Schedule

40 St. George Street, Bahen Building

Moderator: Marc Johnson

BA-Atrium, MY-1st Floor; SF-next to 1105

Moderator: Leticia Aviles

Moderator: Jessie Wang

Moderator: Vedant Gattani

Moderator: Shelley Wang

Moderator: Damian Hernandez

Moderator: Sophie Usenko

Moderator: Tiziana Gelmi Candusso

Moderator: Mete Yuksel

Moderator: Taylor Naaykens

Moderator: Laurence FeytenCSEE Excellence in Doctoral Research Award Winners 2026 Ella Martin (University of Toronto) Talk Title: Urban evolution and eco-evolutionary feedbacks in white clover Bio: Ella is a PhD candidate in Marc Johnson’s EvoEco lab at the University of Toronto. My research focuses on the intersection of ecology, evolution, and socioeconomics in urban environments. Bluesky: @ellmartin.bsky.social Nicole Noemi Bison (University of British Columbia) Talk Title: The kinetic basis of photosynthetic heat tolerance Bio: Nicole is a PhD candidate in the Department of Botany at the University of British Columbia. Her research combines theory, experiments, field surveys, and remote sensing to better understand the evolutionary, ecological, and biochemical drivers of plant heat tolerance and predict responses to future climate extremes. Bluesky: @nicolebison.bsky.social G. Adam Meyer (Memorial University of Newfoundland) Talk Title: Resolving mechanisms of large herbivore zoogeochemistry in Newfoundland and beyond Bio: Adam is an ecosystem ecologist studying the diverse roles of animals in ecosystem elemental cycling. Combining theory development, field studies, and data synthesis, his PhD resolves mechanisms by which large herbivores, such as moose in Newfoundland, shape terrestrial biogeochemistry. Bluesky: @gadammeyer.bsky.social Robert Hechler (presentation to be pre-recorded; University of Toronto) Talk Title: Causes and consequences of nonlinear dynamics for ecological stability Bio: Robert is a quantitative ecologist studying the causes and consequences of nonlinear population dynamics for ecological stability. Bluesky: @roberthechler.bsky.social

Moderator: Julia BaumCoordinator: Luna Taguchi 10:30-10:35 - Introduction10:35-10:45 - Douglas Morris, Lakehead University10:45-10:55 - Sarah Otto, UBC10:55-11:05 - Pedro Peres-Neto, Concordia University11:05-11:15 - Joey Bernhardt, University of Guelph11:15-11:25 - Jaime Grimm, University of Victoria11:25-11:35 - Jasmine Veitch, University of Calgary11:35-12:00 - Open discussion

12:00-1:30 pm: SWEEET Seats: speed-networking lunch to move, meet, and connect. Feel free to drop in and out, and bring your lunch while you chat. Panelists:Dr. Diane Srivastava (Professor, University of British Columbia & Director of the Canadian Institute of Ecology and Evolution)Dr. Rachel Giles (co-director of FREED Toronto Chapter),Dr. Courtney Robichaud (co-founder of Support Our Science) This year’s SWEEET (Section Working for Equity in Ecology and Evolution Today) symposium will build off of our history of addressing inequities in science by increasing awareness, promoting strategies, and inspiring action. This symposium will focus on three interconnected barriers that disproportionately affect equity-deserving researchers: parenthood responsibilities, fieldwork-related obstacles, and socioeconomic challenges. Featuring 3 invited speakers, this event will include presentations and guided discussion on topics ranging from navigating the ongoing challenges of caregiving in academia, including parental leave policies and the long-term career considerations of parenting responsibilities, addressing barriers that limit access to fieldwork and other outdoor experiences, and advocacy for increased pay for early-career scientists. This interactive symposium will explore often-overlooked challenges, how to address such barriers, and pathways forward. We also consider these barriers in the context of rollbacks in EDI policies in Canadian academia. With these conversations, we aim to identify practical strategies that promote a more inclusive and supportive research environment for all career stages. Importantly, this symposium is intended for the entire CSEE community. It is meant to create community and support for individuals facing these barriers, and equip community members in positions of privilege with strategies to become allies in addressing these intersectional barriers.

Moderator: Sophie Usenko

Moderator: Taylor Naaykens

Moderator: Dan Yang

Moderator: Damian Hernandez

Moderator: Ferne Kotlyar

Moderator: Chris Brimacombe

Moderator: Gloria Wang

Moderator: Ailene MacPherson Chloé Schmidt (Dalhousie University) Talk title: Exploring the population processes maintaining biodiversity patterns Bio: Chloé is an Assistant Professor at Dalhousie University, where her lab uses population genetics and data synthesis approaches to understand the links between microevolutionary processes and the organization and maintenance of broader biodiversity patterns. Bluesky: @chloology.bsky.social James Santangelo (University of Ottawa) Talk title: Adaptation of a cosmopolitan plant at multiple spatial scales Bio: James is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Ottawa. Broadly, James is an evolutionary biologist using plants as model systems to understand the genetic basis and architecture of adaptation to contemporary environmental change. Bluesky: @jssantangelo.bsky.social

1:30-3:00 pm: Spotlight Sessions: symposium introductions, speaker presentations. 1:30-1:40 pm - Introduction, overview of symposium1:40-2:05 pm - Courtney Robichaud, “Practicing Resistance”2:05-2:30pm - Rachel Giles, “Increasing access to fieldwork for Indigenous, Black, and/or Racialized undergraduate students”2:30-2:40pm - Diane Srivastava, “Parenthood in academia - making it work (better)”2:40-2:55pm - Diane Srivastava, “Equity gains under threat at Canadian universities” This year’s SWEEET (Section Working for Equity in Ecology and Evolution Today) symposium will build off of our history of addressing inequities in science by increasing awareness, promoting strategies, and inspiring action. This symposium will focus on three interconnected barriers that disproportionately affect equity-deserving researchers: parenthood responsibilities, fieldwork-related obstacles, and socioeconomic challenges. Featuring 3 invited speakers, this event will include presentations and guided discussions on topics ranging from navigating the ongoing challenges of caregiving in academia, including parental leave policies and the long-term career considerations of parenting responsibilities, addressing barriers that limit access to fieldwork and other outdoor experiences, and advocacy for increased pay for early-career scientists. This interactive symposium will explore often-overlooked challenges, how to address such barriers, and pathways forward. We also consider these barriers in the context of rollbacks in EDI policies in Canadian academia. With these conversations, we aim to identify practical strategies that promote a more inclusive and supportive research environment for all career stages. Importantly, this symposium is intended for the entire CSEE community. It is meant to create community and support for individuals facing these barriers, and equip community members in positions of privilege with strategies to become allies in addressing these intersectional barriers.

BA-Atrium, MY-1st Floor; SF-next to 1105

Moderator: Sophie Usenko

Moderator: Lifei Wang

Moderator: Shelley Wang

Moderator: Mete Yuksel

Moderator: Anahy Garza

Moderator: Charlotte Grieve

Moderator: Jessie Wang

Moderator: Tiziana Gelmi Candusso

3:30-5:00 pm: Roundtable: guided question period, concluding remarks. Panelists:Dr. Diane Srivastava (Professor, University of British Columbia & Director of the Canadian Institute of Ecology and Evolution)Dr. Rachel Giles (co-director of FREED Toronto Chapter),Dr. Courtney Robichaud (co-founder of Support Our Science) This year’s SWEEET (Section Working for Equity in Ecology and Evolution Today) symposium will build off of our history of addressing inequities in science by increasing awareness, promoting strategies, and inspiring action. This symposium will focus on three interconnected barriers that disproportionately affect equity-deserving researchers: parenthood responsibilities, fieldwork-related obstacles, and socioeconomic challenges. Featuring 3 invited speakers, this event will include presentations and guided discussion on topics ranging from navigating the ongoing challenges of caregiving in academia, including parental leave policies and the long-term career considerations of parenting responsibilities, addressing barriers that limit access to fieldwork and other outdoor experiences, and advocacy for increased pay for early-career scientists. This interactive symposium will explore often-overlooked challenges, how to address such barriers, and pathways forward. We also consider these barriers in the context of rollbacks in EDI policies in Canadian academia. With these conversations, we aim to identify practical strategies that promote a more inclusive and supportive research environment for all career stages. Importantly, this symposium is intended for the entire CSEE community. It is meant to create community and support for individuals facing these barriers, and equip community members in positions of privilege with strategies to become allies in addressing these intersectional barriers.

146 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5J 1G2