Neil Rooney

Neil Rooney is an Associate Professor at the University of Guelph, specializing in ecosystem ecology and biodiversity science. His research focuses on understanding how ecosystems maintain stability under human-induced perturbations, particularly in aquatic environments. He holds a Ph.D. in Biology from McGill University (2002), an M.Sc. in Environmental Science from the University of Western Ontario (1995), and a B.Sc. in Ecology & Evolution (1993).

Research interests include ecosystem metabolism, food web structure, and the impacts of aquaculture, agriculture, and climate change on ecological systems. Current projects address cumulative stressor effects on aquatic food webs, aquaculture nutrient cycling, and agricultural best practices in Great Lakes watersheds. His work has been published in high-impact journals like Nature and featured in media such as the BBC and CBC.

Neil emphasizes student independence in research supervision, with weekly group meetings and open-door mentorship. His lab's findings highlight the critical role of biodiversity in stabilizing ecosystems, with recent studies focusing on trophic dynamics, climate adaptation, and sustainable food systems.