Research

Our diverse research is a strength in our department. We maintain one of the largest research based graduate student programs at UNB. We have over 20 research-active faculty and visiting researchers interested in:

• ecosystems
• aquatic biology
• terrestrial biology
• theoretical biology

Aquatic biology

Aquatic biology examines the ecology, distribution and physiology of various marine and freshwater organisms. Research topics include:

• ecology and distribution of invertebrate and vertebrate animals
• fish physiology and parasitology
• the taxonomy and systematics of aquatic organisms (such as algae, viruses, plants, and animals)

• habitat monitoring

Cell and molecular biology

Our research endeavours in cell and molecular biology include fundamental molecular genetic and biochemical mechanisms in model with organisms such as:

• viruses
• bacteria
• zebrafish
• fruitflies
• unicellular and multicellular algae

• plants

Our research topics include:

• experimental and computational investigations of gene and protein function and evolution
• the regulation of gene expression
• embryonic development
• photosynthesis
• plant-bacteria and host-parasite interactions

• the molecular basis of organelle biogenesis and the evolution of multicellularit

Ecology and evolutionary biology

We pursue a wide range of biological questions related to:

• population and community dynamics
• geographical distribution
• inter-specific interactions

• animal and plant behaviour and physiology

While aquatic systems are a particular strength, we study ecosystems around the world, in all habitat types. We also investigate micro- and macro-evolution processes at the molecular, cellular and organismal level.

Environmental and conservation biology

Biotic and abiotic environmental influences impact the ecology and conservation of key aquatic and terrestrial organisms in New Brunswick and around the world. We study factors including:

• climatic change
• chemical and physical attributes of habitat

• anthropogenic and geological impacts on individuals and populations

Genetics and genomics

We conduct experimental and computational analyses of gene and genome structure, function and evolution in a variety of model systems ranging from viruses to prokaryotes to unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes.

Organismal biology

We study ecology, behavior, development, physiology and the evolution of a variety of organisms in both a field and lab setting.