Alison Fraser (President)

I have been a member of Laurentian SETAC since 1999, when I was first introduced to the group while presenting the results of my undergraduate research project with the Centre for Toxicology at the University of Guelph. After completing my undergraduate degree in Environmental Science, I went on to graduate from Trent University with a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science. My thesis focused on the development and use of models to quantify the bioaccumulation of chemicals in aquatic and terrestrial foodwebs under the supervision of Don Mackay of the Canadian Environmental Modelling Centre. I now work as an Environmental Toxicologist/Risk Assessor with Dillon Consulting in Cambridge. In the past, I have served both as a member of the Laurentian SETAC Board of Directors and as the Membership Committee Board Member Link. After a brief hiatus in my involvement with Laurentian SETAC while on maternity leave, I am excited to become more involved in the coming years. In between trying to juggle a career and family, I am determined to once again try my hand at learning to play the bagpipes!

Karen Béchard (Vice President)

I was introduced to Laurentian SETAC (LSETAC) in 2005 after completing an Honour’s B.Sc. in Biology from Queen’s University with a minor in Psychology (2005). I attended Laurentian dinner meetings and short courses while earning my Master’s in Environmental Toxicology from McMaster University (achieved in 2007). My research focused on the uptake and trophic transfer of metals from water and sediment to invertebrates and then to fish. In 2007 I presented my work to LSETAC and was privileged to receive the best student platform award, which helped prepare me for future endeavors. After graduating, I left Ontario and LSETAC for a year and moved to Nova Scotia where I immensely enjoyed the many nearby hiking trails with lake and ocean views, and worked as a Laboratory Instructor/Technician. Upon returning to Ontario in 2008 I started a career as a toxicologist and risk assessor for Geosyntec Consultants in Guelph, where I am currently employed. I also rejoined LSETAC and became an active member of both the southern Ontario dinner meeting committee and the membership committee. I am honored to be part of LSETAC and hope to contribute more meaningfully to this Society, which was a part of my personal growth, in the upcoming years.

Ève Gilroy (Treasurer)

I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biology (Ecology) from the Université de Montréal (1997), a Master’s in Biology at the University of Waterloo (2000), and a PhD in Environmental Biology/Toxicology at the University of Guelph (2008). After a post-doctoral fellowship at Environment Canada in Burlington, where I was involved on a project investigating the health of wild fish populations in the Canadian Great Lakes Areas of Concern, I was a Research Scientist at Environment Canada until June 2011. I am now seeking new opportunities.

I became a member of the Laurentian Chapter of SETAC in 2003, and joined its Board of Directors in 2005. I was also involved with the reinstatement of the Southern Ontario Dinner Meetings, which have had a great success. After serving as President of the Chapter for a year, I am happy to take a step back, and I look forward to seeing where each new year takes this dynamic group of people.

Susan Roe (Secretary)

I’ve worked at the National Guidelines and Standards Office of Environment Canada for over ten years. During this time, I’ve assessed the environmental toxicity and impact of a number organic and inorganic substances and had the opportunity to work on a several of interesting projects including the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators and the Canadian Water Quality Guidelines training program. In my current position as Head, Environmental Quality Guidelines and Protocols Development I spend a lot time trying to navigate through departmental paperwork but in my spare time I’m working with a number of sediment quality experts and researchers to update the Canadian sediment quality guidelines. I hold a B.Sc. from the University of Guelph and a M.Sc. from the University of Windsor. I enjoy many outdoor pursuits including hiking, cycling, canoeing and x-country skiing, and I’m also avid reader of Canadian literature. I’d like the privilege of serving on the SETAC Laurentian Board because I’d like to give back to the organisation that has given me relevant and fun Ottawa dinner meetings and events, and engaging annual meetings.

Paul Welsh (Past President)

I’ve been a member of SETAC for most of my academic career (since the early 1990s). My roots are in Ontario: I have a MSc from the University of Guelph (Gerry Mackie) and a PhD from the University of Waterloo (George Dixon). After graduating, I worked in Colorado first as an environmental consultant with Stratus Consulting and then as an aquatic biologist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. In 2003, I returned to Canada and have worked ever since at the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. My current position is as a Research Scientist in the Ecological Standards Section of Standards Development Branch. I’m an applied scientist at heart and have a wide range of experience with contaminated sites, ecological risk assessment, and site-specific water quality criteria development. Once back in Ontario, I rejoined Laurentian SETAC to get involved with the local activities of our society (e.g., short courses, dinner meetings, and the annual general meeting and conference). I soon found myself as the Treasurer and charged with keeping the books balanced. So far, so good – the bills are paid on time and the cheques don’t bounce. I look forward to working with you as we continue to grow our society.

Maria Colavecchia

I have worked as an environmental scientist for 10 years, specializing in aquatic toxicology and fisheries. I have worked with multidisclipinary teams on environmental assessments related to land development, power and mining. These projects included: contaminant studies at mining operations (Alberta oil sands and Environment Canada); hydroelectric dams and fish impact assessments (Newfoundland and DFO); and watersheds throughout the Great Lakes, such as the Randle Reef Remediation indicators study in Hamilton Harbour (Environment Canada) and the Lake Erie Lake-Wide Management Plan (Ministry of Natural Resources). I graduated with a B.Sc. in Biology (McMaster, 1994), a M.Sc. (University of Waterloo, 1997) and a Ph.D. in environmental toxicology (Queen’s, 2006). My volunteer activities with environmental organizations has focused on ecological restoration, environmental education/awareness, and stewardship. During my doctoral studies, I attended interesting and engaging SETAC conferences and dinner meetings. I am excited to become involved with the development and growth of L-SETAC over the next few years, and give back to an organization that has contributed to my professional growth. I have a passion for environmental conservation, awareness/education and healthy sustainable environments.

Guillaume Couillard

I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Minor in Chemistry from the University of Waterloo in 2005 and my master in Natural Resource Management from the Universite du Québec à Rimouski in 2007. Through my studies, I had the opportunity to work on dendrochronology (using isotopic signature of tree cores to model past environmental conditions) and scientometric analyses (modifying computer software’s capabilities to discover active research networks and potential avenues of future research). After completing my studies I worked for four years at Dillon consulting as a toxicologist/risk assessor. My work at Dillon was focused specifically on ecological risk assessments but I also had the opportunity to try my hands at human health risk assessment, site remediation, field work in all type of conditions all over Ontario and Québec.

Nicole Knezevich

I graduated from the University of Guelph in 2005 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Environmental Toxicology. Through the co-op program, I gained valuable experience through placements at the Dorset Environmental Science Centre (MOE) and Environment Canada. I worked as an environmental risk assessor following graduation, for just under two years, at Intrinsik Environmental Science. I am currently a PhD student at the University of Waterloo under Dr. Bruce Greenberg. My research project focuses on the use of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria-enhanced phytoremediation for in situ remediation of urban brownfields with multiple contaminants. Other research areas include the effect on phytoremediation on site specific plant soil toxicity testing, and the impact of agronomic techniques on phytoremediation. During my time at Intrinsik, I became a member of Laurentian SETAC, attending pub nights as well as the annual general meetings. In 2007, I joined the membership committee and took on the role of Membership Co-ordinator. I have also been a member of the Board for the past four years. In my spare time, I am a fitness instructor at the University of Waterloo, and participate in triathlons during the summer.

Joel Nichols

Joel Nichols obtained a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2000, and a Master of Science focusing on Aquatic Toxicology from the University of Waterloo in 2003. Joining GLOBALTOX in 2005 as a Risk Assessment Specialist / Aquatic Toxicologist, Mr. Nichols conducts human health and ecological risk assessments under a variety of regulatory frameworks, including O. Reg. 153/04, Health Canada, and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. He also provides technical support in the peer review of aquatic toxicology studies and ecological risk assessments for regulatory agencies and private sector clients. Mr. Nichols also conducts benthic invertebrate surveys and sediment toxicity assessments. Mr. Nichols previously has had work experience as a Research Technician at Wilfrid Laurier University, and as an Ecotoxicology Technician at the Florida International University Southeast Environmental Research Center, where he studied the toxicological effects of contaminants (e.g. metals and pesticides) on various aquatic organisms to contribute to the development of the Biotic Ligand Model and regulatory practices. Mr. Nichols is also a certified partner of the Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network developed by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and Environment Canada.Residing in Kitchener, Joel enjoys spending time with his family and playing hockey whenever possible. Mr. Nichols has been associated with SETAC over the past 10 years, but has never served on the Board of Directors. Established in his career, Joel hopes to bring his academic and consulting experience to the board position to support the functioning and future of the Laurentian SETAC Chapter.

Maureen Orton

Ms. Maureen Orton has 27 years experience in analytical, environmental, bioanalytical and research and development expertise in private, academic and industry laboratories. As an analytical chemist, she is committed to GLP (Good Laboratory Practices) compliance, quality assurance and customer service. Ms. Orton is an experienced laboratory supervisor skilled in cross training and motivating personnel, and developing co-operative customer service-oriented scientific teams. Ms. Orton has completed a Masters Degree in Chemistry. The focus of this research involved the development of alternative analytical methods for the analysis of PCBs at remote remediation site using Ion Mobility Spectroscopy (IMS) and also field portable gas chromatograph with dry electrolytic cell detection. The IMS methodology incorporates direct thermal desorption of PCBs from soil into an IMS analyzer. The GC method incorporates a selective detection for the detection of chlorine in organic molecules and fast separation of PCBs from contaminating matrix compounds. All analysis was conducted in co-operation with CanDetec Inc. of Campbellville ON. Course work for the completion of this degree included expanding her knowledge of environmental chemistry to include ecotoxicology and human and ecological risk assessment. During this period she has also participated in 2 contract positions as a team member responsible for analytical results and quality assurance and control during site sampling. At CanDetec Inc., Ms. Orton’s primary responsibility was for the development of environmental methods using ToxSenseä. She has been instrumental in the method development and analysis of PCBs and organochlorinated pesticides directly from soils without the need for solvent extractions; thereby providing clients with rapid, semi-quantitative, on-site field analysis with limits of detection 0.1 mg/g (ppm) for PCBs and organochlorinated pesticides. Associated responsibilities included, technical liaison with clients, liaison with contract laboratories, data QA/QC, field QA/QC, application for CAEAL accreditation, and health and safety training and supervision. Ms. Orton was instrumental in the application and acceptance of this method by the Certification of Technology Assessment by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment’s, New Environmental Technologies Evaluation Program and Environment Canada’s Environmental Technology Verification Program.

Jessica Rahn

I was first introduced to L-SETAC while working in Environment Canada’s Soil Toxicology Laboratory on a co-operative education work term in 2004. After completing my BSc. (Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph) in 2006 I accepted a position with Environment Canada’s Biological Assessment and Standardization Section in Ottawa. I work as a laboratory technician in the Soil Biotechnology Laboratory and am currently pursuing my MSc. in Environmental Biology (Toxicology) on a part-time basis through the University of Guelph. My MSc. research is examining the impact of soil contaminants on the microbial communities of boreal forest soil systems. I am very happy to currently be part of the L-SETAC Board and the AGM Committee.

Jose Luis Rodriguez Gil

I am currently a PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Keith Solomon at the Centre for Toxicology in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph. I started my scientific career at Rey Juan Carlos University (Madrid, Spain), where I obtained my B.Sc. in Environmental Sciences and later on, my M.Sc. in Environmental Science and Technology. During my undergraduate years I volunteered in the lab of Dr. Myriam Catalá, participating in the development of a toxicity bioassay based on the measurement of mitochondrial activity in fern spores. As an undergraduate student I was fortunate to spend a year on exchange at Lund University in southern Sweden. There I furthered my knowledge of toxicology, aquatic ecology and limnology, and completed my BSc thesis on the combined effect of temperature and food availability on fish populations. After graduation, I stayed in Dr. Catalá’s lab, first as a research assistant and later on as a M.Sc. student. During these four years I collaborated on the further development of the fern spore model, and other bioassays for the assessment of the toxicity of emerging pollutants (e.g. pharmaceuticals) and environmental water samples. My M.Sc. thesis addressed the application of these new methods to the routine monitoring of water quality in irrigated areas.I joined SETAC Europe on the fall of 2008, just on time to enjoy the first Young Environmental Scientist meeting, outstandingly organized by the SETAC Europe Student Advisory Council at Landau, Germany. It was there that I realized the benefits of belonging to SETAC and decided to increase my level on involvement. Having just been awarded the scholarship that took me to Canada I found myself in a bureaucratic transition between SETAC Europe and SETAC NA, which jeopardized my ability to formalize my involvement with either of the sections. Now, I have spent my first 8 months in Canada, participating as much as possible in the activities of L-SETAC (Pub nights, conference, AGM…) and I feel that I have gained the needed understanding of the structure and insights of both L-SETAC and SETAC NA to be able to develop the involvement that I have been looking for during the last few years. It would be an honour for me to collaborate with L-SETAC by adding a new “European” perspective to the Board of Directors.