Barry Madison

Dr. Barry Madison is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Brandon University, leading the ECOPET Lab. His research focuses on understanding how aquatic organisms respond to environmental stressors such as contaminants and climate change, with a particular emphasis on fish physiology, endocrinology, and toxicogenomics. He investigates ecological sentinel species like Hiodon tergisus and employs environmental DNA (eDNA) methodologies to assess biodiversity and contaminant impacts in regional watersheds like the Assiniboine River Basin.

Research Interests include:

• Ecophysiology & Endocrinology of aquatic organisms
• Toxicogenomics and contaminant effects
• Climate change-induced environmental shifts
• Environmental DNA (eDNA) applications
• Watershed conservation and restoration

Recent articles highlight interdisciplinary approaches to transboundary environmental justice, oil sands toxicity, and algal bloom mitigation. His NSERC Discovery Grant (2022) supports research on fish nutrition and environmental stressors.

Advising & Grants:

• Current Students: Carter Loewen, Caden Pedlow
• Past Students: Natalie Vachon, Hannah Ziegler-Blair, Kieran Taylor
• Funding: NSERC Grant, Brandon University resources

Labs/Teams:

The ECOPET Lab trains students in field and lab techniques, focusing on Manitoba’s aquatic ecosystems. Projects include eDNA methodologies, fish abundance surveys, and citizen science programs targeting invasive species.