معرفی
Dr. Caren Helbing is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at the University of Victoria (UVic), Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying thyroid hormone signaling, environmental pollutant impacts, and innovative applications of environmental DNA (eDNA) for ecological and health monitoring. She leads a lab with expertise in genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics, addressing planetary health challenges.
Education: BSc (Honours) from the University of Windsor and a PhD from the University of Western Ontario. Her work spans interdisciplinary projects, including antimicrobial peptide discovery, eDNA-based wildlife surveillance, and pollution effects on endocrine systems.
- Research Themes:
- Thyroid hormone disruption by contaminants
- eDNA applications for biodiversity and pollution assessment
- Antimicrobial peptides as antibiotic alternatives
Her lab collaborates on projects like the PISCeS initiative for eDNA standardization and develops tools such as TerraDactyl for environmental data integration. The lab includes graduate and undergraduate students, with current members listed on the Helbing Lab website.
Awards/Grants: While specific awards are not explicitly listed, her work has secured significant funding, including a $1.1M CIHR grant for related research (as mentioned in UVic news).
Labs/Teams: The Helbing Lab is part of UVic’s Biochemistry & Microbiology department, located in Petch Building. Key collaborators include institutions like Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and projects address global challenges in environmental health and conservation.
