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I received my PhD in Environmental Toxicology and Physiology from McMaster University in 2013. Prior to joining Laurier, I was a NSERC postdoctoral fellow at the University of Guelph in the Department of Integrative Biology, a postdoctoral fellow at McMaster University studying chemosensing mechanisms that underlie cardiorespiratory reflexes in mammals, and a postdoctoral fellow at Environment and Climate Change Canada studying the ecotoxicology of freshwater mussels and turtles.
The Anthropocene marks the commencement of significant human impact on Earth's ecosystems. Aquatic animals (fish, insects, and molluscs) are overwhelmed with environmental stressors such as anthropogenic inputs and climate change. In our lab, we investigate how the physiology of these animals are impacted by these stressors and create solutions to help them continue to thrive.
The Leonard lab welcomes highly motivated students and postdoctoral fellows from all backgrounds. If you’re interested in joining the team, please send me an email. I look forward to meeting you!
Leonard, E.M., Porteus, C.S., Brink, D., Milsom, W.K., 2024. Fish gill chemosensing: knowledge gaps and inconsistencies. Journal of Comparative Physiology B. JCPB-D-23-00125R2. Proofing stage of publication.
Borowiec, B.G., Leonard, E.M., 2024. The hypoxic ventilatory response and oxygen sensing in fishes. Encyclopedia of Fish Physiology, Second Edition. 107-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978- 0-323-90801-6.00176-2.
Leonard, E.M, Nurse, C.A., 2023. The Carotid Body “Tripartite Synapse”: Role of gliotransmission. Arterial chemoreceptors – mal (adaptive): O2 dependent and independent mechanisms.
Leonard, E.M., Weaver, F., Nurse, C.A., 2022. Lactate sensing by neuroepithelial cells isolated from the gills of killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus). Journal of Experimental Biology. JEXBIO/2022/245088. EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARD – January 2023
Blewett, T.A., Leonard, E.M., Glover, C.N., McClelland, G.B., Wood, C.M., McGeer, J.C., Santore, R.C., Smith, D.S., 2021. The effect of marine dissolved organic carbon on nickel accumulation in early life-stages of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part C. 250. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2021.109150
Kolosov, D., Leonard, E.M., O’Donnell, M.J., 2021. Voltage-gated calcium channels regulate K+ transport in the Malpighian tubules of the larval cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni. Journal of Insect Biology. 131. doi: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2021.104230.
Leonard, E.M., Nurse, C.A., 2020. Expanding role of dopaminergic inhibition in hypercapnic responses of cultured rat carotid body cells: Involvement of type II glial cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 21, 5434-5451. doi: 10.3390/ijms21155434
Kulesza, A. Leonard, E.M., McClelland, G.B., 2020. Influence of acute and 96h sub-lethal copper exposure on aerobic scope and recovery from exhaustive exercise in killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus). Aquatic Toxicology. 218, 105373. doi: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2019.105373
Leonard, E.M., Zhang, M., Nurse, C.A., 2018. Role of protein kinases in the 5-HT- [Ca2+]i - pannexin-1 signalling pathway in type II glial cells of the rat carotid body. Experimental Physiology. 104, 244-253. doi: 10.1113/EP087411.
Leonard, E.M., Belowitz, R., Agema, P., O’Donnell, M.J., 2018. Characterization of cadmium and calcium fluxes along the gut, Malpighian tubules and anal papillae of the dipteran, Chironomus riparius. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 37, 2542–2549. doi: 10.1002/etc.4211.
Leonard, E.M., Salman, S., Nurse, C.A., 2018. Sensory processing and integration at the carotid body tripartite synapse: neurotransmitter functions and effects of chronic hypoxia. Frontiers in Physiology. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00225.
Nurse, C.A., Leonard, E.M., Salman, S., 2018. The role of glial-like type II cells as paracrine modulators of carotid body chemoreception. Physiological Genomics. 50, 255-262.
- BI499: Biology Thesis
- BI300: Environmental Toxicology
- BI396Z: Animal Physiology in the Anthropocene
- BI356: Animals: Form or Function
- BI111: Biological Diversity and Evolution
- BI110: Unifying Life Processes
Contact Info:
T: 548.889.5337
Office location: BA426
Languages spoken: English, French
Personal website: leonardresearch.ca