معرفی
Nicholas Bernier is a Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Guelph. His research focuses on neuroendocrine pathways in fish, particularly the roles of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and urotensin I (UI) in mediating stress responses and appetite regulation. He holds a B.Sc. from McGill University, an M.Sc. from the University of British Columbia, and a Ph.D. from the University of Ottawa.
His work investigates how environmental stressors like hypoxia, salinity changes, and ammonia exposure affect fish physiology. Key projects include studying the caudal neurosecretory system’s role in stress responses and the interaction between stress and appetite control. Bernier collaborates on courses such as ZOO*2090 (Vertebrate Structure and Function) and ZOO*4330 (Biology of Fishes). He advises multiple graduate students, including Mark Bernards and Tegan Williams (PhD). His lab is affiliated with the Aquaculture Centre and maintains a website at comparativephys.ca/bernierlab.
Research tools include molecular biology, endocrine assays, and microscopy to dissect CRF/UI pathways. Recent studies explore thermal plasticity, intergenerational stress resilience, and the neuroendocrine basis of behavioral traits in fish. Collaborative projects address aquaculture challenges and environmental stress mitigation strategies.
