BAMFORTH, Emily
Location: Redpath Museum, Rm 302A
Phone: 514-398-4086 ex. 4085
emily{dot}bamforth{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Hans Larsson |
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Research Summary: |
My PhD project focuses on determining climatic drivers of vertebrate paleobiodiversity in the latest Cretaceous (65Ma) of central Canada. Study sites are located in the Killdeer badlands of Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, where paleobidiversity is established through the collection and analysis of vertebrate microsites. Paleoclimate data is derived from stable isotope (oxygen-18) analysis and fossil leaf margin analysis. The relationships between paleobiodiversity and paleoclimate in the same locality yields important insights into the drivers of terrestrial biodiversity leading up the second largest terrestrial mass extinction in earth’s history. |
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BRADIE, Johanna
Stewart Biology Building, W6/12
Office: 514-398-1833
johanna{dot}bradie{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Brian Leung |
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Research Summary: |
Using genetic and population characteristics to predict establishment success of NIS: My research will evaluate population and genetic characteristics that are indicative of a species’ invasive potential. These characteristics will be used to build models to predict future invasions and direct management efforts. In particular, my research will focus on (i) species characteristics that are related to invasiveness, (ii) the role of Allee effects in establishment, (iii) the relationship between population genetic diversity and establishment success, and (iv) the relationship between disturbance in the native environment and invasiveness. |
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CHIVERS, Corey
Stewart Biology Building, W6/12
Office: 514-398-1833
corey{dot}chivers{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Brian Leung |
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Research Summary: |
My area of interest is in the development of forecasting and risk assessment models of non-native species. I am particularly interested in applying numerical simulation and Bayesian methodology to quantify forecast uncertainties. |
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CORREA, Cristian
Redpath Museum
859 Sherbrooke W.
Office: 514-398-4086 ext. 00714
cristian{dot}correa{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Andrew Hendry |
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Research Summary: |
Ecology, evolution, conservation, biodiversity, biological invasions. |
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EPP, Elias
BRI
Office: 514-496-1923
elias{dot}epp{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisors: Malcolm Whiteway, Laura Nilson |
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Research Summary: |
My work focuses on the human pahtogenic yeast candida albicans. I am currently trying to improve the fungistatic nature of one of the most widely used antifungals, Fluconazole. Furthermore, I have been doing some large scale, forward genetics mutagenises and am now on the way to characterize a few candida specific genes. |
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FAVE, Marie-Julie
Stewart Biology Building, N3/15
Office: 514-398-3625
marie-julie{dot}fave{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Ehab Abouheif |
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Research Summary: |
I am interested in evolution, particularly in population genetics and evodevo (developmental evolution). I do classic population genetic mixed with gene expression analysis (antibody staining, in-situ hybridization). I work on ants (Monomorium emersoni) in the Sky islands of Arizona (southeastern AZ). I speak English (of course!), but my first language is French. Keywords: ant collecting, polyphenism, wing evolution, wing imaginal discs, gene expression (esc, sna, en, dpp signalling pathway, brinker, spalt), breeding experiments, gene network microevolution; microsatellites, mtDNA, phylogenetics. Field work locations: Southeastern Arizona and Québec (Mont Saint-Hilaire, Charlevoix). Technical expertise: ABI 3100 sequencer maintenance, microsatellite design and amplification. Population genetic and phylogenetic softwares: MEGA, PHYLIP, STRUCTURE, ARLEQUIN, BOTTLENECK, GENEPOP, GENECLASS, GENETIX. |
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FELDMAN, Richard
Stewart Biology Building, W3/5
Office: 514-398-6428
richard{dot}feldman{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Andrew Gonzalez, Brian McGill |
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Research Summary: |
I am interested in how large scale spatial variation in competition and behaviour affect patterns of animal abundance. I combine field experiments on hummingbirds and their flowers with cost-benefit models of resource defence. Study species: broad-tailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus), black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri). Fieldwork location: Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah. Statistical knowledge: R, Statistica, multivariate techniques. General knowledge: bird behaviour and ecology; the ecology of the Southwest US. |
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FUGERE, Vincent
Stewart Biology Building, N3/12B
Office: 514-398-5956
vincent{dot}fugere{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Lauren Chapman |
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Research Summary: |
My research interests are twofold: (1) evolutionary ecology, and especially the emerging field of eco-evolutionary dynamics, and (2) the ecology and conservation of tropical freshwaters, especially rivers. My Ph.D. research looks at the effects of deforestation on the ecology of streams (food web structure and ecosystem processes) around Kibale National Park, Uganda, and on the morphology and physiology of a stream cyprinid fish (Barbus neumayeri) found in both deforested and forested streams. I am also looking at how deforestation-associated phenotypic change in B. neumayeri can in turn have cascading effects on stream assemblages and function. Finally, to put my thesis in context, I am using data from the FAO and Web of Science to explore the relationships between the research effort devoted to terrestrial-aquatic linkages in different regions of the world and the freshwater biodiversity, ecosystem services and current deforestation rates of those regions . |
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GHAI, Ria
Peterson Hall, Room #80 (basement)
Office: 514-398-4400 ext 089759
ria{dot}ghai{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Colin Chapman |
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Research Summary: |
My research broadly focuses on host-parasite interactions within a rainforest national park in Uganda. Specifically, I am interested in helminth and blood parasite host specificity, since diseases like trichuriasis and malaria are common both in the primates within the park, and in the adjacent human villages. My research will also address the potential fitness consequences associated with viral and helminth infections in one group of red colobus (Procolobus rufomitratus) within the national park, which should assist with management strategies aimed at conserving this highly endangered speciess. |
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GOTANDA, Kiyoko
Redpath Museum
859 Sherbrooke St, W
Office: 514-398-4086
kiyoko{dot}gotanda{at}mail{dot}mcgill.ca
Supervisor: Andrew Hendry |
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Research Summary: |
My research interests are evolutionary and behavioural ecology within both freshwater and marine environments. I am studying spatial and temporal variation in sexual and natural selection utilizing the iconic Trinidadian guppies as my model system. I am using a combination of field and lab experiments to further our understanding of the interaction between sexual selection (colour patterning) and natural selection (predation). |
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HALLER, Ben
859 Sherbrooke St, W
Office: 514-398-4086
ben{dot}haller{at}mail{dot}mcgill.ca
Supervisor: Andrew Hendry |
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Research Summary: |
My research interest is in the details of the process of speciation: how do new species develop, what drives or inhibits that, and what theoretical models of speciation best fit nature? I am developing computational simulations of eco-evolutionary processes, using Mac OS X, Objective-C, Cocoa, and R. With these simulations I hope to observe speciation as an ongoing process, in order to better understand its dynamics. |
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HOLMES, Ignacia
Stewart Biology Building, W6/11
Office: 514-398-6726
ignacia{dot}holmes{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Catherine Potvin |
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Research Summary: |
My research will start in January 2009. It will explore the best approaches for the sound implementation of carbon initiatives and thus achieving ecosystem conservation, emission reduction and poverty alleviation. The benefits of the project will be local, national and international and will be key to the long-term protection of the unique forests of Panama. |
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HYDER, Ayaz
Stewart Biology Building, W6/12
Office: 514-398-1833
ayaz{dot}hyder{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Brian Leung
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Research Summary: |
My PhD focuses on the prediction and validation of influenza spread models. I have several projects underway which are looking at the consequences of including social, economic and health determinants in small and large scale models of disease spread. These models range in complexity from metapopulation to individual-based models. I am also interested in determining whether including these new predictors can allow us to improve our predictions about where influenza will strike next. |
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JACOB, Aerin
Peterson Hall , Room 80/24
Office: 514-398-4400 ext. 089759
aerin{dot}jacob{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Colin Chapman |
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Research Summary: |
Keywords: Primates, ungulates, elephants, restoration ecology, nutrition, landscape ecology, forest regeneration, GIS, forecasting scenarios, Uganda, Kibale National Park. |
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JENSEN, Helen
Stewart Biology Building, N3/8
Office: 514-398-4084
helen{dot}jensen{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Daniel Schoen
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Research Summary: |
My research focuses on the population genetics of traditional crop
varieties. I am particularly interested in patterns of temporal change
in genetic structure for both neutral and adaptive traits of crop
populations that are maintained in situ by farmers. For my PhD project
I am studying populations of barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp. vulgare) that
are maintained by farmers in Northern Morocco. |
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JONES, Lisa
Redpath Museum, Room 104
Office: 514-398-4086 ext. 3191
lisa{dot}jones{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Anthony Ricciardi |
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Research Summary: |
I am interested in the role of life history traits in explaining invasion success and exotic species replacement, with a particular emphasis on aquatic systems and dreissenid mussels. I use both field and lab experiments as well as meta-analysis to address this approach. Keywords: invasion ecology, aquatic systems, life history traits, species replacement, SCUBA diving, St. Lawrence River, dreissenid mussels, R, SigmaPlot. |
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KERR, Kecia
Stewart Biology Building, N6/15
Office: 514-398-4120
kecia{dot}kerr{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisors: Fred Guichard, Rachel Collin |
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Research Summary: |
My general research interests are larval and reproductive ecology of marine invertebrates. I am particularly interested in the ecological consequences of the interaction between larval release timing and variable environmental conditions which affect dispersal and survival of larvae. I am also interested in the effects of varying oceanographic conditions on dispersal of larval invertebrates and the impacts of temporal and spatial differences in larval recruitment on community dynamics of benthic and intertidal invertebrates. My PhD project examines the effect of temperature on the timing of mating and larval hatching in fiddler crabs and potential effects of these interactions on population dynamics. In addition, we are assessing variation in planktonic predation risk for larvae across diurnal, tidal amplitude and seasonal cycles. |
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LESOWAY, Maryna
Stewart Biology Building, N3/3
Office: 514-398-2634
maryna{dot}lesoway{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisors: Ehab Abouheif, Rachel Collin |
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Research Summary: |
I am interested in the interplay between evolution, development and the environment. I work on the Calyptraeid gastropods, a diverse group of snails found around the world, with their highest diversity in the Americas. Developmental mode varies by species, and recent phylogenetic work has shown that the mode of development changes rapidly, with both losses and re-gains of free living, feeding larvae. My study will look at the role of nurse eggs in these transitions in mode of development using developmental, genomic and experimental approaches. |
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LIU, Xiaoyong
Stewart Biology Building, W3/8
Office: 514-398-4447
xiaoyong{dot}liu{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: François Fagotto |
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Research Summary: |
My work will help uncover the cellular and molecular mechanisms of Axin, a scaffold protein in the Wnt signaling pathway. We expected that the results obtained will help understanding of regulation of the signal transducer beta-catenin and the Wnt signaling pathway. |
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MARLEAU, Justin
Stewart Biology Building, W3/1
Office: 514-398-6697
justin{dot}marleau{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Michel Loreau |
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Research Summary: |
My research interests include linking community ecology and ecosystem ecology through the use of ecological stoichiometry and the effects of nutrient cycling and nutrient limitation over varying spatial scales on community dynamics. My general approach to these topics is to develop general mathematical models and apply these models to specific ecosystems to test the validity of the proposed mechanisms. |
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NOUJAIM, Michael G.
Bellini Life Sciences Building, Room 273
Office: 514-398-8837
michael{dot}noujaim{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Gary Brouhard |
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Research Summary: |
In order to divide and proliferate, cells undergo a process known as mitosis. During mitosis a complete copy of the genome is replicated and precisely segregated by the microtubule spindle machinery into two daughter cells. The mitotic route is a highly complex biological process upon the survival of which the cell depends. As a result, various fidelity-monitoring checkpoint systems and regulators have evolved to ensure the accuracy of this process. Errors in these mechanisms can lead to genomic instability, a principle feature of tumorigenesis. Recently, members of the Aurora family of serine/threonine kinases emerged as vital mitotic players involved in regulating each of the mitotic phases. These kinases have been shown to bind directly to microtubules through activator molecules as a means of ensuring efficient kinase activity and target specificity. Not surprisingly, these serine/threonine kinases are regularly overexpressed in an array of primary tumors. This project aims at describing the mechanisms by which microtubules mediate the activity of one of the three Auroras exhibited by the genomes of multi-cellular organisms, Aurora-B kinase. In pursuing the aims of this project a combination of cutting edge biophysical techniques will be utilized. Specifically, a revolutionary process known as single-molecule total internal reflection microscopy will be the primary research technique used to study Aurora-B’s interactions with the microtubule lattice. This project may hold great inferences particularly for the field of cancer therapy as Aurora-B has become one of the main targets of a wide range of novel anti-cancer drugs. Understanding and depicting, with biophysical detail, the process through which microtubules allow for efficient and precise Aurora-B activity, will assist in the development of new, more improved drugs for combating cancer. |
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PAGNUCCO, Katie
Redpath Museum, Room 303
Office: 514-398-4086 ext. 00176
katie{dot}pagnucco{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Anthony Ricciardi |
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Research Summary: |
I am studying the context-dependent effects of the nonindigenous round goby on trophic cascades in river systems, using a combination of field, laboratory, and metapopulation analyses. I will also be using these study methods to explore interactions between native amphibians and introduced fish species. |
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PEDERSEN, Eric
Stewart Biology Building, N6/15
Office: 514-398-4120
eric{dot}pedersen{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Frédéric Guichard |
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Research Summary: |
My research focuses on evolutionary and ecological responses of marine species to oceanographic phenomena that result in clustered or patchy dispersal. I work with numerical simulation, experimental behavioral studies, and analysis of large-scale observational data |
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PELLETIER, Johanne
Stewart Biology Building & Panama
johannepelletier{at}gmail{dot}com
Supervisor: Catherine Potvin |
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Research Summary: |
My main topic of research is on the Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Deforestation (REDD+) in Panama, looking at methodological and implementation challenges. I study the aspect of uncertainty associated to the establishment of reference emission levels at national scale. I work also at a local scale in Palo Seco Forest Reserve on forest intervention and community perception on sustainable management of forest and conservation for REDD+. |
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ROLSHAUSEN, Gregor
Redpath Museum & Dept. of Biology
Office: 514-398-4086 ext 00714
Supervisor: Andrew Hendry
gregor{dot}rolshausen{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca |
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I am interested in microevolutionary consequences following the
pollution of natural habitats. My study involves fish living in oil
contaminated streams in southern Trinidad. |
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SHARPE, Diana
Stewart Biology Building, N3/11
Office: 514-398-5956
diana{dot}sharpe{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Lauren Chapman |
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Research Summary: |
I am broadly interested in how anthropogenic stressors can influence the evolution of natural populations, and the implications of such human-induced changes for conservation and management, especially in a fisheries context. My PhD research examines life history and morphological change in a commercially important African cyprinid fish, Rastrinebola argentea, in response to an introduced predator and fishing.
Keywords: contemporary phenotypic change, life history evolution, fishing, Lake Victoria, Uganda, East Africa |
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Stewart Biology Building, W6/5
Office: 514-398-4117
zofia{dot}taranu{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Irene Gregory-Eaves |
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Research Summary: |
My research focuses on the occurrence and dominance of noxious cyanobacterial (blue-green algae) blooms across freshwater ecosystems. Using both neo- and paleolimnological data I intend to evaluate how eutrophication, climate change and their interaction have affected cyanobacterial dynamics over the last ~200 years, both at the regional and global scales. |
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THIBERT-PLANTE, Xavier
Redpath Museum
Office: 514-398-4086 ext. 09058
xavier{dot}thibert-plante{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Andrew Hendry |
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Research Summary: |
Research Interests: Speciation, Complex Systems, Prisoner's Dilemma, Genetic Algorithms |
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TURGEON, Katrine
Stewart Biology Building, W6/19
Office: 514-398-6462
katrine{dot}turgeon{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Donald Kramer |
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Research Summary: |
Animal distribution at multiple spatial scales and how this can be translated into movement patterns at the individual and at the population level. I am interested how a habitat matrix (patches varying in quality, landscape structural connectivity and population density affect animal movement and habitat selection in size and sex-structured populations. I developed an expertise in habitat selection models (parametric and non-parametric) and associated multivariate analyses. Study species and system: I currently work on coral reef ecosystems and more specifically on the Stegastes genus (Caribbean territorial damselfishes). My field work is carry out in Barbados (Bellairs research Institute).Statistical programs: SYSTAT, STATISTICA, CANOCO. Basic knowledge of MATLAB and R. Languages of correspondence: English or French. Keywords: Coral reefs, connectivity, habitat selection, Stegastes, fish, movement, home range relocation, density-dependence, scales. |
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VAVREK, Matthew
Redpath Museum, Room: 304
Office: 514-398-4086 ext. 4085
matthew{dot}vavrek{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisors: Hans Larsson, Brian McGill |
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Research Summary: |
I am interested in large scale ecological changes in the fossil record, with a specific focus on the latitudinal gradient in species diversity within fossil floras. I extensively use GIS and spatial statistics for my work, using several Open Source software packages (Quantum GIS, R Statistics package, PostgreSQL/PostGIS database). Keywords: latitudinal gradient, biodiversity, fossil, spatial statistics, GIS. |
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WEVER, Claudia
Stewart Biology Building, N4/7 (lab) or N4/6 (Office)
Office: 514-398-6409
claudia{dot}wever{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Joe Dent |
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Research Summary: |
I'm studying acetylcholine-gated chloride channels in C.elegans. I'm interested in characterizing their roles in the C.elegans nervous system as well as investigating their use as novel pesticide targets. |
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WHITELEY, Jonathan
Stewart Biology Building, N3/15, Lab: N3/1
Office: 514-398-3625 or 514-398-6414
jonathan{dot}whiteley{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Andrew Gonzalez |
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Research Summary: |
Community Ecology, consequences of Biodiversity Loss, Habitat Loss and Climate Change, shellfish aquaculture; Moss, Microarthropods (mites), nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria, intertidal marine invertebrates, marine bivalves; McGill Subarctic Research Station (Schefferville, Quebec), Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre; Gas Chromatography, Acetylene-Reduction Assay (measuring N-fixation in the field), sediment analysis; non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (MDS), multivariate analysis, experimental & field survey design; Primer (Plymouth Routines in Multivariate Ecological Research), JMP, Matlab; Dreamweaver, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, web design standards & accessibility; Microsoft Word, Excel, Access (relational database set-up & form management, including distributed replicates of databases), EndNote, Adobe Illustrator, NoteBook, Mac & Windows; Bilingual (Français & English) |
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WONG, Edward
Stewart Biology Building, W3/3
tek{dot}wa{dot}wong{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca
Supervisor: Andrew Gonzalez, Michel Loreau |
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Research Summary: |
As an evolutionary ecologist, I investigate both the theoretical synthesis and empirical evidence of spatial interactions leading to cooperation. Cooperation at every biotic level leads to the continual existence of ecosystems and life as we know it, so it is an important subject in understanding the maintenance of biotic complexity. I work with analytical models, computer simulations, and the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa to study how cooperation unfolds in different landscapes. |
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