Rate My Professor Barbara Hostalek

Dr. Barbara Hostalek serves as the Waardong Lecturer in the School of Veterinary Medicine at Murdoch University, where she plays a pivotal role in supporting First Nations students pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Born and raised on Larrakia lands, Hostalek is of Gija and Yawuru Aboriginal ancestry, with additional Irish/Scottish heritage on her mother’s side and Czech, Greek/English, and Territorian on her father’s side. She relocated to Boorloo (Perth) on Noongar boodjar to undertake veterinary science studies through the Professional Education Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (PEPA), the precursor to the current Waardong pathway. Hostalek earned her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Biology from Murdoch University between February 1994 and December 1997, followed by her Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS) in 2001.

Following graduation, she completed a cadetship with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and worked as an associate veterinarian in mixed animal practice alongside Dr. Miriam Canning, Veterinary Hospital Director. In 2019, Hostalek returned to Murdoch University School of Veterinary Medicine as Waardong Lecturer, focusing on the attraction, admission, retention, progression, graduation, and registration of First Nations Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students. Her academic interests include veterinary medicine education, higher education engagement, First Nations One Health, and First Nations veterinary medicine. She has presented at conferences such as VetEd Down Under Australasian Veterinary Educators with 'Engaging First Nations people in Veterinary education: Waardong - The Crow in Noongar culture "Learning together to lift the sky..."', and contributed to National Science Week 2023 Taxonomy Tournament Database presentations at Scitech. Hostalek serves as Board Member and Chairperson of the Aboriginal and Medical Research and Remediation Indigenous Corporation (AMRRIC). Through the Waardong program, she advocates for increased representation of First Nations veterinarians, providing dedicated support and opportunities.