News Archives - Department of Biology

Beyond the Butterfly Show: Butterfly Research at �Ӱ�ԭ��

Annalisse de Vroome — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:39:18 +0000

Beyond the Butterfly Show: Butterfly Research at �Ӱ�ԭ��

Published on October 6, 2026

Time to read: 3 minutes

The Annual Biology Butterfly Show is not the only activity related to butterflies at �Ӱ�ԭ��! We have a series of ongoing projects that relate to evolution, behavior, ecology, and conservation of butterflies. Here, we provide a gist of the research and activities we conduct, so that you can reach out if you want to hear more about (or participate in) them.

The Yack lab studies insect sensory systems. Did you know that many butterflies have ears located at the bases of their forewings? By studying the morphology, neurophysiology and behaviour of butterflies, we learn about their sensory ‘worlds’. We believe that butterflies and moths use their hearing to listen for predators (see, e.g., articles and ), and in some cases, to communicate with each other.

The MacMillan Lab works to understand how and why various aspects of an insect’s environment (like temperature, pollution, or diet) set limits to their performance and survival. Working on butterflies, they found that butterfly nervous systems undergo a sudden “shut down” event, called spreading depolarization, at low temperatures. Butterfly species living in colder climates can even maintain brain function to lower temperatures! (see article ).

The Biodiversity Conservation Solutions lab works on a broad range of conservation projects, including how to make cities more biodiversity friendly and how this influences human health. They have recently begun working on how tree planting affects moth and butterfly communities in Ottawa (hear more about the project ), and even help establishing pollinator gardens throughout �Ӱ�ԭ��’s campus (see news article here)!

The Fahrig Lab researches the effects of landscape structure on biodiversity and the abundance, distribution and persistence of wildlife populations. Their work has demonstrated that butterfly diversity and abundance are higher in more heterogeneous agricultural landscapes, with smaller crop fields and more semi-natural areas such as hedgerows (see, e.g., articles and ).

The Riva Lab works on biodiversity conservation across spatial scales and has supported butterfly conservation in Canada and beyond. Recent work from the lab summarises trends in butterfly populations across the world, for more than 40,000 populations of hundreds of butterfly species (see, e.g., research article and a related ). They also helped coordinating the first , with a dedicated event for families held in Ottawa’s Fletcher Wildlife Gardens at the beginning of June. Please come join us for the second event, planned for June 2027!

The post Beyond the Butterfly Show: Butterfly Research at �Ӱ�ԭ�� appeared first on Department of Biology.

Five �Ӱ�ԭ�� researchers honoured by Royal Society of Canada

Annalisse de Vroome — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 14:55:09 +0000

Five �Ӱ�ԭ�� researchers honoured by Royal Society of Canada

Published on October 6, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

News

Five �Ӱ�ԭ�� researchers were honoured by the Royal Society of Canada, including Biochemistry Associate Professor Jenny Bruin, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to research and scholarship.

Read full article here: Five �Ӱ�ԭ�� researchers honoured by Royal Society of Canada

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�Ӱ�ԭ�� Biologists Uncover Hidden Link Between Environmental Pollutants and Type 2 Diabetes

Annalisse de Vroome — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 14:51:31 +0000

�Ӱ�ԭ�� Biologists Uncover Hidden Link Between Environmental Pollutants and Type 2 Diabetes

Published on October 6, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

News

The Bruin Lab in �Ӱ�ԭ��’s Department of Biology has uncovered evidence that persistent environmental pollutants accumulate in the pancreas and may impair insulin secretion, revealing a potential link between chemical exposure and type 2 diabetes.

Read full article here:

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Three �Ӱ�ԭ�� Alumni Named to Canada’s 2026 Top 40 Under 40 List

Annalisse de Vroome — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 14:29:53 +0000

Three �Ӱ�ԭ�� Alumni Named to Canada’s 2026 Top 40 Under 40 List

Published on October 6, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

News

Among the three �Ӱ�ԭ�� alumni named to Canada’s 2026 Top 40 Under 40 list is Biology alumnus Robert Lennox (PhD/2018), now a professor of biology at Dalhousie University and scientific director of the Ocean Tracking Network.

Read full article here: Three �Ӱ�ԭ�� Alumni Named to 2026 Top 40 Under 40 List

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�Ӱ�ԭ�� PhD Student Raegan Davis Earns National Fisheries Scholarship

Annalisse de Vroome — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 14:22:01 +0000

�Ӱ�ԭ�� PhD Student Raegan Davis Earns National Fisheries Scholarship

Published on October 6, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

News

Raegan Davis, a Canadian angler and fisheries researcher, is featured in a Bassmaster profile highlighting her passion for conservation. She’s currently working on a PhD in Biology at �Ӱ�ԭ�� University.

She was recently named the recipient of the 2026 Noreen Clough Memorial Scholarship for Females in Fisheries, recognizing her impact and potential in the field.

Davis is focused on protecting fisheries and bringing anglers and scientists together, turning her love of fishing into meaningful conservation work.

Read full article here:

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�Ӱ�ԭ�� University’s Rachel Buxton highlights benefits of Ottawa’s bird‑friendly push

Annalisse de Vroome — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:11:44 +0000

�Ӱ�ԭ�� University’s Rachel Buxton highlights benefits of Ottawa’s bird‑friendly push

Published on October 6, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

News

Ottawa’s new “Bird Friendly City” certification is being welcomed by advocates as a meaningful step toward protecting bird populations, while also underscoring the need for stronger action on habitat preservation, urban planning, and public education.

Research highlighted by �Ӱ�ԭ�� University Assistant Professor Rachel Buxton supports this effort, demonstrating that greater bird and tree diversity in urban areas can improve human mental health. Her findings further strengthen the case for integrating more nature into city environments.

Read full article here:

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Associate Professor Christina Davy Highlights Wildlife Conservation Crisis

Annalisse de Vroome — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:48:25 +0000

Associate Professor Christina Davy Highlights Wildlife Conservation Crisis

Published on October 6, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

News

Canada’s endangered‑species committee has paused its assessments due to a funding shortfall, leaving more than a thousand vulnerable species waiting for review. The freeze directly affects scientists like Christina Davy, associate professor in �Ӱ�ԭ�� University’s Biology department, whose conservation research depends on those evaluations moving forward.

Read full article here:

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Associate Professor Alex Wong Featured in World Organisation for Animal Health Article on Reducing Farm Antibiotics

Annalisse de Vroome — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:12:11 +0000

Associate Professor Alex Wong Featured in World Organisation for Animal Health Article on Reducing Farm Antibiotics

Published on October 6, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

News

Healthier housing, stronger biosecurity, and preventive care like vaccination can help farms cut back on antibiotic use and slow the spread of antimicrobial resistance. �Ӱ�ԭ�� Biology Associate Professor Alex Wong, whose research focuses on how resistance evolves, provides scientific insight that supports these more sustainable, lower‑antibiotic farming practices.

Read full article here:

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Co‑Authored Article by Associate Professor Catherine Cullingham, PhD Candidate Marc Avramov, and Collaborators

Annalisse de Vroome — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:56:05 +0000

Co‑Authored Article by Associate Professor Catherine Cullingham, PhD Candidate Marc Avramov, and Collaborators

Published on October 6, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

News

As West Nile becomes more common in Canada, explore the true level of risk and the growing importance of robust mosquito‑surveillance networks that can detect the virus early and safeguard the public.

Read full article here:

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Biology Professor Jayne Yack and Team Spotlighted in Mirage News

Annalisse de Vroome — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:30:52 +0000

Biology Professor Jayne Yack and Team Spotlighted in Mirage News

Published on October 6, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

News

Minute warty birch caterpillars can sense the vibrations of approaching predators, and Biology Professor Jayne Yack and her team at �Ӱ�ԭ�� University have shown just how finely tuned that ability is. The caterpillars distinguish the heavy, thudding footsteps of predatory ladybeetles from the lighter movements of other caterpillars. When a dangerous adult ladybeetle approaches, they freeze, fall silent, and often drop from the leaf on a silk thread, a rapid escape response that helps them avoid the predator. But when the intruder is another caterpillar, they switch to aggressive leaf‑scraping displays to defend their territory.

Read full article here:

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