Current Graduate Students
Quinn Allamby, PhD Candidate
BSc, University of Guelph Contact: [email protected] Research: "Toxicity and accumulation of microplastics in freshwater invertebrates" Microplastics are a ubiquitous contaminant that pose a major threat to organisms living in aquatic environments. These plastics are generally defined as particles smaller than 5mm, and can vary widely in their characteristics, such as polymer type and size. The effects that microplastics have on many freshwater organisms, such as invertebrates, are currently widely unknown, however, understanding how they are impacted is incredibly valuable. Invertebrates form the basis of many environmentally and economically important food webs and understanding how these particles are impacting these organisms is crucial in conserving the overall health of freshwater ecosystems. My project aims to assess the toxicity and accumulation of a variety of microplastic sizes and polymer types on different freshwater invertebrates using environmentally relevant concentrations. I hope that this research will help to propel the future field of microplastic research and help to quantify the effects of microplastics on freshwater invertebrates. 
Shane De Solla, PhD Candidate
MSc Ecology - University of Guelph Ecotoxicologist at Environment Canada Contact: Shane.DeSolla(a)ec.gc.ca; desolls(a)mcmaster.ca Research: "What the Great Lakes Herring Gull Contaminant Program tells us about contaminants, gulls, and ourselves" Following the discovery of significant reproductive failure of colonial waterbirds in the Great Lakes in the early 1970s, mostly due to high levels of lipophilic contaminants, the Great Lakes Herring Gull Contaminant Monitoring Program (GLHGCMP) was initiated in 1974. It has subsequently been used to monitor legacy contaminants (e.g. PCBs, pesticides, mercury) in herring gull (Larus argentatus) eggs annually. Beyond looking at contaminants, this program has informed us of changes in food web structure and energetics in the Great Lakes. I have a few objectives for my PhD. First, PCB levels have dropped considerably in the gulls from the Great Lakes since the 1980s, and I will test four different hypotheses to predict congener specific declines of PCBs in gulls [i) reflection of PCB burdens in diet, ii) temporal changes in environmentally bioavailable PCBs, iii) differential rates of metabolisms of individual PCB congeners, iv) predictability from the chemical properties of PCBs. Second, given that wildlife are exposed to complex mixtures of contaminants, I will develop a Wildlife Environmental Quality Index (WEQI; analogous to the Sediment and Water Quality indexes) based on the number and degree of exceedances of wildlife contaminant guidelines. Third, I will use the WEQI to differentiate the relative importance of legacy contaminants (e.g. PCBs) and recent use chemicals (e.g. PFAS) to the contaminant burden and their putative relative influence they have on the health of gulls. Lastly, I will be using a metanalysis of the literature to determine if energy reserves in wildlife can confound biomarkers, such as thyroid hormones, commonly used to assess the health of birds relative to body burdens of contaminants. 
Claire Estey, MSc Candidate BSc Environmental Science - University of Waterloo Contact: esteyc(a)mcmaster.ca Research: “Investigating the effects of chronic benzalkonium chloride exposure on biofilm, phytoplankton, and zooplankton in a mesocosm experiment” Since the onset of COVID-19, the use of disinfectants and sanitizers has increased drastically in industrial, clinical, and household settings. Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a potent antimicrobial commonly used as the main active ingredient in these disinfectants. Such widespread use has led to continuous inputs of BAC into surfaces waters, primarily via wastewater treatment plant effluent. The same mechanisms that make BAC an effective antimicrobial are those that have the potential to make BAC toxic to non-target organisms, particularly lower-trophic level aquatic organisms living downstream of wastewater treatment plants. The focus of my research is to assess the effects of chronic BAC exposure on lower trophic level organisms in a freshwater mesocosm experiment. My study is looking at the effects of five nominal BAC concentrations on the growth and productivity of biofilm and phytoplankton, as well as the abundance, diversity, and reproduction rates of zooplankton. This work is part of a larger study at the International Institute for Sustainable Development – Experimental Lakes Area looking at the fate and effects of BAC on lake ecosystems. 
John Fast, PhD Candidate
HBSc Earth and Environmental Science, McMaster University Contact: fastjj(a)mcmaster.ca Research: "Antimicrobials in aquatic organisms in waters affected by wastewater treatment plant effluent" Antimicrobial agents, including Triclosan and its associated metabolites, in many personal care products have been found to be prevalent in municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent. When this effluent is returned to the watershed after treatment, elevated levels of antimicrobial compounds can remain and have been shown to negatively affect the health of aquatic organisms. Other studies have demonstrated the potential of these compounds to cause changes in reproductive capabilities and the gut microbiome in certain aquatic species. The focus of my research will be to quantify the presence of these compounds in freshwater fish and mussels exposed to WWTP effluent in the Grand River, southern Ontario. This project will hopefully be able to establish a link between antimicrobial concentrations present in aquatic organisms and previous studies into their effects on overall ecosystem health. This may also contribute to further research into the trophic transfer of these compounds along the Grand River. 
Celine Lajoie, PhD Candidate
M.Sc. Environmental Science - University of Windsor B.Sc. Biological Sciences with Thesis (Honours) - University of Windsor Contact: lajoic1(a)mcmaster.ca Research: "The effects of forestry best management practices on mercury in boreal stream food webs" Mercury (Hg) is a contaminant of global concern and its fate in forested ecosystems is known to be affected by forestry through effects on its transport and deposition, as well as changes in carbon inputs and food web structure. Harvesting activities create conditions that enhance Hg methylation to its more toxic form, methyl mercury (MeHg), and increase the movement of Hg from soils to surface waters. The biomagnification of MeHg in aquatic food webs can lead to critically high levels of Hg in fish and increase the risk to fish consumers. To reduce the environmental impacts of harvest operations, the forestry industry uses best management practices (BMPs) to achieve sustainable forestry and management objectives. BMPs include creating buffer zones near streams and reducing impacts of road construction by installing ditches/water diversion bars. Although BMPs are effective in minimizing soil and hydrologic disturbances, little research exists on their effectiveness at preventing MeHg bioaccumulation in nearby streams. The main objective of my research is to identify BMPs that effectively reduce the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of MeHg in stream food webs. Specifically, I will be testing the effectiveness of different BMP combinations across three harvest regions near Dryden, Ontario. This research involves characterizing the structure of stream food webs and MeHg in biota at sites with and without harvesting and with different BMPs to identify those that are effective at minimizing MeHg levels in aquatic food webs. 
Manuela Gutierrez Ospina, MSc Candidate
BSc Biology - Universidad del Valle Contact: gutiem6(a)mcmaster.ca Research: “The effects of calcium nitrate additions on Boreal zooplankton communities” Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are increasing in frequency and duration in lakes and reservoirs across many regions. These blooms, often dominated by toxin-producing cyanobacteria, pose significant risks to aquatic ecosystems, public health, and local economies. HABs are often associated with eutrophic conditions, driven by excessive nutrient inputs, like phosphorus. While traditional mitigation strategies have focused on reducing phosphorus inputs, recent research suggests that managing nitrogen availability is also crucial for controlling HABs. My research focuses on assessing changes in zooplankton communities exposed to eutrophic conditions and calcium nitrate additions in a whole-lake experiment. The study aims to evaluate the effects on reproduction rates, as well as the diversity and abundance of various micro-crustacean groups and rotifers, during calcium nitrate additions in two lakes previously eutrophicated with phosphorus. 
Sara Gharouni Saffar, MSc Candidate
BSc Animal Biology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Contact: gharouns(a)mcmaster.ca Research: "Effects of quaternary ammonium compounds on the microbiomes of aquatic macroinvertebrates and their predators" The QAC (Quaternary Ammonium Compounds) projects primarily focus on investigating the environmental impact of these prevalent disinfectants and surfactants, particularly in aquatic ecosystems. Found in numerous household and industrial products, these compounds can enter water bodies and potentially affect microbial communities, aquatic organisms, and overall water quality. Research in this field often entails evaluating the persistence, toxicity, and ecological effects of QACs to establish safer usage and management practices, thereby promoting environmental sustainability. Currently, my research centers on the effects of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) on the microbiomes of aquatic macroinvertebrates and their predators. I am examining how exposure to these commonly used disinfectants influences the microbial communities within these organisms, which may have potential implications for their health and the structure of aquatic food webs. To conduct my study, I am collecting samples at the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) near Thunder Bay, Ontario, a globally recognized site for environmental research on freshwater ecosystems. 
Colleen Wardlaw, PhD Candidate
MSc Ecology - University of Western Ontario BSc Environmental Science - University of Guelph Contact: wardlac(a)mcmaster.ca Research: “The transfer of microplastics from aquatic to terrestrial foodwebs and impacts on emergent insects near municipal wastewater treatment plants” Microplastics (plastic particles < 5mm) are recognized as widespread contaminants in the environment, and wastewater treatment plant outfalls are a source of microplastics to aquatic environments. Due to their small size and ubiquity, microplastics may be ingested by a wide variety of organisms and cause adverse effects such as oxidative stress, impaired development and reproduction, reduced growth, impaired mobility, endocrine disruption and mortality. However, few studies consider the impacts of microplastics on emergent insect communities and their capacity to carry microplastics from aquatic habitats to riparian areas as emerged adults. Further, trophic transfer of microplastics from emerged insects may impact food webs, as little is known about how riparian predators are exposed to and impacted by microplastics. My study will take place at municipal wastewater treatments plants in the Grand River watershed, Ontario, and will quantify the amount of microplastics being ingested by larval insects, examine the potential transfer of microplastics from aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems through emerged insects to riparian predators and investigate how microplastics may be affecting metamorphosis and emergence of insects. This study is part of a larger investigation characterizing the exposure, effects and risks of microplastics to freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems in Canada. 
Khyla Wiltshire-Mateer, MSc Candidate
BSc Molecular Biology and Genetics - McMaster University Contact: wiltshik(a)mcmaster.ca Research: "Impact of Defoliation on the Benthic Macroinvertebrate Microbiome" Since 2006, eastern Quebec has experienced a severe outbreak of the spruce budworm, a native moth that feeds on fir and spruce trees. This outbreak causes widespread defoliation and tree death, affecting both the trees and surrounding ecosystems due to the high number of conifers in the region. My research examines how spruce budworm-mediated defoliation impacts nearby aquatic ecosystems in small headwater streams. Specifically, I study the microbiome of benthic macroinvertebrates across defoliation gradients to explore correlations between defoliation levels and the abundance and diversity of microbes within aquatic insects. My work contributes to a larger project investigating the spruce budworm outbreak in the Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec, in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada. 
Our Lab Manager My name is Samina Hayat and I am the lab manager for the Kidd lab. I did both my bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Waterloo. My MSc is on the growth of rainbow darter in the Grand River watershed. I love field work and have coordinated and done a lot of fish, macroinvertebrate and water quality sampling during my thesis research and in positions in consulting and at the University of Waterloo. I also have lots of molecular biology experience from my time working on the covid in wastewater monitoring program at the University of Waterloo. I am excited to be a part of this lab and join the lab and fieldwork fun. Lab Pictures
Having fun at the Canadian Ecotoxicity Workshop 2023
Summer picnic 2023
Summer 2022
 Spring 2021
 Summer 2020
Our award-winning Halloween costume - 2020
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