WILKIE LAB
Principle Investigator
Dr. Michael Wilkie, Principle Investigator and Associate Professor
Email: mwilkie@wlu.ca
Phone: 519.884.1970 ext.3313
Office Location: BA437
Teaches: Human Physiology, Fish Biology
Research: Environmental Physiology and Toxicology of Ancient and Modern Fishes
Dr. Brittney Borowiec
PhD (2020) - McMaster University
​
Brittney is a PDF on a GLFC-funded project which investigating the effects of lampricides on lamprey species native to the Great Lakes region, with the goal of improving the conservation of these ecologically important but vulnerable species. She's also interested in topics like thermal and hypoxia tolerance of fishes, especially in the context of their respiratory physiology, mitochondria, and oxidative stress. Outside the lab, Brittney is a science writer with bylines in Nature, Crash Course: Zoology, BBC Science Focus, and elsewhere. www.bgborowiec.com
Matthew Trzcinski, Research Assistant
BSc (2018) - University of Waterloo
MSc (2024) - Wilfrid Laurier University
Matthew completed his MSc (Integrative Biology) at Wilfrid Laurier University under the supervision of Dr. Wilkie and currently works as a research associate in the Wilkie lab. His current projects involve quantifying markers of oxidative stress in goldfish and sea lamprey.
Dejana Mitrovic. PhD candidate
MSc- University of Ottawa
​
Dejana is investigating the physiological effects and mechanisms of TFM on sea lamprey and non-target fishes like sturgeon, trout and bluegill. Using toxicology, analytical chemistry, molecular biology and biochemical analysis to learn about how the addition of niclosamide or water temperature affect TFM toxicity.
Dejana completed her MSc in Dr. Perry's lab (University of Ottawa), focusing on hypoxia and temperature effects on goldfish gills. Dejana completed her Honours BSc at Wilfrid Laurier University with Drs. Wilkie and Smith on NMDA receptors in goldfish brain, and the effects of anoxia. Dejana has many interests and expertise that encompass everything from cell lines to whole animal physiology. She is also eager to grow her field-based and applied environmental research skills. Teaching and mentoring students are also important aspects of Dejana's doctoral journey.
Emily Bouffard, MSc candidate
​
Emily completed her BSc. in Biological Sciences at SUNY-University at Buffalo.
At Wilfrid Laurier University, her current work examines how temperature influences sensitivity and transcriptional responses to the lampricide 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) in lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens).
Her professional interests include scientific writing and communication, ecology, conservation biology, and genetics.
Dr. Derek Alsop
​​
Derek is a research associate examining the influence of temperature on TFM toxicity in the invasive sea lamprey. Derek's research interests include comparative endocrinology and toxicology.
Alumni
Dr. Oana Birceanu, Postdoctoral Fellow
PhD (2014) - University of Waterloo
MSc (2009) - Wilfrid Laurier University
Hons BSc, co-op option (2007) - Wilfrid Laurier University
Oana Birceanu was a PDF in the Wilkie lab. Her projects involved investigating forensic markers of lampricide toxicity and determining the long-term effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of lampricides on the stress response pathway in non-target fishes.
Her professional interests involve fish physiology, toxicology and the role that maternal transfer of chemicals impacts the endocrine regulation of development, growth and stress response in fish.
Adrian Ionescu, PhD Candidate (September 2014 - September 2018)
Adrian Ionescu completed his HBSc in Biology at York University. His undergraduate thesis was supervised by Dr. Donini and focused on the effects of cardio acceleratory peptide on secretion rates of Malpighian tubules in larval mosquitoes. This work resulted in Adrian’s first publication, the first to demonstrate an anti-diuretic action on Dipteran tubules. Adrian also earned his MSc in Biology in the Donini Lab, concentrating on the characterization of ammonia transport mechanism in the anal papillae of larval Aedes aegypti (yellow fever) mosquitoes. As a PhD candidate in Biological and Chemical Sciences, Adrian is currently studying the toxicological effects imparted by the lampricide TFM, on various non-target fishes of the Great Lakes.
Laura Tessier, PhD Student (September 2016 - September 2019)
Laura Tessier completed her HBSc (Biology) at Trent University, and earned her MSc under the supervision of Dr. Wilkie at WLU. Laura studied invasive sea lamprey control in the Great Lakes and quantified their metabolic scaling physiology according to body size and life stage, relating this to their sensitivity to TFM. For her PhD thesis, Laura will focus on the effects of TFM to non-target species such as juvenile lake sturgeon and rainbow trout and examine how changes to the gill microenvironment influence the uptake and toxicity of TFM to these fishes.
​
Alexandra Muhametsafina, MSc Candidate (May 2013 - April 2017)
Alexandra Muhametsafina completed her HBSc in Environmental Science at Carleton Univeristy. She became interested in fish after her second year and completed her thesis in the Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, under the supervision of Dr. Steven Cooke. She is currently a MSc candidate, examinng the effects of season and temperature on the sensitivity of larval sea lamprey to the lampricide 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM), used to control invasive sea lamprey in the Great Lakes.
Her general interests include fish, ecology, aquatic toxicology, telemetry, conservation biology, habitat protection and restoration, aquatic sciences, invasive and threatened species and community engagement, outreach and teaching.
Scott Hepditch, MSc Student (September 2015 - September 2017)
Scott Hepditch is an undergraduate student completing a BSc double degree in Biology and Physical Geography at Wilfrid Laurier University. Under the supervision of Dr. Michael Wilkie and Dr. Oana Birceanu, he is currently conducting a thesis on the toxicity and internal lethality of the common lampricides, TFM (3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol) and niclosamide (5-chloro-N-(2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-2-hydrobenzamide), on the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Scott hopes to pursue his studies in aquatic sciences to someday obtain a career involved in aquatic toxicology.
Darren Foubister, MSc Student (September 2015 - September 2017)
Darren Foubister completed his honour BSc in Biology at Wilfrid Laurier University. As an MSc candidate in Integrative Biology, Darren is currently working on a collaborative project studying the forensic markers of lampricide toxicity and mortality in non-target fishes including Rainbow Trout, Bluegill and White sucker. Darren wishes to pursue a career in marine biology.
Darren enjoys travels, sports, and long walks on the beach.
Chris White MSc Student (September 2015 - September 2017)
Chris completed his Hon. B.Sc. in Biology at Wilfrid Laurier University prior to joining the Wilkie lab as a
M.Sc. candidate. Currently he is investigating how decomposition affects forensic markers of lampricides
in non-target fish, specifically rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
Chris’ interest includes forensics, biochemistry, toxicology, and physiology. He hopes to obtain a career
working for the Ministry.
Julia Sunga MSc Student (September 2016 - September 2018)
Julia completed her H.B.Sc. in Zoology at the University of Guelph, and has now joined the Wilkie lab as an M.Sc. candidate studying lamprey physiology. She is currently working on a project investigating the nitrogenous waste excretion mechanisms of lamprey, and how these mechanisms differ between parasitic and non-parasitic lamprey.
Her research interests include environmental physiology, conservation biology, and endangered species management, and she hopes to eventually pursue a career in wildlife conservation.
Alexandra Negotei BSc Student (September 2016 - September 2020)
Alexandra Negotei is completing her BSc with a major in Health Sciences. Currently, she is enjoying her time working and learning with an Undergraduate Student Research Award from NSERC. Her project involves examining the reversible effects of anoxia on the physiology of goldfish (Carassius auratus). Alexandra hopes to one day pursue her own thesis in the field of toxicology.