Robert Laird - Department of Biological Sciences - University of Lethbridge


Principal investigator
	Robert Laird Professor (2021- ) Board of Governors Research Chair II (2016-2019) Associate professor (2014-2021) Assistant professor (2009-2014) robert.laird at uleth.ca http://people.uleth.ca/~robert.laird Rob's research interests include the evolution of senescence, the evolution of cooperation, the origin, evolution, maintenance and ecological consequences of non-transitive competition, and plant-insect interactions. Rob did his BSc and MSc at Queen's University, his PhD at the University of Calgary, and an NSERC PDF at Carleton University. Rob has been a faculty member at the University of Lethbridge since 2009. He serves on the editorial board of Biology Letters.
Lab manager
	Suzanne Chmilar Lab Manager (2021- ) MSc Student (2018-2021) Honours Thesis Student (2017) Independent Studies Student (2016) s.chmilar at uleth.ca Suzanne joined the lab in September 2016, and worked on senescence and morphological variation in duckweed (Lemna turionifera and Lemna gibba). She rejoined the lab as an MSc student in May 2016, working on the interaction of parental age effects and stress in Lemna species. She is now the Lab Manager.
Current lab members
	Sarah Henman Research Internship Concentration Student (2024) sarah.henman at uleth.ca Sarah joined the lab in January 2024, working on the Lemna senescence project.
	Amanda Luzardo MSc Student (2022- ) amanda.luzardo at uleth.ca Amanda joined the lab in May 2022, after completing a BSc at the University of Calgary. She is working on the evolution of senescence in Lemna.
	Abbe Pawluk MSc student (2022- ) Summer student (2022) abbe.pawluk at uleth.ca Abbe joined the lab in May 2022, after completing a BSc at Concordia University. She worked as a summer researcher on various Lemna projects before becoming an MSc student working on ecological entomology in September 2022 (co-supervised by Dr. Héctor Cárcamo of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada).
	Vicky Thwaites BSc Hons student (2024-2024) Summer student (2023) Independent study student (2022) Summer student (2022) Research Internship Concentration Student (2022) vc.thwaites at uleth.ca Vicky joined the lab in January 2022 as a Research Internship Concentration Student, and stayed on as a summer researcher and then as an independent study student (and then as a summer student again!), and presently as a BSc Hons student. She is working on parental age effects and population dynamics in Lemna.
	Jemma Todoschuk MSc student (2022- ) jm.todoschuk at uleth.ca Jemma joined the lab in September 2022 as an entomologist specializing on bee ecology. Jemma is co-supervised by Dr. Shelley Hoover.
	Katelyn Thomsen Research Internship Concentration Student (2024) katelyn.thomsen at uleth.ca Katelyn joined the lab in January 2024, working on the Lemna senescence project.

Click here for lab alumni
Lab photo
Laird lab 2023. Rob Laird, Abbe Pawluk, Suzanne Chmilar, Vicky Thwaites, Aim Senayai, Jemma Todoschuk (Inaugural Lab Bowling Champion), Amanda Luzardo. Absent: Pri Dutt. Click here for previous lab photos
Lab alumni
	Eric Ankutowicz Independent Studies Student (2016) Summer researcher (2016) Eric joined the lab in 2016, and worked on asymmetry and aging in Lemna turionifera. Eric went on to be an environmental scientist with Secure Energy.
	Patrick Barks PhD Student (2012-2015) Patrick joined the lab in January 2012, after completing a BSc in Biology at the University of Regina and an MSc at Carleton University. Patrick worked on the evolution of senescence with a special focus on the aquatic plant, Lemna (a study system he developed). Dr. Barks defended his PhD in the Spring of 2015 and went on to postdocs at the University of Calgary and the University of Southern Denmark, and then to an analyst position at Epicentre (Médecins Sans Frontières) in Paris.
Susan Bury MSc Student (2011-2015) Sue joined the lab in September 2011, after completing a BA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Minnesota State University Moorehead. She worked on the ecology and evolution of non-transitive competition in crickets (in collaboration with Kevin Judge, U of L; co-supervised by Brandon Schamp, Algoma University).
Leah Blair BSc Applied studies student (2010) Rob served as Leah's faculty supervisor while she did an applied study at the Lethbridge Research Centre in the Spring of 2010, supervised by Rob Bourchier and Brian van Hezewijk. Leah studied the effect of density of the sap-sucking insect Aphalara itadori on egg-laying patterns on the invasive plant, Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica).
Sarah Bogart Research Technician (2013) Sarah joined the lab in March 2013 as a research technician. Sarah worked on the Lemna minor project with PhD student Patrick Barks.
Cheyenne Conrad BSc Applied studies student (2009) Rob served as Cheyenne's faculty supervisor while she did an applied study at the Lethbridge Research Centre in the Fall of 2009, supervised by Kevin Floate. Cheyenne studied the potential impacts of climate change on insect populations in Canada.
Stephanie Crowshoe BSc Independent studies student (2010) Stephanie joined the lab in January 2010. She worked on the comparative biology of senescence in birds. After a year away, Stephanie returned to the University of Lethbridge as an MSc student.
Chloe Devoy Summer Student (2018) Chloe worked on developing primers for conducting DNA analysis of species of Lemna (duckweeds). She was co-supervised by Theresa Burg.
Annelise Den Hertog Independent Study Student (2021) Annelise worked on the effects of nutrient availability on aging in duckweed (Lemna).
	Shelby Dufton MSc Student (2016-2019) Shelby joined the lab in September 2016, after completing a BSc at UBC. Shelby worked on wheat midge and its natural enemies with a focus on carabid beetles. She was co-supervised by Kevin Floate and Jennifer Otani (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada). Shelby went on to work for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
	Priyanka Dutt MSc Student (2020-2023) Pri joined the lab in September 2020, after completing a BSc and a BEd at Mount Royal University and the University of Alberta, respectively. She worked on parental age effects in Lemna, specifically on a phenomenon known as the Lansing Effect, whereby offspring of older parents have shorter average lifespans than offspring of younger parents. Pri went on to become a secondary school teacher in Lethbridge.
Jayden Dyck BSc Applied studies student (2012) Rob served as Jayden's faculty supervisor while he did an applied study at the Lethbridge Research Centre in the fall of 2012, supervised by Rose de Clerck-Floate. He worked on weed biological control of Pilosella spp. (hawkweeds).
	Catalina Fernández MSc Student (2014-2016) Catalina joined the lab in January 2014, after completing a BSc at Universidad del Cauca and extensive field research at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Catalina worked on Lygus-canola interactions (co-supervised by Héctor Cárcamo, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada). Cata went on to become a PhD student at the University of Windsor.
	Dipankar Goyal BSc Independent studies student (2011) Research technician (2011) Dipankar joined the lab in January 2011 as an independent studies student (BSc), and then continued in the lab as a summer volunteer. He worked on spatial models of the evolution of cooperation. After leaving the U of L, Dee became a medical student.
	Jake Hayden MSc Student (2016-2018) Jake joined the lab in January 2016, after completing a BSc at McGill University and a number of field-work experiences. Jake worked on the evolution of aging in duckweed (Lemna turionifera).
	Vincent Hervet PhD Student (2013-2016) MSc Student (2011-2013 (PhD transfer)) Dr. Hervet joined the lab in September 2011, after earning a Diplôme Universitaire et Technologique in Agronomy from Universitée de Picardie Jules Vernes, and an MSc in Agricultural Engineering and Agronomy from Institut Polytechnique LaSalle Beauvais. Following work as a wasp taxonomist at the Lethbridge Research Centre (LRC), Vince worked on tri-trophic interactions involving canola, cutworms, and their natural enemies (co-supervised by Kevin Floate, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada). Vince is now a Research Scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Winnipeg.
	Gregory Holmes MSc Student (2013-2016) Greg joined the lab in September 2013, having completed his BSc at the University of Lethbridge. He worked on biological control of invasive hawkweeds using galling wasps and rust fungi (co-supervised by Rose De Clerck-Floate, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada). Greg now works at Lethbridge College.
Kiara Kornelson Independent Study Student (2021) Kiara worked on the effects of nutrient availability on aging in duckweed (Lemna).
Kevin Kwok MSc Student (2011-2014) BSc Independent studies (2010-11) Research technician (2010-11) Kevin joined the lab in May 2010 and did two rounds as an independent studies student (BSc) and a round as a summer student, working on the induction of extra-floral nectaries in Vicia faba. In 2011, after graduating and completing a second year as a summer student, he became an MSc student, working on inducible defences in Helianthus annuus. He defended his MSc in 2014.
Tamar Messer Applied Study Student (2018) Tamar's main research supervisor was Rose De Clerck-Floate of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Tamar worked on interactions between invasive hawkweeds and leaf-galling wasps.
Marko Micovic Research technician (2014) BSc Independent studies student (2014) Marko joined the lab in January 2014 as an independent studies student, co-supervised by Kevin Floate of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. He worked on the effect of Wolbachia on longevity of the parasitoid of fly pupae Trichomalopsis sarcophagae. He subsequently worked on noctuid-braconid (moth-wasp parasitoid) interactions with PhD student Vincent Hervet.
RJ Murphy Research technician (2012) RJ joined the lab in the spring of 2012. She assisted the MSc and PhD students with their research projects.
	Austin Paiha MSc Student (2018-2021) Austin joined the lab in January 2018, after completing his BSc at the University of Lethbridge. He worked on the effects of changes in temperature on the ageing trajectories of Lemna minor and comparing the pace and shape of senescence between 3 different species of Lemna (L. minor, L. gibba, and L. turionifera).
Braidon Schaufert Research technician (2014) Braidon worked on noctuid-braconid (moth-wasp parasitoid) interactions with PhD student Vincent Hervet.
Sam Scorah BSc Independent studies student (2011) Sam joined the lab in September 2011 as an independent studies student (BSc). He worked on a review of narcotic compounds in plants.
Athita (Aim) Senayai Visiting PhD student (2023) Aim joined the lab from February to July 2023 as a visiting PhD student (from Kasetsart University in Thailand). She worked on the evolution of senescence in Wolffia.
	Kanishka Senevirathna MSc Student (2019-2021) Kanishka joined the lab in January 2019, after completing a Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. He worked on the molecular ecology and population genetics of Lemna species. Kanishka ws co-supervised by Theresa Burg of the University of Lethbridge. Kanishka went on to a PhD program at the University of Alberta.
	Sunil Shivananjappa MSc Student (2017-2019) Sunil joined the lab in September 2017, after completing a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture from the University of Agricultural Sciences Bangalore, Karnataka, India. He worked on the induction and termination of diapause in the quarantine insect Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium). Sunil was co-supervised by Paul Fields and Kevin Floate of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Sunil went on to a PhD program at the University of Western Australia.
Briana Smith Research technician (2012, 2013) BSc Independent studies student (2011) Rob served as Briana's faculty supervisor while she did an independent study with U of L postdoc Kevin Judge in the spring of 2011. Briana studied hatchling competition in the spring field cricket, Gryllus veletis. Briana re-joined the lab in the fall of 2012 and again in the fall of 2013 as a research technician.
	Brad van Paridon Research technician (2010) Brad worked in the lab in the summer of 2010 on models of the evolutionary reliability theory of senescence. Brad went on to MSc studies at the University of Lethbridge, eventually transferring to the PhD program.
	Diana Wilches MSc Student (2013-2016) Diana joined the lab in September 2013, after completing two BSc degrees (in biology and microbiology) at Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá. She worked on the effects of extreme temperatures on an economically important quarantine insect, khapra beetle, and on the associated symbiotic bacterial community (co-supervised by Kevin Floate and Paul Fields, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 'AAFC'). Diana went on to work at the University of Lethbridge and then back to AAFC.
Previous lab photos
Laird lab 2016 (plus some colleagues and friends). Vincent Hervet, Catalina Fernández, Greg Holmes, Diana Wilches, Rob Laird, Jake Hayden, Eric Ankutowicz.
Laird lab 2014 (in bold, CW from toddler). Little E, Rob, Allyssa, Patrick, Greg, Jessica, Catalina, John, Kevin, Diana. Absent: Vince, Sue.
Laird lab 2013. Back row L-R: Rob Laird, Vincent Hervet, Kevin Kwok, Patrick Barks, Sue Bury. Font row: soon-to-be demolished cheesecake.
Laird lab 2012. L-R: Sue Bury, Patrick Barks, Vincent Hervet, Kevin Kwok, Rob Laird (plus Sunny)

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