http://www.aaronshafer.ca/research daily 0.75 2025-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/c733428e-24e1-48ab-b639-b847c6a90ae7/shrew.jpg Wildlife Research https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1586954685995-WPPZHRI8H50MJ7D11668/Game_preserve_2.jpeg Wildlife Research https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1489752040823-Z6E8PBX0YD6CEX5A2IU7/Figure_Box.jpg Wildlife Research http://www.aaronshafer.ca/publications daily 0.75 2024-07-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1720014541056-KN8H8F0IESSAGTI9ZVV6/Pub_cover2.jpg Publications http://www.aaronshafer.ca/home daily 1.0 2020-04-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1455832637347-2PCUBSKR1MLURFNGG95T/Pub_cover_pdf.png Wildlife and Applied Genomics https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1456059274105-2SB18GBYONULQT66VIFJ/DSC01536.JPG Wildlife and Applied Genomics https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1455819682385-WP31RMEOFXOC2IJ311VR/6999613744_d33c3828ed_o.jpg Wildlife and Applied Genomics https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1455819601997-YYEDNV9GTJLER6KJLEU8/RCircos.Demo.Human.jpg Wildlife and Applied Genomics http://www.aaronshafer.ca/popular-press daily 0.75 2023-11-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1773960187425-V87T7QP6LB050U9TUBR5/Screenshot+2026-03-19+at+6.41.24%E2%80%AFPM.png Popular & Press - Globe & Mail did a two page feature on our deer work https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1764110519432-MCM2M1GZK3AZQM0YQNNW/Screenshot+2025-11-25+at+5.41.44%E2%80%AFPM.png Popular & Press - Aaron and PSSAR called on the government https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1764110943256-K93P429O19108PRA7LL8/Screenshot+2025-11-25+at+5.48.44%E2%80%AFPM.png Popular & Press - Read about DNA in Popular Science https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1764110717550-T26HNXGOAYAYMHTDKOE3/Screenshot+2025-11-25+at+5.44.56%E2%80%AFPM.png Popular & Press - Listen to Shane Hewett's The Nightshift inteview https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1713908119439-QVEO0AQOZIXCU49L3B0V/Screenshot+2024-04-23+at+5.34.51%E2%80%AFPM.png Popular & Press - Watch the Parks Canada short film on our deer research https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1758539664674-MC12YZL3OIUET0H9N8OY/Screenshot+2025-09-09+at+11.28.17%E2%80%AFAM.png Popular & Press - Aaron spoke at Parliament on the Visa issue facing Palestinians https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1759946463386-91B9JI92L7UMOM8FUWCG/Screenshot+2025-10-08+at+1.56.24%E2%80%AFPM.png Popular & Press - The NY Times featured our recent aDNA study https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1760103822525-5WPWPW1KAT980WEC6QRP/Screenshot+2025-10-10+at+9.43.21%E2%80%AFAM.png Popular & Press - Read the Globe & Mail article on Torontoceros https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1758551199430-3H929KNEVE0ELLTAB07Y/Screenshot+2025-09-22+at+10.25.03%E2%80%AFAM.png Popular & Press - Read about epigenetic clocks in wildlife https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1752255693924-P5DS84MP7VBU1UZ2GP4W/Screenshot+2025-07-11+at+1.40.55%E2%80%AFPM.png Popular & Press - Listen to Aaron talk about graduate students stuck in Gaza https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1751976477676-IR930G8KV2EGYEVSNC6M/Screenshot+2025-07-08+at+8.07.35%E2%80%AFAM.png Popular & Press - Read CBC's story on graduate students visa delay https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1751022211140-ZQBRWABKRL9Q0M5GF798/Screenshot+2025-06-27+at+7.02.52%E2%80%AFAM.png Popular & Press - Aaron talked about Visa delays for Palestinian graduate students https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1734017477122-O3G8TL4Z6P0U5OVUWXIH/Screenshot+2024-12-12+at+10.29.26%E2%80%AFAM.png Popular & Press - Aaron talked about genetic genealogies to Global News https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1713901849291-88WHJGHNF3N2WSNRU8KK/Screenshot+2024-04-23+at+3.47.21%E2%80%AFPM.png Popular & Press - Read about Brooklyn's paper in Heredity https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1701263489717-XDXWPL6ZFHVAF2Y7TH28/Screen+Shot+2023-11-29+at+8.11.13+AM.png Popular & Press - Listen to the Heredity podcast on our mountain goat genomic study https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1694686410359-ZVEUG00T6RQVM7AIRWCV/Screen%252BShot%252B2023-09-14%252Bat%252B6.10.18%252BAM.jpg Popular & Press - Read and Watch Camille discuss our work on St-Pierre Et Miquelon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1753984654677-A754A0IEIBIROK5PKK7C/Kiana-Tidal_TL_crop-960.jpg Popular & Press - Read about Kiana's MSc research on Glacier Bays' mountain goats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1679578050921-WC8RV12NHYBSQTHOK3XB/Screen+Shot+2023-03-23+at+9.25.07+AM.png Popular & Press - Watch a story on our shrew epigenetic research https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1660311481388-8N2KNI0P0J2F9EUM45BP/Image+from+iOS.jpg Popular & Press - Read about our NSERC funded project on biomarkers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1655470453264-PV0W8ICPCI9M4VFTJL8E/DSC02652.jpg Popular & Press - Read about our ongoing deer capture study https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1602159687931-ZP966KNYG5K139FQA6J4/Photo-credit_Joe%CC%88lle-Taillon-747x500.jpg Popular & Press - Read about Aidan's publication on deer quantitative genetics https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1591709000275-35H9341NUHC7APIRVLOU/Picture1.png Popular & Press - Read about Aaron's paper in Nature Ecology & Evolution https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1596479025956-CSSCNOIXPF2APLV19ETM/Screen+Shot+2020-08-03+at+2.17.55+PM.png Popular & Press - Read Daria's article in the The Conversation https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1576506186167-0QYJH6D8YD2UJ31FMI47/OAHN%2Blogo.jpg Popular & Press - Listen to Sarah talk about CWD and the PRNP gene in Ontario https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1566297184025-PZWWZJ233MZ4G9E69VS9/lynx_in_action.jpg Popular & Press - Read about Justin’s recent paper at Molecular Ecology https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1536759760786-TKA3IM68M2BEKNOP3HSD/vanier.jpeg Popular & Press - Read about Maegwin's Vanier scholarship! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1527009928917-ZLGS34VKGHAGUO1W9AS3/Untitled.png Popular & Press - Watch Daria's WCS Fellowship video summarizing her research https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1517066672435-VC76RD8340ALJC6RPYYO/plos.jpg Popular & Press - Read PLOS Ecology's blog post about our recent publication https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1587064807906-05KRZCN8OWWSJDC0EYPD/Daria.jpeg Popular & Press - Read about Daria's G3 paper on the assembly of the mountain goat genome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1473249368865-5RC09EVLMUMZ5N5J9SZH/Science_single_page.jpg Popular & Press - Read Science Magazine's Editor's choice article about my research https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1529339822993-N6KZDVZ92FWHQ2FFW1DQ/maegwin.jpeg Popular & Press - Read about Maegwin's MUN graduation! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1570108218183-F1ENHIDQGV11AKNJH35G/global.jpeg Popular & Press - Watch Aaron talk about the labs work on wildlife genomcs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1456069214485-HS1WAB3K07HWND6JHLSN/blanket.jpg Popular & Press - Listen to the double helix inspired mountain goat blanket story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1456070894634-V6IRT0T5FDM7C4FLN8FD/ibe.jpg Popular & Press - Read about the prevalence of isolation-by-ecology tests tes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1456070632808-9TGQGWJ6MR4O6QYBQ3O9/congenomics.png Popular & Press - Read about the Conservation Genomics gap https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1473365530848-L29FCNIGB0I2L7FISKYQ/sweden.jpg Popular & Press - A few thoughts on research in Sweden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1525950581370-UD9O4M1Z0VWODDSGA3RP/IMG-20180510-WA0000.jpg Popular & Press - Read about the Peacock genome assembly https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1456072365736-ZQO8Q9F126QM4DC20OQD/Aaron_goat.jpg Popular & Press - Listen to CBC's story on mountain goat evolutioin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1456072284859-RSXR1XB18M74RNN56N02/L02.JPG Popular & Press - Read Canadian Geographic's story on the evolution of mountain goats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1473365521441-3B9BY2548SF9GXYLO2DR/nature.jpg Popular & Press - Nature News asked for Aaron's opinion on giraffe genomics! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1568034270100-VPOD9EG2PH9UODUWPSXW/aaron.jpg Popular & Press - Read about the provincial Early Researcher Award Aaron recieved https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1456072590338-0DOIUJKQK7M3ZINO47ZT/FBD_0068.JPG Popular & Press - Read about Grizzly bear genetics and management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1456074782538-I81WTAOBQYLCCUQ210C7/NShortTailedShrew23.jpg Popular & Press - Read about an endemic Canadian shrew https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1471006475166-2Z2TG3O9H2GGWYVDI5US/tme.jpg Popular & Press - Read Aaron's interview at TME on how Molecular Ecologists work https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1524833099644-T2GHWS8OES5L736GQOVZ/Gala+2018+honorees%2C+400+X+300.jpg Popular & Press - Aaron attended the Acadia University Alumni Gala http://www.aaronshafer.ca/join-the-lab daily 0.75 2022-04-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1456082097157-R4FF3OA3MWOHT54A7NGD/PhD_tree.jpg Join the Lab! http://www.aaronshafer.ca/journal-club daily 0.75 2017-04-11 http://www.aaronshafer.ca/shafer-lab-travels daily 0.75 2018-04-27 http://www.aaronshafer.ca/git-repository-widget daily 0.75 2024-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1532960547347-P98OY846GQ02LVOVE28Y/s.jpeg GIT & Genomes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1728602160512-F9DBSC4PDC5354Q7PJWD/Mountain-Goats-S21-040_hat_point_goat_odfw.jpg GIT & Genomes - Mountain goat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1728602067390-FLI14MYTAZPYGORNBGNQ/cc_Typhalatifolia1.jpeg GIT & Genomes - Broadleaf cattail https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1728602210166-CBQUME5IEGV7GQXUY7T7/Smoky_Shrew1439151274.jpeg GIT & Genomes - Smokey shrew https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1728602237999-QRRVW4K5UG0FHXBNSGZH/The-Maritime-Shrew-Sorex-maritimensis-is-one-of-only-four-mammal-species-endemic-to.png GIT & Genomes - Maritime shrew https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1728602479426-IZHTEK70YQICBWHTAMD3/5c5b0b74862bf.image.jpg GIT & Genomes - Masked shrew https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1728602529690-2RMJ67UQYRRH1NRGO1H2/shutterstock_Pampas-Large.jpg GIT & Genomes - Pampas deer http://www.aaronshafer.ca/people2 daily 0.75 2025-04-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1744388942738-0BN7EQLTJZ7SQ0GRL6R9/9G4A0049.jpg People2 - Aaron Shafer | BSc (McMaster) | MSc (Acadia) | PhD (Alberta) | PDF (Uppsala) Associate Professor | Department of Forensic Science , Environmental and Life Sciences & Applied Modeling and Quantitative Methods Graduate Programs My group uses molecular tools to reconstruct demographic events and identify the molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic variation. I am also interested in applying genomic methods to conservation and legal issues. I am an Associate Editor at Conservation Genetics. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1765663272147-5TEPN5D1ETUTHVA5HW0N/IMG-20251213-WA0002.jpg People2 - Waseem M. | BSc (Islamic University of Gaza) MSc Candidate (2026-Present) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1758108143018-LZSAJMW2I0WFEL3YDLI1/xavier.jpeg People2 - Xavier Dallaire | BSc (Sherbrooke) | MSc (Université Laval) | PhD (Université Laval) Postdoctoral Fellow (2025-Present) Xavier is leading a large population genomic analysis of eastern caribou. NSERC Alliance funded; co-advised with Steeve Côté adn Glenn Yannic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1746798789811-O41CLKJD5MC4WG4KXMGD/Luca.jpeg People2 - Luca Montana | BSc (Università di Verona) | MSc (Università di Bologna) | PhD (Sherbrooke) | PDF (DFO & Lethbridge) Postdoctoral Fellow (2025-Present) Luca is leading a large-scale epigenetic project on deer. In parternship with Wyoming Fish & Game https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1758539468623-DI8J92J7RGCH0TE1R4AY/Michelle+picture.jpg People2 - Michelle Mills | BScFB (Trent) BScFB (2026) | Forensic Biology Michelle is building a qPCR assay to quantify methylation in black bears. Co-supervised. Kayla Beauclerc https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1758108116676-5O8R99VF6P6ZNPYCPBHW/kieran.jpg People2 - Kieran Edison | BScFC (Trent) BScFC (2026) | Forensic Chemistry Kieran is using genomic data to identify the species of a very unique sample collected in northern Ontario. Stay tuned. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1744388916298-ZHSKN7498AV860KHLXUE/Jingwei.jpg.jpeg People2 - Jingwei Dai | BSc (University of Toronto) MSc Candidate (2025-Present) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program Jingwei’s project is focussed on population genomics of the Glanville fritillary butterfly Cosupevised with Dr. Michelle DiLeo (OMNRF) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1753985072431-5HQA8ZMLN0Q21RQZEB8V/Website+Picture.jpg People2 - Katie Wall | BScFB (Trent) BScFB (2027) | Forensic Biology Katie is working in the lab supporting the REST[ES] project. Thesis to come! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1713987059481-5UTOAQ1VZW540BK2GW4W/Devan.jpg People2 - Devan Desai | BScFS (Trent) MSc Candidate (2025-Present) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program Devan will be using whole genome data and pedigrees to estimate muation rates in deer and polar bear. He will also be using long read sequencing of sperm (both species) to measure recombination. Devan has been supported by a NSERC USRA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1682774341116-XFKDBT67HS3EBS0RAS10/Faezeh.jpg People2 - Faezeh Azimi Chetabi | BSc (Ershad Damavand University) | MSc (Iran University of Science and Technology) PhD Candidate (2023-Present) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program Faezeh will be looking at structural genomic variation and epigenetic diversity in black bears https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1662381287830-6ISGRW481WKIHGSC5R50/Irina.jpg People2 - Irina Badell Garcia | BSc (Universitat Pompeu Fabra) | MScFS (Universidad del País Vasco) PhD Candidate (2023-Present) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1662380896854-L36AH8E96OW0Q1G2MEEH/Lesley+Hewett+-+Shafer+Lab+Website+Photo.jpg People2 - Lesley Hewitt | BScFS (Trent) MSc Candidate (2022-Present) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program Lesley is examining molecular changes during decomposition and quantifying how they relate to post-mortem interval in collaboration with Dr. Shari Forbes and the REST[ES] facilty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1766005874466-TSAPHNRCLPB8YEKN18NI/IMG_2210.webp People2 - Marie-Laurence Cossette | BScFS (Trent) PhD (2020- 2025) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program Marie is a two-time NSERC USRA recipient and UG thesis student from the lab that is now doing her MSc with us. Marie’s thesis uses comparative genomics, methylation, and RNAseq data to explore adaptation in shrews. Marie has been supported by OGS and a NSERC CGS-M. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1761228048705-J7L4OQ7ATZY8DEJJYX0P/LopezAleman.jpg People2 - Jose Alberto López Alemán | BSc (UNAM) | MSc (CICESE) PhD (2021-2025) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program Jose conducted a large population genomics study of Typha. Co-supervised by Joanna Freeland and Marcel Dorken. Alberto started a PDF with Dr. Erica Larson at the University of Denver https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1756290651813-XR4WFOJY8JRRJWF8Z43Y/Brooklyn.jpg People2 - Brooklyn Cars | BScFS (Trent) MSc (2023-2025) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program Brooklyn identified genes associated with body size, leucism and brachygnathism in white-tailed deer. She then worked with a large data set to identify environmental drivers of antler variation. Brooklyn has been supported a NSERC USRA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1744313932224-AC4RCRJV5EECLZUJAE5M/Sara.jpg People2 - Sara Gunderson | BScFB (Trent) BScFB (2025) | Forensic Science Sara analyzed ancient DNA of mountain goats to reconstruct historical indigenous trade routes Sara has been supported by an NSERC USRA. Sara is now doing a graduate degree in Medical Genetics at UBC. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1744313902375-EF9KXSWTBFEVZ18G7T84/MorganS.jpg People2 - Morgan Safronovich | BSc (Trent) BSc (2025) | Joint Biology & Forensic Science Morgan used whole genome data to assess the genetic load of mule deer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1744313896326-GE8WYJKD1S5VFAFQ6529/Elana.jpg People2 - Elana Moeni-Azad | BScFS (Trent) BScFS (2025) | Forensic Science Elana examined spectrophotometer data from REST[ES] donor to model temporal and spatial variation. Cosupervised with Dr. Theresa Stotesbury https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1608813760696-J9FBEP4Q19Z58ELBS3KF/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_264a.jpg People2 - Camille Kessler | BSc (Université de Neuchâtel) | MSc (Université de Neuchâtel) PhD (2021-2025) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program Camille studied speciation and population genomics of Odocoileus spp. while developing an aDNA project on cervids. Camille is supported by Trent University’s International Graduate Scholarship and an Ontario Graduate Scholarship. Camille is doing a PDF with Dr. Jochen Wolf at LMU https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1725967521325-AB5SQTACF4GDB144CWF1/natalie.jpg People2 - Natalie Czajka | BSc (Queen's) MSc (2022-2024) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program Natalie built ng epigenetic clocks in white-tailed deer, black bear, and mountain goat and used methylation to predict body size in deer. Co-supervised with Joe Northrup. Natalie is now an intern with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1712682544786-VAH4BB83AOSSLM0YN94P/Stephen.jpg People2 - Stephen Sucharzewski | BSc (Trent) | Fish & Wildlife Technician Diploma (Fleming) Stephen Sucharzewski | BSc (Trent) | Fish & Wildlife Technician Diploma (Fleming) MSc (2021-2024) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program Stephen brought an extensive wildlife background to the lab. Stephen lead our deer captures and his thesis focussed on understanding deer movement. Co-supervised with Joe Northrup and Brent Patterson. Stephen is now a research biologist working for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1682594253170-6FS9552TAZZGM0UMRJ2K/Quin.jpg People2 - Quinton Brohart | BScFB (Trent) BScFB (2023) | Forensic Biology Quin helped develop bioinformatic pipelines to identify sex chromsomes in de novo genome assemblies. Quin is doing a MSc at the Univeristy of Ottawa in the lab of Dr. Arvind Mer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1712682438327-EA2EHU5JY1JJIRR0BLVJ/Joelle.jpg People2 - Joelle Palmer | BScFS (Trent) BScFS (2024) | Forensic Science Joelle’s thesis examined DNA methylation and total body scores in the context of post mortem interval (in porcine) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1712682438671-3ZU8CW38PCMP2CP1WTCR/Amanda.jpg People2 - Amanda Howard | BScFS (Trent) BScFS (2024) | Forensic Science Amanda looked for epigentic biomarkers associated with Chronic Wasting Disease. Amanda is currently doing a MSc with Paul Wilson at Trent University. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1712682544882-AG10H5FJG3Y0MC0TDGSV/cydney.jpg People2 - Cydney Rimok | BScFS (Trent) BScFS (2024) | Forensic Science Cydney quantifed variation in soil microbiome in the cadaver decomposition island (REST[ES] donors). Cydney is now Research Assistant at the McGill University Health Centre Research Institute https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1692903689716-Y9OZ4LGG7N7XZPA8YO3F/Maegwin.jpg People2 - Maegwin Bonar | BSc (Winnipeg) | MSc (Memorial University of Newfoundland) PhD Candidate (2018-2024) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program Maegwin's PhD thesis focussed on ntegrating GPS and genomic data in mule deer to better understand the drivers of movement behaviour. Co-supervised with Joe Northrup. Maegwin was a NSERC Vanier Scholar. Maegwin is currently doing a PDF with Dr. Adalgisa Caccone at Yale University https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1682594258464-9KYAA8E8LHP0VN4A8TLL/Emma.jpg People2 - Emma McKnight | BScFB (Trent) BScFB (2023) | Forensic Biology Emma used bioassay and microcosm experiments to quantify how water chemistry influences eDNA degradation rate. Cosupervised with Dr. Paul Frost. Emma is doing a MSc at the University of Toronto https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1682594247438-V0OIVIJNNI8JMQV0LB20/Reni.jpeg People2 - Reni Verasztó | Advanced Diploma in Biotechnology (Fleming College) | BScFS (Trent) EcoCanada Research Technician (2021-2022) BScFS (2023) | Forensic Science Reni analyzed the biological evidence collected from an large mock-crime scene experiment. Cosupevised with Dr. Mike Illes Reni did a MScFS at Trent University and is on the Legal Administrative Assistant at Ministry of the Attorney General https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1650907207601-M46U84YL0CV3NSFHESOL/Eric.jpg People2 - Eric Wootton | BSc (Trent) BSc (2022) | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Eric spent three summers in the lab and completed his UG thesis looking at genomic health metrics in three ungulate populations. Eric has been supported by three NSERC USRAs! Eric is doing a PhD at McGill University with Rowan Barrett. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1650907198017-QSG7D4WT4Z91KO97Y577/Megan.jpg People2 - Megan Gendron | BScFS (Trent) BScFS (2022) | Forensic Science Megan worked on characterizing methylation properties of bovine semen Co-supervised with Dr. Mike Illes. Megan did a MScFS at Trent (major project in our lab) and is now a Crime Scene Support Technician for the Toronto Police Service. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1650906320807-LV5BG17C0WDUZAC6W0D0/Ali.jpg People2 - Ali Ahmadzai | BScFS (Trent) BScFS (2022) | Forensic Science Ali use simulated mixed DNA profiles to understand the role of stutter in shaping likelihood ratios. Co-supervised with Dr. Wesley Burr https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1650906319525-8DWCMZCSTQ6TSHZVV0A4/Heather.jpg People2 - Heather Witherspoon | BScFS (Trent) BScFS (2022) | Forensic Science Heather worked on characterizing methylation properties of aging bloodstains. Co-supervised with Dr. Mike Illes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1650906407434-UM9IPGTPCZ8Z6M7ZZ6X6/phoenix.jpg People2 - Phoenix Armstrong | BScFS (Trent) BScFS (2022) | Forensic Science Phoenix developed simulations of mixed DNA profiles and explored the deconvolution module of EuroForMix . Co-supervised with Dr. Wesley Burr Phoenix is working as a techniciant at Wyndham Forensics Group https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1631640003027-4E3QYLZB2OVO1FKGNFQD/Morgan.jpg People2 - Morgan Dedato | BSc (Guelph) MSc (2019- 2021) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program Morgan has a background biology and a passion for ungulates. Her MSc thesis used genomic tools to reconstruct the demographic history and factors influencing diversity in Quebec caribou. Co-supervised with Steeve Côté Morgan now works as a caribou biologist for the Ontario Ministry of Envionment, Conservation, and Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1629989649230-R7NSL0TVG4CI72LVIRA2/Kiana.JPG People2 - Kiana Young | BSc (University of Washington) MSc (2019-2021) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program Kiana brough a background in ecology to the labe and worked extensively in the backcountry of Alaska. Her MSc thesis used genetic tools and population models to characterize population history (and future) and diversity of mountain goats in Glacier Bay National Park. In partnership with Tania Lewis (NPS). Kiana now works with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1626700709569-BJQSDC87DYUD72WP6V1P/Daria.png People2 - Daria Martchenko | BSc (McGill) | MSc (Guelph) PhD (2016-2021) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program Daria has a diverse background in statistics, ecological modelling, and programming to the lab. Her PhD thesis is ocussed on using big data (genomics) to address questions related to mountain goat demography and evolution. Daria was an Ontario Graduate Scholar. Daria is an Aquatic Scientist with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1619789962961-13MOEPQI1IOLSLVS54FY/Layla.jpg People2 - Layla MacKay | BScFS (Trent) BScFS (2021) | Forensic Biology Program Layla examined the population genetic structure of mountain goats in the Northwest Territories. Layla is doing an MSc in Genetic Counselling at McGill University https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1626700651573-4Z7A1FIKNW7W0CCIFEK3/Colin.jpg People2 - Colin Elliott | BScFS (Trent) BScFS (2021) | Forensic Science Colin quantified RNA degradation to our ongoing time since deposition models with Dr. Theresa Stotesbury. He was supported by two NSERC USRAs. Colin is now doing his PhD at UOIT. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1629990574319-8597OQ54KGAG7Z575N4X/Shane.jpg People2 - Shane Widanagama | BSc (Trent) BSc (2021) | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Shane assembled and annotated the cattail genome! Shane was been supported by two NSERC USRAs and co-supervised by Joanna Freeland Shane is now a software engineer for TD Bank https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1619790126265-EWBQGOJHQ5D7FT35XDUI/Alon.jpg People2 - Alon Gabriel | BScFS (Trent) BScFS (2021) | Forensic Science Program Alon is quantified secondary DNA transfer, notably genotype quality, under different contact scenarios between denim. Alon is the Microbiology Team Lead at Eurofins Experchem Laboratories Inc. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1609162563146-BM14XEICL0E6TL9LP3CN/Image+from+iOS.jpg People2 - Sarah Haworth | BScFS, MSc (Trent) BScFS (2017-2018) | Forensic Science MSc (2018-2020) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program Sarah's undergraduate thesis used non-invasive samples to characterize the microbiome of mountain goat populations. She is continued her work in our lab as a MSc student studying white-tailed deer genomics and disease. Co-supervised with Joe Northrup. Sarah was supported by a NSERC USRA and NSERC CGS. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1596025583766-LRJSLR66YF4FA89S8YCU/Jesse.JPG People2 - Jesse Wolf | BSc (Guelph) MSc (2018-2020) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program Jesse’s first data chapter examined the population genetic structure of mountian goats in northern British Columbia. The second chapter linked microbiome variation to movement patterns in white-taiiled deer and mountain goats. Jesse is now a Bioinformatics Analyst https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1579803707183-WRQ0AB56ZJBP73X85J6Q/Julian.jpg People2 - Julian Quintero Galvis | BSc (Universidad del Magdalena), MSc (Universidad Austral de Chile)) Visiting PhD (6 months in 2019) from Universidad Austral de Chile. Julian visited the lab learn how to apply genomic data to characterize the demographic history of Dromiciops gliroides, an endemic marsupial from Chile and Argentina. He is supervised by Dr. Roberto Nespolo. . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1586868622178-6ODG4EN6P3WZHKGYXTJW/Aidan.png People2 - Aidan Jamison | BSc (Trent) BSc (2020) | Biology Program Aidan used a large white-tailed deer data set to quantify heritability of antler and body phenotypes using genome relatedness matrces. Aidan is doing a MSc at York University. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1586868585270-MEQVCCCW8LI5SUYUN359/Veronica.jpg People2 - Veroncia Thorn | BScFS (Trent) BScFS (2020) | Forensic Science Program Veronica developed an R workflow and Shiny app that simulated genomic data under different user-defined population parameters; from these data we estimated random match probability. Co-supervised with Dr. Wesley Burr Veronica is doing a PhD at McMaster Univesrity https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1573518213454-TH29WP5HZQW0ERFXUOXE/Tamara.JPG People2 - Tamara Newell-Bell | BScFS (Trent) BScFS (2019) | Forensic Science Program Tamara quantified DNA degradation using high-resolution electrophoretic analysis and bloodstain color using CIE (i.e. color spectrophotometry) to age the deposition of blood. Co-supervised with Theresa Stotesbury; Tamara was supported by a NSERC USRA. Tamara went on to complete a MScFS and is now a Peel Regional Police Scenes of Crimes Specialist. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1573519133062-FZCBMB9CFYLIN1G2P1L4/Spencer.jpeg People2 - Spencer Anderson | BSc (Trent) | Graduate Diploma (UOttawa) MSc (2017-2019) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program Prior to joining the lab Spencer studied Population Health Risk Assessment and Management in UOttawa. His MSc thesis looked at white-tailed deer (WTD) genomics to identify genes underlying important traits and helped develop an assay that can be used to inform WTD management. Spencer is doing a PhD at UBC. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1573518202914-AFY7R8UOHX0K9R72U831/Gabriela.JPG People2 - Gabriela Borja | BSc (Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) Visiting MSc from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México - Summer 2019 Gaby conducted a landscape genomic analysis study on the Zacateca deer mouse (Peromyscus difficilis). in Mexico. She joined the lab to learn how to analyze ddRAD data! Supervisor Dra. Ella Vázquez Domínguez. Gaby is now doing her PhD looking at mouse microbiomes! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1573518251171-FWPX0VJ81TUWW0E2RV4D/Justin.JPG People2 - Justin Meröndun (né Johnson) | BSc, BA (University of Washington) MSc (2016-2018) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program Justin compared niche models of parental (canid) species and hybrids, and used epiGBS to identify signatures linked to adaptive responses in Canada lynx - visit Justin's website here. Co-supervised with Dennis Murray Justin went on to complete a PhD with Jochen Wolf at LMU and is now a postdoc with USDA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1573518216387-CMNRYXYRN7GSZSZS6ZZL/Steph.JPG People2 - Stephanie Coughlan | BSc (Trent) MSc (2016-2018) | Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program Steph developed a meta-barcoding assay and applied it to eDNA to identify aquatic (invasive) plants in Ontario tributaries. Steph is currently working at Trent Univeristy. - Co-supervised with Joanna Freeland. Steph now works for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and Trent University https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1573518168591-OG1KXDDO8FAWBNNC5AF2/Jess.jpeg People2 - Jess Breen | Advanced Diploma in Biotechnology (Fleming College) | EcoCanada Internship Research Associate (2017-2019) Jess has a background in biotechnology and laboratory protocols and managed the lab’s external contracts and projects. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1573518228178-JTHUOZW3LMZ9GFLP3EC4/Meg.jpg People2 - Meg Britt | BSc (Trent) BSc (2018) | Joint Major Biology & Forensic Science Meg conductined a meta-analysis on conservation genomic studies and used non-invasive DNA samples to estimate population parameters of mountain goats in Alaska. Meg was supported by an NSERC USRA. Meg is currently enrolled in a PhD in Biology at Queen's University https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1573518210996-I3IO9I2NPW7NKAG1TEHS/Rachel.jpeg People2 - Rachel Daggitt | BScFS (Trent) BScFS (2019) | Forensic Science Program Rachel developed a qPCR assay to test hunter harvested deer samples for the presence of Borrelia spp. that cause lyme disease. Rachel works with Kingston Police Services https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1573518460581-MJU2V1V30HRXLAK5LZ65/Rebecca.JPG People2 - Rebecca Ridings | BScFS (Trent) BScFS (2019) | Forensic Science Program Rebecca quantified the rate of secondary DNA transfer under various conditions. Rebecca was supported by an NSERC USRA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1573518152988-4KDMWE1AQSK8W9KVRT3F/Jackie.png People2 - Jackie Trink | BScFS (Trent) BScFS (2017) | Forensic Science Program Jackie's thesis was in collaboration with the RCMP where she compared two formulas used for fingerprinting in Canada and the UK. Jackie just completed a PhD in the Medical Sciences program at McMaster University. http://www.aaronshafer.ca/shutdownstem daily 0.75 2025-05-01 http://www.aaronshafer.ca/forensic-research daily 0.75 2025-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c57049356fb0f6e040db40/1586954779372-723INIW1DVWD8I9FWHKH/Ridings_feb14%2Bcopy.jpg Forensic Research