Read on to learn more about the interdisciplinary research taking place in our Research Centres. Or check out some of the laboratories and cutting-edge research facilities where research happens at Nipissing.
Dr. Kariuki's current interests include hydrometallurgy as well as a study of the effects of reduced sulphur species on water quality. The main goal of the hydrometallurgical research that we are performing is to develop more environmentally friendly and economical ways of mining minerals compared to the smelting processes that have traditionally been used.
An important part of the sulfur project is an investigation of the speciation of the reduced sulfur species in drinking water sources.
The above research is being carried out using a variety of techniques that include Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and Voltametric techniques.
Room: R217
The primary research interests of the Genetics and Ageing Lab involve the genetics and molecular biology of oxygen free radicals, toxic forms of oxygen generated as a byproduct of normal cellular metabolism, and how they affect ageing. Oxygen free radicals are unstable molecules that can react quickly with other atoms and molecules, causing damage to living tissues. It is the accumulation of such damage that is believed to be the root cause of the ageing process and lead to specific age-related diseases as well as general functional decline.
Research in the Forest Resources Laboratory (FRL) at Nipissing University focuses on aspects of biology at the community, ecosystem and landscape levels of organization. Using the forests of the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence and Northeastern Boreal regions of Ontario as our natural laboratory, we explore patterns in the distribution, composition and productivity of plant communities, and the ecological drivers that produce these patterns. Ultimately, we strive to translate the knowledge we gain of ecological patterns on the landscape in to practical applications for forest resource management.
A major aim in our research is providing scientific knowledge to support the sustainable development of new forestry products in northern Ontario. Recently we have embarked on a long-term research program with the objective of developing ecological inventory and supply-management tools for Boreal forest resources. These resources include both the forest trees (sources of fibre, biomass and biofuels) and the understorey plants (sources of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and foods). Species of interest include Black Spruce (Picea mariana), an important Boreal forest tree, and Ground Hemlock (Taxus canadensis), an evergreen shrub that is a source of paclitaxel, which is used in the treatment of various types of cancer. This list is expanding as the project develops, adding as many plant species as possible to the inventory.
Studies currently underway in the FRL are aimed at developing models of abundance, productivity and quality for each species of interest across the range of ecological conditions which occur in the Boreal forest. To reach this goal we use dendrochronology, digital image analysis, ecological land classification, geographic information systems and predictive ecological mapping techniques.
For more information on the FRL or any of our projects please contact Dr. Jeff Dech.
Nipissing Greenhouse Complex features three large growth zones containing four moveable benches. Each zone features independent computer controlled temperature, humidity, and lighting that can be custom programmed to produce a range of growing conditions. The greenhouse is primarily used by the Biology Department for research and teaching purposes.
The Plant Ecology Research Laboratory (PERL) is based on field and lab studies that examine the ecology and environmental physiology of plants exposed to multiple stresses (climatic, chemical, herbivory, etc). Projects range from adaptation and metal tolerance of plants on industrially impacted landscapes to limitations to natural regeneration of declining forest tree species.
Dr. Jeff Dech has recently joined the Plant Ecology Research Laboratory team as an NSERC Industrial Research and Development Fellow. He is working on a collaborative project between the Forestry Research Partnership (Tembec) and Nipissing University.
For more information on this and other research projects please contact Dr. Peter Nosko
Dr. Cholewa studies plant structure and function. Her research interests are reflected in numerous collaborative publications, from vein arrangement and water transport in plants from Costa Rica’s rain forest to the ion and photoassimilate transport in arctic sedge. Dr Cholewa's research at Nipissing University is based on the application of a Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope in studies of signal transduction pathways in plants, allow the examinaton of responses to the environmental and chemical signals at the cellular and subcellular levels.
Increasingly, wildlife is affected by human activities. In our lab:
we assess the health and vitality of wildlife species such as wolves, loons, martens, fishers, salamanders, and frogs;
we delve into factors that may be affecting wildlife, such as pollutants, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, car collisions, and climate change;
we work with partners such as the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, and the Fur Harvesters’ Auction, to investigate wildlife issues; and
we produce a textbook on Environmental Science, every 3 years, that is used at Canadian Universities from coast to coast.
Contact: Dr. Dave Hackett
Current research in the CoSys Lab is focused on Collaboration Theory, Technologies, Systems, and Applications (Role-Based Collaboration and Adaptive Collaboration), Human-Machine Systems, CSCW (Computer-Supported Cooperative Work), Multi-Agent Systems, Software Engineering, and Distributed Intelligent Systems.
Lake Talon
The Nipissing University-Alcan Environmental Research Preserve (NUAERP) consists of over 3 km2 of wilderness land located approximately 45 km east of North Bay. The property was donated to Nipissing University by Alcan Canada in 1999 with the condition that the land remain in a pristine state and that it be used for environmental research.
The property encompasses a range of aquatic, wetland and terrestrial environments including coniferous and deciduous forests representative of the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Forest Region. The property is bounded by Lake Talon to the southwest and offers shoreline access to a number of smaller lakes. The range of terrestrial and aquatic environments makes the NUAERP a unique and valuable resource for research and teaching activities in the environmental sciences. This undeveloped property is relatively inaccessible and, together with the surrounding crown land, forms a controlled watershed making it an ideal situation for long-term environmental research.
Two skidoos, several boats and a cottage are available at the station.
Room: A134
Nipissing University’s Geomatics Lab is equipped with 32 workstations. We support up-to-date industry leading software, e.g. ArcGIS, PCI Geomatica, and PASW. Students working in the Geomatics Lab have the opportunity to gain hands on experience with cutting-edge geomatics technologies and skills necessary in today’s world to work on various types of digital spatial datasets, satellite image, and radar images.
Room: R220
This laboratory is used primarily for the analysis of digital remotely sensed imagery acquired from various satellite platforms including Landsat, SPOT, Radarsat-1 & 2, RapidEye, ENVISAT ASAR, ALOS PALSAR/AVNIR-2, Quickbird WorldView-2 and IKONOS. There are two main PCs which support the most updated versions of PCI Geomatica, ENVI, SAR Polarimetry Workstation and Definiens Developer. An ASD FieldSpec HandHeld Portable Spectroradiometer is available for field data collection.
Biophysical inventorying equipment stored in the lab includes one LAI-2000 Plant Canopy Analyzer, two AccuPAR LP-80 Ceptometers, one LI-3050C Portable Area Meter, Leica DISTO distance meters, Suunto clinometers, DBH tapes, spherical densiometers, BAF2 prisms and two HOBO Micro Station Data Loggers equipped with Photosynthetic Active Radiation sensors.
GPS equipment includes two GPS Pathfinder ProXT receivers, two Trimble 400C Recon Units, one Trimble GeoXT, two Trimble Hurricane Antenna Kits and respective software (Trimble, TerraSync Professional and Pathfinder Office). An older sub-metre differential GPS unit is also held in the lab (2 Ashtech SCA-12 receivers, Husky data collector and 2 external antennas).
The lab is supported by NSERC funding awarded to Dr. John Kovacs. For further information please contact him at 705.474.3450 (ext. 4336/4347) or johnmk@nipissingu.ca.
Room: A150
This lab is equipped with two large fume hoods, two convection ovens, a pH station, an oscillating shaker, a centrifuge, and three weighing stations, including top-loading pan balances and precision balances. Workstations include, sinks, electrical and gas outlets, soil sample storage space, and appropriate glassware and smaller equipment for conducting a number of basic soil analyses. A microvideo system with polarizing and binocular microscopes allows for close-up work with soil minerals and soil biology in soil science, and with rocks and minerals in geology. The wet lab also doubles as a geology lab and contains built-in cabinets for storing display samples and class-sets of rock, mineral and fossil samples appropriate for introductory geology.
Rooms: R219-R222
This laboratory supports catchment hydrology, lake and weather monitoring, and computer modelling. Field equipment supports the study of hydrologic processes (e.g. streamflow generation) under varying environmental conditions and includes meteorological stations, streamflow monitoring station packages (Isco auto-sampler, raingage, pressure transducer, YSI EC/Temperature probes), groundwater recording (water level meters, capacitance rods) and sampling instrumentation (peristaltic pump, drive-point piezometers), soil moisture monitoring probes and lysimeters, basic hydrometric equipment (pygmy meter outfit with Aquacalc 5000, constant head permeameter, soil auger kit) and a field truck. Field and lab equipment supports use of a range of environmental tracers of water movement and sources within the landscape (temperature, EC, stable isotopes of 18O/16O, and D/H).
Computer stations support data analysis, catchment modelling and spatial analysis (i.e. GIS). A rugged field notebook supports field-based downloading and programming capabilities.
Lake profile monitoring equipment includes two Fondriest CB-405S Data Buoys equipped with thermistor chains, EXO2 Sonde and sensors (EC, T, pH, total algae, turbidity), data loggers, and weather instrumentation (wind speed/direction, RH, rain).
This laboratory analyses water samples (liquid and vapour) for stable isotope ratios of 18O/16O, and D/H using a L2120-i Picarro isotope liquid water analyser. Equipped with a Millipore DI water purification system and cold storage (fridge, freezer), the lab also supports preparation and storage of water samples for additional off-site analyses (e.g. cation, anion, trace element, TOC).
Computer stations support data analysis, catchment modelling and spatial analysis (i.e. GIS). A rugged field notebook supports field-based downloading and programming capabilities.
For further information contact Dr. April James at 705-474-3450 (X4062) or aprilj@nipissingu.ca.
Room: R109
The Central Analytical Facility (CAF) at Nipissing University houses a wide range of analytical instrumentation, including an Agilent LC/GC‑QTOF, Tekran 2600 and 2700, a BioTek plate reader, a Thermo ICS 3000, a Bruker NMR, and an FTIR. The facility is also equipped with essential laboratory tools for sample preparation, such as ultra pure water system, filtration systems, incubators, ovens, balances, centrifuges and extractors.
Ashley Marcellus
705-474-3450 ex. 4705
ashleym@nipissingu.ca
Room A151
Research Data Centres (RDCs) are secure facilities within the Canadian Research Data Centre Network (CRDCN) that provide researchers access to Statistics Canada microdata. Operated by Statistics Canada employees under the Statistics Act, RDCs ensure data confidentiality and require researchers to obtain security clearance, become ‘deemed employees,’ and follow strict confidentiality guidelines.
As part of a national initiative by Statistics Canada, SSHRC, CIHR, and university partners, RDCs support research across Canada, offering professors, graduate students, and external researchers access to confidential data for theses, reports, and publications.
Room: AC148
The Biomechanics and Ergonomics Laboratory features a large primary motion capture space, surrounded by a ceiling-mounted camera bar and centred around a custom force plate grid; a fully equipped neuromuscular testing laboratory; two student office spaces and computer workstations; a large meeting table; motorized blackout blinds; an 80″ LCD Flatscreen and a 100″ SmartBoard, both fully controllable via audio-visual system with Apple TV; and more.
Room: AC152
The Exercise Physiology Lab is coated in the Centre for Physical and Health Education at Nipissing University. Our research program examines the role of exercise in human health and performance.
Room: AC204
The Northeastern Ontario Research Team for Health and Physical Activity (NORTH PA) lab is located within Nipissing University’s Centre for Physical and Health Education in North Bay, Ontario. The centre, which opened in August of 2013, combines research, education and physical activity to support an integrated approach to learning and healthy living. Our lab is just one of the state-of-the-art laboratories housed within the $13 million facility committed to the advancement and greater understanding of human health and movement.
The NORTH PA lab includes a fitness studio equipped with 6 observational cameras, as well as an interview room fitted with an observation window along with video editing, data analysis, and teleconference capabilities.
Room: AC206
Researchers in the Sensory-Movement Behaviour Lab examine how typically developing people and those compromised by disorders, disease, or trauma control their movements. The goal of the lab is to identify human capacities and reduce barriers with the intention of increasing the quality of life of all Canadians.
Room: A222H
Dr. Arnocky's lab is dedicated to the study of human evolution and is funded by the CFI, SSHRC, and NSERC. It is indisputable that nature and sexual selection have shaped many aspects of human biology and behaviour. The Human Evolution Lab seeks to understand how evolutionary pressures may have influenced various aspects of human immune function and hormones, and how these biological factors affect physical attractiveness as well as mating and conflict strategies (competition and aggression) employed both within and between the sexes.
Room: A222F
Lab Director: Dr. Darren Campbell
The Neuroimaging Interpersonal Connections via E-communication/Neuroimaging Information-processing Cannabis Effects (NICE) lab focuses on two key research areas: the human relationship formation process and chronic cannabis use effects in humans. Their research on the acquaintanceship process includes investigating online communication and social evaluation and utilizes functional MRI brain imaging. They are also interested in the "get-to-know-you" process tat occurs online and how people display interest or disinterest within online conversations. Their cannabis research primarily targets spatial memory functions, emotional attention bias, and functional brain imaging responses in chronic cannabis users. Learn more about the lab.
Room A145B
Dr. Murphy's lab studies the effects of ageing on auditory processing and cognitive function and how these factors might interact and influence the older adult's ability to understand and remember spoken words. Thus, they investigate age-related changes in cognitive abilities and their capacity to understand spoken language. These findings contribute to a better understanding of how age-related changes influence communication skills.
Dr. Weeks and his team study the neural basis of learning and memory in the Nipissing University Research on Neuroscience (NURON) lab. They are interested in how the synapses between neurons change following learning events, stress, or drug use (e.g. cannabis). Quantifying and understanding the physical imprint that learning leaves on these ultra-microscopic brain structures is the primary goal of the NURON lab's current research.
Dr. Matti Saari's team focuses on simpler neural systems like that of the planarian flatworm. Some of their research focuses on how neural behaviour plasticity are manifested in these animals. They have documented, for example, that housing the worms in isolation versus in groups has a profound impact on their activity level.
NURON labs are located on the 1st floor of the R-wing at Nipissing University. The facility includes imaging rooms, dry labs, wet labs, technologist offices, animal facilities, a dark room, and the Central Analytical Facility (CAF). In the facility you will find a transmission electron microscope (TEM), a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and many other research tools. Undergraduate students who work in the lab can get experience in Electron-microscopy as well as all major aspects of research methods in behavioural neuroscience.
Room: A223
The Social Neuroendocrinology Lab takes a social neuroscience approach to research by combining theory and methodology from social and experimental psychology, endocrinology, neuroscience, social cognition, pharmacology, and molecular genetics. Their ultimate goal is to detail the complex mechanisms underlying variation in human competitive and aggressive behaviour. Their new 1,500 square foot lab facility, which opened in 2017, allows for more on-site testing.
Nipissing University sits on the territory of Nipissing First Nation, the territory of the Anishnabek, within lands protected by the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850.
We are grateful to be able to live and learn on these lands with all our relations.
