Simon Fraser University
REM

Environmental Toxicology Research Group

The Environmental Toxicology Group consists of Master, Doctoral (Ph.D.) and undergraduate students and Post Doctoral fellows, working together under the supervision of Dr. Victoria Otton (research associate) and Dr. Frank Gobas (Professor). The group is part of Canadian Environmental Modeling Center and has close associations with scientists from the Institute for Ocean Sciences (Dr. Michael Ikonomou, Dr. Peter Ross), Simon Fraser University (Dr. Margo Moore, Dr. Chris Kennedy, Dr. Russel Nicholson, Dr. David Campbell) and other universities in the world (Dr. Barry Kelly [Univ. of Singapore], Dr. Gavin Birch [Univ. Sidney], Dr. Hii [Univ. of Malaysia], Dr. Sunderland [Harvard]).

Our research on the environmental behavior and effects of pollutants includes a combination of laboratory based experimentation, field studies, computer modeling and policy analysis. Students typically choose a project in one of these areas depending on their interests, educational goals and future employment interests.

Our research group has laboratory and analytical facilities on the university campus. We also have access to ships and field research equipment. We further collaborate with several scientists at the Institute for Ocean Sciences. Through our collaborations, we can provide students with access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to do research.

We offer courses to university students, government agencies and business. They include:

  • Applied Environmental Toxicology
  • Environmental Risk Assessment
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Pesticide Risk Assessment
  • Simulation Modeling
  • Food-Web Modeling of Contaminants
  • Global Change
  • Resource Management

We offer our expertise in support of the development of international, national and provincial regulations regarding pollutants. We also provide expertise and services in support of environmental remediation initiatives in Canada, Australia and the US. We further advise and conduct research for corporations and trade organizations. Our clients include:

  • United Nations Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP)
  • US Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board
  • American Chemistry Council
  • Environment Canada
  • International Joint Commission
  • British Columbia Ministry of the Environment
  • Department of Fisheries and Oceans
  • Clean Estuaries Partnership
  • San Francisco Estuary Institute
  • BASF
  • Exxon-Mobile
  • Azimuth
  • Dupont
  • City of Burnaby

We are proud members and supporters of SETAC, the Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.