30th Anniversary
Conference & AGM
Western University | London, ON
June 12-13, 2025
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
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
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
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
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.
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:
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Analyze large human datasets to see how the quantity and quality of mitochondrial DNA affect nuclear genome remodelling and longitudinal disease risk.
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Use cell models to test how altering mitochondrial DNA affects communication between mitochondria and the nucleus.
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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
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.
Presentations will be evaluated based on the below criteria. Familiarize yourself with the judging criteria while preparing your presentation.