Environment | Past SAEC Winners

Please note the 2020 Environment Conference event was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Science Atlantic Undergraduate Research Award

2021

Oral, First: Makadunyiswe Ngulube, Saint Mary's University - Grenfell

Wave Dissipation Potential of Spartina alterniflora in the Bay of Fundy

Oral, Second: Samantha Howard, Dalhousie University

Understanding Resistance to Flood Mapping: a Test of Climax Thinking in Southwestern Nova Scotia

Poster, First: Molly Bradford, Acadia University

The effects of sediment geochemistry on methylmercury production and bioaccumulation in intertidal ecosystems

Poster, Second: Natalie Parsons, Memorial University - Grenfell

The influence of long-term agricultural management practices on red wiggler worm (Lumbricus rubellus) population abundance and activity in Cormack, Newfoundland

2019

Oral, First: Megan Clarke, Memorial University - Grenfell

Habitat and carcass availability affect scavenging rates in an island setting: implications for bird-window collision mortality estimates

Oral, Second: Sarah Stewart, Acadia University

Running on empty: Determining the presence of feeding behaviour in Anadromous Alewife in Jolicure Lake, NB

Poster, First: Shawn Feener, University of New Brunswick – Fredericton

Effects of invasive fish predators on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolt survival

Poster, Second: Milia Aidemouni, University of New Brunswick – Saint John

Optimal alpha – Validating a better method for making decisions

2018

Oral, First: Taylor Crosby, Mount Allison University

Microplastic export from waste water treatment plants in New Brunswick rivers

Oral, Second: Sally Faulkner, Mount Allison University

Macromolecular dynamics of Thalassiosira weissflogii under steady-state and non-steady-state phosphorus stress

Poster, First: Maggie MacDonald, Acadia University

Identification and impact in commercial onion in Nova Scotia

2017

Oral, First: Yvonne Ritchie, Dalhousie University

Investigating the carbon sequestration capacity of trees in a university campus environment

Oral, Second: Heather Spicer, Memorial University

Grenfell Campus, Citizen science investigation of red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) and eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) distribution and abundance in Newfoundland

Poster, First: Alyse Reimer, University of New Brunswick

Fredericton, Survival and movement of the common salt marsh snail Melampus bidentatus in Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick

Poster, Second: Kimberley Taylor, St. Francis Xavier University

Assessing patterns of dissolved methane in groundwater aquifers in the Stellarton basin

2016

Oral, First: Sonya Ardley, Acadia University

Investigation of effluent water quality and treatment options for a carrot processing facility

Oral, Second: Rachel Shin, Dalhousie University

Exploring the influence of nature exposure on risk-based decision-making

Poster, First: Samantha Stachiw, St. Francis Xavier University

Does the addition of biochar to nitrogen-enriched soils alter greenhouse gas emissions and the leaching of nutrients?

Poster, Second: James Williams, St. Francis Xavier University

An analysis of atmospheric gas concentrations and the implications of abandoned oil and gas infrastructure at the Stoney Creek oilfield, New Brunswick

2015

Oral: Nicole Shanahan, Memorial University

Grenfell Campus, Acoustic monitoring of bat populations in Newfoundland national parks

Poster: Marley Geddes, Dalhousie University

Prioritizing catchments for terrestrial liming in Nova Scotia

2014

Oral, First: Sarah MacLeod, St. Francis Xavier University

Uncertainty in modeled deforestation due to albedo variability

Oral, Honourable: Liz O'Connell, St. Francis Xavier University

Mapping gas variability for energy development monitoring

Poster, First: Joanna Poltarowicz, Dalhousie University

An analysis of phosphorus cycling in waste stabilization pools (WSPs) in Nunavut

Poster, Honourable: Anna Bishop, Dalhousie University

Surveying vernal pools in Nova Scotia: a pilot study to test for lanscape correlates of pool occurrence and to develop an optimal field methodology

2013

Oral, First: Jacqueline Carverhill, Mount Allison University

Unearthing the secret to lower agricultural greenhouse gas emissions: quantifying nitrogen and carbon emissions from crop residue degradation

Oral, Honourable: Olivia Kester, St. Francis Xavier University

Methane Soil Dynamics in the Taiga Region of Cape Breton

Poster, First: Tiffany Vass, Dalhousie University

What is the significance of "community" wind energy? The influence of local project initiation, participation, and investment on local perceptions

Poster, Honourable: Garry Dart, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Factors Affecting Plant Re-colonization on Quarried Limestone Barrens Habitat on the Great Northern Peninsula, Newfoundland

2012

Oral, First: Emma Davis

Mount Allison University, Taking shelter from climate change: An analysis of shelterbelt species in the Canadian Prairies

Oral, Honourable: Louise Tunnah

Mount Allison University, Getting Fresh: The hypo-osmotic stress response of the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) and the relative roles of chemical and molecular chaperones

Oral, Honourable: Kaycee Morrison

Acadia University, Living in the fast lane: benthic habitat features of the FORCE tidal energy technology demonstration area in the upper Bay of Fundy

2011

Oral, First: Emily Stewart, Dalhousie University

Spatial and Temporal Mapping of Radiofrequency Fields

Oral, Honourable: Robin Tress, Dalhousie University

Relationships of macrobenthic invertebrate community structure with physical properties of eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds in Nova Scotia

Poster, First: Ellen Boyd, University of New Brunswick – Saint John Campus

Effects of number of offspring and generation time on population growth rate

Poster, Honourable: Ashley Godin, Sir Wilfred Grenfell College

Determining Total Coliform Abundance in Corner Brook Stream

Poster, Honourable: Gillian Fielding, Dalhousie University

Barriers to Fish Passage in Nova Scotia: The Evolution of Water Control Barriers in Nova Scotia's Watersheds

Poster, Honourable: Emily Burns, St. Francis Xavier University

Soil Respiration Deserves More Attention in Climate Models

2010

Oral: Kelsey O'Brien, St. Francis Xavier University

Radon soil gas in Halifax Regional Municipality

Poster: Jake Russell-Mercier, Sir Wilfred Grenfell College

Germination and growth responses of seven plant species of Newfoundland to soils contaminated with crude and used engine oil

2009

Sarah Haverstock, Acadia University

Quantifying the photo-oxidation of dissolved organic carbon by ultra-violet radiation in freshwater lakes: development of a whole-lake model

Heather McCracken, University of New Brunswick

Measuring lscustrine influence on composition and function in a stream community

Science Atlantic Communication Award

2021

Nina Garrett, Dalhousie University

The effect of call similarity on call discrimination by Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) nestlings in the presence of noise

2019

Devon McGrath, Memorial University

Selective High Surface Area Pollutant Scrubbers: Metal-Organic Frameworks for Sequestration of Atmospheric Nitrous Acid

2018

Molly Leblanc, Saint Mary's University

Identifying invertebrate biomonitors and assessing biotransport risk at contaminated historical gold mine sites

2017

Emily Bennet, Cape Breton University

Tree-specific effects of canopy passage on acidity and electrical conductivity of rainwater

2016

Sara Klapstein, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Dissolved organic matter controls mercury photoreactions in fresh water lakes

2015

Oral: Emily Peters, Saint Mary's University

Utilization of growth-promoters in Arundo donax

Poster: Michael Buckland-Nicks, Saint Mary's University

GIS-based analysis to understand the effects of environmental variability on the growth and success of native plants on green roofs

2014

Oral: Amanda Loder, Acadia University

Examination of trace metals in gastropods to determine the potential for accumulation in the Border Marsh Region

Poster: Emma Hoffman, Dalhousie University

Canine Scent Detection of an Invasive Wood-Boring Insect, the Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle in Laboratory Conditions

2013

Oral, First: Adam Godfrey

Acadia University, Impact of salt marsh reclamation on mercury fate and biogeochemistry

Oral, Honourable: Conor Leggott

University of Prince Edward Island, Networks, Identity, and Resilience in an Island Watershed Group

Oral, Honourable: Heather Crozier

Dalhousie University, The Toxicological effects of insecticides on Chrysocus auratus

2012

Poster, First: Chelsey Lawrence

Memorial University of Newfoundland, Native bees pollinate blueberries even in the nastiest Newfoundland weather

Poster, Honourable: Chris MacIntyre

St. Francis Xavier University, Testing low cost OEM CO2 sensors for outdoor ecological studies

2009

Susan Hannan, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Investigating the factors controlling chlorination disinfection byproduct formation in drinking water supplies of Newfoundland and Labrador

Amanda Marie, Savoie University of New Brunswick

Effects of density of the amphipod Corophium volutator on sediment properties on a mudflat

K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre Award

2019

Emilie Noel and Kindy Houinato, Mount Allison University

Recent radial productivity and periods of suppressed growth in sugar maples of Fundy National Park

2018

Brock Burgess, Acadia University

Nest density of orange-belted bumble bees (Bombus ternarius)

2017

Jasmine Pinksen, Memorial University - Grenfell Campus

Cutovers as potential suitable bee habitats

2016

Amanda Ring, Dalhousie University

The habitat characteristics associated with redroot (Lachnanthes caroliniana) in Southwestern Nova Scotia

2015

Monique Goguen, University of New Brunswick - Fredericton

Modelling and mapping bryophyte distributions in New Brunswick using a depth-to-water index

2013

Chelsea Fougere, St. Francis Xavier University

Influence of Rosa rugosa on the coastal community of Brier Island, NS

Science Atlantic Acadian Award

2021

First: Andrew Willms, Dalhousie University

Quantifying the Causes of Increased Human-Black Bear Interactions Across Nova Scotia

Second: Hannah Kosick, Cape Breton University

Cape Breton Abuzz: Naturalists Amass Data About Bumble Bees

Pecha Kucha Prize

2021

First: Marwa Jebali, Université de Moncton

Développement des sondes DGT spécifiques à l’échantillonnage du radium dans les eaux naturelles

Second: Damien Mullin, University of New Brunswick - Fredericton

Predicting the Effects of Forest Harvest on Wood Turtle Habitat Suitability

Science Atlantic Graduate Research Award

2021

First: Rachel Noddle, Dalhousie University

Investigating the Nitrogen Biogeochemistry of Sewage Organic Materials Using Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis

Second: Kaushalya Rathnayake, University of New Brunswick - Fredericton

Is there variation in phenotypic selection on floral traits in bee-pollinated Penstemons?

2019

First: Julia Campbell, Mount Allison University

Using Subfossil Midges to Assess the Potential Impacts of Mink Farming on Lake Water Quality in Southwestern Nova Scotia

Second: Sarah Adams, Acadia University

Diversity of fungi from marine wood from the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, Canada

2018

Oral, First: Sarah Jacques, Université de Moncton

What happens when you add prey to an arctic ecosystem? Modeling the apparent competition between snow goose and semipalmated sandpiper

Oral, Second: Eileen Haskett, Acadia University

Response of intertidal communities on a tidal gradient to high and low suspended sediment concentrations

2017

Oral, First: Bernhard Wegscheider, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton

Quantitative modeling of existing and future fish habitats in the Saint John River

Oral, Second: Brittany Dixon, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton

Near dam, spatio-temporal distribution of migrating American eel elvers and juvenile eels in the downstream reach of the Mactaquac Generating Station

Poster, First: Zoe O'Malley, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton

Factors affecting dragonfly emergence, including a species-at-risk (Skillet Clubtail, Gomphus ventricosus) in the lower Saint John River and Grand Lake Meadows

Poster, Second: Bethany Reinhart, University of New Brunswick

Saint John, Mercury in fish and invertebrates in the Saint John River estuary

2016

Oral, First: Emily Walker, Saint Mary's University

Increased environmental heterogeneity effects substrate conditions and alters seedling dynamics on green roofs

Oral, Second: Allison Dickhout, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton

Spatial variability of aquatic ecosystems in a groundwater dominated watershed

2015

Oral: Sarah MacLeod, Dalhousie University

Increasing aluminium concentrations in southwest Nova Scotia rivers from 1980 to present

Poster: Marie-France Jones, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton

Mapping temporal and spatial soil hydrothermal and mechanical properties by way of the Soil Trafficability Prediction Model (STRAP)

2014

Poster: Sara Klapstein, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Phototransformation of dissolved organic carbon within mercury sensitive lakes in Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia

2013

Poster: Catherine MacNeil, University of Prince Edward Island

Youth livelihood strategies and environmental decision-making in the humid forest zone of Cameroon

2012

Oral, First: Jim Ghoshdastidar

Acadia University, Membrane Bioreactor Treatment of Organophosphate and Phenoxyacetic Acid Pesticides in Wastewater

Oral, Honourable: Jocelyn Egan

St. Francis Xavier University, A numerical look at 14CO2 chamber methodologies

2011

Oral, First: Heather Elliot, Dalhousie University

Investigating Student Union Presidents' Conceptualizations of Sustainable Universities

Oral, Honourable: Brian Hansen, St. Francis Xavier University

Identifying and mapping saltwater intrusion and submarine groundwater discharge

Oral, Honourable: Nick Nickerson, St. Francis Xavier University

A novel method to measure the isotope ratio of soil respiration

Oral, Honourable: Peter Horne, Saint Mary's University

Evaluating the elevation and spatial dependence of scaling properties within a complex inter-tidal zone

Poster, First: Doug Hiltz, University of New Brunswick - Fredericton

Identifying Rare Plant Communities and Invasive Plant Planning Using Depth-to-Water Mapping

Poster, Honourable: Marie-France Jutras, University of New Brunswick - Fredericton

Calibrating Hydraulic Conductivity for Modeling Stream Discharge in Forest Catchments of Eastern Canada, on Varied Bedrock Formations

Poster, Honourable: Raymond Jahncke, Dalhousie University

Wetland Identification using polarimetric radar: a pilot study in Nova Scotia

2010

Oral: Jennifer Bonnell, Memorial University of Newfoundland

CPMAS 13 CNMR of Freshwater Dissolved Organic Matter from Multiple Watersheds within the Humber River Basin

Poster: Felicia Pickard, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Multimedia environmental lead exposure assessment in children from pre-1970s housing in St. John's, NL