Principle Investigator
Dr J Scott MacIvor
Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto St. George
Phone: 416-208-8191
Office: SY364 UTSC
email: scott(dot)macivor(at)utoronto.ca
macivorlab.ca
@jscottmacivor
Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto St. George
Phone: 416-208-8191
Office: SY364 UTSC
email: scott(dot)macivor(at)utoronto.ca
macivorlab.ca
@jscottmacivor
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Thomas Onuferko, PhD
My research focuses broadly on the systematics, evolution, and ecology of aculeate Hymenoptera, especially bees. I joined the BUGS lab in October 2022 as a CERA Postdoctoral Research Fellow to document the diversity of bees and related wasps in the Rouge National Urban Park and Greater Toronto Area in the context of changing environmental conditions. I am also helping to curate the BUGS lab insect collection and develop a synoptic collection of bees from southern Ontario.
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My research focuses broadly on the systematics, evolution, and ecology of aculeate Hymenoptera, especially bees. I joined the BUGS lab in October 2022 as a CERA Postdoctoral Research Fellow to document the diversity of bees and related wasps in the Rouge National Urban Park and Greater Toronto Area in the context of changing environmental conditions. I am also helping to curate the BUGS lab insect collection and develop a synoptic collection of bees from southern Ontario.
GoogleScholar
PhDs
Nicholas Sookhan, PhD student
Urbanization is often linked to the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF). But urban areas are spatially heterogeneous and therefore may support BEF. My thesis explores how the amount and configuration of semi-natural habitat relates to pollinator diversity and service in urban areas. I’m also interested in the application of LiDAR data and UAV imagery to quantifying pollinator habitat quality in urban and peri-urban areas.
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Urbanization is often linked to the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF). But urban areas are spatially heterogeneous and therefore may support BEF. My thesis explores how the amount and configuration of semi-natural habitat relates to pollinator diversity and service in urban areas. I’m also interested in the application of LiDAR data and UAV imagery to quantifying pollinator habitat quality in urban and peri-urban areas.
Google scholar
Garland Xie, PhD student
Cities are hotspots for biological invasions, where non-native species degrade native biodiversity and ecosystem services. Urban green spaces in cities benefit people, but also act as a source (or sink) for invasive species. My thesis explores how invasive plants can establish and spread within and across a mosaic of different urban green spaces. I also get to try out new quantitative tools since I'm a big fan of data analysis :).
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Cities are hotspots for biological invasions, where non-native species degrade native biodiversity and ecosystem services. Urban green spaces in cities benefit people, but also act as a source (or sink) for invasive species. My thesis explores how invasive plants can establish and spread within and across a mosaic of different urban green spaces. I also get to try out new quantitative tools since I'm a big fan of data analysis :).
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Google scholar
Adriano Roberto, PhD student
co-supervised by Dr. Marney Isaac
Fertile crop land is being lost by growing urban spaces, and with the implementation of green infrastructure becoming central to urban policy, green roofs are a great way to recover that lost land. My thesis explores the effects of environmental stressors on plant diversity, resource facilitation and productivity of food crops on extensive green roofs. Outside of academia I enjoy gardening, hiking and rock climbing.
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co-supervised by Dr. Marney Isaac
Fertile crop land is being lost by growing urban spaces, and with the implementation of green infrastructure becoming central to urban policy, green roofs are a great way to recover that lost land. My thesis explores the effects of environmental stressors on plant diversity, resource facilitation and productivity of food crops on extensive green roofs. Outside of academia I enjoy gardening, hiking and rock climbing.
Google scholar
John English, PhD candidate
Urbanization can drastically influence biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF). Abiotic stresses such as urban heat islands may be altering how organisms interact with one another, increasing the importance of facilitation. My thesis focuses on plant microclimate amelioration and how these interactions may buffer against some of the more negative effects of increased temperature and improve community performance overall.
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Urbanization can drastically influence biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF). Abiotic stresses such as urban heat islands may be altering how organisms interact with one another, increasing the importance of facilitation. My thesis focuses on plant microclimate amelioration and how these interactions may buffer against some of the more negative effects of increased temperature and improve community performance overall.
Google scholar
Janean Sharkey, PhD candidate
co-supervised by Dr. Marc Cadotte
Plant pollinator interactions are important to the maintenance and functioning of a healthy ecosystem. My thesis will focus on how land management practices and pressures from urbanization affect the bee and plant communities in rare alvar habitat on Pelee Island. When she's not looking at bees, Janean is spending time in nature with her dog Sammie.
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co-supervised by Dr. Marc Cadotte
Plant pollinator interactions are important to the maintenance and functioning of a healthy ecosystem. My thesis will focus on how land management practices and pressures from urbanization affect the bee and plant communities in rare alvar habitat on Pelee Island. When she's not looking at bees, Janean is spending time in nature with her dog Sammie.
Google Scholar
Shereen Xavier, PhD candidate
Serendipity is how I came across entomology and in a simple statement, I love insects and am curious about their under explored potential in our ever-urbanizing world. My research focuses on quantifying the effects of habitat management practices like floral provisioning on beneficial insect communities specifically pollinators and natural enemies across urban agricultural landscapes.
What else do you need to know about me: I enjoy spending time outdoors with my dog and my husband (in that order 😉), crocheting, getting lost in the faraway lands of science fiction, and just living out the busy-ness of life.
Serendipity is how I came across entomology and in a simple statement, I love insects and am curious about their under explored potential in our ever-urbanizing world. My research focuses on quantifying the effects of habitat management practices like floral provisioning on beneficial insect communities specifically pollinators and natural enemies across urban agricultural landscapes.
What else do you need to know about me: I enjoy spending time outdoors with my dog and my husband (in that order 😉), crocheting, getting lost in the faraway lands of science fiction, and just living out the busy-ness of life.
Masters
Charlotte Craig, MSc student
Urban environments are being impacted by increasing temperatures due to the combined effects of global climate change and urban heat island effect. As high temperatures persist it is important to investigate how we can best support our pollinators. My thesis focuses on pollinator communities in The Meadoway, and how temperature impacts their foraging habits. In my free time you can find me canoeing or hiking!
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Urban environments are being impacted by increasing temperatures due to the combined effects of global climate change and urban heat island effect. As high temperatures persist it is important to investigate how we can best support our pollinators. My thesis focuses on pollinator communities in The Meadoway, and how temperature impacts their foraging habits. In my free time you can find me canoeing or hiking!
Thomas Hall, MSc student
Hi! I’m Thomas. My background is in entomology and I have a keen interest on the role insects play in multitrophic interactions. My current work focuses on bridging theoretical work on niche partitioning and disturbance ecology with applied conservation practices in the Meadoway. My current favourite beetle is the Diabolical ironclad beetle (Nosoderma diabolicum) but this will probably change as I struggle to pick favourites among my children.
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Hi! I’m Thomas. My background is in entomology and I have a keen interest on the role insects play in multitrophic interactions. My current work focuses on bridging theoretical work on niche partitioning and disturbance ecology with applied conservation practices in the Meadoway. My current favourite beetle is the Diabolical ironclad beetle (Nosoderma diabolicum) but this will probably change as I struggle to pick favourites among my children.
Twitter
Pascale Bider, MSc student
Invasive plant removal is a fundamental component of most ecosystem restoration projects. In naturalized environments, this practice has been shown to increase pollinator abundance and diversity, but in urban environments where floral resources are scarce, the impacts of this practice are not yet entirely understood. My research focuses on understanding how the removal of a non-native thistle, Cirsium arvense, affects plant and pollinator dynamics in an urban restoration project. When I’m not in the field, I love to sew while listening to sci-fi audiobooks!
Invasive plant removal is a fundamental component of most ecosystem restoration projects. In naturalized environments, this practice has been shown to increase pollinator abundance and diversity, but in urban environments where floral resources are scarce, the impacts of this practice are not yet entirely understood. My research focuses on understanding how the removal of a non-native thistle, Cirsium arvense, affects plant and pollinator dynamics in an urban restoration project. When I’m not in the field, I love to sew while listening to sci-fi audiobooks!
Research Associate
Dr. Alessandro Filazzola, PhD
Alex is a research associate with the BUGS lab, and data scientist at ApexRMS. He works with local conservation authorities to support urban biodiversity. He is broadly interested in the effects of extreme climate events on ecosystems. He is trained as a community ecologist, but frequently uses data science techniques to answer questions to protect and promote biological conservation.
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Alex is a research associate with the BUGS lab, and data scientist at ApexRMS. He works with local conservation authorities to support urban biodiversity. He is broadly interested in the effects of extreme climate events on ecosystems. He is trained as a community ecologist, but frequently uses data science techniques to answer questions to protect and promote biological conservation.
Website
Google Scholar
Undergraduate Honours Thesis
Christina Cao
Incorporating green infrastructures such as green roofs on buildings can help to cool down the city and mitigate the impact of climate change. In addition, thermal imaging technology can investigate the subtle temperature differences between vegetation and industrial surfaces that are hard to distinguish by the human eye. My project focuses on using thermal imaging as a tool for estimating green roof plant cover. In my free time, I enjoy hiking and baking.
Twitter
Incorporating green infrastructures such as green roofs on buildings can help to cool down the city and mitigate the impact of climate change. In addition, thermal imaging technology can investigate the subtle temperature differences between vegetation and industrial surfaces that are hard to distinguish by the human eye. My project focuses on using thermal imaging as a tool for estimating green roof plant cover. In my free time, I enjoy hiking and baking.
Lab Technician
Devlin Grewal, BSc (Hons)
Urban green spaces offer the opportunity to study how various restoration and management regimes may impact biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. My thesis explores the effects of restoration on seed bank diversity in urban meadow parks within the Greater Toronto Area. Outside of the lab, I love to cycle and cook!
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Urban green spaces offer the opportunity to study how various restoration and management regimes may impact biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. My thesis explores the effects of restoration on seed bank diversity in urban meadow parks within the Greater Toronto Area. Outside of the lab, I love to cycle and cook!
Current Research Technicians
Madeline Teo (BIOD98)
Ria Khan (BIOB99)
Saraf Nawar (BIOB99)
Work Study
Saraf Nawar, Jingwei Dai, Ria Khan, Ray Liman, Kyle Carlos
Ria Khan (BIOB99)
Saraf Nawar (BIOB99)
Work Study
Saraf Nawar, Jingwei Dai, Ria Khan, Ray Liman, Kyle Carlos
Alumni
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Defended!!
PhD (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) 2017-2021 Charlotte de Keyzer (Now: Treasury Board of Canada) 'Phenological responses of plants and pollinators to human-altered climates' MSc (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) 2021-2023 Charlotte Craig 'Experimental warming of flower temperatures and influence on pollinator visitation' 2020-2022 Sisley Irwin (Now: Toronto and Region Conservation Authority) 'Effect of ecological restoration on plant-pollinator networks in urban meadows' 2019-2022 Andrew Nichols (Now: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) 'Soil nitrogen mineralization and nitrous oxide dynamics in an extensive agro-green roof system' 2019-2021 Madison Marshall (Now: UofT Cell and System Biology) 'Cavity-nesting bee and wasp diversity and foraging trip duration in urban residential gardens' 2018-2020 Julie Wang (Now: PhD, University of Georgia Athens) 'To Sedum or Not to Sedum: Improving Extensive Green Roof Functioning Using Invasion Theory as a Management Tool' |
Masters of Applied Environmental Science
2022 Cole Blair (Current: Wildlife Preservation Canada) 2022. Chelsea Aristone (Current: Birds Canada) 2021 Patricia Prelich (Current: Toronto Wildlife Centre) 2020 Carolyn Thickett (Current: BEEc at YorkU) 2019 Miranda Klymiuk 2018 Galila Wondwessen 2017 Vickie Do Undergraduate honours thesis (BSc) 2021-2022 Khawlah Usmani Devlin Grewal 2020-2021 Krishan Sivanathan 2019-2020 Shannon Underwood 2018-2019 Waqqas Khalid (Current: M Anth, UTSC) Zhuo Wei (Current: MStat, UofT) Stephen Grabinsky Praveen Jayarajan 2017-2018 Bruce Malloch (Current: PhD, Western) Antonio Lorenzo (Current: MSc, UofT) Chet Greene Inkar Artygalina *UTSC top undergraduate award Kabir Plahay Mandy Yuen 2016-2017 Menilek Beyene (Current: PhD., UTSC) Vicky Nguyen (Current: Architecture) Caroline Mitchell 2015-2016 Anushree Bhatt Shameek Das |