MEMBERS
MEMBERS
At the beginning...
AYMERIC ROLLAND
MSc student
Aquatic organisms from the Yellowknife area (Northwest Territories, Canada) have been subjected to a chronic exposure of trace metals related to the mining activities developed in this zone. As the effects of metals on Yellowknife fish species have not been fully studied, we determine the subcellular partitioning of various metals (Ag, As, Cd, Sb, La, and Ce) in liver cells of Northern Pike (Esox lucius) and Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) to identify metals of potential concern for risk assessments. We are also interested in determining the metal-handling strategies used by these organisms as well as in examining differences in the subcellular partitioning of different metal classes.
JUSTINE HADRAVA
MSc student
The ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis) is currently used as a biomonitor to assess the urban exposure of multiple contaminants in the Montreal area. However, little is known about the impact of rare earth elements and the platinum group metals in the hepatic cells of this bird. In this regard, my MSc project has the objective to determine the subcellular partitioning of these contaminants to provide some relevant insights into the intracellular toxicity of these contaminants. We also examine whether there are differences between male and female birds in the way they handle these emerging contaminants.
FRÉDÉRIQUE PELLETIER
MSc student
Knowledge on the biodistribution of emerging contaminants, including rare earth elements and platinum group metals, among different tissues in birds is limited. To provide such information, my MSc project has the objective to compare the bioaccumulation partners of these metals in various organs/tissues of the ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis) collected from the Montreal area. We also explore the relationships between these metal concentrations and some toxicological endpoints (ROS production, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial metabolic function) measured in each tissue to examine if these metals represent an environmental risk for the birds.
See profile on ResearchGate >
JÉRÉMY DUPONT
MSc student
The Horne smelter located in the city of Rouyn-Noranda remains as one of the principal atmospheric sources of metal contamination in our province. In order to assess the deposition of these contamination in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems near the city, my MSc project has the objective to measure trace metals in larvae of Chaoborus and in lichens (Cladonia rangiferina) used as biomonitors of these ecosystems and sampled at different distances from the smelter (covering an area of 250 km2). Such measures will give us a portrait of the metal deposition levels found in this area as well as the potential differences among the trace metals measured.
JULIEN LABRIE
MSc student
Mostly all the ecotoxicological studies performed in the Yellowknife area (Northwest Territories, Canada) regarding the effects of the intensive gold mining legacy are limited to fish. To bridge the knowledge gaps on metal toxicity in invertebrates from this area, my MSc research will be focused on the subcellular distribution of As, Cd, Pb, and some rare earth elements in the amphipod Hyalella azteca. We are also performing some experiments (depuration to exclude metals from the gut content, adsorption measurements) for a better understanding of the behaviour of these metals with this biomonitor.
MARIE LEFRANC
PhD student
The effects of metal mixtures have rarely been addressed by regulatory agencies, and to address this issue, my PhD studies will determine the interaction and effects of the combination of three rare earth elements (Gd, La, Y) at realistic concentrations. Using two innovative approaches developed in our laboratory (e.g., subcellular metal partitioning approach; hyphenated techniques), my research will use three aquatic organisms (Dreissena bugensis, Chironomus riparius, Hyalella azteca) that are extensively used as biomonitors for toxicological studies.
KIMBERLY DESJARDINS
PhD student (co-supervisor)
See profile on ResearchGate >
TANIA CHARETTE
PhD student (co-supervisor)
See profile on ResearchGate >
• Véronique Corriveau (Summer Student, USRA-NSERC, 2020)
• Virginie Ricard-Henderson (Summer Student, USRA-NSERC, 2020)
• Gismonde Gnanhoue (Summer Student, 2020)
• Khaled Belghith (Summer Student, 2020)
• Alexandre Bernier-Graveline (MSc, co-supervisor, 2017-2020)
• Daphnée Gariépy (MSc, co-supervisor, 2017-2020)
• Jérémy Dupont (Summer Student, USRA-NSERC, 2019)
• Myriam Fontaine (Summer Student, USRA-NSERC, 2019)
• Hugo Ouellet (Summer Student, USRA-NSERC, 2019)
• Carolanne Penny (Summer Student, USRA-NSERC, 2019)
• Éléonore Delouvrier (Training Student, 2018)
• Alena Alonso (Training Student, 2018)
• Émilie Martel-Brosseau (Summer Student, 2018)
• Isabelle Roy (Summer Student, 2018)
• Julien Labrie (Summer Student, 2017)
• Isabel Lanthier (Summer Student, 2017)