Conservation Biology, Ecology,
and environmental DNA (eDNA)
Research Themes and Goals
My research focuses on developing molecular methods to monitor populations of conservation concern, with an emphasis on using eDNA to infer abundance and eRNA to monitor the physiological status of organisms. My research program encompasses both theoretical and applied research – by developing novel theoretical advances in molecular ecology, we can improve the effectiveness of evidence-based approaches to the conservation and management of biodiversity. My research focuses on two major themes:
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Developing molecular methods to study population ecology and inform conservation management, with a focus on pushing environmental DNA/RNA (eDNA/eRNA) applications 'Beyond Species Detection' - that is, leveraging data contained in eDNA/eRNA to make ecological inferences that move beyond the presenece/absence of a species in an environment
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Using genetic/genomic techniques to study population-level characteristics that affect fitness and adaptation in changing natural environments
For project specifics, please click the link below
Publications
I have led research projects in both field and laboratory environments and have a proven track-record as an effective research collaborator. My publication record includes research from experimental and observational field studies, laboratory studies, meta-analyses, and reviews/syntheses. As a primary and secondary author I have published research in high-impact academic journals at the intersection of genetics, ecology, and conservation biology, including Trends in Ecology and Evolution, Molecular Ecology, Evolutionary Applications, and Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. I also have a number of impactful publications in more specialized journals, including a meta-analysis that is the third-most cited manuscript in Environmental DNA.
For a complete list of peer-reviewed publications, please click on the link below.
About
I use laboratory experiments, field experiments, genomics, and meta-analyses to develop molecular methods to indirectly monitor populations of conservation concern, with a particular focus on environmental DNA and environmental RNA. I am also interested in investigating genetic and evolutionary processes that affect fitness in changing environments.
I obtained my honours undergraduate degree with Dr. Jeffrey Hutchings (Dalhousie University) and my PhD with Dr. Dylan Fraser (Concordia University). As a post-doctoral researcher at Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) under the supervision of Dr. Alison Derry (UQAM) and Dr. Fraser (Concordia University) and collaborating with Dr. Cristescu (McGill University), I investigated the relationship between environmental DNA (eDNA) and organism abundance in aquatic populations subjected to human harvesting activities. I also collaborated with a number of projects investigating the utility of eRNA to monitor the physiological status of organisms. I am currently a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Windsor co-supervised by Dr. Daniel Heath (University of Windsor) and Dr. Nick Mandrak (University of Toronto), where I will continue to investigate the ecology of eDNA production, the application of eDNA to study population ecology, and potential applications of eRNA.
Contact Information
2990 Riverside Dr W,
Windsor, ON N9C 1A2,
matthew.yates(at)outlook.com