Complex communities of bacteria, fungi, and invertebrates are known to be involved in the preservation and enhancement of soil fertility, nutrient cycling, crop productivity, and carbon sequestration, but the details have been lacking. This knowledge gap can now be addressed through new methods, such as DNA metabarcoding, which make it possible to monitor the diversity […]

Complex communities of bacteria, fungi, and invertebrates are known to be involved in the preservation and enhancement of soil fertility, nutrient cycling, crop productivity, and carbon sequestration, but the details have been lacking. This knowledge gap can now be addressed through new methods, such as DNA metabarcoding, which make it possible to monitor the diversity […]

We are investigating the source of dissolved organic matter (or DOM) – a class of nutrients known to fertilise aquatic ecosystems – in two glacial rivers in Canada (one in the Rockies and one in the Arctic). DOM is a very diverse group of different molecules, and some of these molecules are better food for […]

The Canadian Western Cordillera is a glaciated region within Canada which has seen significant glacial retreat due to recent climatic warming – estimated glacial volume reduction by 70% by 2100. As a result of this glacier retreat, depressions beneath are exposed (known as glacial overdeepenings) and lakes begin to form, dammed by the bedrock or […]

Global mass coral bleaching events caused by marine heatwaves are becoming ever more frequent under climate change. Without action, the socio-ecological services provided by coral reefs may be lost. Active management interventions may be required to support the resilience of future coral reefs. The CORALASSIST Lab (UK) is testing assisted evolution in Palau: selective breeding […]

Mountainous environments present a variety of risks to human populations in the surrounding communities. Landslides in mountainous regions are a particularly deadly form of natural hazard due to their unpredictability and potential scale, resulting in thousands of deaths every year. Due to current climate warming as a result of human actions, the risk of these […]

Improving air quality while supporting clean growth and future transportation technology represents a significant societal challenge for Canada and the UK. Emissions of unburnt hydrocarbon (uHC) fuel directly affects public health, and their reduction from vehicles such as hybrid cars require new solutions. Recent research conducted by Professor Cyril Crua’s team at the University of […]

A first principles approach to molecular dynamics is crucial to understanding photo-chemical reactions. These reactions take place involving multiple electronic states, in other words, they undergo non-adiabatic dynamics. The problem is analogous to the many body problem where significant entanglement between the motion of electrons and nuclei is present. In this project we will develop […]

This project will study the corrosion of two nickel alloys commonly used in nuclear reactors: Monel 400 and Alloy 800. In the steam generator section of nuclear reactors, the chemistry is complex and may lead to the formation of ammoniacal species such as soluble ammonia (NH3). Ammonia may accelerate the corrosion of these alloys. The […]

Changes in the intestinal microbial composition (dysbiosis) during development have an impact on the progression of neuro-inflammatory and neuronal degenerative disorders. Probiotics have been shown to reduce these effects. However, the current literature lacks research on intestinal dysbiosis during the maturation of the intestine and the brain and does not recognize the sexual dimorphism of […]

Mining systems are complex to model since they involve (1) creating adequate representations on how sub-models (mining processes) are interconnected (the ore/waste flowcharts) and (2) there is a lack of understanding of the impact that small variations have over the entirely system. Moreover, developing adequate models requires the use of modern predictive tools that account […]

Coral reef regime shifts occur when environmental stressors result in the benthic composition abruptly transitioning from a coral dominated reef to one dominated by macroalgae. These shifts are a key conservation concern and have led to substantial degradation of coral reefs worldwide. In particular, climate-induced coral bleaching is now a leading threat to coral reefs, […]