Donald Baird

Dr. Donald Baird is a Visiting Research Professor in Biology at the University of New Brunswick and Senior Research Scientist at Environment and Climate Change Canada. As a Fellow of the Canadian Rivers Institute, his research focuses on ecological risk assessment and developing innovative methods for biodiversity observation in freshwater ecosystems using ecogenomics approaches.

He leads a national initiative applying DNA-based techniques for monitoring Canada's threatened ecosystems, particularly river floodplains and boreal wetlands. His work addresses the complex stressor regimes affecting aquatic ecosystems in the Anthropocene through integrated assessment approaches that combine traditional ecology with molecular tools.

With over 150 publications and 4 books, Dr. Baird has conducted research across five continents and serves as a science advisor for international organizations including WHO-Water, Ramsar, and WWF-Canada.