PhD defenses mark a major milestone in a student’s academic journey, showcasing years of research, discovery, and scholarly contribution. During these public presentations, doctoral candidates share the results of their work with the academic community before engaging in a formal evaluation by a committee of experts. These events highlight the depth and diversity of research within the Department and provide an opportunity for colleagues, students, and guests to learn about cutting-edge advances in biology.
Date: Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026 @ 10:00 am Pre Defense; 10:15 am Defense
Student: Anna Lippold
Supervisor: Mélanie Guigueno
Co-Supervisor: Jonathan Verreault
Thesis title: Neural, cognitive, and ecotoxicological correlates of spatial behaviour in a central-place foraging urban gull
Type: Hybrid
Location: Stewart Biology Bldg. Rm N7/1
Defense Brochure
Date: Tuesday, June 9th, 2026 @ 1:00 pm Pre Defense; 1:15 pm Defense
Student: Alexandra Paquette
Supervisor: Gary Brouhard
Thesis title: Mechanisms of cellular microtubule regulation
Type: Hybrid
Location: Stewart Biology Bldg. Rm N2/2
Defense Brochure
Date: Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 @ 1:00 pm Pre Defense; 1:15 pm Defense
Student: Amirhossein (Amir) Pezeshki Najafabadi
Supervisor: Monique Zetka
Thesis title: Regulation of meiotic chromosome axis morphogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans
Type: Hybrid
Location: Stewart Biology Bldg. Rm N2/2
Date: Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026 @ 1:00 pm Pre Defense; 1:15 pm Defense
Student: Caroline Dallstream
Supervisor: Fiona Soper
Thesis title: Tropical fine root traits from the sub-individual to the community level: impacts on plant coexistence in phosphorus-limited ecosystems
Type: Hybrid
Location: Stewart Biology Bldg. Rm N7/1
Date: Thursday, June 25th, 2026 @ 9:00 am Pre Defense; 9:15 am Defense
Student: Megan Letourneau
Supervisor: Hugo Zheng
Thesis title: Food for the future: Transforming Camelina sativa into a climate-stress tolerant crop
Type: Hybrid
Location: Stewart Biology Bldg. Rm N7/1