Caitlin N. Friesen
MSc Candidate
Supervisor: Lauren Chapman
Co-supervisor: Dr. Nadia Aubin-Horth
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Current Research
The field of environmental physiology explores how animals adapt to life in different habitats. Hypoxia, a condition of low dissolved oxygen, is an environmental stressor that is becoming more prevalent in aquatic systems, and has been shown to affect the growth, survival, and reproduction of fishes. The mouth-brooding African cichlid, Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor victoriae, is a widespread fish whose populations are distributed across a range of different dissolved oxygen environments in the Lake Victoria basin of East Africa. Under hypoxia, P.multicolor have been found to exhibit variation in a number of different traits associated with morphology, physiology, and life-history. In particular, recent evidence suggests that some life-history traits related to reproductive processes may be affected by dissolved oxygen levels.
The goal of my Master’s project is to integrate concepts of life-history theory with techniques from endocrinology and whole body physiology to explore the mechanisms that allow P.multicolor to inhabit a wide range of diverse dissolved oxygen environments. My studies will examine the effects of hypoxia on sex steroid hormone levels and life-history traits related to reproductive processes during different stages in the breeding cycle. |
Education
| 2009 |
M.Sc. Candidate, McGill University, Department of Biology
Supervisor: Dr. Lauren Chapman |
| 2007 |
B.Sc., University of Lethbridge, Department of Biological Sciences
Honours with Great Distinction |
Manuscripts in Preparation
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- Friesen, C.N., A. Quinn, A. Hontela, and D. Zwueste. Comparative in vitro and in vivo studies of acetylcholinesterase inhibition in fathead minnows and rainbow trout exposed to dimethoate.
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Other Contributions
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- Hontela, A.*, A. Quinn, C.N. Friesen, and M.M. Vijayan. Adrenal toxicity of the pesticide Dimethoate in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss and fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas. Poster session, 6th International Symposium of Fish Endocrinology, June 2008.
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Previous Research
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| 2008 |
Research Assistant, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge,
Lethbridge, Alberta |
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- Maintained aquaria, organized laboratory proceedings, and assisted with undergraduate experiments
- Conducted in vitro and in vivo toxicology experiments assessing morphological, physiological, and biochemical parameters in rainbow trout and fathead minnows
- Identified invertebrate samples during fish stomach content analysis
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| 2007 |
Undergraduate Researcher, Department of Biological Sciences, University of
Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta |
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- Researched, organized, and conducted a factorial study analyzing the effects of pesticide exposure and parasite loads on fathead minnows
- Conducted dissections, biochemical assays, and statistical analyses
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| 2005-2007 |
Summer Research Assistant, Department of Biological Sciences, University of
Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta |
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- Fish parasitology
- Equine immunology
- Field sampling (netting, electrofishing, and seining) in Southern Alberta canals, rivers, and lakes
- Physiological and morphological studies
- Biochemical assays
- Invertebrate and fish identification
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| 2006 |
Undergraduate Researcher, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience,
University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta |
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- Electroencephalography
- Human auditory pathways
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| Scholarships and Awards |
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- Canadian Graduate Scholarship, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (2009-2010)
- Provost’s Graduate Fellowship, McGill University (2009)
- Principal’s Graduate Fellowship, McGill University (2009)
- Sir James Lougheed Award of Distinction, Government of Alberta (2008)
- Jason Lang Scholarship, University of Lethbridge (2005-2007)
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Teaching Assistantships
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| 2009 |
Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory
Department of Biology, McGill University
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| Academic Activities |
- Treasurer and PGSS Representative, Biology Graduate Student’s Association, McGill University (2009-present)
- Organizing Committee, CEEB Graduate Student Symposium, Department of Biology, McGill University (2009)
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Photographs, courtesy of: Erika Crispo, Erin Reardon, and Dr. Alice Hontela
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Updated: March 16, 2010 |
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