Current graduate students
Cameron Hodinka
MSc student 2022-present hodinkac_at_myumanitoba.ca My research focuses on whether trematode parasites change the behaviour of their snail hosts to promote transmission. I am recording several aspects of behaviour to determine if parasitism alters attraction between snail hosts. I am also investigating if parasitism affects the chemical profiles of hosts and whether these changes are of host or parasite origin. My research will improve our understanding of the role that chemical ecology has in parasite-modified behaviour. |
Sidney Mann
MSc student 2022-present manns5_at_myumanitoba.ca I study the transmission of parasitic nematodes from gastropods to moose. To predict where moose are most at risk of parasitism, I am determining whether the diversity and abundance of snail hosts can be predicted by abiotic factors such as temperature and soil chemistry. My results can be used by wildlife managers to estimate where moose are at highest risk of nematode parasitism (i.e., where they are most likely to consume infected snail hosts). |
Joshita Sehgal
MSc student 2023-present sehgalj_at_myumanitoba.ca My research explores the complexities of host-parasite interactions, particularly how trematode parasites manipulate the behaviour of their snail hosts. To achieve this goal, I will characterize trematode oxylipins (chemical signaling molecules) and examine their effects on the behaviour of a snail host, Stagnicola elodes. My research will provide insight into the mechanisms underlying parasite-modified behaviour, ultimately advancing our understanding of the role of chemical ecology in freshwater communities and ecosystems. |
Current undergraduate students
Caitlyn Friesen
Honours, 2023-2024; Summer research assistant, 2022 Co-supervised with Brendan Malley at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Exploring the effects of swimbladder parasites (Cystidicola farionis) on the body condition of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) in Great Slave Lake, NWT. |
Former postdocs and graduate students
Former undergraduate students
Naomi Derksen
Summer Research Assistant, 2021 NOW: Technician, Native Plant Solutions |
Mackenzie Medeiros
Summer Research Assistant 2021 NSERC Indigenous Undergraduate Student Research Award, 2021 |
Angela Rasmussen-Berrington
Summer Research Assistant, 2021 Undergraduate Student Research Award, 2021 NOW: MSc student, University of Guelph |
Ali Kandil
Summer Research Assistant, 2020 Undergraduate Student Research Award, 2020; Mick Burt Award for Outstanding Poster Presentation in the PIE section, Canadian Society of Zoologists, 2021; William C. Marquardt Award for Best Paper Presentation by an Undergraduate Student, Rocky Mountain Conference of Parasitologists, 2020 |
Jia Ming Tan
Summer Research Assistant, 2016 - 2017 Undergraduate Research Award, 2017; Faculty of Science Undergraduate Student Research Award, 2016 NOW: PharmD program, College of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba |
Osasumwen (Osy) Osifo
Summer Research Assistant, 2017 Faculty of Science Undergraduate Student Research award, 2017 NOW: Admissions Counselor, Booth University |
Tamaghna Chakraborty
Research Assistant, 2015 - 2016 |
Parisa Selseleh
Summer Research Assistant, 2015 - 2016 NSERC Research Award, 2016; Marc Dresden Student Travel grant, American Society of Parasitologists, 2016; Undergraduate Travel Support, 2016; ICAN-WISE scholarship, 2015 NOW: MD (U of Manitoba Medical School) |
David Almeida
Research Assistant, 2015 Science Without Borders student, 2015 NOW: Health agent, Maceió municipal government, Brazil |
Rachel Donnelly
Honours student, 2014 - 2015 Marc Dresden Student Travel grant, American Society of Parasitologists, 2015; Undergraduate Travel Support, University of Manitoba, 2015 |
Collaborators
Dr. Harold Aukema
Fatty acid analysis/signaling molecules University of Manitoba |
Dr. Jim Roth
Stable isotopes University of Manitoba |
Drs. Charles Criscione & Isabel Caballero - parasite mating systems and pentastomes
Texas A&M University |
Dr. Lisa Belden - ecology of trematodes
Virginia Tech |
Dr. Russell Wyeth - snail behaviour analysis
St. Francis Xavier University |
Drs. Charlene Berkvens and Trent Bollinger - parelaphostrongylid parasites in deer and moose
Assiniboine Park Conservancy; Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative |