Dr. Daniel Heath is both a biology professor at U Windsor and the director of the Great Lakes Institution for Environmental Research (GLIER). The multidisciplinary research organization looks at environmental problems affecting and stressors on large lakes. Its researchers have recently received over $17 million in funding.
Dr. Heath received both his Bachelor of Physics and his Masters in Biology at McGill University. He attained his his PhD in Animal Science at the University of British Columbia in 1993. His most recent publication was to the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences in 2013, though he has written many works throughout his career with other colleagues.
Dr. Heath is also a father of two. His eldest daughter is currently in her first year at U Windsor in the Behaviour, Cognition, and Neuroscience program.
I asked Dr. Heath more about GLIER, research, and females’ prevalence in the sciences.
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What are the short and long term goals of GLIER?
The mandate, or long term goals, of GLIER are to foster Great Lakes research and student training to further the effective management and conservation of the Great Lakes ecosystem and resources. The short(er) term goals are to foster the research of U Windsor faculty and students such that we can make a difference for folks in the Windsor and Essex region.
2. Did you participate in any similar organizations or research projects in Quebec or BC during or after your education there?
I started being a faculty member in BC at the U of Northern BC. While I was there, I was very involved in fish conservation and watershed focused environmental research using genetic techniques. However, I was never affiliated with anything like GLIER until I came to Windsor in 2000.
3. Do you do research elsewhere? If so, how do you relate the findings there to those you make in Windsor? Do you take U Windsor students elsewhere to do research?
My research includes work in BC, Alberta and Australia as well as Ontario. In the past I have been involved in projects in the Caribbean, Indonesia and South America. While the specific environmental or ecological question vary, the basic approach is the same – I use evolutionary, ecological and genetic tools to answer questions. My students travel more than I do, so yes, they do end up in far-flung places.
4. How does U Windsor have an advantage to other universities in terms of research opportunities?
U Windsor has unique research opportunities for undergraduate students in that they can work with research professors much more closely than at other larger universities. U Windsor also has a focus on aquatic environmental research, and a large and very dedicated group of professors work together to put together the equipment and funding necessary to do difficult field based work.
5. How often do you directly work with students aside from your teaching obligations?
I work with graduate students all the time, not only those in my lab, but others who need or want to include molecular genetic approaches in their projects. Typically, 4-8 undergraduate students are working in my lab. They benefit from the research experience, plus I can act as their advocate when they apply to further their career choices
6. Do you feel there is a lack of female involvement in either the faculty or research? Is the female involvement growing?
Overall there should be more females in Science, and there are many postulated reasons for this. In Ecology, Evolution, and the Environment, female researchers are more common than in some other science disciplines, but we still have a way to go. Having said that, the opportunities for women in science academia are growing as universities are becoming more flexible in how professors do their job.
7. What can a student expect when starting to work on research projects of this kind?
For a student to excel and enjoy research, they have to be driven from within, putting up with the demands of research projects when your heart isn’t in it just isn’t any fun. However, if a student is excited by the project and question, then they amaze me with their dedication and drive.
8. Do you prefer field or lab work? Can most researchers expect to do both?
I actually love both, and although I haven’t kept up with lab work I still do field work. Many researchers find they prefer one over the other and their career reflects those preferences. The same goes for students – they can be a lab jockey or a muddy boots field researcher, or both as I am.
9. What should the everyday person be focusing on in regards to preserving the Great Lakes and its aquatic life?
I think they should try hard to stay informed of the challenges and successes that surround the Great Lakes ecosystem, then become involved the way that best suits their interests and resources.
Dr. Heath’s focus on having a passion for what you do is inspirational to anyone, especially a student. His research and curiosity has taken him across the world. Any science student of U Windsor should definitely look into the research opportunities at GLIER, where advanced technology and a great faculty are consistently making great finds and doing a lot for our understanding of the environment.