Dr. Maclaurin is a Professor and a member of Graduate Faculty within the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Department of Food Science, and Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph. Graduate Faculty at the University of Waterloo. Dr. MacLaurin received her primary and secondary education in Kansas and Colorado. Before joining the faculty of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management in 1991, Dr. MacLaurin focused on a successful practitioner career in the dietetic, sensory evaluation and foodservice industries.

Research interests focus on food safety, safety and security in tourism, culinary tourism, new hospitality and tourism product development utilizing sensory evaluation, and foodservice management.