معرفی
Erin Leonard is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Wilfrid Laurier University, Faculty of Science. She is an expert in aquatic environmental toxicology, comparative animal physiology, and chemosensing mechanisms underlying cardiorespiratory reflexes in vertebrates. Fluent in English and French, she actively engages in research that bridges environmental science and animal physiology.
Education:
- PhD in Environmental Toxicology and Physiology, McMaster University (2013)
Research Interests:
Her research focuses on understanding how aquatic animals—particularly fish, molluscs, and insects—respond physiologically to environmental stressors such as pollution and climate change. She investigates chemosensing mechanisms in vertebrates and explores how these systems regulate cardiorespiratory reflexes. A key area of her work is the ecotoxicology of freshwater mussels and turtles, aiming to develop solutions that help aquatic species thrive in the Anthropocene.
Publication Trends:
Leonard's scholarly output spans from 2009 to 2025, with a strong focus on environmental toxicology, comparative physiology, and neurosensory mechanisms. Her recent work emphasizes the effects of metals like neodymium, nickel, and copper on aquatic organisms, as well as the role of chemosensing in respiratory control systems.
Scientific Awards:
- NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship
Student Supervision & Opportunities:
She is actively recruiting graduate students and postdoctoral fellows interested in environmental toxicology and animal physiology. Her lab provides opportunities for hands-on research in aquatic toxicology and sensory biology.
Laboratory:
She leads the Leonard Research Lab at Wilfrid Laurier University, which investigates the physiological impacts of environmental stressors on aquatic animals and develops strategies to support their resilience in changing ecosystems.
