Identifying adverse effects on neuroanatomy of hatchling American kestrels exposed to three priority brominated flame retardants

Tens of thousands of chemicals are present in the Canadian environment. The impact of those chemicals on wildlife and other components of the environment is often poorly quantified. The intern will develop a method for assessing the potential damage of a class of emerging contaminants, flame retardants, to avian brains. Specifically, the intern will examine the effect of three types of brominated flame retardants on the volumes of the telencephalon, hippocampus, and optic lobe, and the symmetry between hemispheres. A reduction in these regions or asymmetry between the hemispheres could lead to abnormal behaviour and a decline in survival and reproduction of wild birds. The methods developed by the intern will be applicable to a wide variety of chemical pollutants and the partner organization will use those methods to assess the environmental damage from brominated flame retardants and other chemicals at their field sites across Canada.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jessica Head

Student:

Partner:

Stantec Consulting (Winnipeg, MB)

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

McGill University

Program: