Jamaica and my final two years at the UWI, Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, the country of my birth. Following that, I returned to Jamaica and completed my residency, came to Toronto and did my fellowship, and the rest is history.
What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?
I was an Associate Lecturer in the Department of Pathology at the UWI Mona Campus for about six years, and during my time there I was able to create the Forensic Pathology Syllabus for the Anatomical Pathology Residency.
What was the best career advice you ever received?
Always say yes, when appropriate. Say yes to the new project even if you doubt yourself, say yes to becoming someone’s mentor, say yes to the external consults, say yes to being part of training activities, just say yes, as you never know what the outcomes will be. Always say yes even if you might not have the experience, because the person who asked you, saw your potential!
What has been an important learning experience in your life?
My journey has shown me that you need to be your biggest cheerleader and having self belief is important; it is not just about faking it until you make it, it is more about “I believe I can and therefore I will”.
Who is an influential person in your life and why?
That is an easy question. My maternal Grandmother. She was the most wonderful, selfless, altruistic, kind, no-nonsense, brilliant, and talented person I have ever known. I would like to think I have inherited some of her traits. She lived well into her 90s.
What would it surprise people to know about you?
I live in two parallel worlds, medicine and music! I have a bachelor’s degree in oboe music performance (BM), which I completed in 2024. I love music and have been playing the oboe for nearly 25 years. I am one of the founding directors and Associate Music Director of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Jamaica, a member of the World Doctors Orchestra, a former member of the Australian Doctors Orchestra and I also play in community orchestras in Toronto, including the North York Concert Orchestra and the Rosedale Symphony Orchestra.
What activities do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love swimming. I am a member of the TMU masters swim program. I enjoy teaching music. I am an oboe tutor, and I love learning other instruments. I also play the violin, the English horn, and a little bassoon.
What is your favourite album, film and novel?
I love mystery novels. One of my favourite authors is James Patterson. I would read anything by him.
Album: I honestly do not have any. I know that might sound strange.
Film: Armageddon.
Who would be your dream dinner guests?
I am always intrigued by great thinkers and speakers. One such person is the Honorable Mia Amor Mottley, an attorney at-law and the current Prime Minister (PM) of Barbados. She is unique. Mia Mottley is inspiring; her journey to become the first female PM of Barbados (2018) was a slow and steady one, in which she showed great perseverance. She has been active in the political life of Barbados for nearly 30 years and is the outgoing Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). She has a presence, and knows how to take up space, she is passionate, has a brilliant mind and is very eloquent. She possesses the rare ability of being able to speak on almost any subject with great authority; she is a magnificent orator.
Where/what is your favourite place?
It no longer exits, but it was a restaurant/bar called “Jumbies” in St. Lawrence Gap, Christ Church Barbados. It was the place to be every Saturday night during our teens and early 20’s.
If you were stuck on a deserted island but had all your basic needs taken care of (i.e. food and water), what two items would you bring with you and why?
