Goodchild Lab
Ecotoxicology & Wildlife physiology
Research:
Interactions among toxicants, climate change, invasive species, and habitat loss have contributed to rapid global changes in biodiversity. Although there are often observable cellular responses to these adverse environmental conditions, it is difficult to determine whether cellular responses translate to population-level effects. As an ecotoxicologist and environmental physiologist, I am specifically interested in links between molecular responses to environmental contaminants and whole-organism traits that are important for fitness. My research program embraces a highly integrative approach and employs diverse tools in cellular physiology, bioenergetics, immunology, and behavior to better understand the ecological hazard posed by environmental contaminants.
Physiological and behavioral effects of crude oil ingestion in birds
We're interested in the consequence of crude oil ingestion for aerobic performance, immune function, and behavior. This work was includes research from my dissertation under Sarah DuRant.
The effects of contaminants on avian embryonic development
Avian embryos are often exposed to contaminants by maternal deposition (e.g., flame retardants) or transfer across the eggshell (e.g., crude oil). We are studying the effects of in ovo exposure to contaminants on avian development.
