Role of gulls as vector of pathogens in urban areas in relation to contaminant exposure
Join the team of our member Jonathan Verreault.
Project Description
Studies conducted by our laboratory on ring-billed gulls nesting in the Montreal area have reported high tissue concentrations of flame retardants. We have also shown that these gulls act as flame retardant biovectorsby exporting them, via their guano, across the landscape in the Montreal region. Gulls also carry several pathogens that can be harmful to animal and human health. This Master’s project will aim to understand the role of the ring-billed gull in the biotransport of pathogens in the Montreal region. To do so, gulls nesting in the St. Lawrence River will be tracked using miniature GPS devices and their guano samples will be sequenced for the analysis of several viruses and bacteria of interest. A link will also be explored between the prevalence of pathogens and tissue concentrations of flame retardants in these gulls.
Aditional Information
Requirements: BSc in biology, biochemistry, environmental sciences or in a relevant discipline completed by April 30, 2021.
Assets: Knowledge in ecotoxicology and/or virology.
-Competitive Master’s scholarship provided for a period of 2 years.
-Laboratory and field work.
-Collaboration between Jonathan Verreault (UQAM) and Carl Gagnon (University of Montreal).
To Apply
Send you CV and trascript (BSc) by email before February 22, 2021 to:
Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal
