Ecology and evolution

Prof. Hugh Broders' main interests are in the area of animal population biology. More specifically, his research focuses on characterizing aspects of the biology of animal populations that help explain the causes and predict the consequences of population structure (e.g., resource requirements, social structure). 

Dr. Paul Craig's research focuses on integrative aquatic physiology, examining how environmental stressors such as temperature change, hypoxia and contaminants influence organismal performance through molecular, biochemical and mitochondrial mechanisms. His work bridges field and laboratory approaches and incorporates advanced tools including high-resolution respirometry, transcriptomics and microRNA analyses to understand how aquatic organisms respond and adapt to changing environments.

Dr. Kim Cuddington carries out research in theoretical and population ecology. Her mathematical models have been used to predict how and when species become invasive as well as describe the role species play as ecosystem engineers. Dr. Cuddington is engaged in developing and testing models of ecosystems, communities and populations that include the impacts of climate change on temperature.

Dr. Brian Dixon’s research provides detailed knowledge of the molecules used as signals and receptors in the immune system. While this understanding in mammals has enabled effective disease control through vaccines and drugs, only a handful of immunologically important molecules have been isolated from fish, despite the growing need for vaccines and treatments in aquaculture.

Dr. Roland Hall integrates contemporary measurements of hydrology and water and sediment quality across space with long temporal records of past environmental changes obtained from sediment cores to improve understanding of how natural processes and human affect freshwater resources. Dr. Hall’s program focuses on water‑rich landscapes in Northern Canada where concern has grown for aquatic ecosystem degradation by climate change and natural resource development, and where data are critically needed to inform effective stewardship decisions.

Dr. Laura Hug's research examines the diversity and function of microbial communities in contaminated sites. Research in Dr. Hug's lab seeks to define microbial diversity and function at contaminated sites (primarily municipal landfills). Her lab sequences the total DNA, RNA and protein (meta-omics) of microbial communities to identify which organisms are there, and which pathways are active. She uses enrichment culturing to explore microbial community interactions and to develop new bioremediation tools.

Dr. Barb Katzenback’s research focuses on examining aquatic vertebrate host-pathogen interactions and how anthropogenic changes alter their ability to defend against pathogens. Dr. Katzenback currently studies host-pathogen-environment interactions at skin barriers in anuran (frogs and toads) models within the context of different pathosystems (e.g. infection with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, Frog Virus 3) and environmental conditions (e.g. exposure to microplastics) using in vitro and in vivo approaches.

Dr. Liam McGuire is a physiological ecologist with an integrative research program, examining broader concepts by asking questions at multiple levels of organization. Dr. McGuire's research broadly falls in the areas of physiological ecology, movement ecology, thermal biology and ecological energetics. 

Dr. Julie Messier's research centers around the themes of plant trait integration and variation, plant performance, trade-offs, plant function, community assembly and climate change. Dr. Messier studies the causes (i.e., the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms) and consequences (on plant performance and community diversity) of trait variation and integration across biological scales (from within individuals to among communities). 

Dr. Kirsten Müller carries out research in Phycology and is a world expert on the Bangiales. The red algae (Rhodophyta) are an ancient lineage with some members being reported in the fossil record as far back as 1.2 billion years. This group is of considerable economic importance since they contain compounds (agar, carrageenan, etc.) that are used extensively as thickeners in products such as yogurt, ice cream and toothpaste.

Dr. Josh Neufeld's lab thrives at the interface between method development, basic microbial ecology, and applied research, providing exceptional training opportunities for students and postdoctoral research fellows. In order to address important global challenges, Dr. Neufeld's lab characterizes bacterial and archaeal communities in terrestrial, aquatic, and host-associated habitats. 

Dr. Jozef I. Nissimov leads the Environmental Virology and Ecology Research Group, where his research examines ecological and co-evolutionary dynamics between aquatic microbial hosts (microalgae and cyanobacteria) and their viruses, and how these dynamics shape aquatic ecosystems. 

Dr. Michael Power carries out research in salmonid and northern fish ecology and is a world expert on Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) and oxygen isotope otolith microchemistry.

Dr. Rebecca Rooney examines how human-caused and natural ecological disturbances influence wetland communities, including birds, invertebrates and plants. She tackles fundamental questions around how communities assemble and what defines them, including the relative importance of biological interactions, environmental conditions and landscape factors. She is keenly interested in the role of rare species and novelty in ecological processes.

Dr. Mark Servos studies the science underlying risk assessment and management of emerging threats to water resources. He is an internationally recognized researcher in environmental assessment and risk of emerging contaminants of concern, including endocrine disruptors, pharmaceuticals and personal care products.

Dr. Jonathan Witt's research is focused on the application of molecular markers to address questions related to the ecology and evolution of aquatic organisms. A central theme that is currently being addressed in Dr. Witt's lab concerns the reasons for, and consequences of disparities between rates of evolution at the molecular and morphological levels.

Dr. Adam Yates is an aquatic ecologist whose research blends aquatic and landscape sciences to generate the knowledge and tools to help solve critical issues threatening the health and sustainability of freshwater ecosystems. He leads the StrEAMS Lab (Stream Ecology, Assessment and Monitoring Sciences) lab, which works together with government and non-government agencies to enhance society’s ecological knowledge of river and stream ecosystems and ensure these critical ecosystems are sustainably managed.