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
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>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): 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
Name(s): Creator (cre): Smith, Ewart Anthony, Thesis advisor (ths): Emery, Neil NE, Thesis advisor (ths): Narine, Suresh SN, Degree committee member (dgc): Martic, Sanela SM, Degree committee member (dgc): Kisiala, Anna AK, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>The study examines the phytochemical and phytohormone profiles of two ecotypes of Doliocarpus dentatus (Capadulla) from Guyana with an emphasis on their potential therapeutic applications, particularly in the context of erectile dysfunction. The research concentrates on the red and white ecotypes, which are visibly differentiated by the colouration of their inner and outer bark; moreover… more Year: 2025, 2025
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Prewer, Erin, Thesis advisor (ths): Kyle, Christopher 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>Molecular and genomic tools provide a deeper understanding of the ecology and evolution of species and their capacity to adapt to changing selective pressures, where diversity is presumedly linked to higher fitness and evolutionary potential. Molecular tools can also illustrate how historical processes affect contemporary genetic variation to predict how current population trends may… more Year: 2025, 2025
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Baecklund, Tristan Mackenzie, Thesis advisor (ths): Kyle, Christopher J, Degree committee member (dgc): Donaldson, Michael, Degree committee member (dgc): Shafer, Aaron, Degree committee member (dgc): Brown, Glen, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Heterogeneous environments impose discordant selective pressures on natural populations, where disparate biotic/abiotic factors and variable population connectivity, yield mosaic patterns of genetic variation on the landscape. The ability to maintain or change genetic mosaics of populations becomes key to persistence, as species increasingly need to adapt to rapidly changing… more Year: 2025, 2025
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Bare, Evan, Thesis advisor (ths): Murray, Dennis, Thesis advisor (ths): Hossie, Thomas, Degree committee member (dgc): Bogart, Jim, Degree committee member (dgc): Wilson, Chris, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Measuring biodiversity has become increasingly complex as biologists and ecologists have gradually learned more about how biotic systems are structured and interact. Given the wide range of tools, techniques and approaches now in use to quantify biological diversity, it is useful to consider different "dimensions of diversity" to classify these measurements and provide context… more Year: 2025, 2025
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Methylobacterium spp., a dominant and functionally conserved group of plant-associated bacteria, have long been recognized for their roles in promoting host growth, stress tolerance, and phytohormone modulation. This body of work collectively repositions Methylobacterium not only as a plant growth-promoting genus but also as a promising agent of microbiome-mediated crop protection.… more Year: 2025, 2025
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>A meta-analysis revealed that while there is often a greater degree of contamination of soils and sediments with metals, contamination by mercury (Hg) is a large concern owing to its toxicity at low concentrations. The case study in Guyana characterized Hg and concentrations of other metals (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in soil and sediment within gold mined areas. Metal… more Year: 2025, 2025
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Innovative strategies to manage copious waste streams by upcycling feedstocks to valorized products which are then used in environmental remediation applications is an attractive circular economy model. This thesis explores this approach using waste wood generated from the milling of Chlorocardium rodiei (greenheart), a tropical hardwood species abundant in Guyana. We evaluate the… more Year: 2025, 2025
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Since the mid-Pleistocene, evolutionary histories of North American species were shaped by extreme climatic oscillations involving major range and habitat shifts at a rapid pace. The peopling of the continent and the subsequent human colonisation waves created further pressures affecting North American faunal and plant populations. Cervidae (deer family) are a diverse group which arrived… more Year: 2025, 2025
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Crop losses due to pathogens, pests, and weeds account for 20–40% of global production, with fungal pathogens responsible for the most significant yield reductions and economic impact. The diseases caused by fungi spread through dormant spores, which protect its genetic material under adverse conditions. Dormancy is maintained until favorable germination conditions are met. Despite their… more Year: 2024, 2024
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Penney, Chantelle, Thesis advisor (ths): Wilson, Chris C, Thesis advisor (ths): Burness, Gary, Degree committee member (dgc): Scott, Graham, Degree committee member (dgc): Craig, Paul, Degree committee member (dgc): Freeland, Joanna, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Climate change is a major conservation concern, especially for many cold-adapted species. The rate of warming due to climate change will likely outpace adaptive responses, and many populations will likely need to rely on phenotypic plasticity to cope with environmental warming. It is currently unclear whether plasticity in physiological responses to warming will be sufficient to offset… more Full Text: WITHIN-GENERATION AND TRANSGENERATIONAL THERMAL PLASTICITY IN COLD-ADAPTED SALMONIDS OF THE GENUS SALVELINUS A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the …
Year: 2024, 2024
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Acoustic communication is vital for mediating interactions between individuals and their environment. From echolocating bats to isolated rodent pups, ultrasonic vocalizations are a useful mechanism for producing localized and cryptic acoustic signals. Flying squirrels have been demonstrated to produce almost exclusively ultrasonic calls which is rare in both squirrels and mammals, though… more Full Text: The ecological, evolutionary, and behavioural context of ultrasonic vocalizations in flying squirrels A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty …
