Alarie
Yves Alarie’s research emphasizes the study of larval morphology of aquatic beetles. Although water beetles are among the most common insect inhabitants of freshwaters, knowledge of their larval morphology is scanty throughout the world. The identification of larvae is a continuing problem because the literature available to accomplish this is scattered, limited to certain groups, outdated, difficult to use or non-existent. Because of this, Dr. Alarie developed a framework, which facilitates comparison among species. The system of analysis focuses on study of body sensilla, which are useful both for diagnosis and study of the genealogical relationships among taxa. The study of larval features should allow more comprehensive classifications to be constructed. Larvae are under differing selection pressures and therefore show quite different features. A long-term goal of my research is to produce a more rigorous and stable classification by combining characters from larvae with other data sets including adult and molecular characters.
Appanna
Vasu Appanna’s research focus is on metabolism, and it aims to uncover how environmental stress affects microbial and mammalian cells. The former has led to discoveries on biomining and bioremediation while the latter has help identify some biochemical networks leading to obesity and neurological disorders.
Arteca
Gustavo Arteca's NSERC-funded research focuses on various areas of theoretical and computational chemistry, including fundamental quantum mechanics for chemical reactions, and statistical mechanics of chain molecules.
(1) mathematical physics of strongly-perturbed chemical systems,
(2) quantum topology of potential energy surfaces and electron densities,
(3) molecular shape transitions along reaction paths,
(4) quantum mechanics of electronic states coupled in external fields,
(5) convergence and analytical continuation of virial series near phase transitions.
(6) quantum theory of molecular similarity,
(7) topology and differential geometry of polymer chains,
(8) mathematical modeling and analysis of configurational transitions in diluted polymer solutions,
(9) protein folding dynamics and size-scaling behaviour in protein native states,
(10) statistical properties of protein primary sequences,
(11) modeling the dynamics of topologically constrained macromolecules, including the compressive behaviour of grafted polymers and transient polymer knotting.
Barriault
Chantal's research interests focus on understanding and assessing the impact of science communication strategies through the application of learning theories and cognitive science. Most recently, her PhD research investigated the learning experience of visitors to zoos and aquaria to determine the impact of live animal exhibits on visitor learning.
Basiliko
Microorganisms play vital roles in ecosystems. Our group’s work explores soil and sediment microbial communities and microorganisms. In particular, we focus on microbial responses to human-induced environmental changes that have consequences for greenhouse gas fluxes, nutrient, pollutant, and carbon dynamics, as well as broader ecosystem sustainability. Current research projects are in applied settings (e.g. in landscapes with managed forests) with important governmental and private sector research partners. However, we also explore more universal controls on microbial diversity in soils, links between diversity and activity, and are interested in how different soil microbial communities transform plant tissues into soil organic matter and then subsequently decompose this organic matter to mineral products, including greenhouse gases. Field research sites span the temperate and boreal forests of eastern and central Canada and temperate to permafrost peatlands (globally important carbon-accumulating wetlands with organic soils) across North America and beyond. Lately research has expanded in to exploring novel microalgae in industrial settings in collaboration with a team in Chemical Engineering at Laurentian (ONGEN).
Belzile
Biogeochemical behaviour of toxic trace elements (Se, Hg, Sb, As, Te) in aquatic systems. Distribution, speciation and bioavailability. Toxic effects of selenium in waterfowl. Reactivity and valorization of mine tailings. Mine water treatment. Low-cost adsorbents for wastewater treatments.
Bobyn
Human identification from challenged DNA samples is not always possible using current protocols in the traditional forensic laboratory, so new methods must be developed. My research focuses on the DNA analysis of compromised evidence samples, and optimal methods of detecting and sampling trace/touch human DNA on evidential-type materials. My research also involves studying seasonal changes during bodily decomposition in northern environments. Due to the difficulty in obtaining appropriate samples of human origin, testing the effects of various treatments and environments on the success of developing DNA profiles from human remains can be limited in scope. Pigs provide excellent models for forensic studies, as samples resulting from a variety of experimental conditions can be collected and analyzed with the same methods used in forensic human identification; we can use porcine samples for training students in all the steps involved in forensic DNA analysis in the typical forensic laboratory, as well as developing new analytical methodologies.
Chahma
Our group is focused on the detection of biomolecules using chiral conducting surfaces (chiral electrodes). Our methodology displays several advantages such as i) easy to prepare and control the thickness, ii) carrying several chemical functionalities that allows an easier functionalization of the conducting surfaces as well as the introduction of new molecules with different electronic/optical properties iii) stability and regeneration of the conducting surfaces, and iv) facilitating immobilization and sensing of the desired molecules. In order to prepare chiral electrode, several mono and terthiophenes bearing amino acids such as (D/L)-alanine, (D/L)-leucine and (D/L)-proline have been prepared. We are also interested in the synthesis and characterization of materials with multi-properties combining properties of conducting materials (polythiophenes) and stable radicals (nitroxides and verdazyl radicals), which will have application in energy storage. The presence of such radicals may affect the conducting and optical properties of these electrodes. For the first time, verdazyl radical has been prepared by electrochemical oxidation of the precursor (see New J. Chem. 2015, 39, 7738-7741. Letter)
Currie
Krista Currie is an expert in forensic DNA identification and analysis of biological evidence. She has 12 years of professional forensic science experience within the Department of Forensic Biology at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner. For the majority of her career, she was in a supervisory position where she supervised and trained junior forensic scientists, managed several projects including cold case and post-conviction DNA testing, and managed thousands of criminal cases. She has experience with responding to mass fatality incidents to aid in disaster victim identification and has testified as an expert witness. Her research interests include the analysis of DNA from pristine and compromised biological samples, human population genetics, investigation and optimization of new methodologies for DNA identification, and the transfer of biological material.
Fairgrieve
Dr. Fairgrieve's research is concentrated on the effects of fire on the human skeleton in forensic contexts. Particularly, Dr. Fairgrieve is interested in the effects fire has on our ability to detect and interpret cut marks, stab wounds, and other forms of trauma on skeletal tissues. Dr. Fairgrieve's research has also included collaborative research in the areas of forensic botany, and bloodstain pattern interpretation.