Love Lab Visit

Love’sLove’s LabLab

Love’sLove’s LabLab

Chantelle Boismier - Angela Demarse - Olivia Markou - Harmony PillonChantelle Boismier - Angela Demarse - Olivia Markou - Harmony PillonChantelle Boismier - Angela Demarse - Olivia Markou - Harmony PillonChantelle Boismier - Angela Demarse - Olivia Markou - Harmony Pillon

Meet a Scientist - Valentine’s Day 2014Meet a Scientist - Valentine’s Day 2014Meet a Scientist - Valentine’s Day 2014Meet a Scientist - Valentine’s Day 2014

Meet Scientist: Meet Scientist: Dr. Oliver P. LoveDr. Oliver P. Love (Assistant Professor) (Assistant Professor)Assistant ProfessorAssistant Professor

Meet Scientist: Meet Scientist: Dr. Oliver P. LoveDr. Oliver P. Love (Assistant Professor) (Assistant Professor)Assistant ProfessorAssistant Professor

““My research examines the physiological My research examines the physiological mechanisms driving life-history trade-offs and mechanisms driving life-history trade-offs and variation in fitness in temperate and Arctic variation in fitness in temperate and Arctic avian systems. I received my BSc from avian systems. I received my BSc from Concordia University, my MSc from McGill, Concordia University, my MSc from McGill, and my PhD from Simon Fraser University. My and my PhD from Simon Fraser University. My NSERC-funded post-doc at the Université du NSERC-funded post-doc at the Université du Québec à Rimouski involved work in the Québec à Rimouski involved work in the Eastern Canadian Arctic. I joined the Biology Eastern Canadian Arctic. I joined the Biology Department at the University of Windsor in Department at the University of Windsor in July 2009.”July 2009.”

““My research examines the physiological My research examines the physiological mechanisms driving life-history trade-offs and mechanisms driving life-history trade-offs and variation in fitness in temperate and Arctic variation in fitness in temperate and Arctic avian systems. I received my BSc from avian systems. I received my BSc from Concordia University, my MSc from McGill, Concordia University, my MSc from McGill, and my PhD from Simon Fraser University. My and my PhD from Simon Fraser University. My NSERC-funded post-doc at the Université du NSERC-funded post-doc at the Université du Québec à Rimouski involved work in the Québec à Rimouski involved work in the Eastern Canadian Arctic. I joined the Biology Eastern Canadian Arctic. I joined the Biology Department at the University of Windsor in Department at the University of Windsor in July 2009.”July 2009.”

http://www.oliverlovelab.com/http://www.oliverlovelab.com/ Assistant ProfessorAssistant Professor

http://www.oliverlovelab.com/http://www.oliverlovelab.com/ Assistant ProfessorAssistant Professor

http://www.oliverlovelab.com/

http://www.oliverlovelab.com/

The goal of the Love Lab is to inspire and support bright, enthusiastic young The goal of the Love Lab is to inspire and support bright, enthusiastic young scientist to help explore, examine, and conserve the world around them.scientist to help explore, examine, and conserve the world around them.

The Love Lab approaches ecological questions by techniques and theory from 3 The Love Lab approaches ecological questions by techniques and theory from 3 main areas:main areas:

The goal of the Love Lab is to inspire and support bright, enthusiastic young The goal of the Love Lab is to inspire and support bright, enthusiastic young scientist to help explore, examine, and conserve the world around them.scientist to help explore, examine, and conserve the world around them.

The Love Lab approaches ecological questions by techniques and theory from 3 The Love Lab approaches ecological questions by techniques and theory from 3 main areas:main areas:

1. Evolutionary Physiology1. Evolutionary Physiology

•• Examines the role of phenotypic variation in quality-mediated Examines the role of phenotypic variation in quality-mediated physiological traits and their costs and benefits.physiological traits and their costs and benefits.

•• How and why inter-individual variations in physiological traits How and why inter-individual variations in physiological traits affect fitness. affect fitness.

1. Evolutionary Physiology1. Evolutionary Physiology

•• Examines the role of phenotypic variation in quality-mediated Examines the role of phenotypic variation in quality-mediated physiological traits and their costs and benefits.physiological traits and their costs and benefits.

•• How and why inter-individual variations in physiological traits How and why inter-individual variations in physiological traits affect fitness. affect fitness.

Love’s Love’s LabLabLove’s Love’s LabLab

2. Behavioural Ecology 2. Behavioural Ecology

•• Concerned with how human-induced changes in the Concerned with how human-induced changes in the environment, which affects individual fitness and population environment, which affects individual fitness and population health. health.

•• Human-induced changes—climate change and habitat Human-induced changes—climate change and habitat alterationalteration

2. Behavioural Ecology 2. Behavioural Ecology

•• Concerned with how human-induced changes in the Concerned with how human-induced changes in the environment, which affects individual fitness and population environment, which affects individual fitness and population health. health.

•• Human-induced changes—climate change and habitat Human-induced changes—climate change and habitat alterationalteration


3. Conservation Biology3. Conservation Biology

•• Primarily study artic and temperate avian systems.Primarily study artic and temperate avian systems.

•• Collaboratively in Aquatic systems.Collaboratively in Aquatic systems.

3. Conservation Biology3. Conservation Biology

•• Primarily study artic and temperate avian systems.Primarily study artic and temperate avian systems.

•• Collaboratively in Aquatic systems.Collaboratively in Aquatic systems.


As scientists we are meant to be impartial, collect data As scientists we are meant to be impartial, collect data and record the world, not to directly influence policy or the and record the world, not to directly influence policy or the government.government.

Nothing in science is Nothing in science is certaincertain or proven; we are only or proven; we are only creating the best picture possible of what is happening in creating the best picture possible of what is happening in the world.the world.

As scientists we are meant to be impartial, collect data As scientists we are meant to be impartial, collect data and record the world, not to directly influence policy or the and record the world, not to directly influence policy or the government.government.

Nothing in science is Nothing in science is certaincertain or proven; we are only or proven; we are only creating the best picture possible of what is happening in creating the best picture possible of what is happening in the world.the world.


Think and ask questions.Think and ask questions.

Observe what actually occurs.Observe what actually occurs.

Create a potential explanation for Create a potential explanation for what is happening.what is happening.

Design a test that will differentiate Design a test that will differentiate your explanation from other your explanation from other possible explanations, trying to possible explanations, trying to eliminate them.eliminate them.

This either leads to your idea being This either leads to your idea being correct or incorrect.correct or incorrect.

Finally, explain your results… and Finally, explain your results… and try again!try again!

Think and ask questions.Think and ask questions.

Observe what actually occurs.Observe what actually occurs.

Create a potential explanation for Create a potential explanation for what is happening.what is happening.

Design a test that will differentiate Design a test that will differentiate your explanation from other your explanation from other possible explanations, trying to possible explanations, trying to eliminate them.eliminate them.

This either leads to your idea being This either leads to your idea being correct or incorrect.correct or incorrect.

Finally, explain your results… and Finally, explain your results… and try again!try again!

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific MethodThe Scientific MethodThe Scientific MethodLove’s Love’s LabLabLove’s Love’s LabLab

Lab EthicsLab EthicsLab EthicsLab Ethics

This lab studies hormone levels, which This lab studies hormone levels, which requires them to take blood samples.requires them to take blood samples.

The birds stay free. The techniques The birds stay free. The techniques they use are they use are non invasive ecology.non invasive ecology.

Smallest blood samples possible are Smallest blood samples possible are drawn. drawn.

They also collect insects that the birds They also collect insects that the birds eat to see the available food eat to see the available food resources.resources.

In the end, it’s all in an effort to In the end, it’s all in an effort to understand how we can best protect understand how we can best protect these populations of birds. these populations of birds.

This lab studies hormone levels, which This lab studies hormone levels, which requires them to take blood samples.requires them to take blood samples.

The birds stay free. The techniques The birds stay free. The techniques they use are they use are non invasive ecology.non invasive ecology.

Smallest blood samples possible are Smallest blood samples possible are drawn. drawn.

They also collect insects that the birds They also collect insects that the birds eat to see the available food eat to see the available food resources.resources.

In the end, it’s all in an effort to In the end, it’s all in an effort to understand how we can best protect understand how we can best protect these populations of birds. these populations of birds.


The Arctic is extremely The Arctic is extremely sensitive and under-studied.sensitive and under-studied.

Studying Studying Arctic species is hard.Arctic species is hard.

Animal care committee makes Animal care committee makes sure we don’t abuse or harm sure we don’t abuse or harm animals.animals.

Federal and regional permits Federal and regional permits are needed because they are are needed because they are on Inuit lands, as well as on Inuit lands, as well as national conservation land.national conservation land.

The Arctic is extremely The Arctic is extremely sensitive and under-studied.sensitive and under-studied.

Studying Studying Arctic species is hard.Arctic species is hard.

Animal care committee makes Animal care committee makes sure we don’t abuse or harm sure we don’t abuse or harm animals.animals.

Federal and regional permits Federal and regional permits are needed because they are are needed because they are on Inuit lands, as well as on Inuit lands, as well as national conservation land.national conservation land.

PermitsPermitsPermitsPermitsLove’s Love’s LabLabLove’s Love’s LabLab

Research SpeciesResearch SpeciesResearch SpeciesResearch Species

Tree Swallows Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor)(Tachycineta bicolor)

Tree Swallows Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor)(Tachycineta bicolor)

Thick-billed murre or Thick-billed murre or Brünnich’s guillemot Brünnich’s guillemot

(Uria lomvia)(Uria lomvia)

Thick-billed murre or Thick-billed murre or Brünnich’s guillemot Brünnich’s guillemot

(Uria lomvia)(Uria lomvia)

Seaducks Common eiders Seaducks Common eiders (Somateria mollissima)(Somateria mollissima)

Seaducks Common eiders Seaducks Common eiders (Somateria mollissima)(Somateria mollissima)

White-winged scoters White-winged scoters (Melanitta deglandi)(Melanitta deglandi)

White-winged scoters White-winged scoters (Melanitta deglandi)(Melanitta deglandi)

Antarctic petrels Antarctic petrels (Thalassoica antarctica)(Thalassoica antarctica)

Antarctic petrels Antarctic petrels (Thalassoica antarctica)(Thalassoica antarctica)


Stress HormonesStress HormonesStress HormonesStress Hormones

Corticosterone Corticosterone in birds and reptilesin birds and reptiles

CortisolCortisolin humans and fishin humans and fish

CortisoneCortisoneartificial hormone given to artificial hormone given to people in hospitalpeople in hospital

Stress can be helpful to you;Stress can be helpful to you;But, chronic stress isn’t!But, chronic stress isn’t!


TREE SWALLOWSTREE SWALLOWS

-Populations declining fast!-Populations declining fast!

-Measure how birds are doing in:-Measure how birds are doing in:disturbed habitats (agriculture & disturbed habitats (agriculture & cities) vs. undisturbed habitats cities) vs. undisturbed habitats (marshland).(marshland).

- Showing higher stress hormones.- Showing higher stress hormones.

-Equal numbers of young--Equal numbers of young- … but how?? … but how??

TREE SWALLOWSTREE SWALLOWS

-Populations declining fast!-Populations declining fast!

-Measure how birds are doing in:-Measure how birds are doing in:disturbed habitats (agriculture & disturbed habitats (agriculture & cities) vs. undisturbed habitats cities) vs. undisturbed habitats (marshland).(marshland).

- Showing higher stress hormones.- Showing higher stress hormones.

-Equal numbers of young--Equal numbers of young- … but how?? … but how??

Stress HormonesStress HormonesStress HormonesStress HormonesLove’s Love’s LabLabLove’s Love’s LabLab

Lab StuffLab StuffLab StuffLab Stuff

The kits on the left are used for measuring the level of stress hormone in the blood.The kits on the left are used for measuring the level of stress hormone in the blood.Plasma, (the cleaner, fluid portion of blood) is kept in huge freezers Plasma, (the cleaner, fluid portion of blood) is kept in huge freezers (-80deg. Celsius) until they are taken out and measured.(-80deg. Celsius) until they are taken out and measured.

The kits on the left are used for measuring the level of stress hormone in the blood.The kits on the left are used for measuring the level of stress hormone in the blood.Plasma, (the cleaner, fluid portion of blood) is kept in huge freezers Plasma, (the cleaner, fluid portion of blood) is kept in huge freezers (-80deg. Celsius) until they are taken out and measured.(-80deg. Celsius) until they are taken out and measured.


Hormone AssayHormone AssayHormone AssayHormone Assay

The different blood The different blood samples are put into this samples are put into this assayassay

Many hormones can be Many hormones can be measured (assayed) in the measured (assayed) in the blood, to give an indication blood, to give an indication of metabolic processes of metabolic processes and conditions, or and conditions, or “hormone imbalances”.“hormone imbalances”.

The different blood The different blood samples are put into this samples are put into this assayassay

Many hormones can be Many hormones can be measured (assayed) in the measured (assayed) in the blood, to give an indication blood, to give an indication of metabolic processes of metabolic processes and conditions, or and conditions, or “hormone imbalances”.“hormone imbalances”.


Hormone AssayHormone AssayHormone AssayHormone Assay

The strength of the yellow colour The strength of the yellow colour shows the amount of hormone in shows the amount of hormone in each well.each well.

An expensive machine shoots light An expensive machine shoots light through each well and measures through each well and measures how much light comes out the how much light comes out the other side to determine amount of other side to determine amount of hormones in each well. hormones in each well.

The strength of the yellow colour The strength of the yellow colour shows the amount of hormone in shows the amount of hormone in each well.each well.

An expensive machine shoots light An expensive machine shoots light through each well and measures through each well and measures how much light comes out the how much light comes out the other side to determine amount of other side to determine amount of hormones in each well. hormones in each well.


Study Systems Study Systems Study Systems Study Systems

Snow buntings are a circumpolar Arctic-breeding Snow buntings are a circumpolar Arctic-breeding songbird that has declined by an estimated 60% in songbird that has declined by an estimated 60% in North America over the past 45 years. We are North America over the past 45 years. We are combining studies of their breeding, migratory and combining studies of their breeding, migratory and wintering biology to determine the mechanisms behind wintering biology to determine the mechanisms behind these declines. We monitor breeding and migratory these declines. We monitor breeding and migratory activities using a focal population at East bay island activities using a focal population at East bay island studies since 2007, and we have developed a large studies since 2007, and we have developed a large network of academic and citizen scientists (Canadian network of academic and citizen scientists (Canadian Snow Bunting Network – CSBN) to monitor the Snow Bunting Network – CSBN) to monitor the wintering behaviour of this species across southern wintering behaviour of this species across southern Canada and the northern US.Canada and the northern US.

Snow buntings are a circumpolar Arctic-breeding Snow buntings are a circumpolar Arctic-breeding songbird that has declined by an estimated 60% in songbird that has declined by an estimated 60% in North America over the past 45 years. We are North America over the past 45 years. We are combining studies of their breeding, migratory and combining studies of their breeding, migratory and wintering biology to determine the mechanisms behind wintering biology to determine the mechanisms behind these declines. We monitor breeding and migratory these declines. We monitor breeding and migratory activities using a focal population at East bay island activities using a focal population at East bay island studies since 2007, and we have developed a large studies since 2007, and we have developed a large network of academic and citizen scientists (Canadian network of academic and citizen scientists (Canadian Snow Bunting Network – CSBN) to monitor the Snow Bunting Network – CSBN) to monitor the wintering behaviour of this species across southern wintering behaviour of this species across southern Canada and the northern US.Canada and the northern US.

SNOW BUNTINGSSNOW BUNTINGS (Plectrophenax nivalis)(Plectrophenax nivalis)SNOW BUNTINGSSNOW BUNTINGS (Plectrophenax nivalis)(Plectrophenax nivalis)


Snow Bunting ResearchSnow Bunting ResearchSnow Bunting ResearchSnow Bunting Research

Through studying feathers Through studying feathers alone, they can measure alone, they can measure hormones, and can determine hormones, and can determine the potential mating the potential mating possibilities of other birds possibilities of other birds based solely on their based solely on their markings and colouring. markings and colouring.

Through studying feathers Through studying feathers alone, they can measure alone, they can measure hormones, and can determine hormones, and can determine the potential mating the potential mating possibilities of other birds possibilities of other birds based solely on their based solely on their markings and colouring. markings and colouring.


Love Lab Animal CorridorLove Lab Animal CorridorLove Lab Animal CorridorLove Lab Animal Corridor

These Zebra Finches are bred in These Zebra Finches are bred in captivity and are used to do the tests captivity and are used to do the tests that can’t be done to sensitive wild that can’t be done to sensitive wild animals. animals.

The answers that are observed are the The answers that are observed are the other pieces to the scientific puzzle that other pieces to the scientific puzzle that the lab and bloodworm might not be the lab and bloodworm might not be able to answer. able to answer.

These Zebra Finches are bred in These Zebra Finches are bred in captivity and are used to do the tests captivity and are used to do the tests that can’t be done to sensitive wild that can’t be done to sensitive wild animals. animals.

The answers that are observed are the The answers that are observed are the other pieces to the scientific puzzle that other pieces to the scientific puzzle that the lab and bloodworm might not be the lab and bloodworm might not be able to answer. able to answer.


Zebra FinchZebra FinchZebra FinchZebra Finch

In the wild, In the wild, these white these white birds would be birds would be dead as they dead as they would be would be spotted and spotted and picked off by picked off by predators very predators very quickly.quickly.

In the wild, In the wild, these white these white birds would be birds would be dead as they dead as they would be would be spotted and spotted and picked off by picked off by predators very predators very quickly.quickly.

The white The white finches are finches are born with a born with a genetic genetic mutation.mutation.

The white The white finches are finches are born with a born with a genetic genetic mutation.mutation.



These other variations of the These other variations of the Zebra Finches can also survive Zebra Finches can also survive because they are cared for my because they are cared for my humans. humans.

These other variations of the These other variations of the Zebra Finches can also survive Zebra Finches can also survive because they are cared for my because they are cared for my humans. humans.

Quasimodo & MidgetQuasimodo & MidgetQuasimodo & MidgetQuasimodo & Midget(one wing) (splayed legs)(one wing) (splayed legs)(one wing) (splayed legs)(one wing) (splayed legs)

French ToastFrench ToastFrench ToastFrench Toast (little chubs)(little chubs) (little chubs)(little chubs)



Dr. Love & French ToastDr. Love & French ToastDr. Love & French ToastDr. Love & French Toast

How to hold herHow to hold herHow to hold herHow to hold her

Inspect the wingInspect the wingInspect the wingInspect the wing

Measure the wingMeasure the wingMeasure the wingMeasure the wing


Dr. Love & French ToastDr. Love & French ToastDr. Love & French ToastDr. Love & French Toast

Here Dr. Love tells us a little bit about our friends the Zebra Finches. Here Dr. Love tells us a little bit about our friends the Zebra Finches. Here Dr. Love tells us a little bit about our friends the Zebra Finches. Here Dr. Love tells us a little bit about our friends the Zebra Finches.


Thank youThank youThank youThank you


Love Lab Visit

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