Hugh MacIsaac

Professor Hugh MacIsaac is affiliated with the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research at the University of Windsor. His research focuses on invasive species ecology, aquatic ecosystem dynamics, and the application of environmental DNA (eDNA) for biodiversity monitoring. He investigates the impacts of invasive species such as golden mussels and cyanobacteria on native ecosystems, including toxin effects on fish and zooplankton. His work addresses ecological consequences of biological invasions, mitigation strategies, and the development of eDNA-based detection methods.

Key research areas include:

• Ecological impacts of invasive species
• Cyanobacterial toxin mechanisms
• Ballast water management and propagule pressure
• eDNA technology validation and applications

Professor MacIsaac has advised students like MSc candidate Katherine Balasingham, who explored eDNA methods for detecting rare aquatic species. His contributions span interdisciplinary fields, integrating metabolomics, machine learning, and field experiments to advance invasion science.

He has contributed to studies on species distribution modeling, freshwater ecosystem conservation, and the physiological effects of invasive species on native organisms. His research emphasizes both fundamental ecological understanding and applied solutions to global environmental challenges.