Research Interests
Heather joined the Servos lab from the University of New Brunswick Saint John, where she completed her BSc, bringing a strong interest in nutrient dynamics and aquatic invertebrates and a developing focus on freshwater ecosystem processes.
Her research used carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis to examine energy flow and organic matter sources in aquatic food webs within the Grand River watershed. Working in a predominantly agricultural system influenced by municipal wastewater treatment plants, reservoirs, and flow regulation structures, aquatic organisms were sampled along a 200 km stretch of the river to assess spatial and seasonal patterns in isotope signatures.
The study showed that stable isotope values could distinguish sites and trophic levels where wastewater and nutrient inputs differed from background conditions, with clearer separation later in the growing season. Overall, the results demonstrated how isotope patterns reflect watershed-scale influences, including wastewater inputs and downstream recovery processes.
Heather later completed her PhD at the University of New Brunswick under Prof. Karen Kidd, focusing on nutrient storage in freshwater ecosystems.
