Year: 2026, 2026
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The diversification of mammals has been shaped by climatic fluctuations and geological changes over millions of years. Among them, shrews (Soricidae) stand out as one of the most diverse mammalian lineages. Shrews are found on most continents and have evolved remarkable adaptations at the species and population levels. Although evolutionary studies of shrews have been limited by a lack… more Year: 2026, 2026
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The ᐃᓕᓕᐗᔅᑭᔾ | Ililiwaskiy (Moose Cree First Nation Territory) in Ontario's James Bay region has long faced industrial impacts on its ecosystems. Community concerns about mercury in culturally important fish prompted an interdisciplinary study bringing together chemical analysis and community knowledge. Researchers partnered with Moose Cree members through workshops, training, and… more Year: 2026, 2026
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Diversified agroecosystems supporting greater genetic, structural, and functional diversity improve soil health and ecosystem function. However, there is limited understanding of how multiple forms of diversification, such as mixing cover crop species and adding arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), alter belowground carbon supply to soil. In a controlled environment experiment using… more Year: 2026, 2026
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Kaszecki, Emma, Thesis advisor (ths): Saville, Barry J, Thesis advisor (ths): Emery, R. J. Neil, Degree committee member (dgc): Morrsion, Erin N, Degree committee member (dgc): Thompson, Karen A, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Acid mine drainage (AMD) and metal-contaminated tailings represent some of the most inhospitable aquatic environments on Earth, characterized by low pH, elevated metal concentrations, and chronic carbon limitation. Yet these systems support microbial consortia with remarkable resilience. Among the most conspicuous inhabitants is Euglena mutabilis, an acidophilic protist traditionally… more Year: 2026, 2026
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Kim, William David, Thesis advisor (ths): Huber, Robert J, Degree committee member (dgc): Donaldson, Michael, Degree committee member (dgc): Shafer, Aaron, Degree committee member (dgc): Saville, Barry, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs), collectively referred to as Batten disease, are a group of neurodegenerative diseases that affect all ages, primarily children. Batten disease is caused by mutations in 1 of the 13 ceroid lipofuscinosis neuronal (CLN) genes (CLN1-CLN8, CLN10-CLN14), each of which causes an NCL subtype when mutated. One of the NCL subtypes, CLN5 disease, is… more Year: 2026, 2026
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Lopez Aleman, Jose Alberto, Thesis advisor (ths): Dorken, Marcel E, Thesis advisor (ths): Freeland, Joanna R, Degree committee member (dgc): Shafer, Aaron AB, Degree committee member (dgc): DiLeo, Michelle F, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Hybridisation is an important evolutionary mechanism with diverse outcomes, including the formation of new lineages, the exchange of alleles between species, or their extinction through genetic swamping. In some cases, hybrids exhibit higher fitness than their parental species, which can lead to hybrid invasions that threaten ecosystems. In North America, hybridisation between the native… more Year: 2026, 2026
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Seneviratne, Dev, Thesis advisor (ths): Martic, Sanela, Thesis advisor (ths): Emery, Neil, Degree committee member (dgc): Oleschuk, Richard, Degree committee member (dgc): Moorthy, Arun, Degree committee member (dgc): Burr, Wesley, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Amyloid fibrils are fibrous protein aggregates that arise from misfolding and self-assembly processes, collectively referred to as amyloidosis. These aggregates are strongly associated with incurable neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Elevated levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and… more Year: 2025, 2025
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Blanchard, Dane Alexander, Thesis advisor (ths): Aherne, Julian, Thesis advisor (ths): Gordon, Mark, Degree committee member (dgc): Aherne, Julian, Degree committee member (dgc): Gordon, Mark, Degree committee member (dgc): Dang, Huy, Degree committee member (dgc): Koprivnjak, Jean-François, Degree committee member (dgc): Mangal, Vaughn, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), a chemically diverse family of organic compounds defined by their ability to absorb ultraviolet and visible light, is a critical constituent of numerous environmental systems, including freshwater lakes. Industrial operations in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR, Alberta, Canada) are major sources of acidic inorganic gases and organic… more Year: 2025, 2025
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Decades of sulphur and nitrogen deposition acidified forest ecosystems across northeastern North America causing declines in pH and exchangeable base cation concentrations, negatively affecting biota. To assist natural recovery, researchers are investigating using alkaline soil amendments such as wood ash. However, much remains unknown about its use. This thesis evaluated the effects of… more Year: 2025, 2025
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Diversity of flowers in flowering plants is understood to facilitate mating success, and yet understanding the relationships between plant sexual diversity and mating patterns remains a challenge. In this thesis, I used Sagittaria latifolia, an aquatic plant with unique sexual systems, to investigate relationships between plant sexual diversity, mating patterns, and reproductive success… more Year: 2025, 2025
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Lau, Vincent, Thesis advisor (ths): Tanentzap, Andrew, Degree committee member (dgc): Emilson, Erik, Degree committee member (dgc): Stock, Naomi, Degree committee member (dgc): Moorthy, Arun, Degree committee member (dgc): Braga, Lucas, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Climate-driven permafrost thaw releases microorganisms and dissolved organic matter (DOM) into northern lakes, where their interactions with microbial communities and seasonal processes shape greenhouse gas emissions. In a factorial experiment mixing DOM and microbes from thermokarst ponds and lakes, we found that both DOM and microbial identity strongly influenced degradation. Lake… more Year: 2025, 2025
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>This work presents a new online method using gas chromatography coupled to the multicollector-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer for methylmercury (MMHg) isotope ratio measurement. An extraction method using distillation was developed that effectively extracted MMHg from up to 5 grams of sediment, imparting no isotope fractionation on MMHg during extraction. Isotope ratios from… more Year: 2025, 2025
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Agriculture may result in soil disturbances, including contamination by rare earth elements (REE) and trace elements (TEs) from agricultural inputs (e.g. fertilizers, pesticides). Regulations concerning agricultural inputs currently do not consider TE background concentrations, concurrent use of inputs, and emerging contaminants. Therefore, they may not sufficiently protect against TE… more Year: 2025, 2025
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>This thesis presents a case of the aquatic plant species Fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana) significantly naturalizing in Kasshabog Lake in bays where it had been invasive. This significant naturalization presents major implications for invasive species management and invasion biology because the naturalization of invasive species is a phenomenon that has been largely omitted from study… more Year: 2025, 2025
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Brown, Taylor Marie, Thesis advisor (ths): Burness, Gary, Degree committee member (dgc): Davy, Christina, Degree committee member (dgc): Mastromonaco, Gabriela, Degree committee member (dgc): Wilhelm, Sabina, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Globally, fledglings of more than 50 seabird species are vulnerable to stranding in human settlements near their colonies as they leave their nests for the first time. This phenomenon has been attributed to attraction toward and disorientation by artificial light at night (ALAN). Grassroots rescue programs find more birds in illuminated locations than in dark ones, but it is unclear to… more Year: 2025, 2025
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) is a steeply declining shorebird that breeds across boreal North America. I studied nest survival in Anchorage, Alaska, USA and Churchill, Manitoba, Canada and nest site selection factors in Churchill. Nests were monitored at each site and daily nest survival rates (DSR) were calculated based on a maximum likelihood approach. Overall nest survival… more Year: 2025, 2025
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Microplastics are intricate plastic particles (<5 mm in length) with complex chemical mixtures that are pervasive globally. Nonetheless, our understanding of microplastic contamination in the Canadian Arctic is limited. Therefore, this thesis aimed to investigate the concentration and characteristics of microplastics in and surrounding the community of Iqaluit, Nunavut. Our… more
