From Montreal, to Ottawa, to Ann Arbor, and back to Montreal again: my career in mugs!
-JH
Principle Investigator
Jessica Head, PhD
I am an ecotoxicologist with expertise in developmental models (fish and birds) and toxicogenomics. My career has taken me through laboratories in industry (Pharmaceutical), academia (McGill, University of Ottawa, University of Michigan) and government (Environment Canada, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). I'm thrilled to be at McGill and in my hometown of Montreal! I am motivated to do research by my fascination with molecular biology and my passion for the natural world. Research questions that I find compelling relate to how seemingly simple relationships between exposure to chemicals and toxic effect are modulated by 'real-world' complexity (e.g. multiple stressors, variable genetic background, species-differences, variable histories of exposure). The McGill Ecotoxlab explores the fundamental science behind these questions and works towards applying our expertise to solving problems in the field of ecological risk assessment and regulatory toxicology.
I am an ecotoxicologist with expertise in developmental models (fish and birds) and toxicogenomics. My career has taken me through laboratories in industry (Pharmaceutical), academia (McGill, University of Ottawa, University of Michigan) and government (Environment Canada, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). I'm thrilled to be at McGill and in my hometown of Montreal! I am motivated to do research by my fascination with molecular biology and my passion for the natural world. Research questions that I find compelling relate to how seemingly simple relationships between exposure to chemicals and toxic effect are modulated by 'real-world' complexity (e.g. multiple stressors, variable genetic background, species-differences, variable histories of exposure). The McGill Ecotoxlab explores the fundamental science behind these questions and works towards applying our expertise to solving problems in the field of ecological risk assessment and regulatory toxicology.
Current Lab Members
Emily Boulanger, technician and former MSc student
I have always been passionate about marine biology/ecology, more specifically aquatic wildlife. Recently, I have become fascinated with ecotoxicology and the effects contaminants could have on marine mammals, birds, and fish. Many contaminants can cause birth defects, malignant tumors, and other developmental disorders in living organisms. After finishing my M.Sc. degree, which involved looking at the effects of contaminated sediments on the early life stages of fish, I am currently working at McGill University as a research assistant/laboratory technician in Dr. Jessica Head's lab. This work allows me to interact and assist many students with their projects.
I have always been passionate about marine biology/ecology, more specifically aquatic wildlife. Recently, I have become fascinated with ecotoxicology and the effects contaminants could have on marine mammals, birds, and fish. Many contaminants can cause birth defects, malignant tumors, and other developmental disorders in living organisms. After finishing my M.Sc. degree, which involved looking at the effects of contaminated sediments on the early life stages of fish, I am currently working at McGill University as a research assistant/laboratory technician in Dr. Jessica Head's lab. This work allows me to interact and assist many students with their projects.
Hugo Champagne Marchand, PhD student
I am graduated in both kinesiology and wildlife biology, which express my interests in physiology and nature. I breed ornamental fish as a hobby, hence my interest in fish reproduction and contaminants’ effects on fry. My research focuses on the early life exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and agricultural pesticide runoff on fishes. I have the opportunity of working with the copper redhorse, an endangered fish endemic to Quebec, which has a spawning season that coincides with a major agricultural flush of herbicides and pesticides.
I am graduated in both kinesiology and wildlife biology, which express my interests in physiology and nature. I breed ornamental fish as a hobby, hence my interest in fish reproduction and contaminants’ effects on fry. My research focuses on the early life exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and agricultural pesticide runoff on fishes. I have the opportunity of working with the copper redhorse, an endangered fish endemic to Quebec, which has a spawning season that coincides with a major agricultural flush of herbicides and pesticides.
Yeonseon Jeon, PhD student Watching birds has widely altered my thoughts, career, and life. The hobby led me to get interested in ecology and population genetics, to join the molecular ecology lab in Ewha Univ., South Korea, and finally to join this ecotoxicology lab in McGill Univ., Canada. My current studies are built around the transcriptomic and histological effects of ethinylestradiol exposure in birds such as Japanese quail and double-crested cormorant. Websites: www.linkedin.com/in/ysjeon. www.researchgate.net/profile/Yeon_Seon_Jeon |
| ||
Elena Legrand, Post-doctoral fellow
Daughter of sailors, I grew up with stories about the ocean. I naturally became interested in marine biology and ecology, and then in understanding the impact of chemicals in aquatic and marine organisms, which I specialized in my M.Sc. and PhD. During my PhD, I investigated the effect of endocrine disruptor compounds in an estuarine copepod. I discovered the ‘omics tools which I have been using in all my postdoctoral research projects. After working at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science - Institute of Marine & Environmental Technology, in Baltimore, MD, USA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology - Hollings Marine Laboratory, in Charleston, SC, USA, I am really happy to have joined Pr Jessica Head’s lab in Montréal, where I am investigating the molecular effects of chemicals in diverse aquatic and marine species as well as expending my horizon in avian toxicology. Twitter: @elenalegrandFR
Daughter of sailors, I grew up with stories about the ocean. I naturally became interested in marine biology and ecology, and then in understanding the impact of chemicals in aquatic and marine organisms, which I specialized in my M.Sc. and PhD. During my PhD, I investigated the effect of endocrine disruptor compounds in an estuarine copepod. I discovered the ‘omics tools which I have been using in all my postdoctoral research projects. After working at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science - Institute of Marine & Environmental Technology, in Baltimore, MD, USA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology - Hollings Marine Laboratory, in Charleston, SC, USA, I am really happy to have joined Pr Jessica Head’s lab in Montréal, where I am investigating the molecular effects of chemicals in diverse aquatic and marine species as well as expending my horizon in avian toxicology. Twitter: @elenalegrandFR
Jonathan Sangiovanni, MSc Student I was initially drawn to science to understand the chemistry behind the everyday molecular interactions in my previous career in the culinary world. Yet, keenly aware of the ongoing global shifts in climate and the effects of human activity on diverse habitats, I was instead compelled to contribute to progress in environmental research. Since, I graduated with honours from McGill University in Environmental Biology, ever favouring an interdisciplinary approach that included stints in both plant science and microbial ecology labs. Now a Master’s student in Dr. Head’s lab, my present work focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying differential sensitivity among bird species to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure.
Jonathan Sangiovanni, MSc Student I was initially drawn to science to understand the chemistry behind the everyday molecular interactions in my previous career in the culinary world. Yet, keenly aware of the ongoing global shifts in climate and the effects of human activity on diverse habitats, I was instead compelled to contribute to progress in environmental research. Since, I graduated with honours from McGill University in Environmental Biology, ever favouring an interdisciplinary approach that included stints in both plant science and microbial ecology labs. Now a Master’s student in Dr. Head’s lab, my present work focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying differential sensitivity among bird species to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure.
Paul Béziers, Post-doctoral fellow
PostDoc Mobility fellowship – Swiss National Science Foundation
I am an evolutionary biologist and ecologist, interested in understanding how organisms deal and adapt to the challenges that are inherent to their life and environment. My research line focuses on evolutionary endocrinology and ecotoxicology. I work with wild birds and domesticated species and use techniques from endocrinology and quantitative genetics to behavioural observations. I am mostly interested in questions related to stress physiology, environmental contaminants and fitness.
Publications list |Find me on ResearchGate
PostDoc Mobility fellowship – Swiss National Science Foundation
I am an evolutionary biologist and ecologist, interested in understanding how organisms deal and adapt to the challenges that are inherent to their life and environment. My research line focuses on evolutionary endocrinology and ecotoxicology. I work with wild birds and domesticated species and use techniques from endocrinology and quantitative genetics to behavioural observations. I am mostly interested in questions related to stress physiology, environmental contaminants and fitness.
Publications list |Find me on ResearchGate
Alumni
Graduate Students
Ashley Hanas, MSc 2020
Effects of Early Life Exposure to Contaminants on Stress and Stress Related Behaviour in Birds
Hanas A, Guigueno M, Fernie KJ, Letcher RJ, Chamberland F, Head JA. 2020. Assessment of the effects of early life exposure to triphenyl phosphate on fear, boldness, aggression, and activity in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) chicks. Environmental Pollution, 258:113695
Emily Boulanger, MSc 2017
Early life effects of environmental contaminants in fish
Boulanger E, Barst BD, Alloy MM, Blais S, Houde M, Head JA. 2019. Assessment of contamination of sediment using a contact assay with early-life stage zebrafish (Danio rerio). Science of The Total Environment, 659: 950-962
Early life effects of environmental contaminants in fish
Boulanger E, Barst BD, Alloy MM, Blais S, Houde M, Head JA. 2019. Assessment of contamination of sediment using a contact assay with early-life stage zebrafish (Danio rerio). Science of The Total Environment, 659: 950-962
Cynthia Franci
Franci CD, Aleksieva A, Boulanger E, Brandenburg J, Johnston T, Malinova A, Head JA. 2018. Potency of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in chicken and Japanese quail embryos. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 37 (6), 1556-1564
Jonas Brandenburg, MSc 2016
The Role of DNA methylation in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) – induced changes to AHR-signaling in developing chicken
Brandenburg J, Head JA. 2018. Effects of in ovo exposure to benzo [k] fluoranthene (BkF) on CYP1A expression and promoter methylation in developing chicken embryos. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 204:88-96
The Role of DNA methylation in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) – induced changes to AHR-signaling in developing chicken
Brandenburg J, Head JA. 2018. Effects of in ovo exposure to benzo [k] fluoranthene (BkF) on CYP1A expression and promoter methylation in developing chicken embryos. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 204:88-96
Post-docs
Camila Athanasio
Currently: post-doctoral fellow at UOIT (September 2019) in Dr. Denina Simmons laboratory
https://deninasimmons.com
Currently: post-doctoral fellow at UOIT (September 2019) in Dr. Denina Simmons laboratory
https://deninasimmons.com
Mélanie Guigueno
Currently: Assistant Professor, McGill University, Department of Biology (Jan. 2019)
https://melanieguigueno.weebly.com/
Currently: Assistant Professor, McGill University, Department of Biology (Jan. 2019)
https://melanieguigueno.weebly.com/
Matthew Alloy
Currently: post-doctoral fellow at University of Miami
https://people.miami.edu/profile/mma274@miami.edu
Currently: post-doctoral fellow at University of Miami
https://people.miami.edu/profile/mma274@miami.edu
Benjamin Barst
Currently: Professor at University of Alaska
https://basulab.weebly.com/barst.html
Currently: Professor at University of Alaska
https://basulab.weebly.com/barst.html
Undergraduate Students
|
Alexandra Zvezdin, NSERC USRA, Spring/Summer 2020
Kira-Marie Lazda, NSERC USRA, Spring/Summer 2019 Katelyn Depot, Work Study, Winter 2018 Lyell Buttermore, Honours Environmental Biology, Winter 2018 François Ste. Marie Chamberland, Honours Environmental Biology, Winter 2017 Lise Coquilleau, Honours Environmental Biology, Winter 2017 Nima Rahimi, Life Sciences Research Project, Fall 2016 Michelle-Claire Roy, Honours Environmental Biology, Winter 2016 Ariane Lismer, Life Sciences Independent Study, Fall 2015 Angelika Aleksieva, Honours Life Sciences, Winter 2015 Asya Malinova, Honours Life Sciences, Winter 2015 |
|
