Research for Department of Biological Sciences

Our faculty and their research

Faculty members are happy to involve students in their research projects, using state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, often collaborating with other departments, community members and employers, giving you the opportunity to get hands-on experience.

Students in Biological Sciences have the opportunity to participate in field studies or gain employment with local researchers at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada, various industries and other institutions.

Faculty profiles

	John Bain is using a common roadside plant to unravel secrets of the Ice Age. Ragwort, a small, yellow "daisy-like" plant, is found across North America. Bain studies the DNA of the plant to see how it has hybridized and migrated over millions of years.	Directory Email
	Theresa Burg studies the molecular ecology of birds, the role of physical and non-physical barriers in the evolution of high latitude species, how individuals isolated in ice-free refugia during the last glaciation expanded into previously glaciated areas as the climate warmed, and how their dispersal was affected by barriers. Keywords: Historical biogeography, Population genetics, Evolutionary ecology, Molecular ecology	Directory Webpage Email
	Bill Cade studies mating behaviour and genetic variation in field crickets (Gryllus texensis), the effects of the parasitoid flies (Ormia ochracea) on mate selection among crickets, and coevolution of crickets and fly phonotactic preferences.	Directory Webpage Email
	Larry Flanagan employs experimental techniques from plant physiology, ecology, geochemistry and even meteorology to study the interactions between ecosystems and the atmosphere and how they are affected by environmental change. Keywords: Ecosystem Ecology, Plant Physiological Ecology, Global Change	Directory Email
	Cam Goater uses a combination of ecological, genetic, and cellular approaches to understand how parasites and hosts interact with each other under natural and semi-natural conditions.	Directory Webpage Email
	Roy Golsteyn studies cancer cells under laboratory conditions. He treats them with drugs or irradiation under conditions that are similar to those used in cancer clinics. Roy then uses microscopy and molecular tools to identify the proteins that help cancer cells survive conditions that normally should stop their growth or kill them. Keywords: Cancer, Cell cycle, Checkpoints, Inhibitors	Directory Webpage Email
	Alice Hontela focuses on health assessment of aquatic species exposed to agri-chemicals and metals in Western Canada and investigations of the mechanisms through which adrenotoxic chemicals interfere with the normal synthesis of corticosteroid hormones. Keywords: Physiology, Toxicology, Fish, Hormones	Directory Webpage Email
	Andrew Hurly investigates the foraging behaviour of mammals and birds; particularly the cognitive ecology of foraging and spatial orientation in birds and mammals. He also researches the impacts of cattle grazing on avian communities. Keywords: Behaviour, Cognition, Ecology, Foraging	Directory Webpage Email
	Igor Kovalchuk studies plant genome stability, with focus on internal influences, such as metabolic activity, biological clock, and development, as well as abiotic and biotic external influences, such as UVB, heavy metals, high temperatures and pathogens. A particular research focus is the epigenetic regulation of transgenerational adaptation to stress.	Directory Webpage Email
	Olga Kovalchuk focuses on genetic and epigenetic effects of acute and chronic low dose radiation exposure and their relationship to radiation carcinogenesis. She looks at tissue- and sex-specificity of radiation-induced oncogenic signaling in mammals and works towards identification of novel plant-derived radio-protective compounds.	Directory Webpage Email
	Rob Laird studies plant-insect interactions and the ecology and evolution of plant defence. He also studies theoretical biology with a special focus on the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of aging, cooperation, and non-transitive competition. Keywords: Ecology, Evolution, Plant-insect interactions, Theory	Directory Webpage Email
	Gregory Pyle studies the effects of environmental contaminants on the chemical communication systems in aquatic animals. He is able to study several aquatic species, including both vertebrate and invertebrate animals, representing different positions within a typical freshwater food web and thereby better understanding the subtle effects of environmental contamination.	Directory Email
	Joseph Rasmussen is interested in aquatic ecology, food web energetics, and conservation. Specifically, he looks at the effects of human activities on ecosystem function, fisheries, and water quality.	Directory Webpage Email
	Stewart Rood is interested in plant physiology, with emphasis on gibberellins, ecophysiology of river valley cottonwoods, and river regulation and restoration. Keywords: Tree physiology, Riparian ecology, Cottonwoods	Profile Webpage Email
	Tony Russell focuses on the structure, function and evolution of selected eukaryotic protein-RNA complexes (RNPs). His strategy employs single-celled eukaryotic microbes (specifically protists) as model systems in which to study cellular processes that are shared with more complex organisms such as humans.	Directory Webpage Email
	Elizabeth Schultz analyzes plant development using genetic and molecular techniques. Specifically, she looks at the development of leaf shape and vascular pattern in leaves of Arabidopsis.	Directory Email
	Brent Selinger studies the genetics and biochemistry of microbial hydrolytic enzymes. He also looks at biological control of cattle ectoparasites and the microbial ecology of surface waters.	Directory Webpage Email
	Jim Thomas studies cell & molecular biology, biochemistry and environmental microbiology. In particular he has been involved in the microbial assessment of water quality and assessment of microbial diversity, as well as host-pathogen interactions.	Directory Webpage Email
	Alicja Ziemienowicz studies DNA metabolism in plants. In particular, she is interested in DNA replication, repair and recombination. She is also involved in development of new/improved methods of plant transgenesis with the emphasis on application of Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation.	Directory Webpage Email