Shad Dalhousie

Program Director

Abdullah Al-Shaghay, PhD

Assistant Professor, Mathematics and Statistics, Saint Francis Xavier University

Abdullah’s (he/him) introduction to Shad started when he joined as a Junior Faculty Member in 2017. Since then, he has been excitingly looking forward to Shad each summer and the experiences it brings. He appreciates working with the wonderful staff and students in this unique environment each year.

Abdullah received his Phd from the department of Mathematics and Statistics at Dalhousie University where he completed all of his post-secondary education. His specialization and research interests are in Number Theory. He is currently an Assistant Professor at StFX University in Nova Scotia.

Abdullah has always had a passion for mathematics outreach and teaching. He has worked with Nova Scotia Math Circles, Nova Scotia Math League, and done some volunteer tutoring. In his spare time, he enjoys being outdoors, reading, and trying to learn about and experience new things.

Katie Giberson, BScKin, BEd

Teacher

Katie (she/her) is a Shad alum who attended the program in 2018 at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Her experience at Shad was incredibly meaningful and helped shape both her personal and professional growth, which is why she is passionate about helping create that same positive impact for future participants. Since 2023, Katie has worked as a Program Assistant at Shad programs hosted at the University of Prince Edward Island and Dalhousie University, and she is excited to return to Dalhousie again this summer.
Katie holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (Honours) and a Bachelor of Education from the University of New Brunswick. She currently works as a middle school science teacher at Rothesay Netherwood School, where she enjoys creating engaging learning experiences and building strong relationships with students.
Outside of work, Katie enjoys staying active through running, spending time outdoors, and working on crafting and sewing projects. She values opportunities to connect with others, meet new people, and build welcoming communities. Katie is looking forward to contributing to a fun, supportive, and memorable Shad experience for students this summer.