Opportunities for biology students

• Our research focuses on the ecology of phytoplankton and other aquatic microbes. We are particularly interested in how specific biochemical features in microbes affect broader processes like aquatic food webs, nutrient cycles, and climate change. 

• We study the ecophysiology of phytoplankton, with particular emphases on photosystem II and the Photosystem II inactivation/regeneration cycle,  resource allocations and Phytoplankton physiologyanalyses of the costs of growth and acclimation to environmental variation and new, integrative approaches to quantify and analyze these processes. We publish actively, collaborate widely, welcome short-term research visitors and welcome applications from qualified post-doctoral, graduate and undergraduate researchers.

We study the neurobiology of appetite, impact of stress on feeding circuitry in the brain, endocannabinoid and nitric oxide signaling and regulation of food intake in the rat, and the role of the dorsomedial hypothalamus in integrating satiety and stress signals.

We study fish ecology, behaviour and ecophysiology, spatial ecology and modelling, conservation, aquaculture and gene banking.

My research interests are in genetics and epigenetics with a focus on epigenetics disease, including cancer, Lyme and other Tick dragging tick-vectored diseases. Current projects include tick genetics, endobacteria and Lyme disease in wildlife, companion animals, and humans.

Research in my lab is focused on shorebird ecology and intertidal ecology, with attention paid to community-level interactions between birds and invertebrates, and interactions within invertebrate communities. My current research centres on movement, Bird watchinghabitat use, and diet of migrating shorebirds in Maritime Canada. We make extensive use of radiotracking technology and regularly band and flag several species of shorebirds in the field. We couple that with lab-based analyses of prey availability from samples collected in the field, stable isotope analysis of blood, and molecular sexing of birds to better understand the activities of shorebirds in this region.  I collaborate in this work with researchers from Environment and Climate Change Canada and the University of New Brunswick.

Our research focuses on understanding how vertebrates respond to environmental stress through changes in substrate use and mitochondrial function. To address this issue, we study a variety of animals that have evolved under various environmental conditions and have unique metabolic phenotypes.

Research Students:  I am interested in evolution of diatoms, particularly in their deep divergences. We infer relatedness between the groups of interest using molecular, cellular, developmental and fossil evidence. Please peruse representative publications on my web page if you would like to see specific approaches and contributions of former students (names in bold). Anyone interested in unlocking the great potentials hidden in the very small things is encouraged to inquire by sending me an e-mail or just stopping by.

Laboratory Assistant:  I often hire undergraduate Laboratory Assistants on a part-time basis, throughout the academic year and summer. This is an opportunity to learn research methods first-hand and experience the workings of a research laboratory. We establish our own diatom clones of interest, induce their sexuality and use various microscopical and molecular methods to address our research questions. Numerous previous Research Assistants have contributed data to publications and chose to participate in preparing manuscripts for publication as bona fide co-authors. If you are interested, please inquire by sending me an e-mail or just stopping by.

To become a teaching assistant you must have taken the course for which you’d like to assist. You must also have taken an online WHMIS course (offered through Moodle).  Please fill out the online application form.

You should aim to apply one month prior to the start of each semester.  You need to reapply every academic year.

As a teaching assistant you will learn additional course material and strengthen your knowledge of course topics. Teaching assistantships are also paid positions. The pay is slightly above minimum wage and is determined by your experience as a TA, so if you've been a great TA in the past you may be looking at a raise!

These positions also look great on a resume and allow you to work on skills you may otherwise not, such as interpersonal skills, grading and marking assignments and on-the-spot critical thinking. You will also develop a strong working relationship with the lab instructor, which can lead to great reference letters when applying for grad or professional schools.

Q: What does the Bio Society do?

A: The Bio Society plans and hosts various social events throughout the year, runs the Bio Advisory Committee where students share feedback about biology courses, often does clothing sales, and maintains the biology tutor list. This year, many events will be different from how they have been run in the past, but we are excited to have biology events, no matter what platform we may use. Keep an eye out for events!

Q: What does the Bio Society NOT do?

A: The Bio Society does not provide course advising. While information in this document can be used as a guide and can address problems many students run into, it should not be used as a replacement for academic advising. 

For academic and program advising, contact an academic advisor or a program advisor. The Bio Society does not provide private tutoring. While the society can match students with tutors, students pay for their tutors, and it is up to the students and tutors to work our their own agreement about tutor fees. The Bio Society is not a replacement for other student resources, but we would be happy to direct you to the appropriate academic or program advisors!

Q: How can I be involved with the Bio Society?

A: There are lots of ways to be involved with the Bio Society!

• You can participate in events! While they will be different this year, we're so excited to have events, and we can't wait to meet you.
• You can apply to be on the Bio Advisory Committee! Applications are generally due late September or early October, so keep an eye out for details.
• You can apply to be a peer tutor! If you are an upper year student and you feel confident in your understanding of course material, contact bioscience@mta.ca with the courses you would like to tutor. We will match students with tutors when there are students who are looking for tutors.
• You can follow us on social media platform! Our Instagram is @mtabiosociety. This is a great way to see what events are coming up.