top of page
uc-tower-summer.png

30th Anniversary
Conference & AGM

Western University | London, ON
June 12-13, 2025

AGM2025 Logo.png

We are excited to welcome you to Western University for the Laurentian SETAC's 30th Anniversaruy Conference and AGM.

 

Read below for important conference information.

2025 SPONSORS

This conference would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Click on the images below to view the sponsor websites. Interested in becoming a sponsor? View our sponsor package or contact us at info@laurentiansetac.ca for more information.

Gold Sponsors

Logo: Nautilus Environmental
Web_Syngenta-01.png

Silver Sponsors

Web_Ecoreg-01.png
Web_Dillon.png
Web - Wellington.png
Web - Ecometrix.png

Bronze Sponsors

Web - MTE.png
Web - SLR.png
Web_WSP-01.png
Web - Aquatic Omics Lab.png

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

SHORT COURSES & TOURS

Digital Resources and GenAI uses

Dr. Christine Bell, Western University

In this workshop, participants will explore how GenAI, including Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT, can be leveraged by environmental scientists, particularly in environmental toxicology, to save time and improve communication. The session will cover the benefits of using GenAI, such as drafting frameworks, summarizing regulatory documents, automating data summaries, and accelerating research synthesis, while addressing considerations like data privacy, accuracy, bias, and ethical concerns in science communication. Participants will also learn SMART prompting techniques (Situation, Mission, Audience, Request, Tone) to generate customized outputs, such as research summaries, SOPs, risk assessments, and code for data visualization. Through hands-on practice, participants will refine their prompts, troubleshoot outputs, and walk away with tailored prompts and templates for their specific needs.

In-person, Thursday, June 12 | 09:00 - 11:30

$20 students, $40 regular

Coding
Toxic Container

Toxicity Assessment in Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment

Dr. Lara Alves Beese, Dillon Consulting

Andrea Amendola, Ecometrix Incorporated

This short-course will provide an overview of toxicity assessment in environmental risk assessment, focusing on its role in estimating potential risks to human and ecological health. Key methods for deriving toxicity-based benchmarks and toxicity reference values will be discussed, with practical examples. Participants will also gain an understanding of how toxicity assessment integrates into the broader risk assessment process.

In-person, Thursday, June 12 | 12:30 - 15:00

$20 students, $40 regular

Advanced Facility for Avian Research

AFAR is a world-class facility at the University of Western Ontario for interdisciplinary studies of bird physiology. It is home to the world’s first hypobaric climatic wind tunnel for bird flight - allowing research into the physiology and fluid dynamics of bird flight in high altitude conditions. In combination with specialized indoor and outdoor holding rooms and cutting edge experimental and analytical facilities, AFAR is a leading centre for the study of avian research.

Tour 1: Thursday, June 12 | 15:00 - 15:45

hosted by Dr. Christopher Guglielmo​

Tour 2: Thursday, June 12 | 15:45 - 16:30

hosted by Dr. Scott MacDougal-Shackleton

 

$ No cost | space is limited - RSVP required

Birds by the Water
uc-tower-summer.png

Guided Campus Walk

Interested in a walk through campus with a science twist? Prior to her talk on Thursday evening, Dr. Yolanda Hedberg will lead a walk through the Western campus to identify corrosion sources, source of leachates and contamination, BINGO style. You will never look at your own campus or facilities the same way! This is an opportunity to network with scientists at the conference, get to know the campus and be outside after the short courses. More information on the meeting spot will be provided on the day of the conference. The tours can also be self-guided, and a campus map will be provided at the registration desk.

Thursday, June 12 | 16:30

$ No cost

PUB NIGHT

A jungle of chemicals around us - for better or worse

Dr. Yolanda Hedberg, Western University

Dr. Yolanda Hedberg is an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry at Western University and a Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Corrosion Science. Dr. Hedberg has expertise in corrosion science and surface chemistry of materials, particularly metallic materials, in contact with the human body and other biological environments. Research interests include corrosion of advanced metallic implant materials and metal nanoparticles in physiological and protein-rich environments. Health outcomes of interest are chemically induced allergic reactions, such as allergic contact dermatitis, and diseases and conditions involving the exposure to metals. Dr. Hedberg is particularly interested in complex corrosion mechanisms in the human body, triggered by specific physiological environments and reactions of the immune system.

s200_yolanda.hedberg.jpg

Thursday, June 12 | 18:00

$ No cost

PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Integrative analysis of environmentally driven mitochondrial and nuclear molecular variability in development, cardiovascular disease, and aging 

Dr. Christina Castellani, Western University

The Castellani Lab studies how genomics, epigenomics, mitochondromics, and environmental factors influence heart disease, aging, and development. They focus on how changes in mitochondria (the cell’s energy producers) affect gene activity in the cell’s nucleus and contribute to disease. Their research combines data analysis, cellular models, and statistical methods to explore how mitochondrial DNA affects overall cell function in the context of disease risk. Specifically, they:

​

  1. Analyze large human datasets to see how the quantity and quality of mitochondrial DNA affect nuclear genome remodelling and longitudinal disease risk.

  2. Use cell models to test how altering mitochondrial DNA affects communication between mitochondria and the nucleus.

  3. Study how environmental factors influence mitochondrial signals and their effects on health and disease

 

This research helps us understand how pollution, toxins, and other environmental stressors impact mitochondrial dynamics in cells and increase the risk of disease.

Friday, June 13 | Morning

Student Networking & Mentor Event

Join us on Friday evening to connect and network with fellow attendees and professionals in the field of environmental toxicology and chemistry. This event is a great opportunity for students to engage in discussions on career paths, work-life balance, job search tips, and more with mentors from academic, industry, and government backgrounds.

Friday, June 13 | Evening

F_dyw6oXcAAQPKF.jpeg
BCD2F6C7-D8D1-47AD-BA29-34987FA77BF9_1_102_o.jpeg

Post-conference Social

A celebration of the past year in Ontario toxicology, join us for food and drinks, while we provide closing remarks.

Friday, June 13 | Evening

FEE SCHEDULE & GRANTS

Be sure to register early!

Fees go up after May 2nd and again on May 31st.

 

Registration closes on June 6th - there will be no in-person registration available.

Early
Regular
Late
Student Non-Member
$100
$125
$175
Regular Non-Member
$125
$175
$225
Student Member
$75
$100
$150
Regular Member
$100
$150
$200

Early bird ends on May 2nd

Late fees apply after May 30th

We have travel grants available to students who require financial support to attend.

See below for information on how to apply and submit your grant application before May 2nd.

PRESENTATION GUIDELINES

PLATFORM PRESENTATIONS should be no longer than 10 minutes in length. This will be followed by a 2-minute question and discussion period. Presentations should be emailed to info@laurentiansetac.ca before the conference. More details can be found in your abstract acceptance email.

POSTERS should be no larger than 4' x 3' (122 cm x 91 cm) in landscape orientation.

Poster dimensions. A rectangle with dimensions 3 feet by 4 feet (91 x 122 cm)

Presentations will be evaluated based on the below criteria. Familiarize yourself with the judging criteria while preparing your presentation.

bottom of page