Events
Exit Seminar
August 25, 2026
Theoretically Speaking: Mathematical and Statistical Models for Evolutionary Rescue and Spatial Inference Using Ancestral Recombination Graphs: Puneeth Deraje (Exit Seminar)
The field of population biology, concerned with the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of populations, has benefited from mathematics from its very origins. This thesis addresses distinct questions within population biology while exemplifying the utility ofmathematical and statistical models. Supervisor: Matthew Osmond
Exit Seminar
August 14, 2026
Freshwater Biodiversity in Urban Stormwater Ponds: Community Assembly, Dispersal, and Environmental Filtering of Aquatic Insects in These Novel Ecosystems: Ilia Ferzoco (Exit Seminar)
Urbanization imposes local and regional ecological filters on freshwater communities by reducing lentic habitat availability, limiting dispersal, and altering environmental conditions. Urbanization also leads to new pond creation, which can impact aquatic insect biodiversity. In many cities, constructed stormwaterponds are more numerous than natural ponds and wetlands, yet their ecologies and role in biodiversity maintenance […]
Exit Seminar
August 12, 2026
Monitoring Spatial–Temporal Changes in Forest Condition: A Case Study in Algonquin Park: Peter Rodriguez (Exit Seminar)
Global change and climate change are reshaping forest ecosystems and the services they provide. To ensure the provisioning of forest ecosystem services, societies require forest- monitoring approaches that capture not only forest change but also how change unfolds across space and time. Here, using a satellite–derived forest condition metric (Enhanced Vegetation Index), Rodriguez investigates three […]
Exit Seminar
July 31, 2026
Monitoring Forest Phenology and Drought Stress in Coniferous and Deciduous Forests Using Ecophysiological and Remote Sensing Approaches: Siyu Wang (Exit Seminar)
Climate warming has led to an increase in the intensity and frequency of drought events. Understanding how photosynthetic traits and the phenology of temperate forests respond to waterstress can help us understand potential changes in the spatial and temporal patterns of terrestrial ecosystem carbon uptake under climate change. Wang’s thesis project seeks to understand the […]
EEB Seminar
July 28, 2026
Lake Titicaca: Advancing the Conservation of One of the World’s Least-Explored Ecosystems (Gariz Riveros, Natural Way Perú)
Gariz Riveros is a biologist and co-founder of Natural Way Perú, a non-profit organization dedicated to nature conservation through environmental education, community engagement, and scientific research. Her work focuses on the conservation of high-Andean freshwater ecosystems and the development of community-based conservation initiatives. Her research includes the study of microplastic contamination in native fish from […]
PhD Appraisal
July 24, 2026
Reconstruction of Early Amniote Locomotory Diversity and Patterns Utilizing Digital Techniques: Dylan Rowe (PhD Appraisal)
The amniotes that dominate Earth’s macro- and megafauna today exhibit a highly diverse variety of locomotory patterns, including aquatic, arboreal, fossorial, and flying means of movement. Such a range of specialization is best considered in the context of the oldest members of their kind, originating from the latest Carboniferous to early Permian. Significant morphological diversity […]
PhD Appraisal
July 23, 2026
A Multispecies Exploration of Population Structure and Connectivity across the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System: Galento Galvez (PhD Appraisal)
In the marine environment, population genetic structure and connectivity are influenced by a complex interplay between biotic factors and the three-dimensional fluid environment that organisms inhabit. The field of seascape genomics provides insights into how life history traits interact with environmental features to shape evolutionary processes. On coral reefs, commercially valuable fishery species are disproportionately […]
Exit Seminar
July 20, 2026
Diversity, Function, and Stability of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Natural and Created Urban Aquatic Habitats: Dale Adam Pebesma (Exit Seminar)
Urbanization has pervasive effects on freshwater ecosystems, changing hydrology, nutrient dynamics, and habitat structure. Yet its influence on ecological dynamics across natural and constructed habitats is not fully understood. Pebesma’s thesis examines how urbanization impacts stream ecosystems and investigates stormwater management ponds (SMPs) as both novel habitats and drivers of downstream change. Across four research […]
PhD Appraisal
July 15, 2026
Rethinking Thermal Tolerance: Inference, Assessment, and Prediction: Garrison Bullard (PhD Appraisal)
Anthropogenic stressors pose an unprecedented threat to biodiversity globally, and rising temperatures range among the greatest of those threats. As a result, it is imperative to use reliable, informed metrics to assess organismal responses to extreme temperatures (such as adaptation, acclimation, and survival)—especially for ectotherms, which comprise more than 99 per cent of extant species. […]
Exit Seminar
June 25, 2026
Advancing Multivariate Statistical Methods and Zooplankton Community Ecology in Stormwater Management Ponds: Applications and Implications: Xiaozhuo Tang (exit seminar)
Advancing ecological understanding requires addressing complex ecological questions in systems governed by multiple interacting processes, where meaningful inference often relies on the use ofappropriate multivariate statistical frameworks. This thesis combines development of new multivariate statistical methods with the study of zooplankton communities in stormwatermanagement ponds, advancing inference in multivariate analysis while deepening understanding of urban […]
Atwood Colloquium in Ecology & Evolution
This special two-day event provides a fantastic opportunity to learn about the most exciting research in ecology & evolution being done at U of T and abroad.
Broadening Representation & Equity With Science (BREWS)
We promote inclusion and equity through community-building tea breaks and data-driven discussions. We are always looking for speakers & ideas for discussions, so please get in touch!
Conservation Science Group
The EEB Conservation Group is a collaboration of undergrad & grad students, postdoctoral researchers and faculty interested in conservation science.