Undergraduate student research

Advisor:  Dr. James Baxter-Gilbert

Abstract:  Many long-lived species, like the Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta), are especially vulnerable to increases in adult mortality due to their reliance on high survival of this life stage to sustain their populations. In southern New Brunswick, a population experienced a significant mortality event in 2014. This year approximately 30 adult turtles were lost to avian predation. A decade later, the population’s condition and recovery trajectory remain unknown. This study aims to assess the current abundance, demographics, spatial ecology, and habitat use of this population. Concurrently, we are evaluating the potential for repatriation to support recovery. A previously confiscated adult female Wood Turtle, that was illegally removed from the wild and held in long-term captivity, was repatriated into the compromised population following physical conditioning, exposure to novel prey items, and health assessments. Mark-recapture, radio telemetry, and temperature datalogging is being used to monitor all individuals from May to October 2025. To evaluate repatriation success, we will report preliminary comparative metrics on spatial ecology data (e.g., daily movement and summer home range size) and body condition between the repatriated turtle and the wild conspecifics. Fieldwork is on-going but preliminary results will be presented. This research affords an opportunity to generate foundational information of post-disturbance population recovery and explore whether repatriation of confiscated turtles may serve as a viable conservation tool for bolstering small, vulnerable populations.

Advisor:  Prof. Karen Stentaford

Abstract:  This photography project about the consequences of foregoing career for family researched, from a mother’s perspective, how relationships change, both with self, and within the family unit as children mature into independence, and as economic realities based on systems of patriarchy and ageism reveal midlife expectations to be illusions.

Approaching visual storytelling through an intimate and poetic documentary approach, I used a medium format camera with colour and black and white film to photograph my family and our home in and around Rothesay, NB. My objectives were to explore the illusions and expectations for this stage of life as compared to the unexpected and unprepared-for reality, as I struggle to let go of my identity as a mother and find new purpose. 

This research addressed the vulnerability of ageing women, particularly stay-at-home mothers facing an empty nest, an experience underrepresented in our culture. In holding a mirror to current cultural and economic realities which promote the two-income household, this work spotlights our culture’s lack of support for parenting full-time. The implications of the research are that systematic cultural conditions limit choices for parents in raising their children. The results of this work are a documentation of the economics, sexual politics, and relational dynamics of ageing female caregivers in our current culture.
 

Advisor:  Dr. Kyle Roddick

Abstract:  Previous research has demonstrated that rats who are trained on an odour discrimination task requiring hierarchal knowledge of the odour sequence will be able to make significantly more correct decisions after repeated daily trials, indicating evidence of complex sequential learning. The present study attempts to replicate and explore these results further, collecting data on trial success and failure, time to decision, as well as odour and spatial preferences. Twelve female Long-Evans rats are undergoing trials in which they must correctly choose between two previously presented non-consecutive odours after being exposed to a sequence of five distinct odours. Combinations of choice trials vary in the number of presentations between odours, from one (e.g., odour 1 vs odour 3) to three (e.g., odour 1 vs odour 5). Data collection is ongoing; we expect to see rats make significantly more correct choices as the training period advances. Additionally, we expect to see no effects of spatial or odour preferences, providing evidence that our findings are a result of true hierarchal comprehension using the olfactory system. As the study progresses, we will attempt to draw more complex conclusions from our dataset, including possible primacy and recency effects, and comparison of learning rates with archival data. 
 

Advisors:  Dr. Tyson MacCormack and Dr. Andrea Morash

Abstract: As wild fish populations continue to decline, partly because of climate change on water temperature, farmed fish are an important alternative way to sustain human fish consumption. Many aquaculture companies have developed methods to induce triploidy in their farmed fish meaning the organism has 3 copies of each chromosome rather than 2. Triploid fish are beneficial economically because they grow faster and larger, and ecologically because they are sterile, meaning escaped fish can’t reproduce, thus protecting wild populations. However, triploid fish have been observed to respond poorly to thermal stress but the reason for this thermal sensitivity is unknown. This study examined the effects of temperature on the thermal tolerance (critical thermal maximum (CTmax)) and cardiac mitochondrial function of both triploid and diploid brook trout that were acclimated to either 14°C or 19°C. The CTmax was significantly higher in diploids than triploids acclimated to the same temperature, and significantly higher when comparing fish of the same ploidy acclimated to 19°C versus 14°C. For diploids acclimated to 14°C, the maximal mitochondrial activity was found to be 13.85405 pmol/(s∙mg) at 23°C and for triploids, the maximal activity was 23.1403 pmol/(s∙mg) at 32°C. Future directions include performing analysis on mitochondrial activity for diploids and triploids acclimated to 19°C, and performing ECGs on fish in all four groups as temperature increases to determine the temperature at the onset of arrhythmia in the heart and if this is regulated by mitochondrial function in the heart.
 

Advisor:  Dr. David Fleming

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to analyze the concentration of arsenic (As), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) in human toenails of individuals who reside in Nova Scotia, Canada, using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). XRF is an emerging method in the field of elemental analysis in biomarkers because the method is relatively simple and non-invasive for data collection. Toenail samples were sent from the Atlantic PATH study from 383 individuals who live in Nova Scotia, Canada. The mental health status and cancer history of these individuals were noted in the collection process done by the Atlantic PATH study. Arsenic in well water has been a concern as there are geological hotspots of arsenic in Nova Scotia. The samples were then measured for heavy metal characteristic X-ray emissions using a portable XRF system operated in benchtop mode.  The results will be sent to a group conducting a larger study at Dalhousie University for further analysis and to provide information on how environmental exposure in Nova Scotia to the outlined metals impacts mental health status, and to develop feasible intervention solutions. Further work will be done to determine connections between the normalized concentration results from the XRF measurements to see if there is a correlation between the results and the mental health history of the individuals.
 

Advisor:  Dr. Andrea Morash

Abstract: Aquatic ectotherms, such as brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), are pushed to their thermal extremes by global warming, posing a threat to their populations. Higher temperatures increase metabolic rates, raising mitochondrial oxygen demand for sufficient ATP production. Yet, oxygen availability to tissues falls as animals approach their thermal limits. Oxygen delivery depends on the heart, which becomes less efficient at thermal extremes, partly due to mitochondrial breakdown. However, it is unknown how the thermal limits of cardiac mitochondria affect the thermal limits of the whole animal, or if this is affected by acclimation to warmer waters. Thus, the whole animal, cardiac, and mitochondrial thermal limits were studied in S. fontinalis acclimated to either a cooler (16-21ºC) or warmer (19-24ºC) thermal cycle, mimicking natural thermal exposures. There were no differences between temperature groups in critical thermal maxima or general mitochondrial function. However, the warmer fish had smaller aerobic scopes and lower maximal rates of mitochondrial oxygen consumption when exposed to increasing temperatures. Thus, warm acclimation seems to have negatively impacted the fish. These results will contribute to our knowledge of S. fontinalis thermal physiology and to our general understanding of the intersection between physiology and ecology in the face of climate change. 
 

Advisor:  Dr. Stephanie MacQuarrie (Cape Breton University)

Abstract:  Woody biomass waste is a global problem that is especially prevalent in Nova Scotia. Twenty percent of all wood harvested is left to decay. The CharTl Research group turns this wasted woody biomass into biochar through pyrolysis and functionalizes it for high-value uses. The current functionalization methods are expensive, dangerous, involve many steps, and produce a lot of waste. Using Suzuki Cross-Coupling, carbon-carbon bonds can be made on biochar as a much safer and more sustainable functionalization method. Using pyrene as a model compound, the cross-coupling reaction was optimized using conditions of 90 °C for 6 hours. The reaction was completed on biochar using a boronic acid with an ester functional group. This was characterized, but it was not possible to determine if the reaction was successful due to the ester functional group already being present on biochar. The reaction was attempted again, this time using a boronic acid with a nitrile functional group. This cross-coupled char was characterized and showed a very clear nitrile peak on ATR-IR. This means a high likelihood that the cross-coupling reaction was successful. Next steps include determining the scope of the reaction using different boronic acids, fully characterizing the nitrile cross-coupled biochar, and attempting different reactions using the ester and nitrile added to the biochar.
 

Advisors:  Dr. Rachelle Pascoe-Deslauriers and Prof. Fraser Turner

Abstract:  In the aviation industry, women are often overrepresented in lower-paying service roles such as flight attendants or desk agents, while remaining underrepresented in leadership or STEM-related roles such as pilots or aviation executives. My research seeks to examine the barriers women face in the industry with a particular focus on the role of educational institutions. My research question asks: To what extent do education providers mitigate or enable barriers for women in aviation? By better understanding the ways in which educational institutions may be inadvertently perpetuating these barriers, I aim to provide tangible recommendations that these institutions may implement in order to better support women students pursuing aviation. Since post-secondary education is often the first point of entry into the industry for many young aviators, it is also where bias frequently begins. By addressing these biases early, educational institutions have the opportunity (and arguably the responsibility) to improve the overall culture of aviation and help the industry move towards an inclusive future.
 

Advisor:  Dr. Bryn Jones Square

Abstract:  This literature-based research project explores queerness through a lens of monstrosity. Queer identities have a history of being associated with monsters and the monstrous, however, monstrosity has also been reclaimed and celebrated by many members of the queer community. In this project, the ambiguous relationship between queerness and monstrosity is projected onto issues of identity, (il)legibility, possibility, empathy, and control, to emphasize multi-faceted queer experiences. A particular focus is given to transgender and gender non-conforming experiences. This study began by reviewing literature and theory dealing with the subject matter. To expound upon these ideas, two short stories engaging with the material were drafted and revised. The first short story explores the fraught relationship between a young woman and the double of herself that she “births” from her back; weeks spent teaching the double to live while keeping it locked up culminate in the double over-taking her life. This story plays with ideas of the gothic double, repression, self-exploration, and empathy for the self. The second short story revolves around a newly transformed “blob monster” who struggles to re-enter society with its new appearance and jumbled words. This story deals with issues of being seen but not understood, community support, and fluid, continuous development of the self.

Advisor:  Dr. Matt Litvak

Abstract:  Sturgeon (family Acipenseridae) are designated as one of the most endangered fish, with 27 sturgeon and paddlefish species being listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Namee (lake sturgeon; Acipenser fulvescens) in the Mississagi River, ON are threatened by hydroelectric development, causing habitat fragmentation and rapid changes to water levels. Changes to habitat, as well as overfishing and the introduction of invasive species has contributed to a continual decline in Namee populations over the last three generations. Namee in the Mississagi River are an important environmental indicator species, but also greatly significant to Mississauga First Nation, where Namee have been essential to the sustenance, history, and culture of the community since time immemorial. This summer I travelled to Blind River, ON to actively track Namee during a spawning run in the Mississagi River. Our lab surgically implanted 8 more Namee with acoustic transmitters on-site, adding to the 26 fish previously tagged. The active tracking data I collected will be supplemented with passive detections from a series of underwater acoustic receivers that are monitored by the Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System. By using acoustic telemetry to track the movement of Namee over time, I can identify critical habitats and migratory routes which are essential for creating effective conservation plans in the Mississagi River. Future directions for this work will be to map all tracking data, and to incorporate factors like sex and diet into analyses.

Advisor:  Dr. Joshua Kurek

Abstract:  Algal blooms are common to many lakes in New Brunswick, which not only pose a risk to aquatic ecosystems, but also human health. In recent years Nictau and Nashwaak lakes have been experiencing late-summer algal blooms, which is unusual for remote, low-nutrient lakes. I will use dated lake sediment cores to determine if zooplankton assemblages have changed since ~1900 CE. I will investigate the timing and nature of cladoceran changes and determine the environmental conditions important to structuring assemblages. Cladoceran remains are well preserved within sediments and environmental preferences are known, making them excellent bioindicators. Preliminary results show that there is a clear shift in the pelagic taxa at Nictau Lake. Assemblages have changed from being dominated by Daphnia sp., a larger bodied taxon, to being dominated by smaller bodied Bosmina longirostris-type. This phenomenon may be associated with climate change and its impacts on lake functions, such as thermal stratification and length of the ice-free period. Future efforts will focus on determining the timings of key drivers of cladoceran abundances and diversity shifts, including climate change leading to greater algal production and also legacy insecticides.

Summer Entrepreneurship to Ignite Grant

Abstract:  Pharmaceutical waste is an often-overlooked problem in hospitals, with expired stock, poorly tracked returns, and discarded but usable medications contributing to both financial loss and environmental harm. This summer, I launched MedSolve, a pilot project at The Moncton Hospital, to explore practical, data-driven solutions for reducing medication waste and improving sustainability in pharmacy operations. MedSolve began with building professional connections with hospital executives, pharmacists, and Red Cross staff, eventually securing the Director of Pharmacy as a project advisor. Under this mentorship, I conducted a sustainability assessment using the CSHP Sustainable Hospital Pharmacy Scorecard and identified key systemic issues: mismatched pill counts in automated dispensing machines, expired unopened stock, and non-expired medications thrown into red bins. In response, I proposed and initiated two pilot interventions: a three-month ward-level waste audit to collect actionable data, and a shared digital expiry log to streamline inventory control and reduce unnecessary losses. These low-barrier solutions provide immediate improvements while also laying the groundwork for MedSolve’s next phase: designing an innovative tool or machine to directly tackle hospital medication waste at the source. Beyond the local setting, MedSolve contributes to the national conversation on sustainable healthcare. I have been invited to share my findings with provincial environmental initiatives representatives and am exploring how this model could scale across Canada.

Advisor:  Dr. Jeffrey Waller

Abstract:  Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is a key algal metabolite enzymatically synthesized from methionine by a 4-step pathway. Algae synthesize DMSP in massive quantities and appear to use DMSP for osmoprotection and to cope with environmental stresses. After release into the ocean, bacteria use DMSP as a carbon and sulfur source, yielding dimethylsulfide (DMS) as a byproduct. DMS constitutes ~50% of the global atmospheric sulfur budget and may play a role in global climate regulation. DMSP biosynthesis enzymes have recently been discovered. Isotope labelling and radiometric enzyme assay were used to study the DMSP pathway in Ulva intestinalis macroalgae and Tetraselmis microalgae. This macroalgae initiates DMSP synthesis using a L-methionine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (Met AT, E.C. 2.6.1.88). The same pathway was suggested in Tetraselmis, but the gene(s) that encode it remain unidentified. The Waller group has conducted bioinformatic investigations of Tetraselmis microalgae databases. The development of high-throughput Met AT assays alongside these results, and enzyme assays suggest that another type of Met AT is present in this DMSP-producing species, distinct from that in Ulva. To uncover the gene encoding this enzyme, we have purified the Tetraselmis Met AT. Progress in characterizing this enzyme using various protein biochemistry techniques will be presented.

Advisor:  Dr. Nancy Garon

Abstract:  My research is looking at how affective empathy (understanding another's emotions via vocalizations/body language/expressions) and cognitive (being able to understand others' thoughts and feelings) are related to competition and cooperation. Research indicates that competition and cognitive empathy are related, whereas affective and cooperation are. This will be done on 3-5 year olds in daycares.

Advisor:  Dr. Andrea Morash

Abstract:  Climate change-induced temperature fluctuations have led to an increase in average water temperature and thermal variability. This presents a challenge for ectothermic cold-water fish, such as salmonids, which are sensitive to external temperatures. High-temperature conditions increase resting metabolic rates and consume a substantial amount of energy, reducing the amount of energy available for other physiological processes, such as reproduction, food consumption, growth, and locomotion. Swimming performance is crucial in determining survival and can be significantly impaired by high temperatures when energy is limited. At low swim speeds, aerobic metabolism typically fuels steady-state swimming speeds. However, when aerobic swimming can no longer be maintained, fish transition to fast spurts of exhaustive anaerobic swimming, causing severe glycogen depletion, which results in prolonged recovery times. This research aims to enhance the understanding of the metabolic recovery process and duration following high heat exposure to ensure effective conservation practices. To accomplish this we acclimated wild-caught Brook trout to a summer thermal profile of 16-21 °C based temperatures commonly observed in the Miramichi River. Then, using swim-tunnel respirometers, we measured whole-animal metabolic rate and swimming performance across a range of temperatures, followed by analysis of a suite of metabolites and cellular enzymes. Preliminary findings show that brook trout’s critical thermal maximum is lower by an average of 7 C when swimming compared to when stationary.

Advisor:  Dr. Karen Crosby

Abstract:  Insulin plays an important role in regulating blood glucose levels in the body, but did you know that it also acts in the brain? Insulin can act in brain regions that regulate energy metabolism and appetite. One particularly important site of appetite regulation is the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH), but until now, it was unknown if insulin acted in this region. We used whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology to record from living DMH neurons in brain slices from young male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. We applied 500 nM insulin to brain slices containing the DMH and observed a decrease in evoked excitatory current amplitude relative to baseline recordings. Since evoked currents are an indicator of the level of synaptic transmission between neurons, this indicates that insulin decreases neuronal communication within the DMH. We next blocked insulin receptors with antagonists for insulin receptors (HNMPA, 300 µM) and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptors (PPP, 0.5 µM) and found that insulin acts through both receptors to influence synaptic transmission. We explored changes in action potential frequency and amplitude, which are measures of neuronal excitability, and found that insulin modifies many action potential parameters. This suggests that insulin may influence neuronal excitability in the DMH. We also present preliminary data exploring the effect of fasting on neuronal responses to insulin. This work contributes to our understanding of hormones in the brain, particularly in conditions like diabetes and obesity.

Advisors:  Dr. Karen Crosby and Dr. Jill Rourke

Abstract:  Our lab has shown that phenylalanine modulates a wide range of G-protein coupled receptor’s (GPCRs) signals. GPCRs represent 1/3  of all drug targets, the mechanism of action is of high interest. In the brain, GPCRs can modulate critical receptors like NMDA, a glutamate receptor (Figure 1). This modulation has been observed in the male dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH), a region rich in glutamatergic neurons. The aim of this study was to develop and iterate on tools for probing endogenous GPCRs. Using whole cell patch clamp electrophysiology and high content image analysis of high throughput cell culture, many signalling pathways related to these GPCRs can be probed. A glutamatergic neuronal cell model is in development and shows promising results. The female dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) was probed for long term depression of evoked currents, to compare with a previously acquired male DMH set. There were no observed sex differences in long term depression. Furthermore, the permanance of the effect post-washout indicates that the effect might have a chemically active component, as opposed to classical ligand:GPCR relationships. In contrast to previous data on the phenylalanine modulation of GPCRs, these tools will allow for time precise probing of endogenous receptors. Using time precise methods for exploring the phenylalanine-based GPCR modulation is critical for uncovering its signalling pathway.

Advisor:  Dr. David Hornidge

Abstract:  The strong force is governed by the theory of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) and examines how quarks and gluons interact. The theory is well understood at high energies, however, at low energies the theory remains unsolved. Polarizability is a fundamental property that measures the stretchiness of a hadron, a bundle of quarks, in electric and magnetic fields. Since polarizability directly measures the quark interactions, it gives significant information on the strong force and quantum chromodynamics at low energies. Pion polarizability is exceptionally difficult to measure due to its extremely quick decay time. There are few measurements for charged pions and those that exist have large uncertainties which result in contradictory results. In the summer of 2022, an experiment was run with the GlueX detector in Hall D at Jefferson Lab in Virginia, where data was taken on pion runs using a linearly polarized photon beam on a Pb-208 target with additional multiwire proportional chambers for pion muon sorting. This data analysis requires reconstruction software to sort event types as well as the use of neural nets and machine learning to sift through different data channels and extract pions. These measurements of polarizability will help with understanding the strong force within simple systems, and this can then be extrapolated and integrated into the theory of QCD at low energies which will provide a better understanding of matter and our universe.

Advisor:  Dr. Vett Lloyd

Abstract:  Ticks, such as Ixodes scapularis, are notorious pathogen vectors known for their ability to transmit pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Infected individuals experience damage to tissues, joints, and the central nervous system. Climate change has created more suitable habitats for ticks in Canada and an increase in the duration of their feeding activity, which is a source of growing concern because there is higher risk for pathogen transmission. Ticks are resilient organisms, and a combination of their long life cycles and ability to survive in a wide variety of environments could be in part due to complex epigenetic interactions. The aim of this experiment is to investigate if EHMT2, a master epigenetic regulatory gene, is acting on specific target genes in Ixodes scapularis infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. To do so, two experimental groups of ticks were established through pathogen detection nPCR. Both groups of ticks will then undergo Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) to assess levels of histone methylation at epigenetic target genes by isolating methylated chromatin segments. The isolated chromatin will then be analyzed using qPCR to identify what regions were methylated. This will provide insight as to whether epigenetic regulation in infected ticks is occurring through methylation directed by EHMT2. A deeper understanding of the dynamic between pathogens and their host vectors is valuable information to hopefully prevent pathogen transmission in the future and could help mitigate the spread of Lyme disease. 

Advisors:  Dr. Vicki Meli and Dr. Jill Rourke

Abstract:  The worldwide healthcare crisis is putting care quality at risk; point of care testing (POCT) is a promising solution to this problem. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been used in the POCT field because of their manufacturing simplicity and high reproducibility, which make them a more attractive option compared to current biomarker tests. Serum amyloid A (SAA) is of interest in POCT because of its key role in the inflammatory response. The current study outlines a AuNP colorimetric test for SAA. We hypothesize a proportional relationship between SAA concentration and GNP agglomeration that will cause a visible colour change. We employed the Turkevich method for synthesis of 12.5, 18, and 25nm citrate coated AuNPs. Western blot analysis was used to detect protein levels in all samples. Baseline SAA secretion was not observed in HCT116s, MDA-MB-231s, and HTLAs, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) failed to induce an inflammatory response in HCT116s and MDA-MB-231s. SAA was detected in HTLA cell lysate once transfected with SAA plasmid; analysis of cell media was not possible. AuNP functionalization by photo-immobilization was not successful. The presence of a significant concentration of SAA is expected to cause sufficient agglomeration such that an observable colour change will occur. Additionally, we anticipate a proportional relationship between agglomeration and SAA concentration. The results of this study could provide the foundation for colorimetric AuNP tests for biomarkers that currently lack point of care testing.

Advisors: Dr. Diana Hamilton and Dr. Margaret Eng (Environment and Climate Change Canada)

Abstract:  Forever chemicals (PFAS) are a class of pollutants that are found ubiquitously across environments and have many negative impacts on wildlife, including causing cancer, behavioral and cognition issues, reproductive problems, and potentially impacting survival. Migratory shorebirds, a group that is facing accelerating population declines, are potentially at a heightened risk of exposure to forever chemicals due to their use of many coastal, wetland, and agricultural sites but our knowledge on their risk of exposure in Canada is limited. Preliminary data collected in 2024 indicated differences in PFAS contamination in blood plasma between species and sites within Maritime Canada. In 2025, we captured Short-billed Dowitchers at one site in Southwest Nova Scotia and two along the Northumberland Strait to take blood plasma samples that will be assessed for PFAS levels. Some will also be used to assess diet through dietary isotope analysis. We collected sediment cores along line transects and collected invertebrate prey items of the birds at the sites to assess prey availability, PFAS levels in prey items, and support dietary analysis. This process will be repeated for Sanderling and Dunlin, species that migrate through Maritime Canada in the fall. Our 2024 data indicated differences in contamination level between Northumberland Strait and Southwest Nova Scotia populations. PFAS levels were lower in Nova Scotia and were particularly low in Nova Scotia Dowitchers. Analysis of 2025 data will further examine this pattern.

Advisor:  Dr. Vicki Meli

Abstract:  A previous study by Fisher et al. has demonstrated electrochemical controlled and selective ligand removal of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) from Au (111) surfaces over Au (100) facets of a gold bead. Attempts to extend this phenomenon toward regioselective functionalization of gold nanorods (AuNRs) in solution, however, resulted in aggregation of the AuNRs.  In this project, we seek to develop the regioselective functionalization of gold nanorods (AuNRs) using electrochemical control, to result in stable, soluble rods suitable for self-assembly into superstructures, interfacial films and further uses in metamaterials or catalysis. Our approach entails synthesizing CTAB-AuNRs, PEGylating with polyethylene glycol thiol (COOH-PEG-SH) and backfilling with MUA. Currently, we aim to reductively desorb the thiol groups at the Au(111) surfaces at the ends of the AuNRs to fill with terphenyl-4,4-dithiol. Successful attachment should yield a greater SERS enhancement of the TPD than initial attachment to rods. UV-Vis spectroscopy will be used to detect the localised surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peaks associated with the AuNRs shape, which are expected redshift upon attachment of the AuNPs. If successful, the resulting method will provide a more general route to regioselective functionalization of the rod ends compared to current approaches.

Advisor: Dr. Joshua Kurek

Abstract:  Over the past 40 years, lake deoxygenation has become an increasingly common issue worldwide, affecting fresh water bodies at a rate of 2.75 to 9 times more than in oceans. Lack of dissolved oxygen, especially in the deep waters of a lake, can degrade water quality and facilitate potentially toxic algae blooms. Typically, deep-water deoxygenation is due to the interaction between effects of eutrophication due to excess nutrients and climatic factors. In some unusual cases, a low-nutrient lake like Yoho lake in New Brunswick can experiences oxygen depletion and algae blooms, though the exact mechanism that causes these is not fully known. Water monitoring efforts only began at Yoho Lake in 1991, so there are not sufficient existing data to confirm if these occurrences are typical for the lake. Taxa in Chironomidae are commonly found in lakes across New Brunswick and their strong associations with hypolimnetic oxygen conditions make them good bioindicators. By examining chironomid remains in lake sediments, past conditions within a lake (like level of DO) can be reconstructed based on changes in chironomid assemblages through time. The goal of this project is to see if 1) a low oxygen state is typical for Yoho Lake, 2) if not, at what point did this change begin to occur?  and 3) what are the potential drivers for this change?

Advisor: Dr. Karen Crosby

Abstract:  The dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) is a brain region involved in regulating appetite and body weight, and the stress response. Neurons in this region express receptors that respond to stress hormones. Little is known about how the relationship between stress and appetite affects DMH neurons. Since DMH neurons stimulate appetite, and appetite is generally suppressed during an acute stressor, we hypothesized that acute stress would inhibit transmission of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. We used patch clamp electrophysiology to record from living DMH neurons of female rats who experienced a single 30-minute stress. We measured evoked current amplitude before and after a high frequency stimulation (HFS), to examine long lasting changes. Acute stress decreased evoked current amplitude HFS. Recordings obtained in the presence of an endocannabinoid-CB1 receptor blocker (AM251; 5  M) showed no changes in these parameters after HFS, suggesting that the endocannabinoid system is required for the change in neuronal transmission seen under acute stress. As the global food system becomes increasingly saturated with processed and ultra-processed foods, obesity grows in parallel, with New Brunswick having one of the highest obesity levels in Canada. The mechanisms that respond to stress have not adapted to our high stress society and landscape of highly palatable foods. Women are particularly vulnerable to disordered eating behaviours when stressed, for which the neurophysiological basis is unclear. Yet, female research subjects remain underrepresented.

Advisor: Dr. Casey Pender

Abstract:  This research examines four frameworks that the Bank of Canada could adopt as part of its 2026 mandate review with the Canadian Government: flexible inflation targeting (the status quo), price-level targeting, asset-price targeting, and nominal income (NGDP) targeting. For each potential framework, I outline the logic behind its operation, along with the likely pros and cons of each. Along with these four main frameworks surveyed, I also briefly discuss more radical monetary policy proposals, such as environmentally conscious policy and socially conscious policy. After weighing the options, I conclude that the Canadian economy would benefit most from the Bank of Canada adopting a price-level target in 2026, though all options discussed have merits.

Advisor:  Dr. Mitchell LaPointe

Abstract:  Mind-wandering (MW) is defined as task unrelated thought and is associated with neuronal activity in the default mode network. The locus coeruleus norepinephrine system, which plays a central role in arousal and attention regulation, is implicated in keeping thought on task. It is understood that MW can be either intentional or unintentional, however what dictates the content of MW episodes is not known. The present study explores whether cues in the environment can bias the content of MW episodes and, further, measure attentional processing by monitoring eye gaze and pupil dilation. In Phase 1 of the study, participants will rate images on their emotional valence (i.e., positive, neutral, or negative) with each image type paired with a distinct colour. The purpose here is to bind a colour to an emotional state. In Phase 2, participants will perform the Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART), which is often used to induce MW. This task will be presented in blocks, with each block having a colour border that had previously been associated with an emotional state. While completing the SART, participants will be probed to assess whether they are mind-wandering and the content of the MW episode. It is hypothesized that emotional valence of the MW episode will be driven by the colour border which had previously been bound with an emotional state. This study aims to further our understanding of MW and attention, with a specific focus on the what drives the content of MW episodes.

Advisor:  Dr. Emily Austen

Abstract:  Many plants, unlike most animals, are capable of cloning (for example, an aloe vera plant can create a baby plant from an offshoot). Evolution models typically have different organisms competing within a population so that their genetic information can be passed on. Theoretical evolution becomes more complicated when there are many individual plants with the same genetic information. The plants of the same clone are no longer competing but are now each contributing to reproducing and increasing their genetic information within a habitat. Despite having the same genetic information and being in the same environment, plants of the same clone are always variable from each other (e.g. having different numbers of flowers or heights). Variation can have impacts mathematically, even increasing or decreasing the average result of a function. When many plants of a clone are all creating new plants for the overall benefit of the clone, they might be more influenced by the mathematical benefits of variation than single competing animals. My research is on determining if variation is occurring due to mathematical benefits for the plant by studying the clonal plant Lysimachia terrestris. 

Advisor:  Dr. Emily Austen

Abstract:  Flowering plants may invest in asexual reproduction rather than sexual reproduction at their range limits, when pollinators become less abundant. This is compelling for plants with specialist pollinators, as their specialists may become infrequent visitors at their range limits. Lysimachia terrestris (Primulaceae) is a clonal plant that reproduces asexually through bulbils and rhizomes but is also visited by the specialist oil-bee, Macropis nuda. M. nuda is a highly effective pollinator of L. terrestris, so is an important pollinator when they co-occur. This study explores whether L. terrestris shows a greater investment in cloning at its range limits than at its core, and if a shift in pollinator community may affect its sexual reproduction at its limits. At study sites in Newfoundland (NFLD, northern range limit) and New Brunswick (NB, core range), I watched patches of L. terrestris for pollinators, which I identified to the lowest observable taxonomic rank. My observations showed that the pollinator community of L. terrestris in Newfoundland is less bee-dominated, and visitation by pollinators was less frequent. There is no evidence that the important specialist bee, M. nuda, co-occurs with L. terrestris in Newfoundland. Next steps involve dissecting collected ovaries to assess seed set, and examining differences in the growth of vegetative plants and the production of bulbils in NFLD compared to NB.

Advisor:  Dr. Vett Lloyd

Abstract:  Upon infection, many parasites manipulate aspects of the host s physiology and behavior to increase transmission. These changes are underlaid by epigenetic modifications, allowing for manipulation of host gene expression. Epigenetic changes driven by pathogen infection in ticks are not well understood. And the effect of Borrelia, the causative agent of Lyme disease and the major cause of tick vectored disease in North America, is only starting to be studied. A recent discovery in the Lloyd lab indicates that histone modification, an epigenetic mechanism that regulates gene accessibility by transcription factors, is impacted in response to Borrelia infection. EHMT2, is a master epigenetic regulator implicated in the tick s stress response to pathogen infection. Its expression is 800x higher in Borrelia infected ticks. EHMT2 methylates histone three at the ninth lysine, allowing for many targets throughout the genome. To begin to understand the entirety of the mechanism employed by Borrelia to manipulate the tick host, the expression of other downstream histone modifying targets must be investigated. To complete this investigation, 40 live I. scapularis ticks were collected and infection status was determined through DNA extraction and nested-PCR. RNA extraction was then conducted on ticks infected and uninfected with Borrelia. From this RNA, cDNA was synthesized which will be used in qPCR analysis. qPCR analysis will target 10 known I. scapularis histone modifiers, providing key knowledge on the epigenetic manipulation of the tick host by Borrelia infection.

Advisor:  Dr. Jill Rourke

Abstract:  Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ involved in energy homeostasis and cell signalling. However, adipose dysregulation is linked to obesity and related metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease. It is important to further understand the pathophysiology of this metabolic disorder. A possible avenue is in Lac-Phe, an exercise-inducible metabolite produced through the condensation of lactate and phenylalanine via the CNDP2 enzyme. In obese mice, Lac-Phe treatment resulted in improved glucose homeostasis, appetite suppression, and reduced adiposity. These findings suggest a possible link between Lac-Phe and adipose tissue, but the relationship is unclear. This study investigates the effects of Lac-Phe on the physiology of adipocytes. In Lac-Phe treated adipocytes on day 12 of differentiation, Oil Red O staining showed decreased lipid accumulation. In differentiating adipocytes not treated with Lac-Phe, the gene expression of leptin, beta-actin, and adiponectin increased over time, while PPARg displayed more variable results. Additional qPCR experiments on Lac-Phe treated adipocytes will reveal the metabolite s impacts on the expression of these adipogenic genes, and on other genes associated with lipid metabilsm. Future experiments will compare glycerol release in adipocytes treated with and without Lac-Phe to evaluate the metabolite s implications on lipid breakdown. This study will contribute to the current understanding of Lac-Phe, and its possible involvement in the pathophysiology of metabolic disorders.

Advisor:  Dr. Justin Liefer

Abstract:  This project will show the extent and timing of long-term changes in lake phytoplankton communities in
response to the ongoing stressors of rising global temperatures and eutrophication, which is critical for predicting the health of lake ecosystems in the decades ahead. As part of a broader collaboration, compositional changes in phytoplankton observed in this study will be compared with concurrent trends in zooplankton and benthic invertebrate communities, which can help reveal the long-term influence of phytoplankton on higher trophic levels and oxygen conditions in lakes. The main goal of this broader collaboration is to support a new model for estimating past and future trends in lake hypoxia from invertebrate bioindicators preserved in sediments. My proposed research will help expand these modelling efforts to include phytoplankton, the ultimate driver of lake hypoxia.

Advisor:  Dr. Julia Riley

Abstract:  Habitat use and preferences of Eastern Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta picta) are relatively unknown compared to the other subspecies of Painted Turtles in North America. The ontogeny of habitat usage is especially unclear, with only two studies on juvenile Painted Turtle habitat use completed to date both on the same population of Midland Painted Turtles in Michigan. This study aims to quantify habitat preferences of juvenile Eastern Painted Turtles and compare them to adult conspecifics in the Jemseg Grand Lake watershed of New Brunswick. Turtles were hand-captured in two ponds of similar size from May to August 2025 approximately twice per week. Turtles were aged using secondary sexual characteristics, the presence and completeness of annuli, and species-specific thresholds of mid-carapace length (<166 mm for juveniles). Environmental data (water and air temperature, coverage and types of vegetation, water depth, and canopy cover) was collected at each turtle’s site of capture, as well as at a paired random location in any direction within 30 meters each turtles’ site of capture. It is expected that (1) juvenile turtles will occupy shallower areas with denser vegetation reducing their predation risk and (2) adult turtles will be more commonly found in deeper areas of these waterbodies. Preliminary data will be presented at the conference as fieldwork is on-going. With a deeper understanding of habitat usage across the life of Eastern Painted Turtles, we can begin to understand which aspects of their habitats are most beneficial to different life-stages of this species-at-risk in the Maritimes.

Advisor:  Dr. Jerry Ropson

Abstract:  My research project focused on the artist book as a tool for provoking change and critical thought. I was inspired by questions posed by artist Ann Hamilton:  How can words be an act of making? [...] What can words say now?  to further delve into the relationship between words and images in the visual art field (Baas 67). The intent behind my research was to better understand how the artist book has been used in past political contexts. Gertrude Stein states that the artist s responsibility is to recognize and respond immediately to  what the world in which we are living is doing  (Stein 176). Through acts of writing, documentation, and visual response, my goal was  to remind us of our power to make the world  (Baas 72). My research would gather poignant examples of how artists have been using the book medium to respond and raise awareness to political context from the 1960s to the present, and in particular how text as art generates impact. My output is a collection of four short essays which inspired my creative output: four artist books devoted to responding to today s political climate.

Advisor:  Dr. Nancy Garon

Abstract:  Research suggests that there are three types of preschool decision makers on the preschool gambling task. The group of interest (uncertain decision makers) do not develop a preference for a deck despite some being able to determine which deck was more beneficial. The current study explores the possibility that this behaviour is caused by intolerance to uncertainty. Intolerance to uncertainty (IU) has been found to correlate with people needing more certainty to make decisions and is highly correlated with anxiety and other mental health struggles. As a transdiagnostic risk factor learning more about IU can help further early intervention. This study aims to investigate this relationship as well as develop and test an intolerance to uncertainty task for the preschool population. Fifty children aged three to six years of age are being recruited from local preschools and daycares to complete three tasks. We are expecting to see uncertain decision makers struggle more than the other decision-making groups when outcome is not predicable and have higher scores on the new preschool intolerance to uncertainty task. Subsequently we expect scores on the preschool intolerance to uncertainty task to have a negative correlation with performance on an unpredictable task. Recruitment is currently still in progress.

Advisor:  Dr. Karen Crosby

Abstract:  The dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) is a key appetite regulatory centre of the brain and contains receptors for various neurotransmitters, including endocannabinoids (eCBs) and nitric oxide (NO). Since eCBs and NO typically have opposing effects on glutamate release, this study aimed to determine how these signals interact to affect excitatory transmission. Young Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to conduct whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology to obtain recordings of excitatory post-synaptic currents (eEPSCs) from living neurons located in the DMH. Five-minute baseline recordings were obtained prior to undergoing one of four treatments, followed by another 20 minutes of recording during the treatment. Treatments included: a) a high frequency stimulation (HFS) protocol to trigger the production of eCBs, b) application of L-NAME, an inhibitor of NO synthase, followed by HFS, c) application of WIN 55,212-2, a synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist, or d) application of L-NAME followed by application of WIN 55,212-2. A significant decrease in eEPSC current amplitude was found during the 20-25 minute interval, compared to the five-minute baseline interval, under the WIN 55,212-2 treatment. Therefore, cannabinoid receptors are present at glutamate synapses in the DMH and activating those receptors with a synthetic agonist causes a decrease in excitatory transmission. 

Advisor:  Dr. Ilaria Battiloro

Abstract:  This research project explores domestic architecture among Indigenous communities in Southern Italy during the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age. During this period, the Greek colony of Sybaris was established, exposing the Indigenous communities to Hellenic culture. The project has three main questions: first, how domestic architecture of the Indigenous Oenotrians reflects the structure of their society; second, how domestic spaces reveal the relationship formed between the Indigenous communities and the Greeks; and finally, what construction techniques were used by the Oenotrians in this region. Scholarship of Greek colonization often places an emphasis on Hellenic culture. The Greeks are depicted as a dominant society, minimizing the Indigenous cultural identities and overlooking the possibility of reciprocal influence. This project instead focuses on Indigenous communities and their settlements in order to reconstruct their society and culture.  A large part of this project was completed with the Torre Mordillo Archaeological Project (TMAP), a research initiative run by Mount Allison University which investigates the site of Torre Mordillo in order to examine the nature of Greek Indigenous relationships in the region. Additionally, this research project uses other sites in the Sibaritide, namely Broglio di Trebisacce and Francavilla Marittima. This comparison of domestic architecture across multiple settlements allows for a comprehensive understanding of the organization of Indigenous communities  societies at the time when interactions with Greek colonists began.

Advisor:  Dr. Qi Guo

Abstract:  Within the last couple of years, the government of Canada introduced multiple tax credits to increase investment and innovation of clean technology within the mineral extraction and processing industry (Canada Revenue Agency, 2024). Tax incentives are designed to increase the after-tax return on eligible projects, aiming to increase investment in specified sectors (Nussim & Sorek, 2017). Wang et al. (2022) conclude that tax incentives are effective instruments when offered to sectors with large financing constraints, indicating positive influential signals to investors. This increase in investment can correct market failures and lead to more appropriate allocation of resources, however they have been observed to be more effective when paired with non-tax macroeconomic factors such as enhanced infrastructure (Munongo et al., 2017).  While these tax incentives are intended to stimulate investment in mineral extraction and processing, their actual effectiveness remains uncertain. Canada must identify a competitive advantage through this tax policy to maintain global competitiveness against the United States and European Union, which have introduced aggressive tax incentive frameworks. Considering the novelty of these new federal tax programs, their influence on investment behaviors is yet to be fully assessed and understood. This research aims to address this gap.